Turnhout, a small city in the province of Antwerp in Belgium, has about 50.000 inhabitants. 30 kilometers from the city of Breda and 40 kilometers from Eindhoven in the Netherlands, Turnhout is located in the east of Antwerp. Flemish is spoken in the city and it is considered the capital of the Kempen region due to its cultural ties.
That the biggest playing card company in the world is in Turnhout is what makes the city most well-known. You can see the historical development of the playing cards which have beome the symbol of the city in an old factory building converted into a museum in the center of the city. In addition of the Museum of Playing Cards, there is also a water castle in the city, where you can see many interesting museums and enjoy a dynamic agenda of events. The Castle of the Dukes of Brabant, dating back to the 12th century, and St. Peter's Church, the main church of the city, set the route to see the most beautiful Gothic buildings.
The best time to visit Turnhout, a colorful city with its restaurants, cafés and crowded shopping streets, is summer. During these hot and dry months, you can shop from open markets in the city center, walk around the antiques exhibited in the parks and enjoy the famous Carillon concerts. We must say that the city has great routes for trekking and cycling is very common on Turnhout streets where you don't breath exhaust fumes.
The nearest place where you can arrive by air is the Antwerp International Airport, which is located 42 kilometers away. In the middle of the city and nearby the tourist attractions are the regular train services to Antwerp and to other nearby cities. You can go to all cities around by motorway E34 following the signboards, or by taking a bus.