Toulouse, the Pink City of southwest France, glows with rose-brick facades, Romanesque vaults, and breezy river promenades. Founded in antiquity, it prospered on woad (pastel) trade before reemerging as Europe’s aerospace capital—home to Airbus and a proud rugby culture.

Travelers come for Place du Capitole’s grand arcades, the UNESCO-listed pilgrimage heritage of Basilique Saint-Sernin, and the serene cloister of the Jacobins. The Garonne River frames golden-hour strolls, while the Canal du Midi invites slow, scenic rides.

Expect hearty Occitan flavors—cassoulet, duck confit, saucisse de Toulouse—plus vibrant markets and student energy. Practical note: many museums close on Mondays; a 24–48 hour “Toulouse Pass Tourisme” can cut costs on transit and attractions. Pack comfy shoes; this is a city best savored on foot and by bike.

Toulouse

Vivid brickwork, sunlit squares, and convivial bars make Toulouse feel both historic and young. You’ll wander from medieval lanes to river quays in minutes, passing street art walls and market halls perfumed with roast duck.

• Top sights: Place du Capitole and the Salle des Illustres, Basilique Saint-Sernin, Couvent des Jacobins, Garonne quays (Pont Neuf, Quai de la Daurade), Canal du Midi.
• Adventure angle: Bike the canal towpaths, join a city cycling tour, or tackle an outdoor puzzle hunt in the Old Town.
• Local flavors: Cassoulet, duck magret, violet sweets, and market lunches upstairs at Marché Victor Hugo.
• Fun fact: Airbus’ A380 and Concorde silhouettes loom at the Aéroscopia museum—aviation is a Toulouse calling card.

Where to stay (budget-first): Base yourself near Capitole (central and walkable), Carmes (foodie streets), or Saint-Cyprien (great for river sunsets). Compare deals on: Hotels.com (Toulouse) and VRBO (Toulouse). For rock-bottom budgets, look for simple studios or hostels near Jean-Jaurès/Gare Matabiau.

Getting there (cheap and easy):

• Trains (Europe): Paris–Toulouse ~4h20–5h from €29–€89; Bordeaux–Toulouse ~2h10 from €15–€40; Barcelona–Toulouse ~3h50–4h30 from ~€39. Search on Omio Trains.
• Buses (cheapest): Paris ~8–9h from ~€20; Barcelona ~6–7h from ~€20. Check Omio Buses.
• Flights in Europe: Often 1–2h from major hubs; compare on Omio Flights. Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS) connects by tram to the center (~25–35 min).

Local transport: Tisséo metro/tram/bus day pass is ~€6–7; VélôToulouse bike-share offers an inexpensive 1-day pass with the first 30 minutes of each ride free. Most sights cluster within a 15–20 minute walk.

Day 1: Capitole, Saint-Sernin, and Sunset on the Garonne

Morning: Travel into Toulouse. If you arrive early, drop bags at your stay or Gare Matabiau lockers, then perk up with specialty coffee at La Fiancée (silky flat whites, small brunch plates) or riverside Café Cerise (espresso, pastries, and a terrace by Pont Neuf). Budget bites: grab a warm croissant and a tart at Perlette on Rue des Filatiers and picnic on Place de la Daurade.

Afternoon: Start at Place du Capitole, ducking into the Salle des Illustres—a frescoed hall that looks like a pocket Versailles. Walk 10 minutes to the mighty Basilique Saint-Sernin, one of Europe’s largest Romanesque churches on the Camino. Loop to the Couvent des Jacobins to admire the palm-tree column and cloister garden (a calm, inexpensive highlight). Craving structured storytelling on a budget? Consider this highly-rated, flexible option: Toulouse Self-Guided Audio Experience.

It lets you linger where you like while keeping costs low.

Evening: Stroll the Garonne quays for golden hour—Pont Neuf to the dome of La Grave is the classic Toulouse postcard. For a wallet-friendly dinner, try La Faim des Haricots (beloved vegetarian buffet; salads, gratins, and desserts for a modest fixed price) or Le Grenier de Pépé (rustic, affordable galettes and crêpes). Nightcap on studenty Place Saint-Pierre—Chez Tonton pours iconic pastis at fair prices; or nurse a local beer along the river steps if the weather’s kind.

Day 2: Bike, Markets, and a Playful Old Town Quest

Morning: Fuel at Marché des Carmes (open most mornings; closed some Mondays) with a coffee and a croustade aux pommes, then go full adventure mode on two wheels. Join The essential of Toulouse by bike for an engaging overview of neighborhoods, history, and riverside paths—ideal if you like covering lots of ground quickly.

Prefer DIY? Grab a cheap VélôToulouse day pass and follow the Canal du Midi towpath north to Port de l’Embouchure, then loop back via the Garonne for bridges and street art in Arnaud-Bernard.

Afternoon: Time your lunch at Marché Victor Hugo—downstairs for budget charcuterie and cheese sandwiches; upstairs for set menus at spots like Le Louchebem (hearty grills) with daily specials that won’t wreck your budget. Before departure, turn the Old Town into a game board with the Toulouse Old Town Treasure Exploration Game and Tour—a playful, self-paced puzzle walk that doubles as sightseeing.

If you’ve got a late-afternoon window and love planes, swap in a tram ride (~35–40 min each way) to Aéroscopia (Concorde + A380)—bookable via Aeroscopia Admission Ticket.

Evening: Departure day—grab train snacks at Victor Hugo (ham-and-butter baguette, a wedge of Rocamadour, seasonal fruit) or a budget bowl at Burger n’ Co near Esquirol. If you’re overnighting instead, treat yourself to a shared cassoulet at La Maison du Cassoulet (often a value set menu) and one last river stroll.

Money-saving tips: Many churches are free or donation-based; plan museum days together to maximize a city pass. Refill bottles at public fountains. Book intercity trains/buses early on Omio and Omio for the lowest fares.

Alternate guided option: If you prefer a classic walk with a guide on Day 1, consider the Toulouse Must-see Attractions Walking Tour With A Guide for deeper context at landmark stops.

Two days in Toulouse balances grand history with playful, low-cost adventure—bike wheels on canal paths, puzzle hunts through medieval lanes, and sunset over the Garonne. You’ll leave well-fed, energized, and already plotting a longer Occitanie return.