Five Must-See Tourist Attractions in Eindhoven

Known as one of the Netherlands’ oldest cities and the home of the PSV Eindhoven football team, Eindhoven is an up-and-coming holiday destination. Its growing nightlife scene, wealth of historical buildings, and close proximity to the cities of Antwerp and Amsterdam make it a fantastic place to spend a few days. If you are planning a trip to Eindhoven, be sure to include the following tourist attractions:

Van Abbemuseum

Founded in 1936 by cigar manufacturer Henri van Abbe, the Van Abbemuseum is one of the most popular museums in Eindhoven. It is known as much for its eye-catching architecture (the work of renowned architect Abel Cahen) as for the art collection it houses. The building can be found right on the east bank of the River Dommel, and it manages to incorporate the natural landscape in surprising ways. Open-air terraces, covered bridges, winding flights of stairs and strategically placed windows allow visitors to see the city while also marveling at some truly spectacular works of art. Especially impressive is the collection of 20^th-century paintings (Picasso and Chagall are well represented) located within the labyrinthine space.

Philips Stadion

Eindhoven’s Philips Stadion, or Philips Stadium, is the home of the aforementioned PSV football club. As such, it is one of the most popular attractions in the city—especially so among its many football fans. While it is around a hundred years old, the stadium appears to be quite modern. It can seat about 35,000 spectators—and it does whenever there is a big game. If you would like to attend while in Eindhoven, be sure to purchase your tickets well in advance. You may also book a guided tour of the premises; however, like tickets on game day, reservations may be hard to come by.

Evoluon Conference Centre

An integral and famous part of Eindhoven’s urban landscape, the Evoluon Conference Centre is difficult to miss. The strangely futuristic building (many agree that it resembles a flying saucer) provides an intriguing contrast to the city’s historical sites. Interestingly enough, it is not a new addition to Eindhoven; the conference centre was actually built in 1966, to be the home of the Museum of Science and Technology (hence the innovative design.) The concrete “saucer” is made of concrete, and it measures almost 80 metres (260 feet) in diameter.

Muziekcentrum Frits Philips

Another major attraction named after the Philips family (yes, as in electronics and lighting) in Eindhoven is the Muziekcentrum Frits Philips. Nearly as popular as the football stadium, this gigantic venue is actually two separate concert halls. The larger of the two is the Eindhoven Airport Hall, which can seat about 1,250 people. The smaller and more intimate Rabobank Hall holds crowds of under 400. Over any given year, the entire Muziekcentrum Frits Philips welcomes approximately 150,000 people to its concerts and events. From classical orchestras to world-famous rock and pop groups on tour, the calendar is always varied. What’s more, the acoustics are supposedly among the best in Europe.

Genneper Park

If you are visiting Eindhoven with children, you cannot pass up the opportunity to check out Genneper Park. The massive park can be found close to the vibrant city centre; however, parts of it feel much farther away from civilization. The beautiful scenery can be explored by bike or on foot; you will find a wonderful network of pathways and cycling trails. Also on the grounds are a number of popular and unique tourist attractions, including the De Tongelreep Swimming Paradise (home to indoor wave pools, water slides, rapids and whirlpools) and the Historical Openluchtmuseum. The latter, Eindhoven’s iconic Open-Air Museum, shows visitors how the Netherlands looked over a period of 2,000 years. Tourists can tour replicas of dwellings and tools from the Iron Age onwards. The Medieval exhibit, where you can sip authentic mead in an old market square, is especially charming.

Recommended hotels in Eindhoven: the Sandton Hotel Eindhoven, the Park Plaza Eindhoven