Things to Do in Toulouse: 12 Top Attractions & Helpful Tips

Our Top 3 Hotel Picks for Toulouse

Before we dive into the best things to do in Toulouse, here are our picks for the three best hotels in Toulouse:

Toulouse Attractions on a Map

To help you get your bearings, we’ve marked all the top things to do in Toulouse on a map below.

Highlights in Toulouse

Old Town of Toulouse

Toulouse — the pink city! That sounds completely enchanting, and once you start wandering through the historic center, you’ll understand the nickname immediately. Almost every building is built from the same characteristic pinkish-red brick that defines the city’s look.

Honestly, “reddish city” might be a slightly more accurate description, since Toulouse isn’t quite as bubblegum-pink as you might picture. But the warm, rosy tone of the buildings gives the old quarter a uniquely cozy atmosphere that’s hard to put into words.

The historic center looks especially stunning in the evening light — that’s the perfect time to settle into one of the charming restaurants in the center, order a glass of wine, and let the last rays of sunshine hit your face.

The Capitole at Place du Capitole

The Capitole is probably the most famous building in Toulouse and, together with the old town, is usually the first stop on any visit. The magnificent building houses both the city hall and a theater.

You can visit several of the rooms inside the Capitole for free — and the lavish interior is almost as impressive as the exterior.

The Capitole sits on one of Toulouse’s main squares, the Place du Capitole. Events are held on this enormous square regularly, so there’s almost always something going on.

Basilique Saint-Sernin

The Basilica of Saint-Sernin is impossible to miss — its octagonal bell tower stands out from a distance across the city. This is the largest Romanesque church in France and a true landmark of Toulouse.

It’s so vast that getting a good photo of the whole building up close is nearly impossible. The good news: the area surrounding the basilica is spacious, so you can walk all the way around it and take it all in.

Entry is free — so there’s really no reason to skip it.

Pont-Neuf

Pont-Neuf means new bridge in French — yet it’s actually the oldest bridge in Toulouse. Makes total sense, right?

Okay, not really. But here’s the explanation: right next to the Pont-Neuf, there used to be an old bridge that no longer exists today.

With its series of graceful arches, the Pont-Neuf strongly resembles the Pont de Pierre in Bordeaux. Like its twin, it spans the Garonne River.

We’d definitely recommend walking across from the city center to the other bank — that’s where you’ll find the Saint-Cyprien neighborhood, which has transformed into a lively, hip district over the past few years.

The Garonne River

Okay, a river isn’t technically a sight — but relaxing on the riverbank or cruising along the Garonne by boat are genuinely some of the best things to do in Toulouse.

If you’re already at the Pont-Neuf, don’t just cross the bridge — head down to the water’s edge too. It’s a great spot for a stroll or just sitting and watching the world go by. At sunset, it’s seriously beautiful.

Another great option is a boat tour on the river, which gives you a completely different perspective on the city’s highlights.

Canal du Midi

Can’t get enough of the water? Make sure you also check out the Canal du Midi. The canal originates in the north of Toulouse and loops around roughly half of the city center.

You’ll actually cross it when walking from the train station to the center — but it’s not especially scenic there. The canal really comes into its own further south, in the Pont des Demoiselles neighborhood.

From there, a lovely bike path runs right alongside the canal. In theory, you could ride it all the way to the Mediterranean.

Jacobin Convent

The Jacobin Church is a must on any walking tour of Toulouse. The former convent complex is enormous, and the interior is relatively understated — decorated with only a few details, though each one is genuinely interesting.

It’s one of those churches where you step inside and are immediately enveloped in complete silence. Some find that dull; others find it deeply peaceful and moving. You’ll have to find out which camp you’re in.

Conveniently located between the Pont du Pierre and the Capitole. Admission is 4 euros for adults.

Saint-Etienne

The Saint-Etienne neighborhood sits just south of the old town. It’s best known for its Saint-Stephen’s Cathedral, which is absolutely worth a visit — but honestly, we loved the neighborhood itself even more.

The streets here are quieter than the city center, lined with stylish boutiques and charming cafés. It’s simply the perfect district for a relaxed afternoon stroll.

It’s also a great area to base yourself. One of our top hotel recommendations for Toulouse, the Le Croix Bagagnon, is right here.

Cité de l'espace

Toulouse isn’t just the pink city — it’s also Europe’s aerospace capital. At the Cité de l’espace, the world of space exploration comes to life in a theme park-style setting. It’s especially worth a visit if you’re on a vacation with kids.

Strap into an astronaut seat or explore a lunar station — not only your kids, but you too will pick up a ton about space in a genuinely fun, hands-on way.

Tickets for adults cost 29 euros during the day (prices may vary) and 32 euros for an evening ticket. There are also additional options, such as a two-day pass. You can buy tickets on the Cité de l’espace website.

How to get to the Cité de l’espace

The easiest way is by bus. Line 1 toward Fonsegrives Entiore runs from the city center in about 15 minutes from the Jean Jaurès stop to Collège JP Vernant. From there, it’s roughly a 10-minute walk to the entrance. A single ticket costs 1.90 euros.

Aeroscopia

Still buzzing about aircraft and space after the Cité de l’espace? Toulouse has a second museum where everything revolves around flight: the Aeroscopia.

A variety of aircraft are on display inside a massive aircraft hangar, and you can get up close to the cockpits.

Admission to the Aeroscopia costs 16 euros for adults. Discounts are available for children and teenagers, and kids under six get in free.

How to get to the Aeroscopia Museum

From the city center — for example from the Capitole stop — take Metro Line A toward Basso Combo and get off at Arènes. From there, hop on Tram Line T1 toward Meett and get off at Beauzelle – Aeroscopia.

A single ticket covers the whole journey. All in all, you’re looking at about an hour of travel from door to door.

Day Trips from Toulouse

Toulouse makes a fantastic base for exploring the surrounding region. The really standout day trip destinations are at least an hour away — but every single one is worth the journey.

Cité de Carcassonne

About 90 kilometers south of Toulouse, on the way toward Montpellier and Perpignan, lies the city of Carcassonne — home to one of our personal favorite must-sees in all of France: the Cité de Carcassonne.

This is one of the largest fortified complexes in Europe — really more of a proper fortified city than a single fortress. A day trip here is something you really shouldn’t miss.

Tickets start at 13 euros. Even better, though, is exploring the fortified city on a guided tour — you’ll hear some genuinely fascinating stories about the place.

Get tickets for the Cité de Carcassonne

Book a private guided tour of the Cité de Carcassonne
Getting to Carcassonne from Toulouse

The journey takes about an hour and ten minutes — whether you drive or take the train. Train tickets start at 10 euros on SNCF.

Albi

The historic episcopal city of Albi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, much like Toulouse, is defined by its warm brick architecture.

The standout is the Sainte-Cécile Cathedral, one of the largest brick churches in the world. From the outside it looks more like a fortress than a place of worship — but step inside and you’ll find a richly decorated interior.

Right next to the cathedral stands the Palais de la Berbie, which today houses the Musée Toulouse-Lautrec.

Getting to Albi from Toulouse

It’s just under an hour by car. By train, the journey takes exactly one hour from Toulouse Matabiau to Albi-Ville, with tickets starting at 5 euros.

Andorra

Andorra is one of those places that flies completely under the radar for most travelers. Along with countries like Vatican City and Monaco, it’s one of the smallest countries in Europe — tucked right into the Pyrenees between Spain and France.

The highlight is Andorra la Vella, the capital, surrounded by a spectacular mountain landscape. If you love the mountains, you’ll love Andorra. A nice bonus: shopping is tax-free here, and gas is seriously affordable.

Getting to Andorra from Toulouse

The Andbus runs from Toulouse to Andorra roughly twice a day. The journey takes four hours and costs 36 euros. By car, it’s just under three hours.

Plan for at least one overnight stay if you make the trip — it’s worth it. Our hotel pick for Andorra is the Hotel Starc.

General Tips for Toulouse

Before you head off to the pink city, here are a few practical pointers to help you make the most of your trip.

#1 Pass Tourisme

The Pass Tourisme is Toulouse’s city pass, giving you free or discounted entry to a range of attractions across the city.

It costs 26 euros and is valid for 72 hours — meaning you have three days to work through all the included highlights.

What’s included in the Toulouse Pass Tourisme:

• Free admission to more than ten museums
• Including free entry to the Jacobin Church
• Discounted admission to the Cité de l’espace
• Discounted admission to the Aeroscopia
• Discounts on activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or a boat tour on the Garonne
• A guided tour offered by the Tourist Office
• Unlimited use of public transportation including the airport shuttle (the pass then costs 36 euros)

You can find the full list of attractions and discounts on the Pass Tourisme website.

Is the Toulouse Pass Tourisme worth it?

That depends on your itinerary. The best approach: think through which attractions you want to visit and whether you’ll be using public transit. If you’re planning to hit several of the included spots, the Pass Tourisme can easily pay for itself.

Buy the Pass Tourisme for Toulouse

You can either have the city pass mailed to you (buy it at least one week before you arrive) or pick it up at the tourist office when you get there.

#2 Getting to Toulouse

You have several options for getting to Toulouse.

By plane to Toulouse

The fastest option is flying. Toulouse has its own airport, Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS), with direct flights available from major European hubs. Otherwise, expect a connection.

By train to Toulouse

There are solid train connections to Toulouse from across Europe. Many routes connect through Paris, where you’ll switch train stations — quick and easy on the Paris Metro.

Tickets are available on SNCF. Book in advance — prices are significantly cheaper that way.

By car to Toulouse

Driving is possible, but we wouldn’t really recommend it for long distances. The journey from most of northern Europe takes well over ten hours, and French highway tolls add up quickly.

#3 Getting around Toulouse

All the main attractions in the city center are easily walkable. You can also reach the train station on foot from most central neighborhoods.

Public transit in Toulouse

If your accommodation is further out, or you’re heading to somewhere like the Cité de l’espace, public transit is your friend. Toulouse has a metro, plus trams and buses.

A single ticket covering all three modes costs 1.90 euros. Two tickets cost 3 euros, and a 10-trip ticket costs 14.80 euros. Day, three-day, and seven-day passes are also available.

A ticket is valid for one hour and allows up to three transfers across metro, bus, and tram. For full details on fares, routes, and lines, visit the Tisséo website.

#4 Best time to visit Toulouse

The best months to visit are April, May, June and September, October. Toulouse’s location in southern France means the weather during these months is warm but not overwhelmingly hot — perfect for sightseeing. We think it’s especially great as a June destination!

In July and August, temperatures can get seriously hot. Since the city isn’t near the coast or in the mountains, we wouldn’t particularly recommend those months.

November through February bring cooler, rainier weather — but temperatures usually stay above freezing, and the city is far less crowded. Not a bad time to visit if you don’t mind the occasional grey day.