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City and municipality in North Brabant, Netherlands
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Justme at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Eindhoven is a major city in the province of North Brabant in the Netherlands. With a population of over 230,000 people (2019), it's the fifth-largest city of the Netherlands. It is by no means a main tourist destination in the country and most travel guides will devote no more than a page or two to it. Nevertheless, this bustling and modern city has a lot more to offer.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
The Van Abbemuseum is one of the leading museums for modern and contemporary art. The impressive collection includes works of Picasso, Chagall, Kandinsky, El Lissitzky, Theo van Doesburg, Mondriaan and Appel. The museum café is a pleasant place next to the Dommel river and can be visited on its own (free).
Learn all about the history and designs of DAF vehicles from 1928 till the present day. The collection includes trucks, extraordinary cars and other DAF-products, but also 1930 shops and company offices from old times.
Formerly known as Historic Open Air Museum
Travel back into Eindhoven's history. This historic museum boost reconstructions of an Iron Age village, a farm around the year 1000 and the Medieval town of Eindhoven. Try visiting during weekends or holidays, when there are extra activities.
De Fabriek (The Factory) is a workspace for artists and designers. The space is made available to professional artists who want to develop themselves and their work in the area of The Factory. They present their work after a working period.
Mu brings expositions about the hybrid visual culture of now and later. It aims to be 'an adventurous guide to all art lovers with a keen interest in the energetic mix of art, design, pop culture and new media.' Also popular with young people (under age 35). It often has lectures or other activities on Thursdays.
Philips first factory lies right in the heart of the city. The Philips museum provides a fascinating picture of the way in which Philips evolved from a small incandescent lamp manufacturer into a large and prestigious international group of companies.
Take a look in this former studio and residence of Dutch cartoonist and artist Ton Smits, who drew hundreds of humour-sketches in well-known American magazines including The New Yorker and The Saturday Evening Post. He lived and worked in Eindhoven from 1957 until his death in 1981.
Light Tower
On the top floors of this 7-edged, white tower building, Philips used to perform its light bulb endurance tests. The 24/7 burning lights in the building gained it the title of "Light Tower". Later it also housed the headquarters of Philips' lightning department. Around it where some of the company's main production buildings. After serious renovations, the building now holds private lofts and offices. On the down floor restaurant Usine offers a nicely decorated surrounding for a coffee break.
White Lady
Next to the Light Tower is the Witte Dame. It was designed by Dirk Roosenburg and built in 1931 in the style of the New Objectivity. It was built to be a radio factory, and now houses Eindhoven's Design Academy and Public Library.
The highest building in Eindhoven, directly opposite the Witte Dame. The 105-meter tower is the sky-high middle point of a new shopping area called "Around the Admirant". The "Around the Admirant" area was designed to include not only the retail stores in the Admirant's down floors, but also those in the organically shaped Blob. All the top floors are residential apartments.
This mushroom-shaped building strongly resembles the popular idea of a UFO, making it a very futuristic design when it was built in 1966 for the 75th anniversary of Philips, as a symbol for the company's technological achievements. It served as a popular technology museum until diminishing incomes led to its closure in the 1980s. Nowadays, it is a conference centre.
The 2006 Vesteda tower is considered one of the main landmarks in Eindhoven's skyline. With 90 meters this apartment building is the 5th highest building in the city. It was designed by Jo Coenen and is part of his broader design for the modern urban Smalle Haven area surrounding it.
The "Old Tower" is all that remains of a 14th- or 15th-century church in the style of the Brabantine Gothic. It's the only really old church building left in the city today.
A late 19th-century Neo-Gothic church, built for monastery Mariënhage that is next to it. The monastery and the church are recognized as national heritage sites.
Neo-Gothic Catholic church in the city centre, built in 1861 and designed by Pierre Cuypers, a famous Dutch architect
This 1884 Neo-Gothic church was designed by Hendrik Jacobus van Tulder and built in the shape of a basilica. With its height of 91 m, it is the highest church of Eindhoven.
This Neo-Gothic church was designed by Emmanuel Corbey and built in 1888. The two towers on either side of the main portal are unfinished.
This Neo-Gothic church was designed by Louis Kooken and built in 1875.
The Commonwealth War Cemetery is part of the General Cemetery in Woensel. Of all the soldiers who are buried on the Eindhoven cemetery about four fifths belonged to the air force, and died in the period between 1941 and 1944 during attacks over this part of Holland or on the return route from missions to Germany. The soldiers of the ground army who are buried here died between September 1944 and May 1945. During almost this entire period the 79th and 86th British general hospitals were in Eindhoven. There are nearly 700, 1938-1945 war victims buried on this cemetery of which 679 victims have been identified.
This Jewish cemetery is a national heritage site of the Netherlands.
In order to commemorate the liberation of Eindhoven after the Second World War, volunteers and sponsors join forces each year to put a 22 km illuminated "Light route" trough Eindhoven in place. It features thousands of light bulbs illuminating fairy tale designs and other subjects. This tradition was initiated right after the war, dropped for years but reinstalled in 1984. The lights are turned on every evening from 19:30 til 23:30 for a week, starting on September 18. You can take the route individually, on foot, by car or by bike. There's also one organized group bike tour and a bus tour: ask the Tourist Information Office.
You'll find the country's largest youth centre, Dynamo, in the heart of Eindhoven. It offers a wide variety of activities, from workshops, community and popular art projects to dancing, sports and concerts. All different youth cultures are welcome here, including the hiphop, dance, house, rock and metal scene.
Besides a bar/restaurant, the Effenaar houses 2 large halls for concerts and dance events. It offers a stage for local talent but also receives major international artists.
This large music centre in the heart of the city offers a broad range of concerts, varying from jazz and classical to world music and acoustic rock.
This large and modern theatre on the edge of the Stadswandelpark offers over 500 theatre activities a year.
Natlab (before Plaza Futura) is a cultural meeting place for contemporary art with film (mostly classics and art house films) as a basis.
LAB-1 is a cinema, club, event space and café-bar. You can find a broad range of films (also with English subtitles), live music, theatre, exhibitions, visuals, djs and events during the day and night. LAB-1 is retro, cozy, dynamics and creative, a place to enjoy, hang out and feel at home.
This in- and outdoor ice skate track is closed during summer.
Indoor climbing hall with 200 bouldering routes.
Aquabest is a recreational lake and park with a sandy beach. It has a family park with amusements for children, a water ski centre, athletic programs for groups of 10 to 2000 participants, a beach pavilion for parties and yearly festivals like Lakedance and Extrema Outdoor.
Iron man
Natural swimming. The lake is only opened in summer.
Indoor 25-m pool. Outdoor swimming pools only opened in summer.
The largest swimming pool complex in Europe, with a subtropical pool and some fun features like a wave machine.
They play soccer in Eredivisie, the Dutch top tier. Their home ground is Philips Stadium, capacity 34,000, close to city centre. Tours are possible, either a group tour (minimum 20), or a combined tour with the Bavaria Brewery; or you can go into their restaurant "de Verlenging" (south-east side) and take a peek from the terrace. Their second-string team Jong PSV play in Eerste Divisie the second tier, usually at De Herdgang 4 km north of the centre.
Five days of Carnival in almost all pubs. Street Carnival in the centre and the traditional parade on Saturday.
During the Dutch Design Week in October Eindhoven is all about design, in all its disciplines and aspects. Some 1500 designers display their work and over 300 different events and activities are organized throughout the city. There are workshops, lectures, seminars, shows and exhibitions. Many activities require registration in advance and for some you'll have to pay.
About 30 local selected restaurants get the opportunity to present themselves with an assortment of their specialties. All dishes are prepared on the spot.
The Eindhoven marathon is an annual marathon held since 1956. The event always takes place in October. The marathon of Eindhoven is after Amsterdam and Rotterdam the largest marathon in the Netherlands. Since 2004 the track has been adjusted several times for making it become a real city marathon. On this marathon applies a time limit of five hours running. In addition to the full marathon this running event also includes a half-marathon, a 6-km run and a 3-km run.
Glow is an International Forum of Light in Art and Architecture, Eindhoven at its best. The city centre becomes the stage for interventions, installations, performances and events - all celebrating the phenomena of artificial light. Buildings are illuminated artistically, there are luminous works of art and more, making this week a great time for an evening walk through town. There are different locations and opening hours. Mid-November.
In order to commemorate the liberation of Eindhoven after the Second World War, volunteers and sponsors join forces each year to put a 22 km illuminated "Light route" trough Eindhoven in place. It features thousands of light bulbs illuminating fairy tale designs and other subjects. This tradition was initiated right after the war, dropped for years but reinstalled in 1984. The lights are turned on every evening from 19:30 til 23:30 for a week, starting on September 18. You can take the route individually, on foot, by car or by bike. There's also one organized group bike tour and a bus tour: ask the Tourist Information Office.
Music on the Dommel is the ability for musical groups from Eindhoven and surroundings to present themselves on a big stage to a wide audience.
Eindhoven's large annual funfair brings over a 100 big and small attractions to the Kennedylaan, which is closed down entirely to host the event. You'll find thrill rides, children's rides, games, street theater, music and of course lots of food and drinks. It lasts a week and usually takes place around the beginning of August. There's no entry fee but you'll pay for the attractions.
Extrema' Outdoor
Dance festival on the beach of Aquabest with a wide range of performers.
Fast food is an unhealthy but cheap dinner option. "Fritures" serving fries and snacks are common, but Dik & Lang is reportedly the best one in the city centre. If you're not a huge mayonnaise fan, make sure to mention that as you might find all of your fries covered in it.
Popular place for take away wok (Asian stir fry dishes with noodles or rice) or sushi, but you can also eat in the restaurant. Think fast food place with an Asian touch. A simple stir-fry dish served in a cardboard cup is a cheap but quite filling meal. It can get crowded here around lunch or dinner time, but Soho has a second location just opposite the train station where it's often less crowded.
Sandwiches.
Fast food.
Fast food.
Asian.
Bommel is an old time favorite among students and budget travelers. There's no menu: for a fixed amount of €20.50 you get a cup of soup and you can choose between the meat or vegetarian dish of the day.
The Wildeman has, just like its next door colleagues, a spacious outdoor terrace on the market square. The food is nothing special but you get an okay full plate main.
In this British pub you can of course find a pretty good shepherds pie. There's an English menu available.
This cosy restaurant is a long-time favourite among Turkish cuisine lovers in and around the city.
If you're in for something else, try Ethiopian cuisine. Eating here is not in the last place an experience in sharing: food comes in a giant common plate for all people at the table. You eat with your hands. Portions can be on the small side, but the taste is good.
Popular place for all-you-can-eat sushi. The sushi may not be phenomenal but it's quite okay and with €25.50 for an all-you-can-eat menu well worth the money.
Restaurant with bar. Good selection of wines, small size dishes. Reservation possible for 4 people or more.
This trendy little restaurant with its ambitious cuisine received a Michelin star in 2014. It's a small place, so make sure to make reservations.
One of the most hip and happening up-scale restaurants in town, run by an ambitious young owner with a love for food and wine combinations. Zarzo has a Michelin star since 2015. The modern gastronomic dishes get raving reviews. The special is a six course menu for €83. Try to book well ahead if you want to be sure of a table, especially for weekend evenings.
This classical restaurant is in an old, beautifully restored farm. If the weather allows, be sure to enjoy your meal in the lovely and peaceful garden.
Irish pub
Just off the main square, this place has a great atmosphere, great beer, live music at the weekend after 22:30. Sports events, especially football, are shown on two big screens.
This "City-café" is quite similar to the ones next to it, but a long time favorite and repeatedly listed as having the best terrace in the city. They also serve food, but to choose from the full menu you have to take a table in the 1st floor restaurant. After about 22:00 the music volume is turned up.
Extremely small and somewhat harder to find pub, specialised in cocktails and whiskey.
A young 'underground' venue for gigs and DJs. The terrace can be a good place to lounge on a warm evening.
This laid-back "living-café" wants its visitors to feel at home and plays a broad range of recognizable music, ranging from rock, salsa and modern pop to hits from the 1970s and even the incidental house track. They serve small dishes.
For people aged 23 or over, where you can party-on-down to music from the 1970s and 80s!
More rock/metal oriented with live music on many nights.
Specialist of Belgium beers, with a 100 different kinds to choose from.
For an evening of Latin-American fun, move on the rhythm of Cuban Salsa in this Cuban swing café.
traditional Belgian Beer Café offers Belgian specialty beers and authentic Belgian cuisine
An old-fashioned but cosy café. You can play darts, every Sunday afternoon and Monday evening live performances are given and once a month there is a bal folk.
This bar specializes in distillates and serves over 200 different sorts of whisky.
This hostel offers good value beds in 4- to 12-person dorms and is popular with backpackers. It's simple but clean with friendly staff, good facilities and a central location. Breakfast is not included but can be booked for an additional €10.
Nice and clean place with a friendly owner. Breakfast is included. It consists of two types of warm breads, juice (lemonade etc.) different types of jam/marmalade, corn flakes with nice milk from Holland, eggs and some meat, and local cheese served with tea/coffee. Two double bed rooms and one single bed room is available. All rooms has got key for safety reason as well as main door key is available for the guests. Take bus number 10 from main station and get down to Sint Jansweg stop. From Jansweg stop it is just 3 minutes walk.
Hotel with a robust, a spacious and an industrial design. Very characteristic is that the industrial look of the past has been kept and some of the former factory's elements can still be found all over the hotel. It's also a Rock&Roll hotel; many festivities and concerts take place here at regular intervals.
Mainly targeting small companies who want to house employees, but when business is low they might accept travelers. Rooms are quite simple, but adequate.
Camping & recreational centre
The Witven offers camping grounds but is also a popular place for recreational day trips. They also rent out chalets.
This camping ground is a 30-minute bus drive and then a 10-minute walk away from the city. Take bus 174, direction Bergeijk.
This is one of the few places where you have a kitchen at your disposal, allowing budget travelers to self-cater. This place has a few different locations in the city, but the main one is on the Leenderweg. Other locations are Boschdijk 167 and Hastelweg 8. Expect simple rooms and limited service. Prices exclude a €100 bail.
formerly Mercure Eindhoven
Demoted to a Best Western, the former Mercure does not enchant with style and is a bit on the outskirts of the centre, but attractive pricing often makes up for that.
Relatively small, luxurious hotel with good, clean rooms and a central location. Breakfast is served in the next door bakery, but quite good.
Its location in the middle of the centre, on the Markt, is this hotel's biggest asset. Rooms are clean but many have no outside facing windows. It can be quite noisy here, so ask for ear plugs at the reception or bring your own. On Sundays you can book a late check out (17:00) for €12.50 extra
Fairly small but good and clean rooms. It's along a busy street, but directly opposite the train station. Wifi is free.
It's in the city centre and close to the train station, and has an indoor swimming pool and 3 restaurants.
On the bustling Market Square, making it a great location but noisy when the café terraces are full. Offers nice and clean but somewhat thin-walled rooms.
Renovated with nice and clean standard rooms, just a few hundred meters from the train- and bus station. There's an indoor pool, free wifi and a pretty good restaurant in the hotel.
This trendy and comfortable 4-star hotel is decorated with a mixture of antiques, design and art. On top of that, it's right in the centre and in one of the city's main landmarks: the Light Tower.
This large 4-star hotel offers renovated, luxurious rooms at a great location. There's an indoor pool, fitness space and sauna. Bathroom privacy in the rooms is somewhat limited and if you like to sleep with an open window, don't take a room at the (busy) street side.
Van der Valk is a Dutch chain of conference and resort hotels, with this property situated right at the motorway exit, complete with 23 conference rooms, a pool and fitness facilities. Upscale features and amenities come at reasonably low prices if you are flexible with your booking dates.
bike rental
Placed between the central station and the market square, is a covered shopping mall with a broad selection of stores. You'll find anything from clothing and shoes till toys, a bike store and a Mac retail shop.
On the 18 Septemberplein is a modern, covered 3-storey shopping area with a bunch of clothing and shoes stores and others. Here you'll also find de Bijenkorf, one of the largest and most exclusive department stores in the Netherlands and Zara, Ici paris XL, a fairly large beauty store.
An old part of Eindhoven's centre that has had a complete facelift. This part used to be primarily known for the old headquarters of Philips and the lamp factory (now a museum). Now it is a trendy shopping area with the glass structure "the Blob" and a new shopping street while keeping the little piece of Eindhoven's history intact. The street has a mix of large chains like Selexyz, Dept, Douw Egberts, but also smaller design stores like Janissima temporary concept store, Onigiri Art on T-shirts and Van Bommel Shoes.
The largest and busiest market of the city. Stalls selling a wide range of goods, fruit and vegetables, fish, clothing and household items.
The FeelGood Market gives quirky designers and creative people the opportunity to show their creations to the public. In addition, the market is an approachable and fun way to get acquainted with unique design, exclusive products and the maker himself. There are food stalls and terraces. During bad weather the event moves to the clock building (klokgebouw).
Selexyz is a chain of book stores. This fairly new Eindhoven establishment in the Admirant is spacious and pleasant, with a good selection of English titles. There's a small café on the basement floor, where you can choose coffee varieties from Blanche Dael, a well known Maastricht store.
Spijkerman is a real specialist of literature. A visit to this bookstore is worthy for fans of quality literature with personal tips and suggestions by the owner.
A bookstore with a wide range of children's books, spiritual books and activities.
By train
Eindhoven Centraal is a major rail transport node in Southeastern Netherlands.
By bus
Flixbus and Regiojet run long-distance buses to destinations in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Poland, Serbia, Hungary and Romania.
By bike
Multiple bicycle highways towards Eindhoven are partly finished allow faster biking from the neighboring cities:
By car
The A2 national highway from Amsterdam to Maastricht passes Eindhoven to the west and south of the city.
By bus
Eindhoven has an bus network where most lines start and end at the train station.194 per km).
By bicycle
umob is the exclusive app in the city to use shared bicycles, e-bikes, cargo bikes and e-mopeds.50 for first 20 minutes) from Dott. With a day pass you can take 10 rides up to 30 minutes for €10.
By e-moped
34, April 2026), for e-mopeds you need an AM driving licence and always use the helmets included. With e-mopeds those that go 45 km/h (yellow licence plate) do not drive on the bikes lanes!
By e-hailing
By taxi
Taxistands can be found on the north and south sides of the railway station. Taxi transport in the Netherlands is rather expensive.
By car
All areas within the inner ring (rondweg) are paid parking and a low/zero emission zone.
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Eindhoven · International · EIN
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