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15 Best Things to Do in Tongeren (Belgium)

The oldest city in Belgium was founded as Atuatuca Tungrorum in the 1st century CE.

Decades before, the Celtic tribal prince Ambiorix had railed against the Roman Empire on this land, and is remembered with an imposing statue on Grote Markt.

You can take a trip back to Roman times all over Tongeren, at the 1.5 kilometres of walls last altered in the 4th century CE, at the Gallo-Roman museum and in the city’s foundations of the Teseum.

Fast forward a thousand years or so, and Tongeren’s Medieval treasures include a Gothic Basilica with an exceptional treasury, 13th-century fortifications and a beguinage on a maze of cobblestone alleys.

In the 21st century the city is also on the map for a weekly antiques market with more than 350 traders.

1. Gallo-Romeins Museum

You can dip into Tongeren’s ancient past at this award-winning museum, which moved into a modern building in 2011. The attraction has its roots in a 19th century history and antiquarian society, and its collection has been bolstered by digs and discoveries across more than 160 years.

The permanent exhibition begins with the Neanderthals and study’s the major landmarks in human history in the Limburg region, from our earliest direct ancestors, to the first farmers, to the beginnings of trade, to the foundation of Atuatuca Tungrorum in 10 BCE.

Along with compelling artefacts like statuettes, steles, jewellery, architectural elements and a pristine 1st-century BCE bust of Julius Caesar, the exhibition is full of multimedia, highly-detailed models and lots of tactile items for a multisensory journey.

There’s always a temporary exhibition and in February 2020 this was dedicated to Romania’s Dacian treasures.

2. Basilica of Our Lady

During a period of conflict in the 13th century, Tongeren’s Romanesque main church burnt down and was rebuilt in the Gothic style that survives to this day.

In the foundations of this building there’s stonework belonging to a long line of previous places of worship going back all the way to the 4th century CE.

The Basilica of Our Lady as it is today took more than 300 years to complete, and you’ll be struck by the 55-metre spire-less tower that serves as Tongeren’s belfry and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Inside, look up at the exquisite triforium and the massive canvasses painted by Liège artists like Théodore-Edmond Plumier (1671-1733). On a neo-Romanesque altar sits the 15th-century walnut-carved polychrome image of Mary with Child, titled Onze Lieve Vrouw Oorzaak onzer Blijdschap (our dear lady, cause of our joy). Outside, predating the current church, is the only Romanesque cloister in Maasland, with daintily carved capitals.

The treasury for the Basilica of Our Lady is in the chapterhouse and is an attraction in its own right, holding one of the richest collections of Catholic art in Belgium.

At the Teseum this art is combined with an archaeological site excavated to a depth of three metres.

Down here you’ll be able to see right back to Tongeren’s origins, in the foundations of ancient buildings and the remnants of seven churches that came before the present basilica.

Many of these show signs of fire damage, hinting at a turbulent past.

Then in the treasury you can pore over a glimmering line-up of invaluable liturgical art in gold and silver, including monstrances, candlesticks, reliquaries, illuminated Medieval graduals and extremely rare relic pouches.

4. Tongeren Flea Market

On Sunday mornings Tongeren is swept up by an antiques market that winds around the city along seven streets.

A normal Sunday will bring about 350 stallholders to Tongeren, complementing the 40 or so antiques shops that open their doors.

The Tongeren Flea Market started in the early-1970s and has snowballed from a casual gathering to a weekly event that pulls in visitors from all over Europe and the United States.

Just for a snapshot, the stalls will be stacked with vintage toys, collectibles, decorative art, antique appliances, furniture from all eras, art, light fittings, vintage and more than we could hope to list here.

Early birds get out onto the street at 07:00 to start their hunt, and you can recharge with coffee or breakfast at a terrace along the route.

5. Roman Walls

At the start of 2nd century under Emperor Trajan Atuatuca Tungrorum was enclosed within a wall, more than 4.5 kilometres long and protected in places by up to three moats.

The walls were up to two metres thick, and it is believed that, because they were built during a long period of peace, they were built more as a status symbol that for defence.

The core of the wall was made from flint, which was then clad with sandstone, although this material has been quarried since that time.

Remarkably more than a kilometre and a half of Tongeren’s Roman walls are still standing.

The best pieces can be seen on Caesarlaan and Legionenlaan.

6. Medieval Walls

Come the 13th century, when Tongeren was under threat from the Duchy of Brabant, those 4th-century Roman walls were not enough to protect the city.

In 1241 a 50-year program of construction got underway, leaving Tongeren with 13 towers, 6 gates and a walled enclosure that added up to 54 hectares (roughly 100 football pitches). A lot of flint and sandstone from the Roman wall was re-used for the Medieval fortifications.

There are tons of thrilling vestiges to be found, like the Moerenpoort gate, Lakenmakerstoren (cloth-makers’ tower) and Velinxtoren (named for an influential 16th-century family). The most intact stretches of the ramparts can be found along Elfde Novemberwal to the north, and the Leopoldwal to the east.

7. Moerenpoort

Of the six gates that controlled access to Tongeren in Medieval times, only the eastern Moerenpoort is still standing.

The name refers to the marshes (moeren), on Tongeren’s eastern flank, and you can visit these at the De Kevie nature reserve.

The Moerenpoort, as it is now, mostly dates from 1379 when it was reconstructed after an attack in 1344 by soldiers of the deceased Prince-Bishop of Liège, Adolph II of the Marck, against his controversial successor and nephew Engelbert III of the Marck.

Facing out, the gate’s portal has an ogival arch, but inward there’s an older, Romanesque round-headed arch.

The foundations were built from flint quarried from the old Roman walls, and above is a three-storey tower, designed like a keep.

The last restoration took place in 2011, and you can go in to visit a free museum, explaining the story of this gate and Tongeren’s military history.

At the top you can head out for a labelled view of the city and countryside.

8. Begijnhof van Tongeren

West of the Moerenpoort is Tongeren’s beguinage, a community for lay religious women who lived a monastic life, without a vow of poverty.

This community, dedicated to Saint Catherine, moved to a walled enclave within the city’s defences in the middle of the 13th century.

After the Counter-Reformation in the 16th and 17th century the beguinage reached the height of its wealth, and between 1610 and 1716 the wooded houses were rebuilt in stone.

At this time there were more than 100 properties, inhabited by around 300 beguines.

There are eight cobblestone streets and alleys to explore, and a variety of facilities still standing.

On Sint-Ursulastraat the old infirmary from 1659 is now a brasserie, and the Baroque Ursulakapel next door is a solemn venue for concerts and talks.

The Gothic church of St Catherine is currently closed to the public, but you can appreciate the building from a cafe terrace or the restful little garden on the north side.

9. Grote Markt

In a city as old as Tongeren, it’s exciting to think that people have been congregating on its plazas for many hundreds of years.

Grote Markt, and the neighbouring Vlasmarkt and Graanmarkt at the foot of the Basilica of Our Lady, have both been fully pedestrianised and re-paved in the last decade.

On a sunny you could just park up on a brasserie or cafe terrace and take in a view that includes a burly depiction of Ambiorix, Prince of the Eburones, the Stadhuis and that basilica.

There’s a weekly market below the statue every Thursday morning, for things like fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy and fabrics.

10. Standbeeld Ambiorix

More on that statue of Ambiorix (d. 53 BCE), who strikes a defiant pose with axe in hand.

He was part ruler of the Belgic Eubrones tribe, which had been conquered in 57 BCE.

Three years later Caesar’s troops were low on provisions, and tried to take what they needed from the Eubrones.

They resisted because their own supplies were low, and a revolt ensued, which would later push Ambiorix to national hero status after Belgian Independence in 1830. Ambiorix and the Eubrones were massacred in the end, but not before taking out a Roman legion and five cohorts.

His statue was erected in 1866, depicting him in Germanic garb, with a dragon helmet, and ringed by a Celtic-style fence with spears and wild boar heads.

11. Stadhuis

In 1677 a city fire destroyed much of Tongeren, including the town hall.

The new town hall went up from 1737 where the city’s cloth hall had stood before the fire.

Delayed by the War of the Austrian Succession and ready in 1755, this in a Rococo style typical of the Maasland.

It’s also a close match to city hall of Liège, and was designed by the same man, Pascal Barbier.

Although the building only has a ceremonial role today, it is closed to visitors, which is a shame because the interiors have exquisite stuccowork, panelling, fireplaces with Delft tiles and Baroque furniture in the Liège-Aachen style.

You can take in the exterior’s double stairway and pediment, which contains the coat of arms of Georges-Louis de Berghes (1662-1743), 94th Prince-Bishop of Liège.

This was slightly damaged in the Liège Revolution of 1789-91.

12. Stadspark de Motten

Tongeren’s municipal park is to the south of the city centre, and on a warm summer’s day has plenty to offer families.

An obvious attraction is the large pond (one of two) at the park’s heart, with a boathouse where you can rent rowboats and pedal boats.

But kids can also run wild at the park’s playground and drive a pedal kart at the “traffic park”. And on top of all that you’ve got a mini-golf course and a cafeteria where parents can take a needed time out.

13. Gasthuiskapel

Tongeren is on the Way of St James, a pilgrimage route leading to the shrine of the apostle St James in Spain’s Cathedral de Santiago.

For hundreds of years pilgrims would stay at the Sint-Jacobusgasthuis hospice, which became a wealthy institution through donations.

All this ended with the French Revolution, and the hospice was later used as a hospital, orphanage and rest home.

In 1980 it was transformed to house Tongeren’s municipal services and today contains a hotel, shops and residences.

The chapel is the visitor centre for the tourist office, integrated with historic architecture and fittings.

The building is from the middle of the 17th century, with an altar, organ case and a confessional carved in the second half of the 18th century.

And, being a visitor centre, you can shop here for delicacies from the region, like top fermentation beer, jenever (juniper liqueur) and all manner of traditional sweet treats.

14. Roman Remains

Aside from the walls there are other traces of Roman habitation around Tongeren if you know where to look.

South-west of Tongeren proper, in Koninksem there’s a pair of tumuli, standing out unmistakably in the landscape and dating to between the 1st and 3rd century BC.

They are both set on the Romeinse Kassei, a Roman road now on the course of the N69. Around a kilometre north is the Beukenberg, also a protected monument.

This is where you’ll come across Atuatuca Tungrorum, which was an earthen construction that tallied with the natural slope and had an embankment six kilometres long, leading to the centre of the city.

Finally, just off the Roman wall at Caesarlaan you can visit the site of an ancient temple, the footprint has been marked out with modern paving and illustrated with handy interpretation boards.

15. De Kevie

To break away from the city for a while, there’s a beautiful nature reserve on the Jeker River, south-east of the city.

At De Kevie the river has recovered its natural meanders, and twists through marshland, reedbeds and former pasture now reclaimed by nature.

There are four walking and cycling trails in the reserve, ushering you by the river, coppiced willows, poplars and hedgerows.

As you go, keep on the lookout for the Eurasian hobby, a nimble falcon that preys on grasshoppers and dragonflies.

You can buy a map “Langs de Flanken van de Jeker” from the Tongeren tourist office.

15 Best Things to Do in Tongeren (Belgium):

• Gallo-Romeins Museum
• Basilica of Our Lady
• Tongeren Flea Market
• Roman Walls
• Medieval Walls
• Moerenpoort
• Begijnhof van Tongeren
• Grote Markt
• Standbeeld Ambiorix
• Stadspark de Motten
• Gasthuiskapel
• Roman Remains

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• On This Day
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Tongeren: The oldest town in Belgium

• April 1, 2016 August 26, 2020

When a town promotes itself as the oldest in Belgium, it’s tempting to wonder how much evidence of this claim is still visible. Visit Tongeren, and its credentials are right in front of you: city walls that date from the first century; a Roman archaeological site from the fourth. Moreover, this attractive town in Limburg is clearly proud of its antiquity. Streets have names like Caesarlaan and Pliniuswal. A car park is called Praetorium. So you don’t need a guide book to tell you that Tongeren dates back to the time of Christ, and that it takes great pride in its connections to the Romans.

However, while recognising Ambiorix’s noble efforts, Tongeren gives pride of place to the Romans. It’s to be expected — without them, the town wouldn’t have existed. Arriving in this fertile part of Belgica, they put down roots at a place they called Atuatuca Tungrorum. Ambiorix rose up and enjoyed his moment of glory, but the Romans weren’t going to be driven away by a six-pack with an axe. They fought back, the Eburones were wiped out, and Ambiorix fled.

Thanks to its strategic position at the junction of a number of important Roman roads, Atuatuca Tungrorum grew into one of the largest military and administrative towns in northern Gaul. In medieval times, churches, monasteries and a beguinage were added. Later it was appointed the judicial capital of Limburg.

A pleasant way to explore the town is via the waymarked Ambiorix route. This 4.5 km city walk will take you to all the interesting sites. A folder is available from the tourist office. Children might be interested in the Ambiorix tourist train. From 1 April it regularly circulates the key attractions on a 45-minute tour.

The Basilica’s Treasury contains one of the richest collections of church art in Belgium, including objects of inestimable value from the Merovingian period (5th to 8th centuries). The most prized possession is a delicate walnut statue of the Virgin Mary and Child from 1479 that is paraded through the streets every seven years. Also valuable are a 16th century retable (screen) depicting scenes from Mary’s life, a vast array of reliquaries, and an 11th century portrayal of the crucifixion, notable in that Christ is depicted as still alive; his eyes are open.

Professional antique dealers and amateur enthusiasts flock here from all over Belgium as well as from the Netherlands, France and Germany. Coaches regularly arrive from the UK, thanks partly to coverage on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow programme. Their sharp eyes and knowing glances flick over clocks, porcelain, furniture, chandeliers, silverware, paintings, baubles and all sorts of curiosities. To compete with them, you’ll have to set your alarm clock early.

For another fascinating way to spend some time in Tongeren, read my post on the Gallo-Roman Museum in Tongeren .

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6 thoughts on “Tongeren: The oldest town in Belgium”

I will need to add Tongeren to my list of places to see while we are in Belgium.

When are you here? I guess it will part of a grand European tour? (It’s a long way from Australia!)

Nope, we don’t do grand European tours…you should check out my blog. We like to do a small area really thoroughly. We are coming in September and we’re stopping for 2 nights in Singapore to break up the flight (you’re right, it’s a very long way), then we are planning on about a week in London. We will probably have about 18 days or so in Belgium before heading into Germany to visit some friends in Weurzburg for a couple of days and then flying home from Frankfurt at the start of October. At this stage I’m researching and deciding where to base ourselves in Belgium.

Drop me a line if I can help in any way.

Ook deze post is weer bijzonder goed uitgewerkt.Duidelijke informatie. Interessante weetjes en alles is in Tongeren ook duidelijk bewegwijzerd Heb er ook eens een hele dag voor uitgetrokken en het station ligt niet ver van het centrum.Knap werk heb je hier weer geleverd Denzil.

Je bent zo vriendelijk met je opmerkingen! Zeer gewaardeerd. Dank U vriendelijk.

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Tourist guide

Dear visitor,

We warmly welcome you to Tongeren, Belgium’s first city. Tongeren’s residents are sometimes

accused of being a bit too ‘critical’ of their city.

We prefer to put it differently: the inhabitants of Tongeren are simply proud of their city! They will welcome you with open arms (‘only the best will do’) and gladly show you around.

Your can order the brochure here

• Discover Tongeren [4.6Mb] (pdf)

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12 Best Things To Do in Tongeren, Belgium

Amazing activities & attractions in tongeren.

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Bucket List: Top 12 Best Things to See and Do in Tongeren, Belgium

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T ongeren is Belgium’s oldest town, with a number of historical attractions that are well worth a visit. Tongeren is currently noted for its tranquil countryside beauty, a little town with historical jigsaw pieces strewn throughout its peaceful streets. Its rich history and size make it an ideal holiday getaway place. When you visit Tongeren, you’ll see its credentials right in front of your eyes: first-century city walls and a fourth-century Roman archeological site. Furthermore, this charming Limburg town is certainly proud of its history.

Here are the top 12 things to do in Tongeren if you’re planning a visit to the historic town!

1. Explore the historical art of Tongeren in Gallo-Romeins Museum

Discover the fascinating history of man in Limburg, from prehistory until the end of the Roman era. There are more than 2,000 pieces from the museum’s own collection, which are elegantly displayed in a set designed by Niek Kortekaas and De Gregorio & Partners. Exhibitions filled with vivid photos by art photographer Marc Lagrange, enthralling writings by Roman writers, and artifacts about the history and conundrums of feminine beauty.

2. Shop at Tongeren Flea Market

Belgium’s oldest town begins to turn into a massive, nearly medieval marketplace early in the morning. Around 40 prominent antique stores and 350 professional stallholders will be displaying centuries-old antiques, second-hand, design, vintage, and unique collections of items. This monthly premier antique event attracts thousands of people from all over the world. The vibrant ambiance and historic location are famous. You must wake up early in order to get the greatest products on the market if you want to get the most out of it.

3. Learn more about the history of Tongeren at Teseum.

In the Teseum, you may uncover underground archeological mysteries or learn about the magnificent story of religious art treasures. It’s a one-of-a-kind location for learning about Tongeren’s rich past. They feature a variety of activities for individuals of all ages, as well as an archeological site to explore and learn about history’s secrets. The museum is ideal for families with children who want to have fun while learning about Tongeren’s history.

4. Visit the historical church of Basilica Notre Dame

The Basilica of Our Lady, also known as Basilique Notre Dame, is a gothic-style cathedral with a history that predates its current form, with Roman chapels and Merovingian churches once standing on the same site. For those with good eyesight, it’s an inviting church with beautiful stained glass windows and unique architecture. Long before they arrive in Tongeren, visitors may enjoy the Basilica of Our Lady on the Main Market Square. This basilica is one of Belgium’s most stunning Gothic ecclesiastical structures. After the description listed, it’s well worth the visit.

5. Visit the historical city gate of Moerenpoort

There’s actually an interesting backstory behind this tourist attraction, the six city gates were the sole way in and out of the city throughout the Middle Ages. Only the Moerenpoort from 1379 survived totally intact out of the six. It has been renovated into a historical museum where visitors may learn all about Tongeren’s military history. The sturdy tower also provides an unimpeded view over the beguinage and Tongeren’s city center.

6. Visit the monument of Ambiorix

This tourist spot is a monument to honor the uncanny hero of Tongeren. Ambiorix, the Eburones’ king, is undoubtedly Tongeren’s most renowned citizen. Julius Caesar referred to Belgians as “the bravest of the Gauls” because of him. Although Caesar was severely beaten by the Belgae, the Roman superiority proved to be too great in the end. Ambiorix was able to flee, or to put it another way, he vanished without a trace. His existence has been questioned by historians to the point that they are unsure if he actually existed. Despite the uncertainties, Ambiorix was honored with a statue in 1866.

7. Explore the nature preserve of De Kevie

If you’re looking forward to a peaceful morning in Tongeren, you might as well experience it in De Kevie. Look for the beavers within the meadows and take in the beauty of the flowers. The Beemden, next to Tongeren, are damp meadows that are covered with an extravagant flower pattern every year. The area is filled with whitlow flowers and tuberous saxifrage, yellow dots of great rattle alternate with pink patterns of actual cuckoo flower and spotted orchid.

8. Experience an exquisite dinner at Brasserie Infirmerie

In the old beguinage hospital, immerse yourself in history. The Infirmerie is delighted to welcome you to one of Tongeren’s most magnificent buildings. A one-of-a-kind historical setting with a modern feel. For both large and small groups, Infirmerie is delighted to provide a personalized proposal.

9. Have a relaxing afternoon at Cafe Gerechtshof

Café Gerechtshof is located in the heart of Tongeren, near to the Gallo-Roman museum, with a view of our lovely Tongeren basilica, locals and visitors frequent the cafe. Take a break from the bustle and relax in our pleasant café or on our patio, which overlooks the Het Vrijthof square. Café Gerechtshof is noted for its friendly environment as well as its quick and inexpensive meals! The numerous customer reviews attest to this.

10. Escape room at Break Free Tongeren

This activity is a fun experience with your friends and coworkers. You have 60 minutes to get out of the escape room and look around the room for clues, solve puzzles, collaborate with your group, and unlock the door on time. Break Free Tongeren is appropriate for all ages. You’ve come to the perfect spot with our escape game if you’re searching for a thrilling team-building activity, an innovative bachelor activity, a fun birthday outing, or just an hour of brainstorming with friends.

11. Have fun at the adventure sports center of Mangata Adventure

Mangata Adventures strives to encourage individuals of all ages to spend more time in nature. To learn about diverse aspects of nature or to discover them in a new way. Bringing local adventure closer to people. Mangata Adventure assures that everyone may embark on an adventure in an accessible and high-quality manner that fits into their own schedule with their adventure library/lending service. Here, sustainability is a key guiding principle. Unlike other outdoor activities, you are in charge of a big portion of your own journey, with a little aid from others.

12. Visit the status symbol of the city, the Roman Walls.

The Roman Wall was not intended to serve as a defense wall but used to symbolize the status of the prominent city. Parts of the wall are still intact. The Roman wall was built far back in the second century and was more than 1,500 meters.

Our Top Hotel Picks for Tongeren, Belgium

Boutique hotel Huys van Steyns [ check rates and availability ] – Set in a redbrick mansion, this intimate hotel is a 4-minute walk from Tongeren train station and a 9-minute walk from Gallo – Romeins Museum.

Searching for the best hotels, resorts, tour packages, and affordable flights in Tongeren, Belgium, and nearby cities? Check out our list of cheap Tongeren hotels and resorts via Agoda  and Booking .

Tongeren Travel and Tour Packages

Want more updates about new package tours and tourist attractions in Tongeren that you can add to your itinerary?

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Written by Melo Villareal

Melo Villareal is the Online Publisher of Outoftownblog.com. He is an Accountant by profession who left the corporate world at the age of 23 to explore his beautiful country and the rest of the world. Today, Melo works as a part-time Social Media Manager for local and international clients. His full-time work focuses on discovering interesting culture, explore different cuisines and take memorable photos from local and international destinations he's visiting.

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THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Tongeren

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What travellers are saying

• Gallo-Romeins Museum
• Tongeren Flea Market
• Basilique Notre-Dame De Tongres
• Antiekmarkt Tongeren
• Standbeeld Ambiorix

• 1.1 History
• 1.2 Tourist office
• 2.1 By plane
• 2.3 By train
• 3.3 By scooter
• 3.4 By bike
• 3.5 By e-scooter
• 3.6 By foot
• 4.1 Religious buildings
• 4.2 Castles
• 4.3 Other houses
• 4.4 Statues and monuments
• 4.5 Walls and ramparts
• 4.6 Museums
• 5.1 De Motten municipal park
• 7.1 Local specialties
• 7.2.1 Self catering
• 7.3 Mid-range
• 7.4 Splurge
• 8.1 Local specialties
• 9.2 Mid-range
• 9.3 Splurge
• 10.1 Post offices
• 10.2 Phones and Internet
• 12 Stay healthy
• 13 Stay safe

Tongeren ( French : Tongres , German: Tongern ) is a city and municipality located in the province of Limburg in the Flemish region of Belgium . Its claim to be the "oldest town in Belgium", and its famous "Sunday antique and flea market" make the city a popular tourist attraction.

Understand [ edit ]

The city is the capital of both an administrative and a judicial district. The municipality has 31,000 inhabitants (2018) in an area of 87.56 km ². 17,000 people live in the old town. Tongeren is in the Dutch -speaking part of Belgium. French is also widely spoken as Wallonia including the big city of Liège is nearby. People generally speak at least basic English as well.

History [ edit ]

Archaeologists have found objects in the region dating from between 5300 and 4800 BC, and the oldest remains of buildings are from a Roman camp standing there from 30 BC, which was abandoned after a decade or so to be occupied by the Tungri tribe. It's unclear who the Tungri were; local tribes, Germans coming across the Rhine, or an alliance of these ( tungri in Celtic means "companions"). The Romans then named the place Atuatuca Tungrorum - the fortress of the Tungri. In 69-70 AD, local tribes revolted against the Roman rule in an event known as the Revolt of the Batavi. The Romans put down the revolt and burned down the fortress.

With Romans controlling the region, the fortress and town was rebuilt. A road to Cassel (near Paris), an aqueduct, a temple and many commerces were constructed to make it the capital of civitas Tungrorum . Later ramparts and walls were built to protect the prospering city from attacks by Franks and Vandals. In the 4th century also Christianity arrived, and Saint Materne of Cologne set up a diocese seat in the town and converted the population. The diocese would soon be moved to Maastricht and finally to Liège which became the main city of the region and the capital of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège, part of the Holy Roman Empire. Tongeren still remained the second city of the principality, as officially declared in the 1316 Peace of Feixhe, a kind of Magna Carta. A few decades earlier, between 1241 and 1290 a new city wall with six gates and twelve fortified towers had been built.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, the region saw many wars between the states in the region despite the neutrality of Liège. The 17th century was marked by peace until the Franco-Dutch War when the French burned most of the city to the ground in 1677. This definitely meant the end of the grand days, and today Tongeren is definitely nothing like the second city in a country. In 1795 Tongeren became part of France, and its status was reduced to a locality in the department of Meuse-Inférieure. After the defeat of Napoleon, in 1815, the parts of France that make up present-day Belgium became part of the Limburg province of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Then, in 1839, the southern part of Limburg including Tongeren became part of the new Belgian kingdom and a local administration was set up here.

During the 20th century, Tongeren was occupied by Germans for several years during both world wars and was bombed with V1 bombs in 1944 after being liberated. After the war the city was developed into commercial centre, and with the merger of surrounding municipalities in the 1970s, the city grew both in population and size.

Tourist office [ edit ]

• 50.78236 5.46824 1 Toerisme Tongeren , Via Julianus 2 , ☏ +32 12 800070 , [email protected] . M-F 08:30-12:00, 13:00-17:00, Sa 10:00-16:00, Su 10:00-14:00 . Tourist information with free Wi-Fi. ( updated May 2022 )

Get in [ edit ]

You can use the route planner at http://delijn.be [dead link] for routes and schedules for all public transport in Belgium - both for getting to and around Tongeren

By plane [ edit ]

The nearest airports are in Liège and Maastricht . As of early 2023, the former is mostly a cargo airport with some charter flights, whereas the latter also has a few budget flights operated by Ryanair. Brussels airport has a much wider range of flights and destinations.

By car [ edit ]

East from Maastricht 18 km on N79.

South from Liège 31 km on E313 (exit 32) or N20.

North from Hasselt 29 km on E313 or N20.

West from Sint-Truiden 22 km on N79.

West from Brussels 89 km on E40 (exit 29) and N69

By train [ edit ]

Hourly trains from Liège Guillemins take 40 minutes to reach Tongeren. Trains also run hourly from Brussels, taking one hour 50 minutes.

By bus [ edit ]

There are buses from Hasselt (line 4), Liège (line 74), Maastricht (line 62) and Sint-Truiden (line 23a).

Get around [ edit ]

There are four city bus lines, one of which goes to the village of Herstappe. They run from Monday to Saturday. To travel on Sunday, you can call +32 11 850300 to order a bus. A single ticket costs €2.50, and a 24-hr ticket €7.50.

Getting around by car is generally not a problem as there's little traffic and roads are in a good condition. In the old town, streets are narrow and parking are paid. There are three underground parkings in town.

Allego operates 27 charging stations (2-11 kW and 22 kW) for electric cars in Tongeren municipality.

By scooter [ edit ]

• 50.76862 5.45818 2 Vespatoerist , Rutterweg 85 , ☏ +32 460 944066 . Vespa rental office, with 50 cc and 125 cc engines. ( updated May 2022 )

By bike [ edit ]

• 50.78409 5.47356 3 Blue-bike , Stationplein . Bike rental with the rental station open 24h, you need to sign up online beforehand. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 50.7827 5.46872 4 Marco's Velo Shop , Maastrichterstraat 99 , ☏ +32 12 393966 . Selling, rental and service of bikes. ( updated May 2022 )

By e-scooter [ edit ]

• 50.78037 5.46505 5 Step Bai Step , Vrijthof 1 ( in the Café Gerechtshof ), ☏ +32 12 742078 , [email protected] . Rental of e-scooters (Ninebot G30 max), customers need to be 13 years old. ( updated Jun 2022 )

By foot [ edit ]

Tongeren is a relatively small and flat city, easy to navigate by foot to the major attractions (they're generally just a few hundred metres away from each other).

See [ edit ]

Religious buildings [ edit ].

• 50.7811 5.46551 4 Romanesque cloister ( Romeinse kloostergang ). On the east side of the basilica is the Romanesque cloister from the 12th century. This was enlarged in the early 13th century and rebuilt in its present form. The vertically placed tombstones, as well as the corner chapels on the east side, dating from later periods. Between the cloister and the entrance to the church is a Romanesque statue of Christ from the 11th century.  

Castles [ edit ]

All castles are private property, but they can be admired from the outside. They've usually been modified over the centuries, meaning they have a different appearance depending on which direction you look at it from.

Other houses [ edit ]

• 50.78176 5.46515 16 Dommershausen House ( Huis Dommershausen ), Maastricherstraat 26-28 . Not one but two houses, built in late Gothic style. Houses a household item store. ( updated Jun 2022 )

Statues and monuments [ edit ]

• 50.77923 5.46313 19 Perron ( Perroen ), Plein . All of the "good cities" of the principality had one of these monuments; a stone pillar with a cross-bearing orb on top standing on a set of stairs. First occupying the place where the Ambiorix statue now stands, it was first moved in 1886 and has been on its current place since 1985. ( updated May 2022 )

Walls and ramparts [ edit ]

• 50.77974 5.47155 20 Roman Walls . The original Roman wall, dating from the 2nd century, still visible on more than 1,500 m. You will also notice some of the medieval defensive towers that are still visible today.  
• Gallo-Roman ramparts . These ramparts, constructed in the 2nd century, had more of a representative than defensive purpose. They measured 5444 metres in length and had two main gates, one towards Cassel and another towards Colonia Agrippina and two smaller gates. The best preserved parts are in the northwest along the Cesarlaan and in the southwest along Cottalaan and Sabinuslaan. In the latter place you can see a replica of the ramparts - how it looked in Roman times - and replicas of Roman war machines. ( updated Jul 2022 )
• Medieval ramparts . The defensive walls from the 13th century measure 2600 m in length with six gates and twelve towers. The best preserved parts are in the north along Elfde-Novemberwal and east along Leopoldwal, where you can find the Moerenpoort gate. ( updated Jul 2022 )

Museums [ edit ]

• 50.7787 5.46792 24 Beghina ( Beguine Museum ), Onder de Linde 12 , ☏ +32 12 213259 , [email protected] . Tu-Sa 10:00-12:00 13:30-16:30, Su 13:00-17:00 . The museum is located in an authentic Beguine house that dates from 1660, with its surrounding gardens. Everything is set up like it was back in the day. In the cellar you can taste traditional Beguine beer ( Dagelyckx ) or lemonade. There's also a souvenir shop- €3.50 . ( updated May 2022 )

Do [ edit ]

• Geocaching - there are 157 caches of different sizes in the municipality, four of which are accessible to mobility impaired people.
• 50.78242 5.46842 1 City Golf , Via Julianus 2 ( starting from the tourist office ), ☏ +32 12 800070 , [email protected] . The city arranges golf tours around the city upon request, where the city becomes a golf course. You need to book ahead for your party and can choose between a 6 hole of 9 hole course. ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.80703 5.49923 2 Fishing , Sint-Stefanusstraat . Fish in the pond, permit required, which can be bought at de Botenhuis café in the de Motten park (see below), or at the Yazi newspaper stand at Baversstraat 34. It's also valid in the pond of de Motten park. yearly fishing permit €35 for adults, €20 for 16 years old and younger, daily permit €6 . ( updated Jul 2022 )
• 50.7859 5.4505 3 Plinius swimmingpool ( Zwembad Plinius ), Fonteindreef 8 , ☏ +32 12 800362 . Jul-Aug daily 10-14:30 and 15-19 . Outdoor pool 25 m in length, a playing pool for children, café, free parking. €8 adults, 4-12 y.o. €4, 3 y.o. and younger €0 . ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.76768 5.45955 4 Tongeren tennis club ( K. Tongerse T.C. ), Rutterweg 71 , ☏ +32 12 237237 , [email protected] . Eight outdoor clay courts, one outdoor "flex court", six indoor courts with hard surface and three outdoor padel courts. It has a café with view to the indoor courts and a terrace with view to the outdoor courts. ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.76923 5.46001 5 Activ1 , Rutterweg 63 , ☏ +32 12 233343 . Indoor activity center with a bowling alley with eight lanes, lasergame for 4-16 players, three squash courts, six snooker and five pool tables, children's playground and a restaurant. Free parking. ( updated May 2022 )

De Motten municipal park [ edit ]

• 50.77531 5.46525 6 De Motten municipal park ( Stadspark De Motten ), Dijk 90 , ☏ +32 12 800236 , +32 12 391972 (cafétéria De Botenhuis ) . Park dedicated to sports and family activities. Free parking. gratuit . ( updated May 2022 )

The following activities are available:

• 50.77617 5.46636 7 Mini golf , with 18 holes.
• 50.77582 5.46733 8 Playground
• 50.77695 5.46748 9 Skatepark
• 50.77555 5.46746 10 Traffic rules learning course , can be done with quardicycle, bicycle or kick scooter.
• 50.77599 5.46626 11 Boats , to get around on the pond
• 50.77564 5.46469 12 Fishing in the two ponds (from the shore), buy a fishing permit from the Koninklijke Tongerse Lijnvissers desk in the café. It's also valid for fishing at the pond next to the Herenelderen castle, a bit outside town
• 50.77638 5.46928 13 Tennis on six outdoor clay courts
• 50.77584 5.46877 14 Basketball on two basket courts
• 50.77596 5.46645 1 De Botenhuis .   - cafeteria with a terrace on the pond and another on the playground.

Events [ edit ]

Visit the antique and flea market on Sunday morning. It is the largest antique market of the Benelux . The market is open from 06:00 until 13:00. Go there as early as possible to increase your chance obtaining unique stuff. See the Buy section below.

Buy [ edit ]

If you visit the town during a weekend, don't forget to visit the Antique and flea market. If not, don't panic as there are plenty antique and brocante shops in Tongeren. You will find some around the Leopoldswal.

• 50.78214 5.46935 1 Antiques market ( Antiekmarkt ) ( quartier Julianus ), ☏ +32 12 800179 , [email protected] . Su 7-13 . Up to 350 vendors come to town every Sunday to sell antique and vintage goods. It likewise draws buyers and visitors from around the Limburg region and beyond. Even if the weather is bad, there will be a market, on the basement floor of the parking of the Julianus shopping mall. accès gratuit . ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.78185 5.4695 2 Julianus Shopping , Maastrichterstraat/Via Julianus , ☏ +32 12 635270 . M-Th and Sa 10:00-18:00, first Sunday of the month 11:00-17:00 . This shopping centre with an area of ​​7795 m² accommodates 24 shops. It's the only shopping mall in Tongeren, although you will find many smaller shops along the streets.  

Interestingly, the tourist office (see Understand above) sells a large selection of local craft beers .

Tongeren is famous for a brand of luxury men's shoes Ambiorix , manufactured here since 1895. They're sold shoe shops in a few countries (and on the company's website), one of which is in Tongeren: 50.77431 5.52557 3 Schoenen Reynders-Daenen , Viséweg 249-253 . ( updated Feb 2023 )

Eat [ edit ]

Local specialties [ edit ].

In addition to what the Belgian cuisine has to offer, Tongeren is known for different cookies:

• Caëderkoek , also called ’t caëderkükske , is a coconut-flavored cookie
• Tongerse Moppen a cookie with anise, honey and candy sugar, traditionally eaten at New Years celebration and Mardi Gras.
• Spéculoos Ambiorix , a speculoos (a type of Belgian cookie) with cinnamon and in the shape of national hero Ambiorix.

Budget [ edit ]

• 50.77998 5.45973 1 Ijscasino , Sint-Truidersteenweg 5 , ☏ +32 12 214595 . Tu-F 11:30-21:00, Sa-Su 12:00-21:00 . Sandwiches and ice cream made in-house. Patio and a retro 1950s interior. ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.78022 5.46148 2 't Soete Huys , Sint-Truiderstraat 40 , ☏ +32 473 428705 . M Tu Th F 08:00-17:00, W 08:00-13:00 . Sandwiches and croques monsieur, takeout possible. €3.50-8 . ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.78186 5.46261 3 Efes Kebap , Hemelingenstraat 27 , ☏ +32 12 395150 . Tu-Th and Su 10:30-00:00, F Sa 10:30-01:00 . Kebab, gyros, shwarma, pitas, pastas, pizzas, takeout available. ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.77984 5.46323 4 Etna , Grote markt 37 , ☏ +32 12 235777 . Tu-Su 12:00-00:00 and 18:00-21:00 . Italian restaurant. pizzas from €7, mains from €12 . ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.77089 5.46217 5 Macione , Luikersteenweg 117 , ☏ +32 12 391810 , [email protected] . M, W-Th 18-22, F-Su 12-14 and 18-22:30 . Pizzeria with a covered patio. Takeout possible. €5-18 . ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.78105 5.46363 6 Wok2Go , Maastrichterstraat 5 , ☏ +32 12 232202 . Daily 17:00-22:00 . Chinese cuisine. Take-away possible. mains from €6.50 . ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.73925 5.41256 7 Sint-Lucia , Sint-Luciastraat 19 ( Lauw village, 5 km SW of central Tongeren ), ☏ +32 12 394033 . W-Su 17-22 . Friterie, takeout available. ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.78005 5.45998 8 Het Smulhoekje , Sint-truidersteenweg 1 , ☏ +32 12 392707 , [email protected] . M Tu Th Su 11:00-22:00, F Sa 11:00-23:00 . Friterie, takeout available. around €4 . ( updated Jun 2022 )

Self catering [ edit ]

If you want to prepare your own food, there are grocery stores and a market every Thursday.

• 50.78069 5.46474 9 Weekly market , Graanmarkt . Th 8-13 . ( updated May 2022 )

Mid-range [ edit ]

• 50.78044 5.46188 10 L'Adriatico , Sint-Truiderstraat 17 , ☏ +32 12 239177 . M-Tu 18-21:30, W-Sa 12-13:30 and 18-21:30, Su 12-13:45 and 17:30-21:30 . Italian restaurant with patio. pizzas from €10, mains from €18, four courses menu €34 . ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.79899 5.44779 11 Eetcafe De Griek , Hasseltsesteenweg 435 , ☏ +32 496 521857 , [email protected] . M Tu F-Sa 17:00-23:00, Su 11:00-23:00 . Greek cuisine. Take away possible. Has a large covered patio. Free parking. mains from €18 . ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.78166 5.4688 12 Esaki Tongeren , De Schiervelstraat 10 ( entry from Eburon Hotel ), ☏ +32 12 453609 , [email protected] . Tu-Su 17:00-22:00 . Japanese cuisine, also vegetarian dishes. Take-away possible. teriyaki or sushi menu from €35, mains from €14 . ( updated May 2022 )

• 50.78014 5.46309 13 BØF [Bœuf ], Grote Markt 31 , ☏ +32 476 464471 , [email protected] . M 17:00-21:00, Th-Sa 17:00-21:00, Su 12:00-20:00 . Specializing in fish and barbecue meat, has a small patio. mains from €15 . ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.8094 5.49633 14 De Kleine Graaf , Ginstraat 31 ( Herenelderen village, 5 km NE of central Tongeren ), ☏ +32 12 239200 , [email protected] . Th-Su noon-midnight . Vegan dishes and smaller dishes for children. Large patio. Free parking. mains from €18.50 . ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.78789 5.44925 15 Konings , Oude Fonteinweg 49 , ☏ +32 12 237867 . Tu-F 12-14 and 18-21:30, Sa 18-22, Su 12-14 and 18-21:30 . Specializing in mussels and other seafood. Large covered patio and free parking. mussels €19.50-31, other mains from €17, children's dishes €8-13 . ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.782746 5.469916 16 Ambiotel , Veemarkt 2 , ☏ +32 12 26 29 50 , [email protected] . Daily 09:00-23:00 . Brasserie in a hotel. €10 for the dish of the day, mains €15-25 .  
• 50.778828 5.469684 17 Infirmerie , St. Ursulastraat 11 , ☏ +32 12 44 10 44 , [email protected] . W-Sa 11:30-22:00, Su 09:30-22:00 . Brasserie with a large outdoor patio. €40 three course menu, mains about €25-40 .  

Splurge [ edit ]

• 50.80249 5.46561 18 Altermezzo , Bilzersteenweg 366 , ☏ +32 12 741674 , [email protected] . Th F 12:00-13:00, 19:00-20:00, Sa 19:00-20:00, Su 12:00-13:00, 19:00-20:00 . Fine dining restaurant with one Michelin star, French cuisine. Has a patio. mains from €55, menus €95-145 . ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.78038 5.46164 19 De Mijpaal , Sint Truiderstraat 25 , ☏ +32 12 264277 , [email protected] . Th F 12:00-14:00 and 19:00-21:00, Sa 19:00-21:00, Su 12:00-14:00 and 19:00-21:00 . French cuisine, has one Michelin star. mains from €44, 4-course menu €72, 5-course menu €90 . ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.7817 5.46277 20 Magis , Hemelingenstraat 23 , ☏ +32 12 743464 , [email protected] . Th F 12:00-14:00, 19:00-21:30; Sa 19:00-21:30; Su 12:00-14:00 and 19:00-21:30 . French cuisine, one Michelin star, has a large patio. mains from €42, menus €88-109 . ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.76842 5.52119 21 Slajotte ( Maison Sophie ), Heldenstraat 1 ( Mal village, 5 km east of central Tongeren ), ☏ +32 12 241633 , [email protected] . Th-Sa 18:00-00:00, Su 12:00-16:00 . French cuisine, one chef's hat in the Gault & Millau 2022 guide. Has a small patio. menus €59-130 . ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.73883 5.41504 22 't Smiske , Lauwstraat 114 ( Lauw village, 5 km SW of central Tongeren ), ☏ +32 12 225256 . Th F 18:00-22:00, Sa 18:00-23:30, Su 12:00-14:30 and 18:00-23:00 . Specializing in barbecue meat. Has a small patio. menu from €45 . ( updated Jun 2022 )

Drink [ edit ]

• Ambiorix - Top-fermented brown beer that's refermented in the bottle. Made since 1985 and has an alcohol content of 7.5%
• Cress - Top-fermented blonde beer flavored with watercress, refermented in the bottle and an alcohol content of 6.5%.
• Dagelyckx - Triple brewed organic beer after a recipe by Beguines from 1644, with an alcohol content of 8%. It's only sold in the Beguinage museum and at the tourist office.
• Ambiorixgin - Gin flavored with mugwort, blue fenugreek, nettle, garlic, wild garlic and lovage, has an alcohol content of 40%.
• Caesaar'ke - Barley and rye malt genever with an alcohol content of 35%.
• Advocaat Ruttermolen - A local brand of artisanal organic advocaat.

Places [ edit ]

With a terrace almost 250 m in length, the Grote Markt and Stadhuisplein is the place to head for a drink. About twenty establishments next to each other have outdoor patios, often heated in the winter. Many offer snacks and even complete food menus. Veemarkt at the northeastern corner of the city center also has several drinking establishments with covered outdoor seating.

• 50.78078 5.46303 2 Casque , Grote Markt 17 , ☏ +32 12 213198 , [email protected] . Describes itself as a "Grand café", with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, snacks and main dishes on the menu.  
• 50.78042 5.465 3 't Gerechtshof , Vrijthof 1 , ☏ +32 12 742078 . Café at the courthouse (as the name reveals).  
• 50.78226 5.46793 4 't Sweert , De Schiervelstraat 3 , ☏ +32 12 394242 . Café with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, sandwiches, salads and pastas on the menu.  
• 50.780971 5.463358 5 The Pub , Grote Markt 7 , ☏ +32 12 23 93 02 , [email protected] . Pub and café with frequent guest DJs, also serves food.  
• 50.77929 5.47129 6 Café 't Poorthuis , Kielenstraat 112 . Th-M 10:30-00:00, Su 07:00-00:00 . Café with a retro interior from the late 1940s. Covered terrace with view to the Moerenpoort. ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.78284 5.47334 7 De Passerel , Jaminéstraat 23 , ☏ +32 456 201966 . Tu-Th 12:00-02:00, F Sa 12:00-03:00, Su 10:00-00:00 . Bar-café with table football and darts. Sometimes live music or DJs playing. "Tea dance" events on Sunday afternoons. ( updated Jul 2022 )
• 50.73997 5.50142 8 Alhambra Club , Luikersteenweg 590 ( 5 km southeast of central Tongeren along N20 ), ☏ +32 12 232422 . F and Su 21:00-05:00, Sa 21:00-06:00 . Nightclub. ( updated Jun 2022 )

Sleep [ edit ]

• 50.78595 5.45261 1 Campersite Pliniuspark , Fonteindreef 6 ( 2 km along N20 to the northwest, bus 4 or 104 ). Always open . Site for caravans, 20 places. €11 per 24 hr, electricity €0.50/kWh, water €5/50 litres, emptying of chemical toilets free of charge . ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.7561 5.4844 2 Huize Tinke , Luikersteenweg 334 ( along the N20, 5 km SE of central Tongeren ), ☏ +32 472 458175 , [email protected] . Check-in: 16:00 , check-out: 11:00 . Completely equipped house with one bedroom sleeping four. There's a covered patio and a landscaped garden with trees. €85/night (minimum stay: two nights) . ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.7826 5.4699 3 Ambiotel , Veemarkt 2 , ☏ +32 12 262950 , [email protected] . Check-in: 15:00 , check-out: 10:00 . Four stars, double rooms. There's free Wi-Fi, and a bar and restaurant with outdoor seating. rates from €92 . ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.78144 5.46495 4 Boutique Hotel Caelus VII , Kloosterstraat 7 , ☏ +32 12 697777 , [email protected] . Check-in: 10:00 , check-out: 11:30 . A refurbished classic 19th-century mansion. The hotel has 7 rooms. The Bazilik restaurant belongs to this hotel. Breakfast is not included. Free Wi-Fi. double rooms from €98 . ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.78449 5.47091 5 Boutique Hotel Huys van Steyns , Henisstraat 20 , ☏ +32 12 698899 , [email protected] . Check-in: 10:00 , check-out: 11:30 . Double rooms, free Wi-Fi. There's a bar but not a restaurant, and a patio and a garden. Paid private parking (guarded). dbl from €98 . ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.78191 5.46851 6 Eburon Hotel , De Schiervelstraat 10 , ☏ +32 12 230199 , [email protected] . Check-in: 15:00 , check-out: 11:00 . Free Wi-Fi. Has a bar. double from €101 . ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.77932 5.46884 7 Guesthouse BnB Het Begijnhof , Brouwersstraat 3b , ☏ +32 485 614550 . Check-in: 15:00 , check-out: 11:00 . One studio (on the ground floor) and one double room, with private bathrooms. Free Wi-Fi. triple €95, double €110 . ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.78601 5.41952 8 Hoeve De Sterappel , Tomstraat 4 ( Piringen village, 3 km NW of central Tongeren ), ☏ +32 486 882581 , [email protected] . Check-in: 17:00 , check-out: 11:00 . Two double rooms (one of them on the loft), one quadruple suite with sauna and jacuzzi. Free Wi-Fi. There's a garden with a furnitured patio and an outdoor pool, and a brewery-restaurant open for dinner F-Su. Pets welcome. rates from €95 . ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.78346 5.47114 9 Vinotel X , Stationslaan 10 , ☏ +32 12 216089 , [email protected] . Check-in: 14:00 , check-out: 12:00 . Double rooms, has a bar, no Wi-Fi and no pets accepted. dbl from €120 . ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.78237 5.46531 10 B&B Gaudium XII , Schuttersgang 12 , ☏ +32 486 276503 , [email protected] . Check-in: 15:00 , check-out: 11:00 . Three double rooms with private bathrooms. Free Wi-Fi. Garden with patio. rates from €115 . ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.75116 5.43327 11 Ruttermolen , Ruttermolenstraat 20 ( just outside Rutten village, 3 km SW of central Tongeren ), ☏ +32 12 216044 , [email protected] . Check-in: 16:00 , check-out: 10:30 . Double, triple and quadruple rooms. Large terrace with pool and furniture. There's also a jacuzzi, sauna, a shop with local products and a dinner restaurant. dbl from €137 including breakfast . ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.74721 5.48352 12 InMundo Haspengouw , Heurstraat 47 ( Diets-Heur village, 5 km SE of central Tongeren ), ☏ +32 476 436786 , [email protected] . Check-in: 17:00 , check-out: 10:00 . Completely equipped house with one double room and one quadruple room. It has a garden with a furnitured patio, ping pong table and a sandbox. ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.73971 5.4104 13 B&B AntiQua & Qook , Hoogbroek 9 ( Lauw village 5 km SW of central Tongeren ), ☏ +32 468 158213 , [email protected] . Check-in: 16:00 , check-out: 10:30 . Three double and two quadruple rooms, two of the former is on the ground floor. Free Wi-Fi. Garden with two furnitured terraces, one with barbecue. Outdoor pool and jacuzzi. Pets are welcome. dbl from €175 including breakfast . ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.74633 5.44274 14 Lisa's Weelde , Ruttermarkt 21 ( Rutten village, 3 km S of central Tongeren ), ☏ +32 12 217616 , [email protected] . Check-in: 15:30 , check-out: 11:00 . Two rooms housing four persons each. Has a patio and free Wi-Fi. two persons €148, four persons €243 . ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.7784 5.46317 15 Bibi Tongeren , Muntstraat 12 , ☏ +32 478 412907 , [email protected] . Check-in: 17:00 , check-out: 14:00 . Gîte with three double rooms and completely equipped kitchen. Free Wi-Fi. weekend: 4 guests €375, 6 guests €450 . ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.77319 5.40628 16 Buit&Rijk , Hamstraat 14 ( Widooie village, 5 km W of central Tongeren ), ☏ +32 477 728169 , [email protected] . Check-in: 16:00 , check-out: 12:00 . Gîte with three double rooms, a completely equipped kitchen, a game room with billiards and table football. There's also a garden with a furnitured patio. rates from €425 for two nights . ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.77676 5.51763 17 Huis Casa Calida , Grootmeers 14 ( Mal village, 5 km E of central Tongeren ), ☏ +32 12 237424 , [email protected] . Ecological home built with wood, straw and clay. One double and one triple room. Garden with furnitured patio. weekend:€180-310 depending on the season . ( updated Jun 2022 )
• 50.77899 5.47006 18 Le petit béguinage , Sint-Ursulastraat 30 , ☏ +32 498 041088 , [email protected] . Check-in: 15:00 , check-out: 11:00 . Completely equipped house with two double rooms and free Wi-Fi. Two persons: €198, four persons: €248 . ( updated Jun 2022 )

Connect [ edit ]

Post offices [ edit ].

• 50.77161 5.46259 6 Post office ( bpost ), Wijkstraat 170 . M-F 09:30-12:30, 13:30-17:00, Sa 09:30-13:00 . All postal and banking services offered. ( updated May 2022 )

In addition the following newspaper shops sell stamps and have sending and reception service of letters and parcels.

• 50.78329 5.47145 7 Press Shop , Stationlaan 13 . M-F 05:30-18:00, Sa 06:00-18:00 . ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.78039 5.46237 8 Press Shop Simon , Sint-Truiderstraat 14 . M-Sa 06:30-18:00 . ( updated May 2022 )

Phones and Internet [ edit ]

There's 3G and 4G coverage all over town, 5G coverage in the north and south. Some cafés, restaurants and hotels offer theur customers free Wi-Fi, and the municipality also has a free Wi-Fi network along the commercial streets.

Cope [ edit ]

The town has bank offices and ATMs, with some of banking services available in the post office also.

• 50.78199 5.46365 9 Municipal administration , Maastrichterstraat 10 ( dans le bâtiment « Praetorium » ), ☏ +32 12 800000 . M-Th 08:30-12:00, 13:00-17:00 (Th until 18:30), F 08:30-12:00 . If you for any reason need to do some paperwork with the local authorities. ( updated May 2022 )

There are just Catholic places of worship in Tongeren. The nearest Calvinist churches are in Herstal and Maastricht, whereas Evangelic and Anglican churches can be found in Liège and Maastrict. The nearest Orthodox churches and synagogue are in Liège, and the nearest mosques in Visé, Bilzen and Maastricht.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

For medical issues there's a hospital, a couple of general practices, dentists, veterinaries, opticians and several pharmacies.

• 50.78888 5.48364 10 A.Z.Vesalius , Hazelereik 51 ( buses 10, 39b, T1, T2, T9 ), ☏ +32 12 396111 , +32 12 396821 (emergencies) . 24/7 . The town's hospital. Night and emergency entrance from Baversstraat. ( updated Feb 2019 )

Stay safe [ edit ]

As elsewhere in Europe, call 112 for emergencies (where police, ambulance or firefighters are required).

• 50.78119 5.48098 11 Main police station ( Hoofdcommissariaat ), Blaarstraat 99/4 , ☏ +32 12 259000 . M-F 08-18:00, Sa 09:00-17:00 . ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.78226 5.46363 12 Secondary police station , Maastrichterstraat 10 , ☏ +32 12 800105 . M-W 14:00-17:00, Th 09:00-12:00, 13:00-17:00 . ( updated May 2022 )
• 50.78372 5.46338 13 Firestation ( Brandweer ), Sint-Maternuswal 10 , ☏ 112 (emergency), +32 11 248888 (non-urgent) . Firestation for Tongres, Herstappe and Riemst. ( updated May 2022 )

Go next [ edit ]

The Ardennes are close if you're looking for rest and beautiful nature. Liège , 30 km south, is the main regional city and Belgium's third largest metropolis, after Brussels and Antwerp .

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Tourism Tongeren

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Tourism Tongeren - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sun 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
• Mon - Mon 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
• Mon - Fri 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• Tue - Tue 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Wed - Fri 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
• Sat - Sat 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• (0.03 mi) Eburon Hotel - Different Hotels
• (0.16 mi) Boutique Hotel Caelus VII
• (0.07 mi) Ambiotel
• (0.18 mi) Huys van Steyns
• (0.14 mi) B&B Gaudium XII
• (0.01 mi) Herberg 't Sweert
• (0.02 mi) Domino's Pizza
• (0.03 mi) Esaki Sushi Wok & Grill Tongeren
• (0.03 mi) Royal Donuts Tongeren
• (0.05 mi) BOEF
• (0.07 mi) Tongeren Flea Market
• (0.14 mi) Gallo-Romeins Museum
• (0.18 mi) Teseum
• (0.22 mi) Basilique Notre-Dame De Tongres
• (0.17 mi) Antiekmarkt Tongeren

Tongeren - Discovering Belgium

Travel and respect, explore and smile, be curious and kind. have wild trips, travelling to tongeren.

In this page you can find every information for a holiday in Tongeren, a pretty good destination in Belgium (all info about the whole country here) . We will answer the most important questions: what to visit , when to go , how to get to Tongeren and what means of transport to use to get around . We will describe typical foods , the costs for tourists and where to find accomodation . We will list also the places to see around Tongeren , and we will also talk about safety and how each type of traveler can enjoy a trip here. So, if you are travelling through Belgium, here's everything to know about Tongeren for a perfect holiday.

General info for a trip to Tongeren

What to visit in Tongeren

Sure, here are the top tourist attractions in Tongeren, Belgium: 1. Gallo-Romeins Museum: This award-winning museum showcases various exhibits and artifacts related to the Roman Empire and Celtic culture. It is one of the largest museums of its kind and attracts visitors from all over the world. 2. Teseum: This is an interactive museum dedicated to the art and history of goldsmithing. It showcases a beautiful collection of jewelry and gemstones and also has an educational section that teaches visitors about the process of goldsmithing. 3. Ambiorix Statue: This imposing bronze statue stands in the center of Tongeren and is a tribute to the legendary Gaulish leader Ambiorix. It is considered one of the most iconic symbols of the city. 4. Begijnhof: This historic district is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is home to a collection of traditional Flemish houses built around a central courtyard. It's an excellent place to stroll and take in the city's architecture and history. 5. Basilica of Our Lady: This 13th-century Gothic church is one of the most important religious buildings in Tongeren. It houses a beautiful collection of art and is known for its stunning stained-glass windows. 6. Tongeren Flea Market: This lively market takes place every Sunday and is one of the largest flea markets in Belgium. It's a great place to find unique vintage items and antiques. 7. Tongeren City Hall: This impressive neoclassical building dates back to the 18th century and is one of the most important landmarks in Tongeren. It was originally built as the bishop's palace but now serves as the city hall.

When to go on holiday to Tongeren

The best time to visit Tongeren, Belgium is during the summer months between June and August. The weather during this time is often warm and pleasant, making it perfect for exploring the city's outdoor attractions such as the Gallo-Roman Museum, the Ambiorix Statue, and the Tongeren Flea Market. Additionally, the city hosts several cultural and entertainment events during the summer months such as the annual Tongeren Antiques Fair, which takes place in August and is one of the largest antiques fairs in Europe. However, if you prefer to avoid the crowds and high prices of peak season, consider visiting during the spring or fall months. The weather may be cooler but you will be able to enjoy the beauty of the changing seasons and participate in local events such as the Tongeren Beer Festival, which takes place in March. You can book here visit and activities to do during your holiday !

How to get to Tongeren

There are several ways to get to Tongeren, Belgium: 1. By train: The city of Tongeren has its own train station which is well connected with the rest of Belgium. You can take a train from Brussels or Antwerp to reach Tongeren. The journey takes around 1.5-2 hours from either of the cities. 2. By bus: There are several bus services that operate from different parts of Belgium to Tongeren. The bus journey takes around 2-3 hours depending on your location. 3. By car: You can also drive to Tongeren from any part of Belgium. The city is easily accessible from major cities like Brussels, Antwerp, and Liege. The journey time varies depending on your location. 4. By air: The closest airport to Tongeren is Liège airport, which is located about 25 km from the city. You can take a taxi or a bus to reach Tongeren from the airport. Alternatively, you can also fly into Brussels Airport or Charleroi Airport and then take a train or bus to reach Tongeren. To find the most convenient flights, compare (and book if you like!) the best offers here on Skyscanner . To hire a car to visit Tongeren, I recommend to check this: COMPARE HERE ALL OFFERS FOR CAR RENTAL

Typical foods in Tongeren

Tongeren is located in the Flemish region of Belgium and is known for its delicious cuisine. Some typical foods of Tongeren include: 1. Tongerse Kaas - This is a type of cheese made in Tongeren that has a strong, tangy flavor and a hard texture. 2. Ambiorix Beer - This is a locally brewed beer with a rich, malty flavor and a hint of caramel. 3. Stoemp - This is a traditional Flemish dish that consists of mashed potatoes and vegetables, often served with sausages. 4. Limburgse Vlaai - This is a type of pie made with a sweet pastry crust and a variety of fillings, such as fruit or cream. 5. Zoervleisj - This is a traditional sweet and sour beef stew that is made with vinegar, sugar, and spices. 6. Rijstvlaai - This is a type of rice pudding that is baked in a sweet pastry crust and topped with whipped cream. 7. Luikse Wafels - These are Belgian waffles made with a dense, sweet dough and pearl sugar, which caramelizes when cooked. 8. Onze-Lieve-Vrouw bread - This is a special type of bread made with a mix of white and wholemeal flour, and is shaped in the form of the Virgin Mary. 9. Paling in het groen - A local specialty composed of eel simmered in a tasty herb sauce, typically with chives, dill, parsley, tarragon, sorrel, and spinach. These are just a few examples of the delicious food that Tongeren has to offer. You can find general info about typical foods in Belgium here .

Is Tongeren an expensive destination for tourists?

Tongeren is not considered a particularly expensive destination for tourists compared to other popular tourist destinations in Belgium. However, like any other travel destination, the cost of your trip will depend on various factors, such as the time of year, accommodation choices, transportation, and activities you choose to participate in. Generally, Tongeren is an affordable destination, and there are plenty of budget-friendly options available for travelers.

Where to find accomodation in Tongeren

Is tongeren a safe destination for tourists.

Yes, Tongeren is generally considered a safe place for tourists. Belgium, in general, is a very safe country with a low crime rate. However, it is always important to take general safety precautions while traveling, such as being aware of your surroundings, keeping your valuables secure, and following the local laws and customs. Additionally, it's always a good idea to check for any travel advisories or warnings before planning your trip. You can find general info about safety for tourists in Belgium here . Always check updated government info about travelers's safety on the ufficial Foreign Affairs website of your government, before visiting Tongeren.

What type of travelers will enjoy Tongeren the most?

Tongeren is a charming city that can cater to different types of travelers. Here are some recommendations: Couples: If you are a couple looking for a romantic getaway, Tongeren is a great choice. The city has a beautiful historic center with many historic buildings and charming streets that are perfect for a romantic stroll. You can also explore the nearby countryside and vineyards together or take a relaxing bike ride. Young people: For young people looking for fun, Tongeren has plenty of options. The city has a vibrant nightlife with many bars, pubs, and clubs. The city also hosts several music and cultural events throughout the year that might be of interest. Families: Tongeren is also an excellent destination for families. The city has several parks and playgrounds that children will enjoy. You can visit the Gallo-Roman Museum, which has interactive exhibits that are both educational and entertaining. Families can also rent bikes and explore the beautiful countryside together. Overall, Tongeren is a destination that offers something for everyone, and it's a great place to visit for a weekend trip or as a part of a longer itinerary.

How to get around Tongeren

The best way to move around Tongeren is by walking, as it's a small town with most attractions located close to each other. However, if you prefer public transportation, you can use the local bus service operated by De Lijn or hire a taxi. Bicycles are also available for rent from local shops.

What to see around Tongeren

Certainly! Here are a few nice places to visit in a day trip from Tongeren, Belgium: 1. Maastricht, Netherlands - This charming city is just a short drive from Tongeren and is known for its historic architecture, great shopping, and picturesque streets. 2. Liege, Belgium - Another nearby city, Liege has a rich history and culture, with impressive churches, museums, and parks. 3. Hasselt, Belgium - A smaller city than Liege or Maastricht, Hasselt is known for its charming pedestrian streets, excellent shopping, and delicious food. 4. The Ardennes, Belgium - If you're looking to get out into nature, the Ardennes region is a great choice. There are plenty of hiking trails, picturesque villages, and natural wonders to explore. 5. Aachen, Germany - While a bit further away, the historic city of Aachen is definitely worth a visit. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Aachen Cathedral is an impressive sight to see. For every travel information about Belgium you can click here . Wild Trips is the Wikipedia of travel: in the unfortunate case you find an error, please write to us to correct it... Thank you! Follow us on Facebook if you like wild trips around the world and beautiful itineraries in Italy: https://www.facebook.com/wildtrips .

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Here you can find a list of destinations in Belgium , each with a link to the page with detailed description about what to see and what to do: Bruxelles: what to see and do Anversa: what to see and do Bruges: what to see and do Ghent: what to see and do Liegi: what to see and do Namur: what to see and do Charleroi: what to see and do Ostenda: what to see and do Ypres: what to see and do Dinant: what to see and do Arlon: what to see and do Tournai: what to see and do Mechelen: what to see and do Middelkerke: what to see and do Hasselt: what to see and do La Louvière: what to see and do Spa: what to see and do Knokke-Heist: what to see and do Malines: what to see and do Courtrai: what to see and do Saint-Nicolas: what to see and do Waterloo: what to see and do Comines: what to see and do Genk: what to see and do Châtelet: what to see and do Chaudfontaine: what to see and do Seraing: what to see and do Blankenberge: what to see and do Kortrijk: what to see and do Louvain-la-Neuve: what to see and do Ath: what to see and do Binche: what to see and do Estaimpuis: what to see and do Tongeren: what to see and do Mouscron: what to see and do De Panne: what to see and do Gembloux: what to see and do Herve: what to see and do Oostduinkerke: what to see and do Verviers: what to see and do Dinant: what to see and do Durbuy: what to see and do Leuven: what to see and do Roeselare: what to see and do Waremme: what to see and do La Roche-en-Ardenne: what to see and do Chiny: what to see and do Bouillon: what to see and do Poperinge: what to see and do Nivelles: what to see and do Huy: what to see and do Vresse-sur-Semois: what to see and do Maaseik: what to see and do La Calamine: what to see and do Boom: what to see and do Sint-Truiden: what to see and do Bastogne: what to see and do Flobecq: what to see and do Virton: what to see and do Philippeville: what to see and do Vielsalm: what to see and do Soignies: what to see and do Lessines: what to see and do Wavre: what to see and do

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Top Things to Do in Tongeren, Belgium - Tongeren Attractions

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• Gallo-Romeins Museum
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• Antiekmarkt Tongeren
• Standbeeld Ambiorix

Frontiers Of The Roman Empire: Visit Tongeren The Oldest Belgium City (Still With Walls)

The ancient Roman city of Tongeren is home to Roman ruins and plenty of excellent Medieval attractions.

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History & founding of tongeren - belgium's oldest towns, roman attractions in tongeren to see today, tongeren's unesco world heritage sites & medieval attractions.

At different times, the Roman Empire extended from deep into Scotland (as far as the Antonine Wall) to Arabia and from the Caucasus to Morocco. On the Atlantic Coast, Belgium sat at the northern frontier of the powerful empire, and travelers can see the legacy of the Roman Empire at the Belgium city of Tongeren.

Tongeren is not only the oldest town in Belgium, but it is also the only ancient Roman regional administrative center within modern Belgium. The Romans were the first to build cities in a number of countries. Colchester, a Roman city in England , is considered to be the first city of England.

The Romans called Tongeren Aduatuca Tungrorum , and it was a frontier Roman city near the River Meuse.

When the Romans arrived, the region was inhabited by Belgic tribes - of which the Eburones were the largest in the area. The region was conquered by Julius Caesar as he campaigned and took over Gaul in the first century BC. These conquests brought him considerable wealth and made him a hero to the people of Rome.

The Belgic tribes soon rose in revolt, and he crushed them and destroyed the Eburones tribe.

After the destructive wars, the Romans set about building infrastructure in the region. The Romans were the first to establish a city on this site (or anywhere in modern-day Belgium).

Tongeren was the administrative center of the Roman Civitas Tungrorum district (the area covered much of modern Belgian Limburg and the surrounding areas). As the Roman Empire declined and fell, Togeren was destroyed by the Franks. While it was gradually rebuilt during the Middle Ages, it never fully recovered.

The Romans loved bathing, and not far away in Belgium is the resort town of Spa . It is from the Spa of Belgium that English gets the word 'spa,' and it has been a retreat for soaking in its hot waters since Roman times. The Romans also occupied parts of southern Germany, and there are surprisingly impressive Roman ruins to be found in Germany today.

Related: Trier: The Oldest City In Germany Is Full Of Roman Ruins

There are some Roman attractions to explore in Tongeren - both ancient and modern. The main ancient Roman attraction in the city is the old Roman walls. They were built in the second century, and around 1,500 meters or 4,900 feet of the old wall remains visible today (that's about a third of the old wall).

The wall was not built so much as a defensive wall but as a status symbol for the city. The city with the longest and most intact Roman walls still standing today is the Spanish city of Lugo .

Visitors can also see the ruins of the Roman temple site and the remnant of a Roman aqueduct.

Modern Roman attractions include the Gallo-Roman Museum (which exhibits Celtic gold, Roman wares, and other Gaulic and Roman artifacts.

Gallo-Roman Museum:

• Admission: 8 Euros (adults)
• Tuesday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (school holiday times 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Saturday – Sunday / public holidays: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m
• Monday: Closed

Another modern(-ish) attraction is the statue of Ambiorix (erected in 1866). Ambiorix was a leader of resistance to Roman rule. He is considered a national hero of Belgian and is mentioned by Caesar in his Commentarii do Bello Gallico . His rebellion was crushed, and in the Roman revenge, whole Belgic tribes ceased to exist. Ambiorix and the remnants of this army escaped across the Rhine away from Rome and disappeared from history.

Related: Limes Germanicus: What To See Of Rome's Fortier Forts In Germany

Tongeren has plenty of Medieval attractions worth seeing - most notably The Beguinage. The Beguinage was founded in 1257 and is a housing complex to house beguines - a type of lay religious woman who lived in the community without taking vows or retiring from the world (a bit like nuns). This was a time when there were more women than men living in the Low Countries.

Notable Attractions In Tongeren:

• The Beguinage: Built From 1257 & UNESCO Listed
• Basilica Of Our Lady: A 13th Gothic Church & Its Belfry Is UNESCO Listed
• Church of St. Catherine: Originally Gothic Style, First Built In 1294
• Defensive Towers: Some Medieval Defensive Towers Remain Standing

Unfortunately, the wall of Beguinage was destroyed in the 1800s, but still, there is plenty of the convent-like complex to explore. The Beguinage is UNESCO World Heritage Listed. Learn more about the Beguinage on the city of Tongeren's tourism website .

Tongeren is located in the modern Belgium province of Limburg in Flemish (Dutch) Belgium (near the site of the massive Battle of the Bulge of World War Two).

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Citytrip Tongeren | Tips & highlights

When you are planning to make a citytrip in Belgium, you probably think immediately of major cities such as Ghent, Brussels or Leuven. However, there are also some surprising alternatives you should try. Like Tongeren , for example, with its compact but vibrant city center . Shops, museums, restaurants… everything is within walking distance and there is always something to do. Even on Sunday!

Discover the historical city center of Tongeren along the Milestone Routes

Tongeren Tourism had created three Milestone Routes , which guide visitors through the oldest city of Belgium. There is a short route of less than two kilometers (blue), a medium route (red) and a longer route of about 6 kilometers (green). These routes connect perfectly with each other and can therefore perfectly be combined. Just follow the stepping stones with the coloured letter M.

The red Milestone Route

This route starts at the tourist information office , which is located in an old chapel in the city center. Be sure to take a look inside: you can not only get information about the city, but you can also buy regional products and souvenirs in a beautiful setting. Afterwards, you walk towards the market square. There, you can see the iconic statue of Ambiorix, aka ‘King of the Eburones’. Julius Caesar once said the Belgians are “the bravest of all Gauls” and that’s because of this hero. He defeated the Romans and managed to escape when the Romans took revenge. But he clearly never buried the battle axe.

The route continues in the direction of the basilica and the Gallo-Roman museum . A visit to this museum is highly recommended. The museum has a very extensive permanent exhibition and interesting temporary expos. Then, the stepping stones lead you to the Beguinage and finally to the Moerenpoort . The Moerenpoort is the only city gate that remains. In the Middle Ages, city gates were used to control who was going in and out the city. For a small entrance fee you can go inside and you can enter the roof (request the access code at the tourist information office). You have a great view over Tongeren from the roof top. The last part of the walk is via the Leopoldwal. The medieval ramparts, of which you can still see remnants, were built on the foundations of the Roman ramparts.

TIP: the red Milestone route is very suitable to do with children. You can pick up a free kid’s brochure at the information office, to make it an entertaining walk for all of you. Together with ‘Joris Ambiorix’, children learn things about the history of Tongeren in a playful way. Moreover, a visit to the Gallo-Roman museum is kidsproof, as well as a visit to the Moerenpoort. In the Moerenpoort Museum, for example, there is trail especially set up for children between 6 and 12 years old.

Go searching for attic treasures at the weekly flea market

Every Sunday morning, you can search for antique treasures and unique collectors items at the Tongeren flea market . It’s the largest flea market in the Benelux. The place to be for anyone who likes vintage. Count me in!

Or visit a real treasury

The Basilica of Our Lady houses unique church treasures. This might sound a bit dull, but trust me, a visit to the Teseum is really worth it! The teseum is not a dusty museum, but a modern complex you can explore at your own pace with an audio guide. Gold is shimmering in the treasury room, which is quite impressive. You will see ancient reliquaries, statues and liturgical vestments.

Bring out your inner shopping queen/king

The Maastrichterstraat is the main shopping street in Tongeren. You will find some large stores in this street such as ICI Paris XL, HEMA and Hunkemöller, but also smaller boutiques. Beside, there is a shopping center close to the tourist information office: Julianus Shopping. Every month, there is a shopping Sunday in Tongeren, ideal to combine with the antique market that takes place in the morning.

Practical information for your visit to Tongeren

Tongeren is just over an hour’s drive from Brussels. Near the Julianus shopping center there is a paying parking lot (Q-Park). If you are willing to park a little further on, there are also free parking options. There is, for example, a spacious, free parking lot at the city park De Motten.

It’s also possible to reach Tongeren by public transport. From the train station, it’s only a few minutes’ walk to the historical city center.

I’ve made a day trip to Tongeren, but there is actually so much to see that you can easily spend a weekend in this city. Be sure to check out the Tongeren Tourism website to get an overview of the accommodations. There is plenty of choice. Would you rather spend the night outside the city center, in the green surroundings of Haspengouw? Then, I can recommend to take a look at my previous blog post .

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Tongeren: Belgium’s oldest city

In Tongeren, you will discover exceptional heritage sites as well as excellent museums, tranquil nature reserves and a charming countryside.

Tongeren will undoubtedly surprise you with its history, cuisine, cosy restaurants and bars, famous antiques market and – last but not least – its renowned hospitality.

Tongeren museums you must visit this autumn

Gallo-roman museum.

The whole family will enjoy a visit to the Gallo-Roman Museum. You are transported back to a distant past. Educational films, centuries-old objects, lifelike figures in synthetic resin and multimedia presentations bring the world of Neanderthals, Romans and Gauls to life, for young and older visitors alike. The permanent exhibition tells the story of the inhabitants of the region of Limburg, from prehistoric times to the end of the Roman period.

Kids tip -  Children explore the permanent exhibition with archaeologist Bob de Graver. During which he tells about the distant past with passion and humour. He stops at the most remarkable objects. He provides a fitting explanation and gets the children to reflect on the past.

Permanent Exhibition

In addition to the permanent exhibition, the Gallo-Roman Museum also organises fascinating temporary exhibitions. Until 15 January 2023, the Gallo-Roman Museum will host the temporary exhibition 'Imperium Romanum: The Roman Empire through the lens of Alfred Seiland'. At one point, the Roman Empire occupied an area belonging to more than 40 contemporary countries. Today, traces of that vast empire are still evident in many places, from crumbling ruins to impressively well-preserved monuments.

Austrian photographer Alfred Seiland has been recording all these remains for 15 years. His colourful, idiosyncratic photographs enjoy international recognition. In an atmospheric setting, you get to know the artist and 150 of his best works. They tell captivating stories about Roman culture and history. Children will also be fascinated to discover the world of Alfred Seiland and that of the Romans.

Imperium Romanum

More info? Discover more about Gallo-Roman Museum here.

Head underground to explore the mysterious archaeological site under the Basilica of Our Lady. The site takes you on a fascinating time travel over 2,000 years. You’ll find traces of Roman city houses, a medieval city centre, and religious buildings. Here you'll see with your own eyes that Tongeren is Belgium's first city. Ancient stones tell the story of the city, its residents and the church three meters underground. This site is the vital point of departure for every visit to Tongeren.

The cloister buildings house Tongeren’s unique treasure, one of the largest and richest art treasure collections in the Low Countries. The various reliquaries, precious metalwork, medieval choir books and rare reliquary items are genuine masterpieces. Varied museum themes take you on a journey to discover the fascinating story behind the treasures. Thanks to interactive multimedia tours with animations, videos, and even a video floor, the Teseum guarantees a hyper-modern museum adventure for young and old.

Teseum. Credit: Stad Tongeren-Jong Koppel

Kids tip -  Fire! Fire! Set off on a daring rescue mission with Servaas. This mischievous altar boy knows the treasury like the back of his hand. Together you must rescue lots of art objects from the fire. There’s also a reward for this courage... Your very own treasure chest at the end of the tour.

More info? Discover more about Teseum here.

Tongeren has the largest antiques and second-hand market in the country

Every Sunday from 7am, some 40 antique businesses and 350 stallholders present their most original items. Antiques, bric-a-brac, design or retro, during the Tongeren antiques market you step into a world full of unique items, each with its own story. Browse old postcards, vinyl LPs, mannequins, unique crystal glasses, silverware and pottery, handmade furniture, vintage toys and rare collectors' items. They will treat you to flashbacks to your childhood and long before!

During this market, Tongeren is a melting pot for an international crowd as many Dutch, German and French visitors flock to the city of Ambiorix. It is precisely this international character that has made the Sunday morning antiques market so enjoyable since 1976.

The antiques market is held all year round every Sunday, even during the winter period and in the typical Belgian weather. A large part of the antiques market is conveniently covered in the Julianus Car Park.

More info? Read the updated antiques magazine digitally here.

Tongeren: hotspot for foodies

It can be said that Belgium's first city is slowly but surely turning into a true food Mecca. No fewer than seven restaurants in Tongeren can be found in the Gault&Millau guide 2022, and another five Tongeren restaurants have been included in Michelin's dining bible.

Credit: Stad Tongeren

Tongeren's chefs have the talent to leave their mark on dishes, and they are only too happy to do so with products from Tongeren's terroir. In addition to the three Michelin-starred restaurants (Altermezzo, Magis, De Mijlpaal), Tongeren is home to numerous eateries, bars and shops that pamper visitors on a daily basis.

More info? Discover more about foodie hotspots here.

Tourism Tongeren - Julianus 2, 3700 Tongeren

+ 32 12 80 00 70

[email protected]

www.toerismetongeren.be/en

Copyright © 2024 The Brussels Times. All Rights Reserved.

Top Things to Do in Tongeren, Belgium - Tongeren Attractions

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Other Top Attractions around Tongeren

What travellers are saying

• Gallo-Romeins Museum
• Tongeren Flea Market
• Basilique Notre-Dame De Tongres
• Antiekmarkt Tongeren
• Standbeeld Ambiorix

Top 14 things to do and attractions in Tongeren

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2 Tongeren Tourism

3 Gallo-Roman Museum

5 moerenpoort.

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6 Infirmerie

7 statue of ambiorix, 8 break free tongeren, 9 biercafé stadhuis, 10 velinxtoren, 11 sint-catharinabegijnhof, 12 museum beghina, 13 romeinse site, 14 drafrennen tongeren vzw, what's the weather like in tongeren.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Tongeren for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Tongeren in January
• Weather in Tongeren in February
• Weather in Tongeren in March
• Weather in Tongeren in April
• Weather in Tongeren in May
• Weather in Tongeren in June
• Weather in Tongeren in July
• Weather in Tongeren in August
• Weather in Tongeren in September
• Weather in Tongeren in October
• Weather in Tongeren in November
• Weather in Tongeren in December

Explore nearby places

• Gors-Opleeuw
• Munsterbilzen
• Saint Nicolas
• Grace-Hollogne
• Trois Ponts

All related maps of Tongeren

• Map of Tongeren
• Map of Gors-Opleeuw
• Map of Hoeselt
• Map of Borgloon
• Map of Juprelle
• Map of Riemst
• Map of Hognoul
• Map of Wellen
• Map of Herstal
• Map of Embourg
• Map of Munsterbilzen
• Map of Awans
• Map of Bilzen
• Map of Rocourt
• Map of Eben-Emael
• Map of Diepenbeek
• Map of Kanne
• Map of Oupeye
• Map of Alken
• Map of Saint Nicolas
• Map of Grace-Hollogne
• Map of Moresnet
• Map of Maastricht
• Map of Trois Ponts
• Map of Modave
• Map of Soumagne
• Map of Dalhem
• Map of Saint Vith
• Map of Blegny
• Map of Hombourg
• Map of Hamoir

Tongeren throughout the year

• Tongeren in January
• Tongeren in February
• Tongeren in March
• Tongeren in April
• Tongeren in May
• Tongeren in June
• Tongeren in July
• Tongeren in August
• Tongeren in September
• Tongeren in October
• Tongeren in November
• Tongeren in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Tongeren?

Get inspired for your trip to Tongeren with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

• 1-Day Tongeren Itinerary
• 2-Day Tongeren Itinerary

Best attractions in nearby cities

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