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Street view in the city

's-Hertogenbosch, commonly known as Den Bosch, is a city in the south of the Netherlands and the capital of the province of North Brabant. Once a stronghold, vital in the protection of the young Dutch nation, Den Bosch has a charming and well-preserved medieval centre. Wander through the winding streets to see Saint John's Cathedral and then pick out a street terrace on the market square to relax with a chilling beer. Take a boat to see part of the unique Binnendieze, a subterranean network of canals under the city, or head to the south part of town where the ancient ramparts still mark the border of the city and the beginning of a natural reserve area. In short: what Den Bosch lacks in fame, it makes up for in charm. A place well worth visiting.



Den Bosch can be seen in 9 regions (note: these regions are built up of several neighborhoods):

  • Rosmalen, a town to the east of the A2.
  • Empel, small village to the north of Rosmalen.


Get in[edit]

By plane[edit]

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the largest airport in The Netherlands. It is located near Amsterdam and there is a direct train link from the airport to the station of Den Bosch, taking about 1 hour.

Rotterdam Airport and Eindhoven Airport are smaller, regional airports located near their respective cities. Transavia, KLM CityHopper and Ryanair service these airports from various destinations within Europe. Getting from the airport to Den Bosch is possible by public transport. From Rotterdam airport you'll need a bus to the Rotterdam train station first and then take a train and switch trains in Utrecht (for the northern route) or Tilburg (for the southern route). The whole trip might take around 1.5-2 hours. From Eindhoven airport there's also a short bus ride to the train station and a train straight to the center of Den Bosch, taking around 45 minutes total including transit.

By train[edit]


By car[edit]

Den Bosch is accessible via the A2 highway, which has recently (as of 2016) been improved, alleviating the previously chronic traffic jams.

The major highway that passes Den Bosch is the A2, generally seen from Amsterdam to Maastricht. This one of the busiest highways of The Netherlands, and the part along Den Bosch, known as "knooppunt Hintham" and "knooppunt Empel" (intersection Hintham and Rosmalen), is in the top 5 of busiest traffic points in The Netherlands.

The other, less busy, highway passing Den Bosch is the A59, coming from Roosendaal (and the A16) towards Nijmegen. This highway is less busy than the A2, although traffic jams might occur when there is a jam on the A2 as the A59 merges into the A2 for a short part.

Nevertheless, if staying outside the peak hours, which are roughly from 7AM-9AM and from 4:30PM–7:30PM, Den Bosch is easily accessible by car.

By bus[edit]

The regional buses, operated by the BBA, link Den Bosch with Tilburg and Eindhoven. As these are the regional buses, they do not go directly between these city but stop at several small villages. Therefore, the fastest and advisable way is using the train.

Get around[edit]

On foot[edit]

Everything within the city center is reachable by foot. Everywhere in the city, so also in the suburbs, are sidewalks. In the city center, most areas are accessible by foot and bicycle only, and traffic within the city is restricted.

By bus[edit]

There is a free electric citybus that can take you from the central railroad station to the city centre and back. If you want to go to the suburbs (where there is no reason to, as all points of interest are within the city center), Arriva operates a network of buses throughout the city and places in the vicinity. All buses arrive and depart from the central station, although for some lines it is not a terminus. Travelling on these buses is around €1,20 per zone, and you have to purchase at least 2 zones. You can either pay cash at the driver, or buy a 'strippenkaart', a sort of multiple journey card, for this. The last one should only be considered of you intend a lot of traveling, or travel with multiple persons.

By car[edit]

The city council is trying to get the city center car free, so it is bringing up all kind of measures to deter people from taking the car into the city. Cars can still be parked in the city center, but on Saturdays and Thursday evening these garages are packed. Parking is also available just outside the city center and from there buses are available every 15 minutes for only a few euros including bus trip.

By bike[edit]

The best means of transportation is, just as in the rest of The Netherlands, by bicycle. The city is rather flat and bike friendly


While taxis are relatively expensive in the Netherlands, they are typically reliable and can be good value if you're a small group. Taxis can be found in front of the train station and are available on call. Companies include Taxi TCO +31 412 484 41. and Taxi de Hart +31 73 5112733. . They will also offer transportation services to other cities or towns in the region. While they will work by meter for trips inside the city, fixed prices are available for longer trips, e.g. to Eindhoven Airport (around €45) or Schiphol (around €90).


The Binnendieze is a maze of canals under the city.
The large St John's Cathedral is a central point in the city.

's-Hertogenbosch is a medieval city and among the oldest cities in the Netherlands. When the Netherlands were still young it was a fortified city that served for the protection of The Netherlands. Especially on the south side of the city, a lot of these fortifications have been saved and over time restored. Start at Bastion Vught and walk northwards via the Parklaan, Spinhuiswal, Zuidwal and Bastion Oranje and Hekellaan until you reach the bridge over the Zuid Willemsvaart. This way you cover the best part of the old fortifications. In 2004, the city was awarded European Fortress of the year.

  • Saint John's Cathedral (Sint Jans Kathedraal). one of the most prominent landmarks of Den Bosch. Building started in 1380, in Gothic style. Because the exterior of the building is deteriorating fast, due to acid rain, they started in 1960 with the restoration of the exterior. It has taken many years to restore the full church, but the works are completed and the church can be seen in all its glory. The restoration also included the interior. Of course some minor maintainance takes place constantly.
  • The Moriaan (on the market square). the oldest brick building in The Netherlands, built in the 13th century. It currently houses the Tourist Center (VVV), and in the basement, the rockcafe Plein79.
  • Town Hall (Stadhuis), south side of the market square (next to the V&D department store). Another place on the market square that is worth a visit. The facade was built in the 17th century and reflects Dutch classicism. The cellars are from about 1200, with a restaurant for coffee, tea, lunch etc..
  • The North Beabant Museum (NoordBrabants Museum). houses a collection of art and historical artifacts, from pre-roman times to the 20th century. Special exibitions are a must to see, the 'Hyeronimus Bosch Exhibition' with his original work from museums all over the world.
  • City Museum 's-Hertogenbosch (Stedelijk Museum 's-Hertogenbosch (SMS)) (next to, and connected to, the North Brabant Museum). A brand new building and a museum for modern art. Together they form one of the biggest museums of the Netherlands. The ground floor can be visited freely, and it's up to you to decide to see more.
  • Hyeronimus Bosch Art CenterHinthamerstraat (in a former church). displays all the works of the famous painter. All in live sized copies. Combined with 3D models of his monsters and objects. Because the paintings are copies, you can get very close to them and the guide will open or close the panels to get the full picture. Visitors, young and old, can enjoy this permanent exhibition.






The Binnendieze, as seen from one of the tour boats
  • Take a boat on the Binnendieze, a river that goes below the houses of the center of town, which was used historically as an open sewer, but is now quite a special tour.


Den Bosch is a popular place for shopping, combining a charming historic atmosphere with a wide variety of stores. In the city centre you'll find all the major chains and department stores. For more characteristic speciality stores or small boutiques try the Snellestraat or the so-called Bossche Kwartier, meaning the small streets around the Fonteinstraat. The Verwerstraat, with its large monumental buildings, is the place to go for antiques, fashion and design. The Vughterstraat is another excellent pick, with clothing shops as well as some fine home decoration and furniture places.

Markets are frequently held on the large market square. The main market is on Saturdays (9-17h) and has a wide selection of food and non-food products. On Wednesday the selection is similar, but the market somewhat smaller. On Fridays, there's a biological market (9-14h) with a good selection of high-quality, mostly regional products. There's another regular market on every first Sunday of the month, but it's a lot smaller than the one on Saturday.


The city is famous for a local pastry called "Bossche Bol" or "moorkop", a must-try for any visitor. It's a chocolate ball filled with cream, the size of a tennis ball, typically eaten with a cup of coffee in the afternoon but also for desert. It makes for a fine sweet treat when you kick back and relax at one of the many cafés, after a day of walking through town.

  • Jan de GrootStationsweg 24. This bakery is particularly well-known for its Bossche bollen and caters to many of the cafés in town. They also have a lunchroom of their own. € 2.05 for one pastry..


The city centre is packed with small and large restaurants that serve all kinds of crowds. The Korte Putstraat and the Lange Putstraat are your best bet if you're looking for a meal, as they have a particularly broad selection of places with nice outdoor terraces in summer. Typically you'll have no problems finding a table somewhere, but if you have a particular establishment in mind or if you want a good table on the terrace it's definitely wise to reserve ahead, as the best places are often full.


  • Eetcafé 't KeershuysLepelstraat 45 +31 73 612 80 87, e-mail: . Cosy place in a 14th-century building, once a small cheese factory. Today it's a restaurant serving simple, good value for money food. It's also a popular place for lunch and High Tea. Lunch breads start at around €5 and in the evening you can have the dish of the day for €10,50. Pasta dishes around €12 and other mains from €15.
  • Bar Bistro Tic TacKerkstraat 83 +31 73 613 4088. Lots of finger food and bistro dishes with American and Asian influences. Think simple but tasty and filling steaks, burgers and salads. Full course mains around €15.


  • In Den Zevenden HemelKorte Putstraat 13-17 +31 73 6901451. Popular with locals, this place gets good reviews and is often crowded. Mains start around €20 and there's several vegetarian options too. The staff is friendly; ask them for the English menu. €34.95 for a set 3 course menu.
  • NescioHinthamerstraat 80 +31 73 6 100 900. Cosy little restaurant with good food, right next to the cathedral. On the menu you'll find a range of small dishes which allows you to get a good idea of the cuisine. Most visitors opt for the chef's menu, called the "Wandeling door de kaart" (walk through the menu). € 34,50 for a 4 course chef's menu..


  • Restaurant SenseVerwersstraat 58 +31 73 614 42 08, e-mail: . closed Sun&Mon. Sense has a number of small, high quality dishes on the menu; the idea is that you order them more or less in a random order, as you like. They start at around €16; count on 4 dishes for an average eater. If you're not very picky, the surprise menu is a good option. From €43,50 for 4 courses.
  • FabuleuxVerwerstraat 23 +31 73 741 00 11. Closed Mon&Tue. Proper French cuisine in a historic house. This place also has some excellent wines on the menu. From €37.50 for a 3 course surprise..


Nightlife in Den Bosch is as you might expect from a city of its size: not as extravagant as Amsterdam or Rotterdam, but nice, with a friendly crowd attending and a nice atmosphere. The places most worth visiting:

  • Cinq (Formerly known as the Cuba Libre, it turns into a nightlife scene after 23.00. On busy nights hard to get in.), Parade +31 73 6900768. Entrance depends on attendance. Busy nights require around €2 entrance to be paid..
  • De Carrousel (Place to attracts a crowd of mainly 25+. Is sometimes open slightly longer than the other places.), Karrrenstraat +31 73 6900311. starts at around 10PM until 4AM, sometimes later..
  • Silva Ducis (Next to Cinq, same attendance.), Parade +31 73 6130405. 10AM-4PM. '


  • Mövenpick Hotel 's-Hertogenbosch (Moevenpick), Pettelaarpark 90 (Near the highway A2. Take exit 22, where signage will guide you to the hotel.),  +31 73 6874674fax: +31 73 6874635, e-mail: . Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 12PM. This 4 start hotel offers clean, cosy rooms with good showers and 100% organic, fair trade linen. There's a spacious (no-swimming suit) sauna and infra-red room and the hotel restaurant offers a diverse menu with healthy and vegetarian options. This hotel is located in a business area but lies next to a small lake, which gives it its charm. It's about a 20 minute walk from the city centre and easily accessible by car. The large parking has electric car charging options. Bicycle rent is also available and there's a bus stop 200 meters away, with connections to the city centre. around €140.
  • Best Western Euro Hotel (Located in the city center. Cheaper hotel, but overal it is in a bad shape. Renovations has been done from Dec. 06 until Mar. 07, so there might be some improvement.), Kerkstraat 56 (Near the St. Jans Cathedral opposite the main post office.),  +31 73 6137777fax: +31 73 6128795. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. €95.
  • Campanile Hotel 's-Hertogenbosh (Cheap hotel located in the northern suburb 'Maasport' and adjacent industrial area), Goudsbloemvallei 21-25 +31 73 6422525fax: +31 73 6410048, e-mail: . €59.
  • Bark Hotel 's-Hertogenbosch.
  • Fletcher Hotel Rosmalen (Located outside the city center along the A2 highway), Burg. Burgerslaan 50 +31 73 5219159fax: +31 73 5216215, e-mail: .
  • van der Valk Hotel Vught (Large hotel located in the town of Vught, about 10 minutes by bus to 's-Hertogenbosch.), Bosscheweg 2 +31 73 6587777fax: +31 73 6587700, e-mail: . €80-100.


Den Bosch uses the area code 073.

Stay safe[edit]

Den Bosch is in general a safe city. Even the neighborhoods considered dangerous by the locals are still quite safe during daylight (Hambaken, Graafsewijk and Kruiskamp). If a traveler uses his common sense he will be alright, also during night. The only time the crowd can get a bit rough is during Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. These are the general party nights, so people sometimes drink too much. Nevertheless, there is a lot of police around, and you will be safe if you just take care and mind your own business.

Go next[edit]

Well connected and at a fairly central location, there are endless options for next destinations when leaving 'sHertogenbosch. Some of the more prominent nearby places are Utrecht, Tilburg, Eindhoven, Breda and Nijmegen. The Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park is also a short ride.

Routes through 's-Hertogenbosch
AmsterdamCulemborg  N NL-A2.png S  EindhovenMaastricht

This city travel guide to 's-Hertogenbosch is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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