This off-beat city in the southern Netherlands is a hub of design and innovation (Image: Portia Jones)
I had finally grown tired of Amsterdam’s huge crowds and tourist tat. The popular Dutch capital is one of the most-visited cities in Europe, welcoming up to 20 million tourists a year.
As a travel journalist and podcaster, I’ve visited the Netherlands many times and searched for a less crowded, cooler alternative to Amsterdam, and I think I finally found one – Eindhoven.
This off-beat city in the southern Netherlands is a hub of design, innovation and incredible architecture, without the tourist-packed streets you might expect from its bigger neighbour. Instead, uber-cool Eindhoven offers a refreshingly laid-back vibe where creativity thrives.
Eindhoven is not only known for its creativity and innovation but also for its walkability. Forget the crowded canal-lines streets of Amsterdam—Eindhoven offers a more authentic Dutch city experience.
You can easily wander from one trendy café to another, discovering sleek designer boutiques, buzzing markets, and cultural gems. And when it’s time to unwind with a beer, there’s no better spot than Stratumseind, a pub-lined street with more than 50 venues where you can experience the city’s lively, unpretentious nightlife.
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Eindhoven is not only known for its creativity and innovation but also for its walkability (Image: Getty)Dutch Design Week
Eindhoven may be a small city, but it punches well above its weight in art and design.
Every year in October, the city comes alive for Dutch Design Week (DDW), one of the largest design festivals in Europe.
This popular event celebrates creativity, where hundreds of established and emerging designers showcase their bold, futuristic ideas.
Whether sustainable transportation solutions like the solar-powered Lightyear One or innovative architecture like the wooden Biobasecamp, Eindhoven is where you’ll witness tomorrow’s world taking shape.
But Eindhoven’s design magic doesn’t disappear after Dutch Design Week. The city is an open-air museum of modern design, with countless creative spaces and art installations waiting to be discovered year-round.
My favourite place is Strijp-S, the former Philips industrial estate completely transformed into a hip, cultural and creative hotspot.
What was once a “forbidden city” exclusive to Philips employees is now a thriving district, open to all and packed with artist studios, galleries, trendy boutiques, and cafés.
Strijp-S, a former Philips industrial estate has been transformed into a cultural hub (Image: Portia Jones)Exploring Strijp-S
Strijp-S is where Eindhoven’s industrial past and innovative future meet. As you wander through the towering warehouses and repurposed factories, you can explore its urban-industrial spaces and get some brilliant street art snaps.
One of the must-visit spots in Strijp-S is the Piet Hein Eek Studio. Known for his unique approach to sustainability and design, Piet Hein Eek has built his reputation on transforming waste materials into exquisite furniture and art pieces.
He transformed a former ceramic workshop into an innovative design hotspot with a studio, a workshop, two restaurants, an exposition room, a showroom, a shop and the brand-new Piet Hein Eek Hotel with a rooftop bar. You can take a tour of the site given by Piet Hein Eek and get an inside look at the design process.
The Strijp-S district also features urban living spaces that attract locals and expats, as well as boutique shops, restaurants, and recreational areas like a skate park and climbing centre.
Make sure to visit the highly Instagrammable Intelligentia Taste Rooms for gourmet ice cream, exquisite pastries, and exceptional tea and coffee creations.
Eindhoven Strijp S district at night (Image: Getty)Area51 Skatepark
Channel your inner skater at Area51, located in the heart of Strijp-S. It is one of the largest indoor skateparks in Europe and a great place if you are travelling with the kids.
The skatepark has a large bowl, an extensive mini ramp and a series of rails, ledges and jumps for inline skaters, skateboarders, scooter riders, and BMX-ers.
If your kids are new to skateboarding, they can practice in a comprehensive training area with smaller obstacles designed for beginners.
Dinner at Radio Royaal
When it comes to dining in Eindhoven, you’ll quickly realise that this city doesn’t do anything by the book. Radio Royaal is the perfect example of the city’s innovative style.
Housed in a former Philips power plant at Strijp-S, this industrial-themed restaurant combines French-German cuisine with Dutch classics, all served in a space that feels more like an art installation than a traditional dining room.
The food is top-notch—think charcuterie boards, perfectly cooked steaks, and delicious vegetarian options—but the playful atmosphere sets Radio Royaal apart.
Between courses, you can challenge your friends to a table football game, take a swing on the giant rope swing, or even try your hand at the punching bag.
This innovative city doesn’t do anything by the book – including restaurants (Image: Portia Jones)Stratumseind: The longest pub Street in the Benelux
After a day of exploring Eindhoven’s design and cultural highlights, it’s time to let loose. And there’s no better place to do that than Stratumseind.
Known as the longest pub street in the Benelux region, Stratumseind is a nightlife mecca, boasting over 50 bars, cafés, and restaurants. Whether you’re in the mood for a laid-back pint or ready to hit the dance floor, Stratumseind brings the party vibes.
The street isn’t just about quantity—quality is just as important here. Eindhoven’s craft beer scene is thriving, and you’ll find plenty of options to sample quality local brews.
Start with Van Moll, a local brewery known for its quirky atmosphere and excellent range of craft beers. The vibe here is relaxed and welcoming, making it the perfect spot to unwind with a decent pint and a selection of Dutch snacks.
If you prefer crafted cocktails, pop into The Little One Bar—a tiny, intimate venue with a creative cocktail menu offering sophisticated sips.
Philips’ Legacy: From lightbulbs to culture hubs
As you wander through Eindhoven, you can’t miss the influence of Philips, a company that shaped much of the city’s industrial history. Today, many of its former factories and offices have been transformed into cultural spaces, residential areas, and creative hubs.
Take the Lichttoren, a striking building that once housed a Philips light bulb factory but is now a modern residential complex. This blend of historical architecture and contemporary living is a recurring theme throughout Eindhoven.
Another former Philips gem is the Machinekamer, now converted into a unique restaurant and event space. The venue maintains its industrial charm, with exposed pipes, high ceilings, and a raw, urban aesthetic that gives it a distinctly Eindhoven feel.
The street art at De Berenkuil changes regularly (Image: Portia Jones)Street art at De Berenkuil
One of the most exciting aspects of Eindhoven is its street art scene. The best place to experience this is at De Berenkuil, a series of bicycle tunnels transformed into a dynamic canvas for graffiti artists.
Unlike most cities where street art is discouraged, Eindhoven actively embraces it, turning this otherwise ordinary underpass into an ever-evolving art gallery.
The street art at De Berenkuil changes regularly, with new murals constantly popping up. This creative space culminates in the annual Step in the Arena Graffiti Festival, where more than 150 artists worldwide come to showcase their talents.
Even if you’re not visiting during the festival, De Berenkuil offers a vibrant and constantly changing glimpse into the city’s thriving street art culture.
Culture meets design: Van Abbemuseum and Kazerne
For art lovers, Eindhoven is a treasure trove of modern and contemporary masterpieces. The Van Abbemuseum is one of Europe’s most respected art institutions, housing works from giants like Picasso, Kandinsky, and Mondrian.
But the museum doesn’t just rest on its laurels—it’s also known for pushing the boundaries of contemporary art with exhibitions that challenge social norms and spark important conversations. Visiting here is a chance to dive into the deep end of European modernism while exploring new, experimental art forms.
Across the city, you’ll find another cultural highlight: Kazerne, where former military barracks have been impressively transformed into a vibrant multidisciplinary space that merges art, design, and culinary experiences.
Kazerne offers a platform for designers and artists to showcase their work, all while you enjoy fine dining in a relaxed, creative atmosphere. It’s also home to a boutique hotel, making it the perfect spot for design lovers looking to discover Eindhoven’s artistic scene.
Getting to Eindhoven from the UK
Getting to Eindhoven from the UK is a breeze, with several easy travel options. If you prefer to fly, KLM offers direct flights from many UK airports to Amsterdam, where you can easily hop on a train straight to Eindhoven.
The train is another great option if you’re looking for a more scenic route or want to skip the flight.
You can travel from London via Eurostar to Brussels or Amsterdam; from the capital, local trains can easily connect to Eindhoven.
The train journey from Amsterdam to Eindhoven takes just under 90 minutes, with regular daily departures. Dutch trains are known for being efficient, clean, and comfortable, so it’s a relaxing way to travel while enjoying a bit of the Dutch countryside.
Once you arrive in Eindhoven, getting around is a breeze. The city’s walkability is one of its biggest perks, so there is no need to worry about figuring out complicated transport routes—everything you want to see is within easy reach.
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Publish date : 2024-10-24 02:39:00
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