Things to do in Eindhoven

Explore Eindhoven hip districts

One thing that you will love about Eindhoven is its vibrant scene, especially in the post-industrial neighbourhood of Strijp-S. Locals in Eindhoven will guide you through this melting pot of artsy shops, galleries, restaurants, and bars and point you in the right direction to get the most out of it. 

Discover the fascinating stories behind each building while strolling under some pipelines or through a containers’ village, taste some delicious Dutch beer in a quirky brewery, chase the bunnies in one of the most beautiful green areas of Eindhoven.

Taste the herring the local way

One of the most popular delicacies in The Netherlands is herring and if you really want to go local you should taste it the ‘Dutch way’! That is raw, and with lots of onions to get the real taste out. Fresh and salty, the best way to eat it is by holding the slippery fish tail, cocking your head back to a slightly uncomfortable angle and take one large bite. 

Skeptical about the technique? Curious to know where to get the freshest, tastiest herring in Eindhoven? Let a local show you the way!

At the weekly local market - on Tuesdays and Saturdays - or in a top-quality food place, this is something you do not want to miss out. 

Discover the local food scene with a foodie

The Netherlands is a melting pot of cultures and this reflects in its diverse cuisine. Also in Eindhoven the food scene is thriving and many hip restaurants, bars and delicatessen shops: Indonesian, Brabant, Italian, Surinamese. There is something to suit everyone’s fancy!  

But what are actually the must-visit food places in Eindhoven? Only the real local foodies know! 

From a delicious espresso in a hidden coffee place to a tasty bite of fresh herring, you will be surprised of how much Eindhoven has to offer when it comes to yummy food.

Enjoy an authentic Indonesian home dinner

The Netherlands was once a colonial super power and Indonesia was one of the territories under its administration, known by the name “Dutch East Indies”. The first expedition set sail already in 1595 with the am of gaining access to precious spices directly in Asia. 

This colonial past resulted in the migration to Europe of many Indonesians, who brought with them their culture. The Indonesian culinary tradition is widely appreciated and well established in the Netherlands and also Eindhoven has some real tidbits to offer. On top of the list is an authentic home dinner hosted by an Indonesian foodie and home chef, who settled in Eindhoven and can give you a good introduction to both the Dutch way of living and the Indonesian traditions!

Visit a one-of-a-kind house museum in the heart of Eindhoven

There are several museums you can visit in Eindhoven, whether you are interested in the history of the city, in modern art or in cars and trucks. The offer is broad and it is a good option to consider if the weather outside is not that nice. But if you are curious to get a truly local and memorable experience you should definitely pay a visit to the unique Inkijkmuseum, located in a sweet old white house in the city center. Our host Martin is the founder and knows by heart each and every anecdote behind the countless paintings decorating his very house! Join him for a cup of coffee and bring home with you a unique memory and many unforgettable stories. 

Get the most out of the DDW

Whether you're new in town, just passing through or a local, you will be sure to find a festival going on in Eindhoven or somewhere close-by. All year long the city hosts numerous festivals rich in art, music and design. Our recommendation: The Dutch Design Week, aka DDW, which takes place every year in the last week of October all over the city!

Eindhoven’s industrial character and its deeply innovative nature make it the perfect setting for hosting this event, which animates some of the most hip places around with countless events. From the Klokgebouw to the non-commercial expo space Onomatopee, discover what is hot on the scene and see what the trending designers worldwide are working on.

Discover one of the trendiest exhibits places in Eindhoven

It is called Kazerne and it is at the same time a design gallery, a shop, an innovation lab and a top-notch restaurant. 

It is located in a central area of town, and it owes its name to the fact that the location was once an ensemble of military barracks (Kazerne in Dutch). During the Dutch Design Week it is one of the hot spot that you do not want to miss, but all year around you will find something going on. 

A local passionate about design and history is what you should go for if you want to explore this space and many others that Eindhoven has to offer.  

(Pic by Ruud Balk © Kazerne)

Bike along the Van Gogh-Roosegaarde bike trail

This one-kilometre-long bike trail is a true hidden gem of Eindhoven. At night, the whole path lights up revealing the sky patterns of The Starry Night, one of the most famous paintings of Van Gogh. The sight is stunning, the surroundings are quiet. 

And there is only one way to discover this trail and that is on a bicycle!

 Admire GLOW's thousand lights

November is coming up and so it is the yearly light art festival GLOW. 

Eindhoven has been known for centuries as ‘The City of Lights’: for a long time it was the largest producer in the Netherlands of matches, and then Philips kicked in with the industrial production of incandescent light bulbs. Ib one way or another the city has always had something to do with light! To appreciate this characteristic element the best way is to enjoy the GLOW festival, which takes the form of countless outdoor exhibitions and shows, hosted in some of the most iconic buildings as well as along the banks of the Dommel, the city river. 

Ask a local host to guide you around because the time flies and the offer is really vast! 

(Pic by Steven Lek)

Watch a match of the PSV Eindhoven in the PSV Stadium

The PSV Stadium is an impressive construction in the centre of Eindhoven and it is the home ground of the PSV, the local football club. Dutches are a proud folk and soccer is one of the things they stick their chest out for. Eindhoven people are no exception and a visit to the stadium, or - even better - going to a game of the city team and cheering together with the locals is the way to blend in.   

(Pic by Maurizio Pesce)