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Turnhout Travel Guide
Set in the Kempen—a landscape of pine woods, sandy heath and once-secret smugglers’ routes—Turnhout has been known for playing-card production for over 300 years. It is also home to one of the finest UNESCO-listed beguinages, while a moated castle hints at its former strategic importance. Today, a vibrant shopping district, relaxed café scene, small marina and trails that quickly lead into surrounding nature give you several reasons to turn up in Turnhout.
EAT
- Amu (Middle Eastern)
- BINK (Euro-Asian fusion)
- Cucina Marangon (Italian)
- Hert (*Michelin, European)
- Isidoor Ijsatelier (artisanal ice cream)
- Marche 17 (European)
- PUUR (Spanish)
- Savoury (Belgian)
- The Matto (Italian)
DRINK
- Bellissimo CaffeÂ
- Café de Kazerne
- Café De Ranonkel (beer pub)
- Chateau Noel (tea salon)
- ROAST (coffee bar)
SHOP
- Bakkerij Goris (playing card biscuits)
- Charlotte & Willem (leather goods & hats)
- Kleine Gelukjes (used clothing & toys)
- Speelkaartenmuseum
- Visit Turnhout
EXPERIENCE
- Dwars door Oud-Turnhout (run), Aug
- Kaarsjes op het Begijnhof (Christmas Eve candlelights)
- Shoppingweekends, Mar, June, Oct, Dec
- Spaghetti Wandeling, Mar
- Turnhout by Night (light walk), Jan
MUST-SEE
- Begijnhofmuseum
- Kasteel van de Hertogen van Brabant
- Kind met Inktvlekken (Child with Ink Stations street mural trail)
- Sint-Pieterskerk (church)
- Speelkaartenmuseum (playing cards)
- Taxandriamuseum (Kempen history)









