If you want to visit a different city in the Netherlands, I would totally recommend Eindhoven.

Eindhoven is a city with a very special meaning for me. On January 20, 2016, I defended my dissertation here at Eindhoven University of Technology after having lived here for 4 years. We try to go back every now and then and every time we notice that Eindhoven is a city in full development: there is always something new to see or do.

 

Did you know

? The High Tech Campus in Eindhoven is the smartest km² in Europe

?️ Eindhoven is the 5th city in the Netherlands

? Eindhoven was completely destroyed during the 2nd World War

 

What to see and do in Eindhoven

In Eindhoven, technology, design, and knowledge go hand in hand. Eindhoven is not only the birthplace of Philips, but also the design capital of the Netherlands. Design and technology are therefore present everywhere in the city of light. The city has everything for a pleasant weekend away: art, design, shopping, and good food.

We will give you some tips.

Philips Museum 

Whoever says Philips also says Eindhoven. It was in Eindhoven that Gerard Philips, together with his father Frederik Philips, founded the company Philips in 1891. A few years later Gerard’s younger brother, Anton, also came to help in the factory. During these early years, only incandescent lamps were made. After the First and Second World War, Philips also focused on other technologies such as radio, X-ray equipment, and household appliances. Since then, Philips has had many inventions to its name.

The site of the first factory now houses the Philips museum, where you can learn more about the company’s origins and the evolution they have undergone until today. Information about opening times and prices can be found on the website. Don’t forget to book your ticket in advance.

 

Van Abbemuseum 

In the Van Abbemuseum you can admire works by, among others, El Lissitzky, Pablo Picasso, and Marlene Dumas. This modern and contemporary art museum opened in 1936 and currently contains more than 2,700 works of art. In addition to the permanent collection, there are also regularly changing exhibitions.

There is also a special program for children where they can experience art in a child-friendly way on Saturdays. More information about opening times, prices, exhibitions, and the children’s art club can be found on the website. Be sure to order your ticket in advance!

 

Motion experience 

Immerse yourself in a world of light and color. Motion is a nice mix of innovation, light art, and experience. Motion experience is part of Dinner in Motion, a 360-degree restaurant where projections appear everywhere during the 6-course dinner.  

 

Strijp-S 

Philips expanded enormously from 1918, whereby the village of Strijp was increasingly integrated into the city of Eindhoven. The name ‘Strijp-S’ comes from the names given to the industrial parks by Philips. Strijp-S  was the first business park, followed by Strijp-T and Strijp-R. Normally the 4th industrial area would become Strijp-I, after the next letter in the name ‘Strijp’.

You can still admire some beautiful old buildings here, such as the Klokgebouw, the Ketelhuis, and the Machine Room. But in the meantime Strijp-S has become so much more: it is the cultural and creative heart of Eindhoven. At MU, for example, you can enjoy changing exhibitions of contemporary art. In the Discovery Factory, children can get acquainted with science, design, and technology in a playful way.

For shoppers who like to buy original things, there is Urban Shopper where you can find 20 small shops under 1 roof. And food lovers can also indulge themselves at Strijp-S at, for example, Vershal Het Veem or one of the many small catering businesses.

 

Piet Hein Eek 

Piet Hein Eek is a Dutch designer who graduated in 1990 from the Academy of Industrial Design in Eindhoven. His work mainly has an ecological focus through the use of found materials. Since 2010 you can find Piet Hein Eek at Strijp-R. Not only is there the workshop, but also a shop, showroom, art gallery, event space, and a restaurant. A hotel will also be added later this year. More information can be found on the website.

 

Philips Stadium 

Whoever says Eindhoven also says PSV. The football club was founded in 1913 under the name Philips Sport Vereniging and consisted of Philips employees. Since then, PSV has grown into one of the better clubs in the Netherlands. In the Philips Stadium, there is also a museum where you can learn more about the history of the club and admire the many awards. But you can also do a PSV Stadium Tour that takes you to a number of special places. More information can be found on the website.

 

Street art 

In a city that breathes so much culture, it is inevitable that there is also a lot of street art to admire. You can enjoy beautiful works of art all over the city. The largest graffiti/street art festival in Europe is also held every year: step in the arena. The Berenkuil will be given a real makeover by various artists from home and abroad.

A bike ride along all this street art is definitely on our list to do again.

 

Shopping 

Eindhoven is a true shopping paradise. In addition to the well-known retail chains in the center, you can also find the smaller shops in, for example, the Bergen. But you can also score unique pieces on Strijp S.

 

Activities

Eindhoven is a really vibrant city: there is always something to do. Are you planning a visit? Be sure to check the event agenda to see what there is to do. The most important event in Eindhoven is the Dutch Design Week. Every year in October, the largest design event in Northern Europe takes place where more than 2000 designers show their work and concept to the general public.

 

Good food and drinks in Eindhoven 

Eindhoven is also known for its many restaurants where you can enjoy food from all over the world.

Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and there are plenty of places in Eindhoven where you can enjoy a delicious breakfast. In the Witte Dame, you can not only enjoy freshly roasted coffee at DENF coffee, but also a delicious breakfast or brunch.

 

At The Happiness Café you can enjoy a healthy acai bowl or a happy brunch platter, for example. 

 

Meneer de Boer is also recommended for an all-day breakfast. Their blueberry pancakes and waffles with bacon are delicious.

 

Lunch 

In the middle of the city center is the Down Town Gourmet Market where you can find 21 food stands. With the digital ordering app by means of a QR code, everyone can order what he / she feels like and it is brought to the table. And the nice thing is that the profits are nicely distributed among the food stands present. So there really isn’t much competition. Tip: be sure to try Miss Temaki’s vegetarian sushi or Bombay’s spicy Indian dishes.

 

Another nice lunch address is De Vooruitgang on the Markt in Eindhoven. After a major fire in 2013, this city cafe is back with a new fantastic interior. The wall behind the bar is The big eye-catcher. On the menu of course a few ‘Dutch classics’ such as a bouncer or a croquette sandwich, but also original sandwiches, burgers, or a club sandwich.

 

Also at the Market Square, there is De Wildeman. Here you can also find a lot of Dutch classics on the menu such as this yummy burger.

 

Outside the center in Strijp R you can also have lunch in the beautifully decorated restaurant of Piet Hein Eek. Be sure to try the flammkuchen and the open ciabatta with manchego.

 

Snacks 

When I lived in Eindhoven, there were 2 things that were eaten a lot on campus: sausage rolls and pies. For tasty sausage rolls, you can go to Houben worstenbrood. Owner Bart likes to talk about this typical Brabant product with great passion. And when asked whether he still occasionally eats sausage bread, he answers with a smile: “Every day”. Are you going for the classic with meat or the vegetarian version? 

 

If there is something that is a bit of a tradition in Eindhoven (and actually all over the Netherlands), it is having drinks and delicious food to go with it. You can find delicious boards everywhere that you can enjoy together with a beer or a glass of wine. At Janz, for example, you can find these tasty snacks.

 

For birthdays there almost always was Houwens Vlaaien on the table during the coffee break. My favorite is still the apple crumble. 

Dinner 

You can find a unique concept at Kazerne: design combined with good food. In addition to the 2 restaurants, you can enjoy free changing exhibitions. The largest restaurant is restaurant kazerne, which serves dishes with an Italian twist. Prefer to dine in an intimate setting? Then you’ve come to the right place at Restaurant Benz: French cuisine with a modern and innovative twist.

 

Delicious grilled dishes can be found at Restaurant Sizzling. You can get a 3-course meal for a fixed price with a  lot of choices for the different courses. I had vegetarian empanadas, tex mex with beef, and a cheesecake.

 

Do you love exotic cuisine? Then definitely try the all-you-can-eat Korean bbq at K-town. There is not only Korean bbq but also all kinds of other Korean dishes that you can enjoy unlimited for 2h.

 

Another recommendation in the center is De Effenaar: surprising dishes, beautifully presented, and a changing menu. Outside the center, you can find Gusto. This homely restaurant has a nice menu with a Mediterranean twist. The cheese fondue for 1 person with vegetables is definitely recommended.

Drinks

There are many nice cafes in Eindhoven. Van Moll is a brewpub in the heart of Eindhoven. The beers they brew here have unusual names and you notice that they like to experiment here. Drinkers Pub is one of the largest beer pubs in the Netherlands. They have about 1000 different beers available in bottles and 30 on tap. So plenty of choices, but also difficult to choose.

 

Where to stay during a weekend in Eindhoven?

We stayed in Hotel The Match. The location on the Bergen ensures that you are right in the middle of the bustling city, within walking distance of all the main sights and restaurants. There is a large lounge bar and a small shop with food and drinks. The rooms are small but nicely and modernly furnished. The shower cubicle in the room might be a bit weird if you’re not staying here as a couple. But definitely recommended!

 

Eindhoven will always have a special place in our hearts and we will try to come here more regularly. It’s nice to see the city changing so much.

 

 

 

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