Things to Do in Eindhoven – Plus Where to Eat, Where to Stay & More

There are more things to do in Eindhoven than you might expect!

When people think about visiting a European city they often think of old historic buildings, impressive church squares and narrow streets filled with history. That is not Eindhoven.

Now don’t get me wrong, Eindhoven dates back to the 13th century so it has plenty of history. But, more than that it is a city of innovation and modern design.

Eindhoven, located in the southern part of The Netherlands is the fifth-largest city in the country. These days it is known as a technology and design hub.

Also Read: Is it the Netherlands or Holland? This Funny Video Will Explain it All

Until the industrial revolution, however, Eindhoven was a small, unimportant town. That all changed in 1891, when a little lightbulb manufacturing company known as Philips was founded here.

During the early 20th century, industry grew exponentially in the city, and with it, the population and importance of Eindhoven.

During the Second World War, parts of the city were destroyed by air raids. The reconstruction that followed replaced many of the destroyed historical buildings with modern structures, including the first high-rises.

Since then, the city has embraced modern architecture and is now known as the capital of Dutch industrial design.

Philips has made Eindhoven into a major technology hub, attracting talent from all over the world. It gives the city a vibe that is different from all other cities in the Netherlands.

If you love innovation, design, and creativity then Eindhoven is a city you want to check out!

Plus with so many cheap airlines (Ryanair, Vueling, Transavia) flying into Eindhoven Airport every day, Eindhoven has become an easy and cheap city break.

In this article I want to share with you the best things to do in Eindhoven, plus some additional tips to make the most of your visit to this city.

What to Do in Eindhoven for a Perfect City Break

1. Start by Visiting Brandstore Eindhoven

Even Eindhoven’s tourist office, which is what Brandstore Eindhoven is, is more innovative than in most other cities!

It’s located right outside Eindhoven’s central train station, and with its bright red roof, it’s impossible to miss.

Of course here you can find all the information you need about things to do in Eindhoven. But they also sell Eindhoven merchandise, offer group tours, and you can rent bicycles to see more of the city.

Definitely pop in to chat with the knowledgeable staff or check out their website Thisiseindhoven.com for more information about Eindhoven.

Address:
Stationsplein 23-02
5611 AC Eindhoven

2. Visit Strijp-S

Visiting Strijp-S is definitely one of the main things to do in Eindhoven.

Strijp-S is a neighborhood in Eindhoven and a former industrial park. The area belonged to the electronics company Philips.

The name Strijp-S comes from the naming pattern that Philips used in its industrial parks. Strijp-S was the first park, and Strijp-T and Strijp-R followed.

In 1916 Anton Philips built the first factory in Strijp-S; a glass factory for light bulbs. Strijp-S was where radios and televisions were invented and produced, as well as many other devices.

The credo “Van zand tot klant” (“from sand to customer”) stood behind the idea that Philips controlled every phase of production from research to storage, from glass blowing to cardboard production: everything on one enormous piece of land.

In the 1990s Philips gradually left Eindhoven, and in 2000 the first discussions took place about the repurposing of Strijp-S.

Today Strijp-S offers an interesting mix of residential areas, art exhibitions, food, and leisure, many of which are housed in the former industrial buildings.

It might not be love at first sight when you arrive at Strijp-S, but give it some time. You will start to appreciate the grungy nature of the area as you walk around and find more and more cool places.

Places to Visit in Strijp-S:

Note: check opening hours on Google Maps before visiting any of the places below, because they don’t open every day.

Urban Shopper

A small-scale covered shopping mall in a former factory hall. No big chains or standard shops but a diverse range of small stores offering anything from books to jewelry and art.

Address:
Torenallee 60, 5617 BD Eindhoven

STR’EAT Bars & Kitchen Vershal Het Veem

This is a really nice indoor food venue with ten distinctive kitchens and three bars.

If you are in Strijp-S during lunch time, then I highly recommend stopping here for a bite to eat.

They are open in the evening as well though so you could come here for dinner or just for a drink.

Address:
Torenallee 86-02, 5617 BD Eindhoven

Intelligentia ICE

Intelligentia ICE isn’t just an ordinary ice cream parlor but a tastings bar.

With interesting mixes of fruit, vegetables, and herbs it is definitely some of the most creative ice cream I have ever seen. But, also some of the best!

And they have several vegan options as well.

Besides ice cream Intelligentia offers creative pastries and chocolate plus a good selection of tea and coffee.

Address:
Leidingstraat 27, 5617 AJ Eindhoven

MU Hybrid Art House

An art gallery offering a mix of international contemporary art, design, new media and urban art.

Address:
Torenallee 40, 5617 BD Eindhoven

Enversed VR Experience Center

I wish I knew about this place before I planned my visit to Eindhoven!

Enversed is one of Europe’s largest virtual reality centers. So if you are looking for a fun new experience, you should definitely add this to your list of things to do in Eindhoven.

Address:
Torenallee 100-02, 5617BE Eindhoven

4. Explore Downtown Eindhoven

Eindhoven isn’t a big city, and the city center, or downtown Eindhoven, can easily be explored on foot.

Start by going to the 18 September Square (18 Septemberplein). On this modern-looking square you’ll find the Piazza, a covered shopping mall next to department store Bijenkorf.

And what can’t be missed is “The Blob”, a futuristic-looking building that is rapidly becoming the icon of Eindhoven. It houses a small shopping mall with a cafe.

The final thing you should check out here is actually underneath the square. You’ll notice two modern-looking entrances to what you probably assume is a metro. It is not. It’s actually the entrance to a large bicycle park. Walk in there to see once again how popular cycling is in the Netherlands but also to take a look at some historic remains with interesting information about Eindhoven’s history.

Walk south from the square and you’ll find numerous shops. From international chains to cute boutiques.

As with most Dutch cities, the city center is where most locals go for a day of shopping. So expect it to get crowded, especially on Saturdays.

When you need a break from exploring Eindhoven just stop at one of the numerous bars and restaurants you’ll find in the center.

And do visit St. Catherine’s Church (Sint-Catharinakerk). It is a beautiful neo-Gothic Catholic church right in the center of Eindhoven.

And if you want to learn more about Eindhoven and its history, I really enjoyed taking a city center walking tour.

Note: If you plan to do some shopping in Eindhoven, do keep in mind that on Sunday most stores don’t open until noon.

5. Stop for Lunch at Down Town Gourmet Market

If you are looking for a cool lunch place in the center of Eindhoven I highly recommend the Down Town Gourmet Market, which is one of my favorite places to visit in Eindhoven.

The Down Town Gourmet Market is a covered market with a wide range of small eateries. From burgers to sushi, in a creative yet cozy setting.

Prices are reasonable, and all the food we tasted was delicious.

And if you can’t make it here in time for lunch, they are open for dinner as well.

Address:
Smalle Haven 2-14, 5611 EJ Eindhoven

Closed on Mondays

6. Have a Cocktail at the Vane Skybar

I love rooftop bars. Especially when exploring a new city it’s such a great way to get an overview of the city. And Vane definitely is a rooftop bar worth visiting.

Vane is located on the top two floors of the luxury NH Hotel. On the first of the two floors you find a stylish restaurant and above that the skybar.

I would recommend going to the rooftop bar just before sunset to get a great view of the city both before and after dark.

The cocktails in the bar have been created by internationally renowned bartender Tess Posthumus. I tried three of them and have to say: they were delicious!

Tip: Vane Restaurant & Skybar are incredibly popular and can get very crowded. If you want to have dinner at Vane restaurant (highly recommended for a romantic dinner), you will have to book weeks or sometimes months in advance!

Address:
Vestdijk 5, 5611 CA Eindhoven

7. Eat Out in Eindhoven

With its innovative nature Eindhoven offers a lot of good and creative restaurants. From quick eats to fine dining, including several Michelin-starred restaurants.

If you love Asian food then The City is a great option. The restaurant has a really cozy vibe and they offer tapas style Asian dishes that are perfect to share.

1910 Restaurant is a stylish, modern restaurant that offers high-quality European dishes.

If you’re looking for smaller plates, good cocktails, and a trendy vibe, then check out Luzt Gastrobar.

Also Read: Popular Dutch Food You Should Try in The Netherlands

8. Enjoy Eindhoven’s Nightlife

The south of the Netherlands is known for loving its food and drinks, and Eindhoven is no exception.

Stratumseind, in the center of Eindhoven, is the longest pub street in the Netherlands. It houses cafés that tell interesting stories, and is a great place for a little pub crawl.

Outside of Stratumseind, a café worth mentioning is Café Wilhelmina, a historic brown café named after Queen Wilhelmina. It’s been around since 1951 and has become a favorite among locals, artists, and musicians. Known for its retro interior, laid-back atmosphere, and regular live music events, this bar feels like stepping into a slice of Eindhoven’s social history.

Another place worth mentioning is The Little One Speakeasy Bar. It’s one of the smallest cafes in the Netherlands and is housed in an old almshouse.

9. Visit one of Eindhoven’s Museums

Eindhoven houses a nice variety of museums. Whether you are into art, history, cars, or soccer, Eindhoven has a museum for it.

One of the Most Popular Museums in Eindhoven: the Philips Museum

It is difficult to find anyone who hasn’t heard of Philips. Better yet, it is difficult to find someone who has never owned a Philips device. But I often meet people who had no clue Philips is Dutch.

Unfortunately the museum isn’t as interactive as I would have expected from such an innovative city but if you want to learn more about Philips and the many things they have invented, do check them out.

Or visit one of Eindhoven’s other museums. Check out a list of all museums in Eindhoven here.

10. Explore the Area Around Eindhoven: See Where Van Gogh Painted His Paintings

Did you know that many of Van Gogh’s famous paintings were painted just outside of Eindhoven?

Van Gogh lived and worked in Nuenen from 1883 until 1885 and painted some of his most famous paintings here.

Nuenen is located northeast of the center of Eindhoven and can easily be reached by bicycle. Start at the Vincentre, the Van Gogh Center, where you can learn more about how Vincent van Gogh lived in Nuenen and what he painted there. 

Hop back on your bike to see where Van Gogh painted his paintings. 17 interactive information columns along the route will tell you what Van Gogh’s connection was with these locations. Part of this route is the Van Gogh Roosegaarde path which is a unique cycling path inspired by Van Gogh’s painting The Starry Night.

And of course, this is a great way to see a bit of the beautiful countryside the Netherlands offers.

Also Read: 10 Dutch Towns You Should Visit Besides Amsterdam

Extra Tips for Things to Do in Eindhoven 

If you are looking for a great breakfast or brunch place, I can highly recommend The Happiness Cafe. They have an ample menu and good vegan options too!

Meneer De Boer Breakfast All Day is also a nice, and popular, cafe but their menu is much less creative. 

And lastly, if you happen to need a quiet spot to get some work done (or just relax and read a book), the Eindhoven library (‘Openbare Bibliotheek Eindhoven‘ in Dutch) is a comfortable place to spend a few hours and their free wifi is good.

Alternatively, Beijenkorf also has a cafe with ample power outlets, making it a good cafe to work from.

Where to Stay in Eindhoven

Hotel Review: WestCord Hotel Eindhoven

WestCord Hotel Eindhoven is a 4-star art hotel in the center of Eindhoven.

What I loved most is that every single room has a unique design. A large number of the unique rooms are located in the monumental Philips factory, built in 1909, where in the past the first light bulbs were made and tested.

My conclusion: a very comfortable, modern hotel that just has that bit extra because of the unique rooms and the historic building. The central location is great but can make it a bit noisy.

Hotel Address

Lichttoren 22
5611 BJ Eindhoven

Quick Hotel Facts

• 230 unique rooms
• Restaurant with open kitchen
• Located in the center of Eindhoven
• Longstay rooms with kitchenette
• Free Wi-Fi
• Bar
• Gym & Spa
• Spacious rooms up to 700 sq/ft (65 m2)
• 3 meeting rooms for up to 175 persons

Hotel Room

We stayed in a lovely Loft room in the monumental Philips factory.

The room is spacious, very well maintained, with comfortable beds and a great bathroom with a rain shower.

The high ceilings exposing some pipes give it that slightly more industrial feel without losing any of the comforts you expect from a good 4-star hotel room.

The room offers a rail with hangers to hang clothes but no separate closet.

Hotel Facilities

The hotel has everything you need for a perfect city break in Eindhoven. Friendly staff, a nice bar and lobby, parking (at a fee), and free wifi throughout the hotel.

The breakfast is great. It offers a good selection of bread, cold cuts, eggs, fruit, yogurt, coffee, tea, juices, and even sparkling wine to make your own mimosas. And it is set in a comfortable, well-designed and well-maintained breakfast area.

Breakfast is not included in the price, but it might be worth it for a relaxing start to your day in Eindhoven.

The hotel also offers a small gym and spa, which I think are a nice extra.

What I loved most though is the design. Even the toilets in the lobby are stylishly decorated! And even though it is not a small hotel I think this helps to make it feel like a boutique hotel instead of a standard city hotel that’s part of a hotel chain.

Hotel Value

With room rates starting around 120 Euros I think this is good value for the comfort, friendly service, and unique design the hotel offers. With its central location, it’s a great hotel to explore Eindhoven from.

The only downside is that breakfast comes at an extra charge of 22 Euros per person per day.

For more information about the WestCord Hotel and online booking click here.

The Best Hotels in Eindhoven for Any Budget

Let me start by saying that hotels in the Netherlands in general aren’t cheap, and Eindhoven is no exception.

For a good budget option in the center of Eindhoven I’d recommend Queen Hotel.

And for a luxury hotel Little Grand is a great place to stay. Or the 5-star NH Hotel I mentioned previously.

But, Eindhoven has a wide range of hotels to choose from to fit different needs and budgets.

The Best Time of Year to Visit Eindhoven

As for visiting any city in The Netherlands, I would say the best time to visit Eindhoven is from early May until late September. During this time of year, the average rainfall is a bit lower and the temperature is generally mild to comfortably warm.

But, Eindhoven has two major events you might want to check out: Glow Eindhoven and Dutch Design Week.

Glow Eindhoven takes place in mid-November and hosts a mix of international and local light artists. The festival focuses on light art and talent development, resulting in a versatile light art festival.

Dutch Design Week is a nine-day event with exhibitions, workshops, seminars and parties at many venues. This famous design event takes place around the last week of October.

Traveling to Eindhoven and Beyond

Eindhoven is easily reached both by train and plane. To check train times and routes most people in the Netherlands use 9292.nl (or the app).

To find the cheapest flights I almost always use Skyscanner. Or check out my article 10 Tips on How to Find The Cheapest Flights.

You can take a bus from Eindhoven airport to the city center or get a taxi. Unfortunately, there are no trains running to and from Eindhoven airport.

Also Read:

• 10 Towns Worth Visiting in The Netherlands Besides Amsterdam
• Dutch Food I Recommend You Try in the Netherlands
• A Unique Hike in the Netherlands: The Dutch Mountain Trail

Map: What to Do in Eindhoven & Where to Stay

 

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Disclaimer: Eindhoven365 helped organize my visit to Eindhoven. This however in no way affects my opinions. I would never recommend anything I didn’t enjoy myself and I only share my honest opinion.
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