Eindhoven

A municipality and city in the Noord-Brabant province towards the south of the Netherlands, Eindhoven is an area more renowned for its football than its tourism but still has a surprising amount to offer the visitor.

Taking its name from the Dutch for ‘end yards’ (indicating its position at the end of Woensel), Eindhoven was first recorded on receiving city rights from Duke Hendrik I of Brabant in 1232. The city’s rapid expansion was aided by its connecting to the Amsterdam trading routes, but was later obstructed by military takeovers in 1486 and 1502 as well as a major fire in 1554. Captured by the Spanish and re-incorporated into the Netherlands in 1629, the city only blossomed again in the 19th century with the Industrial Revolution. Booming thanks to the textiles trade and the rise of Philips electronics after 1891, economic growth was followed by territorial expansion and contributed to Eindhoven’s ‘city of light’ nickname.

Although much of the historical remains were destroyed during World War II, Eindhoven’s modern exterior is strangely apt considering its heritage. Furthermore, thanks to its nightlife and shopping, the city is still an attractive proposition.

Attractions

Eindhoven is not exactly famous for its architecture, despite a series of programs in recent decades. However, there are certain points of interest such as ‘The White Village’ area (Witte Dorp), the 14th century De Collse Water Mill in Collseweg, the subject of one of Van Gogh’s paintings, and the impressive Gothic-styled St. Catherina Church.

The heritage of Eindhoven is encased within the city’s many museums and galleries. The most famous of these is the Van Abbemuseum in Bilderdijklaan, specialising in modern art since the building’s construction in 1936 and containing works by Picasso, Kandinsky and Mondrian as well as a huge permanent collection of pieces by the Russian avant-garde artist El Lissitzky. Eindhoven is also home to the Kempenland Museum in Steentjeskerk (covering the history and culture of Eindhoven specifically) and the Open Air Historical Museum in Boutenslaan.

There are also plenty of family attractions such as the Zwemparadijs de Tongelgreep aqua land in A. Coolenlaan and the Best Zoo in Broedijk.

Eindhoven plays host to a number of events and festivals during the year, including the Carnival in February, the Fiesta del Sol in June and the Park Hilaria fun fair in August.

Football is unquestionably the dominant sport in Eindhoven. The main local team, PSV Eindhoven, are the current Eredivise champions and play their matches at the Philips Stadion. Former players include Ruud Gullit, Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy. The city is also represented by FC Eindhoven, who play in the Eerste Divise at the Jan Louwers Stadion.

Shopping

Eindhoven is a great place to shop regardless of what you’re looking for. The recently renovated Piazza Centre is the main area for high-street fashion and luxury stores. However, the Heuvel Galerie shopping mall in the city centre and the Winkelcentrum Woensel shopping district are also packed with great outlets.

A number of markets take place during the week across the city as well, providing the best in local produce and crafts.

Nightlife and Eating Out

You’ll never be short of somewhere to eat in Eindhoven, with Dutch cuisine nicely catered for by the wide range of restaurants in Grote Berg, Kleine Berg and Bergstraat. Plenty of restaurant-bars can also be found with great food like The Bottle Neck in Montgomerylaan.

There are also international alternatives like Thai at Sala Thai in Staringstraat.

In part due to the local university, Eindhoven has a vibrant nightlife with an array of bars in the Market Square, Stratumseind, Dommelstraat and Wilhelmina Square. As part of the Netherlands, there is a coffee shop culture for obvious reasons, one of the best places being Cool in Hastelweg. For a dance, try the city’s many clubs like the Danssalon in the Stationskwartier.

For a little high culture, check out the Muziekcentrum Frits Philips in Jan Van Lieshoutstraat, regarded as one of the best classical concert halls in the country, or the Stadsschouweburg.

Tourist Information

• VVV Eindhoven Tourist Office, Stationsplein 17, 5611, Eindhoven
• Telephone: +31 040 297 9100
• E-mail: info@vvveindhoven.nl
• Website: www.vvveindhoven.nl

Airport

Eindhoven is served by the small Eindhoven Airport, naturally close to the city itself.

Domestic connecting flights are regularly available, but international flights are only possible to very limited destinations in the continent.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (London-Heathrow) and Ryanair (London-Stansted and Glasgow) use Eindhoven Airport to and from British destinations.