Tongeren is the oldest city in Belgium (founded as Atuatuca Tungrorum, 15 BC) and a surprisingly accessible day out for wheelchair users. The Gallo-Roman Museum is among the most adapted museums in Flanders, the Grote Markt has been redesigned, and the Sunday antiques market is a cultural highlight. Below is a realistic timeline for one full day.
Beforehand: practical starting points
- Train journey: from Antwerpen-Centraal or Hasselt you can reach Tongeren in 50-70 minutes. From Brussels via Hasselt. Reserve at least 3 hours in advance via NMBS Assistance.
- Parking: if you come by car, park on the Veemarkt or in the underground car park on Maastrichterstraat. Both have disabled parking spaces.
- Hotel: for those staying overnight, Hotel Ambiotel Tongeren has adapted rooms, within rolling distance of the centre.
- Topography: Tongeren's centre is largely flat. The oldest part of town around the basilica has a few gently sloping streets and stretches of cobblestones.
Day 1: Centre, Gallo-Roman Museum and antiques market (Sunday)
9:30 — Arrival and first coffee
Arrival at Tongeren Station. The station has step-free platforms. From the station to the Grote Markt: 10 min along flat pavements. First coffee on the terrace on the Grote Markt under the statue of Ambiorix — the Gallic hero who defeated the Romans in 54 BC.
10:30 — Gallo-Roman Museum (highlight!)
The Gallo-Roman Museum is Tongeren's flagship — completely step-free, all halls accessible by lift, wide corridors, accessible toilets on multiple floors. The collection includes prehistoric tools, Gallo-Roman grave goods, Roman mosaics and interactive reconstructions of Roman Atuatuca.
Important tip: a wheelchair can be borrowed at reception. Display cases and information tables are placed at seated height.
Allow 2-2.5 hours.
13:00 — Lunch on the Grote Markt
Time for lunch. The Grote Markt of Tongeren has been completely redesigned with bluestone paving between the cobblestones. Step-free addresses: Brasserie Ambiorix (ground floor, terrace with view of the statue), Bistro Magnus (contemporary), or for a quick bite: 't Pleintje with Limburg vlaai.
14:30 — Basilica of Our Lady
Five minutes from the Grote Markt stands the imposing Basilica of Our Lady — a Gothic highlight from the 13th to 16th centuries. Step-free entrance via the side portal. The nave is at ground level; the choir lies a few steps higher but is clearly visible. Important reality: the treasury can only be reached by stairs — not accessible to wheelchair users.
15:30 — Beguinage or Ambiorixpark
Two options:
- Beguinage Tongeren — UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. Flat paved paths, serene historical character.
- Ambiorixpark — city park with flat paved paths, views of the Roman city wall, an ideal rest stop.
16:30 — Antiques market (Sundays only!)
On Sundays, Tongeren's iconic antiques market takes place on the Veemarkt and surrounding streets — Belgium's largest antiques market. Step-free access via flat streets. Important tip: the market is intensely busy between 10:00-14:00; come on Sunday around 8-9 or after 15:00 for a quieter experience.
For those visiting on a weekday: skip this and instead take a walk along the Roman city wall (partly redesigned).
17:30 — Aperitif and town hall
Time for a final drink. Tongeren Town Hall (1737) has an accessible inner courtyard, but the upper floors are only reachable by stairs. For an aperitif: terrace on the Grote Markt with a view of the statue.
19:00 — Dinner or train back
For a highlight: Restaurant Magis (ground floor, starred level). For those who prefer to head back early: the station is 10 minutes' rolling distance away via a flat route.
What we don't recommend for wheelchair users in Tongeren
- Treasury of the Basilica of Our Lady: stairs only.
- Town Hall stairs: not reachable by lift.
- Antiques market peak (Sunday 10:00-14:00): extremely busy, avoid or come very early/late.
- Narrow medieval streets in the centre: choose main streets with redesigned pavements.
Want to keep summering around Tongeren?
Tongeren sits right next to two Limburg summer highlights. Sportoase Lago Hasselt is 25 minutes away with pool lifts at every basin — more in our outdoor pools guide. For families, Plopsa Indoor Hasselt is 25 minutes away and Plopsaqua Hannut 35 minutes — see our theme parks guide.
In closing
Tongeren is a surprisingly high-quality city trip — flat enough, with a world-class museum and a unique antiques market. For an extended weekend, combine with a day in Hasselt (25 min by train) or a trip to Liège.
Did you discover something during your Tongeren visit that's missing here? Let us know.