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City and municipality in North Holland, Netherlands
Photo: Globe-trotter, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Hilversum is a medium-sized city in the Gooi area of North Holland in the Netherlands. Once called the Garden of Amsterdam, most travellers still come over to cycle and hike through the surrounding forests and heathland. The city is also known for its modern architecture, with Dudok's Hilversum Town Hall being the most significant design. Hilversum is known as "media city", being the home of the radio and television broadcasting industry of the Netherlands.
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As early as the 1920s, biology scholar Jan Costerus wanted to educate the public about native flora found in Het Gooi and the surrounding area. He founded Hilversum's first educational garden in 1920, and it moved to its current location in 1930. Unlike most gardens, plants are not arranged aesthetically or by flowering season, but by family, on the basis of the Eichler plant taxonomy system. About 1200 wild plants, flowers and trees from all over the Gooi area and its vicinity are on display with name tags.
Raadhuis Hilversum
This is unquestionably Dudok's masterpiece. Built in 1928-1931, this building has wide international fame and features in many architecture textbooks. The building has a remarkable shape and feels like a combination of 'blocks'. It's built with specifically designed yellow bricks that have a slightly different size than traditional ones. Dudok is also responsible for the interior, the furniture, the decorations and even the font used. If open, visit the Dudok Dependance, a permanent overview of Dudok's life and work organised by Museum Hilversum. Every Friday and Sunday at 13:30, there is a guided tour through the building for €8.50. You can just show up, you don't need to register beforehand. The tour takes 90 minutes and is given in Dutch, but the guide will also talk in English upon request. It gives you the chance to view some of the rooms that are closed to the public, such as the marriage room and the mayor room. If the weather allows it, you will climb the 46 m tower for an overview of Hilversum and the surrounding area. There are special arrangements possible for groups. For bookings, call the listed phone number or inquire at the Museum Hilversum.
Zonnestraal is one of Duiker's architectural marvels, and among the best examples of the New Objectivity style. The estate was submitted to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites, and is on the tentative list. Zonnestraal was built as a tuberculosis sanatorium in the 1920s and 1930s. It consists of one large main building, two smaller pavilions and some additional buildings that were added later. The buildings are made of concrete and glass, in the colours white, black and a specific kind of light-blue called 'Duiker blue'. Start at Brasserie Zonnestraal (Loosdrechtse Bos 15, +31 35 538-5402), buy the walking guide there for €5 and follow the 4,5 km walking trail around the estate. If you want to see the interior of the building, you can only do so by taking the guided tour that is given every last Sunday of the month. You need to register for the tour beforehand by calling the listed phone number or by sending an e-mail. The tour starts at Brasserie Zonnestraal at 12:00 and 14:00, and costs €8, to be paid in cash to the tour guide. The tour takes 90 minutes.
Now home to Museum Hilversum and the tourist office, the building used to function as Hilversum's town hall in the period 1881-1931. It's a typical 19th-century building in neo-renaissance style. The museum's permanent collection is about the history of Hilversum after 1850. They also have temporary exhibitions, usually about photography, modern architecture or the cultural history of the Gooi area.
Nederlands Instituut voor Beeld en Geluid
An architectural marvel. Designed by Jaap Drupsteen and completed in 2006, this block-shaped building became an instant landmark and won the Dutch Golden Pyramid award for its architectural significance. Don't be fooled by its size: it's actually twice as massive, as half of the building is underground! A century of Dutch television, film and radio archives are stored in the underground vault, to be protected for future generations. The glass windows depict important moments in Dutch television history. You can walk inside and have a cup of coffee at the restaurant. It is also home to an interactive museum with a display of Dutch audiovisual archives in 15 different theme zones. However, you must have a profound interest in the Dutch cultural heritage to be able to enjoy that as a foreigner.
The Pinetum is a botanical garden founded by B.W. Blijdenstein in 1911. It is famous around the world among those knowledgeable on the subject. The Pinetum has one of the world's most important conifer collections, with many species rare and endangered in the wild. Besides conifers, there are gatherings of cycads, palms, ephedras, Tasmanian flora and rhododendrons. A notable tree is the sequoia sempervirens, the largest tree in the world. Get a map at the visitor's centre and walk along the advised path.
Zanderij Crailo is the largest wildlife crossing in the world. Construction started in December 2002 and it was officially opened by Queen Beatrix in 2006, costing approximately €15 million. With 800 metres in length and 50 metres in width, it connects the Spanderswoud in the west with the Bussumerheide in the east. It is a remarkable engineering feat, as it crosses over a railway, a road, a train maintenance area and a sport park. By connecting the forests of the Gooi area and the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, the crossing created the second largest connected nature area in the Netherlands, strengthening biodiversity in the region.
Between 1831 and 1841, painter Jan van Ravenswaay bought several farmlands west of Hilversum with financial support from friends in Amsterdam. Together with his cousin and hiking partner, the notary Albertus Perk, he created a leafy hiking trail from Hilversum to the forest area in the west. In 1848, the area of the trail was transferred to the municipality of Hilversum. It was one of the first public walking trails outside a town's built-up area. In the late 19th century, the Boombergwijk was constructed, and since then the trail is inside the town's built-up area. The Boombergwijk is among the wealthiest neighbourhoods of town with beautiful free-standing villas. Since 2006, the Boombergwijk, together with Trompenberg, has been declared a protected cityscape by the Ministry of Housing and the Environment. The park starts at the Rosarium, a rose garden with a monument dedicated to the victims of World War II, designed by V.P.S. Esser. The Boombergpark is best visited as a part of the Peerlkamproute hiking trail.
The Laapersveld was created in 1919 as a public works project. The sand extracted to create the pond has been used for its hilly terrain. The park is designed by W.M. Dudok and J.H. Meijer. Dudok's influence is most clearly seen in the design of the pumping station, which is in Amsterdam School style. It was used to drain rain and sewer water into the pond and from there to the Oude Haven. The park has a calm ambiance. You can relax, feed the geese or work out.
The medieval tower of this church is the oldest remaining structure in Hilversum, as it originates from 1481. The base of the church was built in 1891 in neo-renaissance style. It has been a victim of fires a number of times. The last fire was in 1971, after which the church was completely restored. It can only be entered during religious ceremonies.
This Catholic church was built in 1889 from a design by architect Weeldenburg. Its front is in a neo-baroque style with a dome on top. The interior features stained glass windows and painted panels. It can only be visited on Wednesdays during summer holidays, between 12:00 and 14:00.
Although a church, it doesn't remotely look like one from the outside. It's a huge grey block made of glass, designed in 2000 by architects Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos, who were also responsible for the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam. Glass was used so the inside and the outside of the building don't feel separated, and the inside retains its intimate atmosphere during religious ceremonies.
Completed in 1892, this Roman Catholic church devoted to Saint Vitus is one of the last works of P.J.H. Cuypers. It's one of the few buildings not touched by the modern architecture wave of the 1920s and kept its neogothic style. With a height of 98 metres, it is the tallest neogothic tower in the Netherlands. The previous church on this location, also called Sint-Vituskerk, did not have enough space for important ceremonies. The new church has a maximum capacity of 1800 people. Its acoustic quality has been praised and it was often used as a studio for television shows.
When De Vorstin opened in September 2010, it became an instant fan favourite. A strikingly modern interior, lively ambiance and acclaimed acoustics make it worthwhile to catch a live concert here. With a variable schedule, it's best to check the website for upcoming performances and times. While it's usually possible to book tickets at the door, tickets are more expensive and might be sold out, so it's better order in advance. Because of the acoustics, it regularly hosts televised singing competitions, such as the original first season of "The Voice of Holland", a television programme that originated in Hilversum and subsequently became popular in other countries.
A modern art house cinema and wine bar. Films are international productions, many in English, French, Spanish or Scandinavian languages. Films are broadcast in the original language and subtitled in Dutch. It's a modern venue with the newest technologies.
While a bit less fancy than the Hilversumsche, it is still top-notch. The Boschbaan has NGF B-status and to play on it, you must make a reservation by e-mail at the caddiemaster. The Crailoobaan is 'pay and play', a reservation in advance is not required. You will play 2 times 9 holes, so 18 holes in total. The driving range is illuminated at night and has free entry.
Opened in 1910, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious golf clubs in the Netherlands and has hosted the Dutch Open 26 times. Famous players like Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer and Miguel Ángel Jiménez won the tournament on these fields. In 2003, Maarten Lafeber became the second Dutch player to win the Dutch Open, and the first and yet only one to do so in Hilversum. If you want to play here, you must adhere to the strict regulations. If you're not a member, you can only play here a maximum of six times a year. You must be a member of an NGF-affiliated golf club in your home country and show proof of a maximum exact handicap of 24. Always make a reservation beforehand at the caddiemaster. On weekends, holidays and Tuesdays before 14:00 the course is closed for non-members.
A modern cinema with seven screens and the newest technologies, such as XD, 3D and Dolby Atmos. It's the first cinema in the country with a film projector that shows 4K films in 3D with 60 frames per second. Auditoriums are air conditioned.
This is the most upscale "brasserie" of Hilversum and the best place to run into Dutch celebrities. It is listed 57th in the Top 100 Best Dutch Cafés of the magazine Horeca Misset. At any time of the day you can walk in for coffee or tea with a muffin or pie. The interior looks professional and the Dutch word gezellig (nice and cosy) definitely applies here. Sit outdoors on warm summer days, as the café is in a breezy green neighbourhood.
Based in an original Dudok-designed building from 1938, this seafood restaurant and bar is among the more luxurious in Hilversum. The black and silver colours give the interior a stunning hip-chique atmosphere, which is enhanced by its location at the water. Ask the waiters for the wine list.
Mout is an Asian-style food court that houses a local beer brewery, the Gooische Bierbrouwerij. It is known as the best place for a night out in Hilversum. There are counters for Vietnamese food, pizzas and pastas, dim sum, fish and fries, salads, seafood and burgers. For all of these, remember your table number, queue up and order at the counter. Food will be served to your table when ready. Be on time as the hall fills up quickly. It's a good place to stay for drinks as they have locally brewed beer available. Try one of the Gooisch beers. Gooisch Wit is the local wheat beer, particularly popular on warm summer evenings. Free Wi-Fi.
A restaurant for lunch, dining or drinks. It has a striking design, that complements the sand and salt bunker next to it, that was designed by Dudok in the 1940s. The outdoor terrace overlooks the Oude Haven, a park around a canal dug in the 18th century by affluent Amsterdam traders to connect Hilversum with the Vecht river.
Once a cinema and casino, now Rex is split into two separate venues: a bar-restaurant downstairs and a nightclub upstairs. The bar-restaurant is a hip and cosmopolitan place with lounge music, visited mostly by up-scale audiences (but open to anyone). It has a sharp interior with soft seats and couches, where you can have a glass of wine or beer. The night club has a similar exclusive vibe. Inside is a VIP balcony that overlooks the dance floor. It can only be accessed with permission from the staff. Permission is usually granted by coming in a group and ordering full bottles of drinks. The music is eclectic with a mix of house, electro, rock, pop, hip hop and commercial music. Special events are regularly hosted by international record labels like Defected and Latin Lovers.
Formerly a fashion house, Meddens is now one of the "dine and drink" hot spots in Hilversum. Multiple floors have a spectacular industrial-luxurious interior. If you're coming for food, the menu consists of fruit de mer, fish, chips and vegetarian. If you're coming for drinks, ask for the extensive wine list.
Southern Vietnamese food in the centre of Hilversum prepared by cooks from Vietnam. Casual atmosphere as the staff likes to fool around, but the food quality is definitely taken seriously. Try the Pho, the famous Vietnamese rice noodle soup.
Proper Thai restaurant in the area, which is specialised in northern Thai cuisine. The place has the usual Thai dishes, but also some original ones with rabbit and turkey. Good service and relatively cheap prices, but expect a bland interior with fluorescent lamps.
Very popular Spanish tapas restaurant. The menu is in Dutch, so hard to read for foreigners, but the staff will gladly help you with ordering. The garlic bread, artichoke and feta salad, garlic prawns, sautéed mushrooms, bruschetta with feta and pine nuts are tasty. The bill is cheap for the amount of food served. They only accept cash.
An excellent "open kitchen" restaurant with an international cuisine. Good service and a wide array of tapas to choose from. Sit outside on warm summer days.
Indian and Nepalese restaurant with a stunning interior. Everyone is sitting on benches with pillows, which makes for a very warm atmosphere, and the walls are decorated with Buddha images. The staff is friendly, lots of menus to choose from and the food is served in large quantities. Try the Gulab Jamun, it's good.
The best Japanese restaurant in town with impressive paintings on the walls. The staff are friendly and dressed in Japanese style. The teppan yaki menu is a good bang for your buck. For €28.50 you get six servings, such as sushi, sashimi or yakitori.
Well-known and appreciated Indonesian restaurant that has more than 35 years of experience. Very friendly service. It has dinner à la carte or in a traditional buffet form.
These houses are known as the Spijkerpandjes and these used to be the oldest remaining buildings in Hilversum. Unfortunately, the original buildings were torn down in the 1990s, so these are reconstructed. The one on the right was a residential house built in 1770, while the one on the left was a smithy built around 1880. Jacobus Spyker lived in these buildings, whose sons later founded the 'Spyker' car brand. Now a restaurant, the focus is on contemporary French and Mediterranean dishes, very well presented on a wide array of china. Very original dishes, prepared with love by a very enthusiastic chef. Lots of wines served by the glass. Excellent value.
Among the better Chinese restaurants in town, and not a typical one. It's definitely high class with the French wine list as one of its features. The staff is professional and the food is delicious. Try the Peking Duck.
An interesting French restaurant in the middle of a forest, only accessible by car, bike or taxi. The food is not original, but has a good quality and taste. Sit outside when the weather allows it.
This Chinese restaurant is interestingly based in a historic Dutch farm and is widely considered among the best Chinese restaurants in the country. The staff is really friendly and very knowledgeable. The restaurant might seem expensive but price-quality ratio is in perfect balance. A good suggestion is the surprise menu, with good value you will taste what the chef is capable of. Also, let the waiter pick the wine. You will be impressed.
A stylish and modern coffee house with a wide variety of coffee and sandwiches. The cappuccino is worth it, as are the latte macchiato or iced coffee. They also serve breakfast. Free Wi-Fi is available, so it is a good place to get some work done or surf the net. Most seats have electrical outlets, so you can charge your mobile phone or laptop.
The interior of this café is in a similar style as the famous architect W.M. Dudok. Lunch and dinner are served, and are not expensive. At daytime, the music is a combination of classic, like Chopin and Vivaldi, and jazz. At nighttime, the music is more diverse, with a combination of salsa and rock. Sunday afternoons have tango as the style of choice. One of the main attractions of this café are the bi-weekly live jazz sessions. Led by guitar player Kai Von Rosenberg, the session attracts musicians from all over the country. Jazz greats like Benjamin Herman, Jos Machtel and Ilja Reijngoud all have played sets here.
Opened since 1901, this café has a long history. The building dates from 1792 and in 1834 it started as a toll booth to finance road construction costs. As toll did not exist anymore since 1898, it turned into a shop for milk trade. Due to its strategic location, at the main road from Utrecht and Baarn to Hilversum, it became a road café for thirsty horse riders. It has been a road café ever since and is still a nice place to order a coffee or beer. It used to be the only café in town closed on weekends, but nowadays opens seven days a week.
A stylish pub that serves good burgers. There is a vegetarian burger available. Plenty of beers on tap, including special ones like Vedett or Gulden Draak. Outdoor seating available, even in winter as there is outside heating.
This is a typical Dutch bruin café, an excellent pub with a relaxing atmosphere for young and old. Several kinds of Dutch and Belgian beers op tap. Dinner is served, like meat, fish and vegetarian dishes, particularly the satay is good. The music style can be characterised as Dutch "folk" music.
Tucked away in a small building between shops, De BarBier is a bar for true beer lovers. More than 100 beers are available, many of them obscure. Ask the staff for recommendations.
A rock bar with billiards and darts. Important football matches are displayed on the big screen. Bar food is served. If you're visiting on Saturdays, there is plenty of seating available.
It's possible to have lunch here. At night, the bar has a similar young audience and music style to De Doelen. Pool can be played when it's not too crowded.
A bruin café known for its simple and tasty menus. It's especially recommended to visit their wine tasting sessions. Late in the evening you can have a beer as the place turns into a bar. It is named after de Kei, the 10,435 kg boulder on the square in front of the bar. De Kei was found on the heath between Laren and Hilversum, and was carried here from Scandinavia during the Pleistocene. In 1921, a festive parade was organised when it was moved to its current location.
Typical bruin café, mostly popular among older audiences. The music is rock and blues, and sometimes live bands play. Food is served in a separate building in the back.
The only English pub in Hilversum. It has a beautiful interior and Guinness is on tap. You can order lunch or diner all day, the kitchen closes at 21:30. Thursday nights have live music and special beers available. Sky Sports is on, so go here if you don't want to miss any Premier League matches. Avoid on Saturday nights if you don't like crowds or very loud music.
A hard rock and metal bar that caters to alternative audiences. A great place to have a casual chat and meet interesting people. Popular among foreigners that permanently live in Hilversum. On warm days, people tend to stand outside. There is a pool table, but it is not used on Fridays and Saturdays as the bar can be crowded on those days. The back of the bar has been designated a smoking area.
Based in a former printing press building, Le Journal is now a trendy bar and restaurant. Known for its relatively modest prices, a three-course meal costs €19.50. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, it costs even less with €14.50. The meals are varied with fish, burgers, pasta or satay. On summer evenings, make use of the outdoor seating. It is also a good spot for drinks.
This night bar often has theme parties, like 80s and 90s music every first Saturday of the month and house music every third Saturday of the month.
A popular night club with a central location, late hours and it's open every night. There are often queues in front of it, especially around 03:00 on Saturday night. There are couches to sit and a small dance floor in the back. The DJ plays different styles of music with an emphasis on dance, house and R&B music. The audience is in the age range of 21-35.
Quite a luxurious hotel in a green location. Comfort and superior rooms feature a shower, bath tub, hairdryer, phone, television and internet. Junior suite rooms also have a jacuzzi, bathrobes and mini-bar.
As Hilversum is a city of architectural highlights, Gooiland is a chance to spend the night in one of these beauties. Designed by Jan Duiker and Bernard Bijvoet and completed in 1936, Gooiland is an exceptional example of the 'New Style' architectural movement as seen in architecture textbooks. All the rooms have a shower, hairdryer, phone, television and free Wi-Fi.
This wonderful villa is quite close to the centre. All rooms have a phone, television, clock radio, writing desk, private shower/toilet and free internet access.
A villa in the most affluent neighbourhood of Hilversum, it feels a bit like a B&B. Tranquillity, warmth and ambiance are key values for this hotel. Children, pets and smoking are not allowed. No services or answering of phone calls after 12:00.
The Tulip Inn is between the town centre and the Media Park and can be used as a place to stay for both areas. It is in the same neighbourhood as the Town Hall. Wi-Fi is accessible free of charge throughout the building and there's a sauna, fitness room, conference rooms, restaurant and bar. Bicycles can be hired upon request.
This boutique has an industrial interior, with a high ceiling and a lot of iron, therefore the name De Bunker. It's a very trendy shop, especially for wealthier younger audiences in the age range 15-25. Its focus is on jeans, but they also have handbags, belts and shoes. De Bunker-branded clothing is worn by youngsters all over the region. Some of the brands on sale are G-Star, PME Legend, Diesel, Scotch & Soda, Maison Scotch, Diesel, Superdry, Hilfiger Denim, Levi's and Replay.
Following the latest fashion trends, it's a typical women clothing boutique for the area. It features trendy clothing brands like Geisha, Mavi, YaYa and the Brazilian flip-flops from Havaianas.
Upscale store for men's fashion, mostly suits. Tommy Hilfiger, Gant, Burberry, Corneliani and Ralph Lauren are some of the brands.
This is the best place if you want to go home in style. Some of the country's most famous stars are known to browse here, such as Froukje de Both. The Dutch fashion show Passion for Fashion also visited here. Some of their brands are particularly exclusive, such as Atos Lombardini, Lotus London, Malene Birger and PRC.
The general market in Hilversum dates back to 1745, when the first horse and cattle market took place. Since 1931 the market has operated from Langgewenst, a central square near the Groest. It is a genuine and authentic local market. Wednesdays have a focus on non-food products, such as books, textiles, leather goods and flowers. Saturdays have a wide variety of vegetables, fruit, fish, cheese and other fresh groceries. A visit is not complete without a fresh raw herring from a stall.
Used record store with mostly urban music, like reggae and hip hop. Also has a limited selection of vinyls. You can ask the staff if you are looking for a specific cd or vinyl.
As the name suggests, this is a 'world store'. Instead of focusing on mainstream products, this store sells gifts and souvenirs that were made with care for mankind and the environment. It only buys fair trade products, mainly from Africa, Asia and Latin America. With this philosophy, buying here is supposed to contribute to improving living standards around the globe.
By car
Hilversum can be reached by motorways A1, A2 and A27. From the northwest and east (Amsterdam and Amersfoort), take A1 exit 9 at Laren, drive south on N525 and follow the signs.
By plane
The closest international airport is Schiphol Airport (AMS). From 06:00 till 00:00, a train leaves for Hilversum every 15 minutes from platform 3.
By bike
If you want to see more of the city than just the inner city core, cycling is the way to go.
By bus
Connexxion offers bus connections from Hilversum's main train station to the surroundings.nl, though results vary.
By car
The road network of Hilversum used to be a nightmare, and still is difficult to navigate through with its one-way roads, traffic congestion and limited parking space.
By taxi
Like elsewhere in the country, taxis in Hilversum carry a hefty price tag.20. A 10-minute ride from the centre to the outskirts is around €14.
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