Visit Toulouse in 2 days

Where to Stay in Toulouse

For a two-day visit to Toulouse, location matters more than star ratings: you want to spend time soaking up the rose-brick charm, not commuting. Choosing a base within easy walking distance of the main sights means mornings at the market, afternoons in museums and evenings lingering over cassoulet without worrying about trains. If you plan to focus on the city centre, aim for a place that lets you step out and immediately feel the pulse of the city.

The city is compact and organized around the historic center radiating from the Place du Capitole, with medieval lanes, church squares and a riverside life along the Garonne. Important cultural stops such as the Musée des Augustins and the imposing Saint-Étienne Cathedral all sit within a comfortable walking radius of each other, so the natural strategy for a short stay is to base yourself in or just outside this heart. The train station (Toulouse-Matabiau) and the metro lines make reaching farther neighborhoods quick, but a central location saves you precious hours on a 48-hour itinerary.

If you like being in the thick of things, the area around the Place du Capitole and nearby streets keeps cafés, restaurants and shops at your doorstep. For a slightly calmer, atmospheric option with pretty streets and local bakeries, consider the Carmes quarter or the lanes toward the cathedral; both put the Musée des Augustins and the Saint-Étienne Cathedral within easy reach. If you prefer river views and a village-like feel while still being a short taxi or tram ride from the core, the left-bank neighbourhoods such as Saint-Cyprien are friendly alternatives.

Transport in Toulouse is straightforward: most central attractions are walkable, the metro (two lines) and frequent buses fill gaps, and the city bike scheme is great for short hops over the bridges. If you’re arriving or departing by train or plane, check how close your accommodation is to Matabiau station or the airport shuttle to avoid last-minute stress.

Finally, remember comfort beats glamour for two days: choose a quiet side street if you value sleep, or a central square if you want to be in the action at night. Many central apartments and guesthouses sit in historic buildings—ask about stairs and lifts when booking—and favour places with good local reviews mentioning location. With the city so compact, a well-chosen neighborhood lets you see the Place du Capitole, the museums and the churches at an easy, relaxed pace.

Getting Around Toulouse

Toulouse is a joy to explore because the historic center is compact and the Tisséo network is straightforward: two metro lines, several tram lines, an extensive bus grid and the handy VélôToulouse bike system. Even if you arrive with only a phone and a sense of adventure, you’ll find clear stops, frequent services and easy connections. Signs at stations and ticket machines offer multiple languages, and the metro is a fast way to cover longer distances while walking lets you soak in the pink-brick architecture around Place du Capitole, the Museum of the Augustinians and Saint-Etienne Cathedral. 🚇

Practical ticket tip: buy a single single ticket if you’re making one or two hops, or grab a carnet (multiple-ride pack) or day pass if you’ll be hopping on and off all day — these save you money compared with singles. You can purchase tickets at machines, kiosks, or in the Tisséo app and many stations now accept contactless bank cards. Remember to validate your ticket when you board or at station validators: inspectors do check, and it’s an easy rule to follow. 🎫

Use Google Maps (or the Tisséo app) as your best travel buddy: type your destination and it will mix walking, metro, tram and bus options with live departure times. Google also shows the shortest walking routes across the central streets — super handy between closely spaced sights. If you want to avoid surprises, check live updates before you leave and save a screenshot or offline map if your data is limited. 🗺️

To save money, combine walking with public transport. The core attractions are close enough that you’ll often beat a bus by walking, and short rides on the metro can connect neighborhoods quickly without costing much. If you expect several trips in a day, the carnet or a day pass will pay off. Also consider VélôToulouse for quick, scenic hops along the Garonne — cheaper and more fun than a taxi for short distances.

I still remember the first time we explored: we started at Place du Capitole, walked to the Museum of the Augustinians in about ten lively minutes, then popped into a café. From there we considered the metro but chose to stroll to Saint-Etienne Cathedral — a five-minute walk through narrow lanes that felt like stepping into a postcard. When we did take transit later that afternoon, Google Maps and a validated Tisséo ticket made the rest of the day effortless. You’ll find it just as easy and delightfully local. 💡

What to Pack for Toulouse

Toulouse is the kind of city you explore on foot — winding streets, pink brick façades and churches around every corner. I’ve done days where I walked 12–15 miles (19–24 km) between the Capitole, Basilique Saint-Sernin and the Jacobins, and these items saved me from sore feet, drained batteries and soggy plans. Below are what I always toss in my daypack and why each one mattered the last time I wandered the “Ville Rose.”

1. Comfortable walking shoes (Ecco Soft 7 or similar): I learned the hard way that cute shoes don’t cut it here. I once switched to mid-height Ecco Soft 7s for a weekend and went from aching feet after 6 miles to fresh at 12–15 miles. The city’s mix of cobbles and alleys demands a supportive sole and good grip — your knees will thank you by sunset.

2. Cross-body anti-theft bag: I keep everything in a zipped cross-body (worn in front) because crowds around Place du Capitole get busy. On a long 10+ hour day I had my passport and wallet safe while stopping for coffee or ducking into a church; it’s the difference between a relaxed afternoon and a panicked chase back to your hotel.

3. Weather-appropriate layers: Toulouse weather can flip in a day — sun by noon, cool breeze by evening. I travel with a light merino base, a thin fleece and a packable waterproof shell; once a surprise shower soaked my travel companion’s cotton tee but my packable jacket kept me comfortable during an evening stroll along the Garonne.

4. European power adapter (Type C/E) + wall charger: French sockets are 230V Type C/E — I forgot this once and had to buy an expensive adapter at the station. Bringing the right adapter kept my camera and phone charged for photographing interiors like Basilique Saint-Sernin and evening squares without hunting for outlets.

5. Power bank (10,000 mAh): I use a 10,000 mAh pack and it routinely gives me a full recharge plus a top-up for my camera — essential on days I’m using maps and taking pictures for 8–12 hours. It’s lighter than a second charger and saved me from losing navigation halfway through a self-guided architecture crawl.

6. Optional: compact umbrella & reusable water bottle: A small umbrella tucks into a bag and saved me from a sudden downpour once; a refillable bottle keeps you hydrated while you walk between squares and churches (many fountains and cafés will refill it). Both are small, but they make long days in Toulouse much more pleasant.