Toulouse in 7 days

France's warm pink city: rose-brick squares, a mighty basilica, the Garonne, aerospace and southern charm. Best time to visit: April-June and September-October. Average daily budget: $95 to $160 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Capitole & Old Town, The pink-brick heart around the grand main square, the town hall and the lanes of Saint-Étienne.

Morning: Place du Capitole. Take in the city's grand main square and the pink facade of the historic town hall.

Afternoon: Explore Capitole & Old Town, The pink-brick heart around the grand main square, the town hall and the lanes of Saint-Étienne.

Evening: Basilica of Saint-Sernin. Visit the largest surviving Romanesque church in Europe, a UNESCO pilgrimage landmark.

Eat: Cassoulet, the rich slow-cooked bean, sausage and duck stew

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Saint-Cyprien, A lively, bohemian district across the Garonne with markets, bars and riverside views back at the city.

Morning: Garonne riverside & Pont Neuf. Stroll the quays and bridges for the classic view of the pink city reflected in the river.

Afternoon: Explore Saint-Cyprien, A lively, bohemian district across the Garonne with markets, bars and riverside views back at the city.

Evening: Aeroscopia or Cité de l'espace. Explore Toulouse's aerospace heritage, from Concorde and Airbus to space exploration.

Eat: Saucisse de Toulouse, the famous local pork sausage

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Carmes, An elegant old-town quarter of antique shops, fine restaurants and a beloved covered market.

Morning: Sunset over the Garonne from the Pont Neuf or the Saint-Cyprien bank.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Carmes, An elegant old-town quarter of antique shops, fine restaurants and a beloved covered market.

Evening: The serene cloister and works at the Musée des Augustins.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Duck confit and foie gras from the southwest

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Les Chalets & Saint-Aubin, Leafy, local neighbourhoods with a famous Sunday market and a relaxed, residential feel.

Morning: Violet-flavoured sweets, the city's signature treat, from a historic confiserie.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Les Chalets & Saint-Aubin, Leafy, local neighbourhoods with a famous Sunday market and a relaxed, residential feel.

Evening: A stroll or boat trip along the UNESCO-listed Canal du Midi.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Violette de Toulouse, violet-flavoured sweets and liqueur

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Capitole & Old Town, The pink-brick heart around the grand main square, the town hall and the lanes of Saint-Étienne.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Capitole & Old Town, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Capitole & Old Town, The pink-brick heart around the grand main square, the town hall and the lanes of Saint-Étienne.

Evening: Dinner at Cassoulet, the rich slow-cooked bean, sausage and duck stew, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Capitole & Old Town.

Eat: Cassoulet, the rich slow-cooked bean, sausage and duck stew

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Saint-Cyprien, A lively, bohemian district across the Garonne with markets, bars and riverside views back at the city.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Saint-Cyprien, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Saint-Cyprien, A lively, bohemian district across the Garonne with markets, bars and riverside views back at the city.

Evening: Dinner at Saucisse de Toulouse, the famous local pork sausage, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Saint-Cyprien.

Eat: Saucisse de Toulouse, the famous local pork sausage

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Carmes, An elegant old-town quarter of antique shops, fine restaurants and a beloved covered market.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Carmes, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Carmes, An elegant old-town quarter of antique shops, fine restaurants and a beloved covered market.

Evening: Dinner at Duck confit and foie gras from the southwest, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Carmes.

Eat: Duck confit and foie gras from the southwest

Hidden gems

Sunset over the Garonne from the Pont Neuf or the Saint-Cyprien bank.
The serene cloister and works at the Musée des Augustins.
Violet-flavoured sweets, the city's signature treat, from a historic confiserie.
A stroll or boat trip along the UNESCO-listed Canal du Midi.

Getting around

Toulouse's centre is compact and walkable, and a modern metro, tram and bus network (Tisséo) covers the wider city cheaply, with the metro and tram linking the airport in around 30 minutes. Bike-share and riverside paths make cycling pleasant, fast trains reach Bordeaux and the Mediterranean, and a day pass is good value for getting around.

Safety

Toulouse is generally safe and comfortable for solo travellers including women. Violent crime is rare; the main cautions are pickpocketing around the station and busy squares, and some areas near Matabiau station and parts of the suburbs that feel rougher at night. Stick to busy, well-lit central streets after dark and you'll be fine.

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