Den Bosch is one of my favorite cities to visit. I know I say this quite a lot. But this is another gem. And Den Bosch is not on the tourist map either. But it should.
In this post, I share the best things to do in Den Bosch, the Netherlands, for a great day out. Once youāve tasted their most famous pastry, Den Bosch will also be one of your favorite cities!
I try not to travel here as often as I want because I will not be able to control my caloric intake being here. Every time I get to this city, like last when I did two months ago, I head straight to āBakker de Grootā just across Den Bosch station, but more on that later.
So we touched on one thing Den Bosch is famous for in the Netherlands. But besides, theyāre also well known for their medieval waterway running under houses called the āBinnendieze,ā a fantastic destination for local daytrippers for shopping and so many cozy restaurants. I always enjoy the local Market on the main square on Wednesdays and Saturdays. And itās a gateway city to the famous Efteling Amusement Park.
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Den Bosch is ideally located between Amsterdam and Maastricht
This medieval city is so easy to reach. It sounds far away, but itās only one hour from Amsterdam. There are frequent direct trains from Amsterdam to Den Bosch. And itās en route to Maastricht.
If you have no time for a proper visit, you should, if nothing else, make a quick stop on your way to Maastricht for their famous āBossche Bol.ā The original Bakery is almost immediately next to the station. Just take the next train after you get your fix. I would feel literal pain passing by Den Bosch without getting off the train. Itās worth it.
If Iām honest, eating a Bossche Bol is sometimes the only reason for us to visit when weāre short on time. However, if you have time give Den Bosch extra time to explore!
The Big Deal About the Bossche Bol
āYou may or may not have heard about a Bossche Bol before reading this post. In Holland they are famous! Everybody knows what they are. Are you looking for something truly local? Then it wonāt get better than this.
If you get the original, there is nothing quite like it. The spin-offs you see elsewhere in the country are not the same.
What is a Bossche Bol?
The Bossche Bol is like an oversized puff pastry. The pastry is filled with a velvety soft, super fresh, sweetened whipped cream and topped with a generous coating of semi-dark chocolate.
The taste of the chocolate is unique. Itās what most people love the most ā followed by the texture of the whipped cream. Youāll see many look-a-like pastries in the country when you visit Holland, even in Amsterdam. But none taste like a real Bossche Bol. You have to get out here to try one. This is the top thing to do in Den Bosch, hands down.
The company that makes them never expanded outside the city. And that is why people come from all over the country, in large numbers, including me, guilty as charged!
Where to get a Bossche Bol?
Once in Den Bosch, getting a Bossche Bol is easy. They make the original at āBakkerij Jan de Groot,ā near the station. You can quickly get one between two trains to Maastricht or back to Amsterdam. But they are only open during regular office hours! No evenings or Sundays.
If there is a line, donāt worry about it. It moves fast. It helps if you have your payment card or cash ready in hand.
You can also sit in their classic tearoom and enjoy a Bossche Bol with a cup of coffee or tea. However, often, they are full.
Where else in the city can you get an AUTHENTIC Bossche Bol?
Many restaurants nearby in the city center also serve the real āde Groot Bossche Bollen.ā Just look for the pink signs outside the restaurant telling you they got the original from āBakkerij de Groot.ā
Take a Boat Trip on the Binnendieze in Den Bosch
I know Iāve said the Bossche Bol is enough reason to visit. But there is a lot more to do in this beautiful city. One of my next favorite things to do when Iām in the city, and the weather is good is to take a boat tour on the āBinnendieze.ā
The Binnendieze is a narrow river that meanders through the city. What makes it unique is that it also runs below buildings.
We have, of course, plenty of canals in this country and many canal cruises. But this is special and unique. Itās pretty uncommon in the Netherlands for buildings to span over water. And that makes this boat trip in Den Bosch so different from one in Amsterdam.
Itās a great way to explore the most beautiful sites of the historical city center. And it will offer you many postcard-perfect picture moments.
Volunteers run these tours between April till October. Trips take about 50 minutes, and boats depart frequently. Reservations are often essential.
The original tour leave from the Molenstraat. Youāll see a gate named āBinnendiezeā (see photo above) and boats lying in the water. Youāll have to descend a staircase to reach the vessels. A stair lift is available. Tours are only in Dutch. However, a (written) translation in English is available at the information desk.
Find A Place To Stay In Den Bosch
This super handy map helps you search for accommodation on different platforms like Booking.com and VRBO (AirBNB but then cheaper). TIP: Update your (intended) travel dates to see accurate prices. And zoom out on the map (-) for more options. Den Bosch is a great hub for visits to Efteling Park and Eindhoven City.
Shopping in Den Bosch
Den Bosch may not be as fancy as Maastricht, but Den Bosch is well known for shopping. And with such a beautiful city center, it is the perfect backdrop for treating yourself to retail therapy.
The most famous shopping street is the Snellestraat. The Snellestraat is full of specialty shops. And if you need a break, an excellent option to sit down is āEetbar DIT.ā A local favorite. Get a sandwich or a beer with a āborrelhap.ā They also have a specialty of this region on the menu: a worstenbroodje (served here on a stick).Ā
A āworstenbroodjeā is a savory sausage roll. Itās different in flavor and texture than a Sauzijzenbroodje and only available in this region.
PS: You can also get a pretty good one at the Jumbo City market.
Another pleasant shopping street is the Verwersstraat. Itās more upscale.
Enjoy Some Local Crafts Beer
In the middle ages, beer was the beverage of choice for the people. It was no different in Den Bosch. But in later years, local beer breweries closed down and disappeared from the scene.
However, due to increased interest in craft beers nowadays, that has all changed. Den Bosch is now a perfect place to enjoy locally brewed craft beer. Some places you can visit are:
- Jongens van de Wit, Hofvijver 4, Den Bosch
- Bossche Brouwers, Tramkade 29, Den Bosch. The Bossche Brouwers is open from Thursday (evening) to Sunday. And they often offer live music and beer tastings on the water (weather permitting and when there are enough reservations).
- Brouwerij Boegbeeld, Uilenburg 1, Den Bosch. You find this brewery above a very cool store in a beautiful old building in the city center. Itās owned and run by a woman: Janneke Pieters. If you canāt choose what to get, you can get the āUn Bietje van alles.ā Itās local slang for a tasting package with a selection of their beers. PS They even have a chocolate beer to celebrate the Bossche Bol!
Museums in Den Bosch
Den Bosch is home to a few excellent museums. Two of them enjoy national popularity. They often feature exhibitions that attract people from around the country.
The Noordbrabants Museum
This museum houses art from local artists. Who happens to include Vincent van Gogh, Jheronimus Bosch, and Jan Sluijters. Also, the museum often has temporary exhibitions, which get a lot of publicity around the country.
As a bonus, itās located in another beautiful building on the Verwersstraatāthe shopping street we mentioned above.
Did you know this building first housed monks and later the Kingās governor and then the Queenās commissioner before it became the cityās iconic museum? It has quite a history.
You can get tickets for the museum here.
The Design Museum Den Bosch
The Design Museum is right next door to the Noordbrabants Museum. The museum specializes in ceramics and jewelry.
The Slager Museum
The smaller but charming Slager museum is just a few minutes away.
I stumbled upon this small museum a few years ago and liked it a lot. I especially enjoyed the private collection of this family with local paintings from the city of Den Bosch from a long time past. Iāve been back a few times after my first discovery.
And while the prominent museums have (expensive) cafes, this museum serves free coffee or tea during your visit. Itās a great way to meet other visitors, often locals.
Enjoy a Drink at The Parade
The Parade is a large square lined with chestnut trees. Itās full of restaurants and outside terraces in summertime.
Perfect for a drink outside on warmer days. (PS: Another square great for a drink is the Markt).
St Jans Cathedral Den Bosch
At the Parade, youāll also have a good view of the majestic and beautiful St. Jans Cathedral, which is worth a visit.
The St. Jans Cathedral was erected between 1370 and 1529. The decor of this Gothic cathedral is famous for its extraordinary sculptured detail.
You can enjoy the church daily free of charge between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. But access can be limited or changed due to events and church services.
Climb the Tower of St. Jans Cathedral
The volunteers running the boat tours on the āBinnendiezeā also offer a daily opportunity to climb the St. Jans cathedral tower (Dutch only) with a guide (except for Mondays).
Tours leave up to 3 times daily. During the climb, your guide will tell you about the tower itself, like the belfry and the clock mechanism, and an exhibition showing the towerās history, construction, and restoration.
Tours are officially in Dutch only. Depending on the proficiency of your guide, you can always ask to give some explanation in English too. Or ask a fellow group member to help you understand what the tour guide is saying.
Also note that itās a stiff climb on small, centuries-old stairs to reach the top at 43 meters (140ft).
Once up there, youāre rewarded with a magnificent city view. And the surrounding villages as well. You can watch for miles on a clear day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Den Bosch Netherlands
Can I make a day trip from Amsterdam or Rotterdam to Den Bosch?
Yes, Den Bosch is an easy day trip from Amsterdam or Rotterdam. From either city, it takes just over an hour by train to reach Den Bosch.
What are the must-see attractions in Den Bosch?
The must-do attractions in Den Bosch include St. Johnās Cathedral (Sint-Janskathedraal), the Historic City Centre, a boat tour on the Binnendieze, and the Citadel (Citadel van ās-Hertogenbosch).
What are some good restaurants or cafes in Den Bosch?
Den Bosch offers a variety of dining options. The āKorte Putstraatā is famous for its restaurant offering. Some popular choices in the city include Restaurant Fabuleux, Pollevie, and CafĆ© Herman (located in a former water tower).
Where is Den Bosch in the Netherlands?
Den Bosch is situated ābelow the rivers.ā The Dutch refer to this area in the Netherlands as āGezellig.ā The people here enjoy life just a tad more than in the North. Getting from Den Bosch to Amsterdam takes about 60 minutes, 30 minutes to Utrecht, and 90 minutes to Maastricht.
What is the correct name: ās-Hertogenbosch or Den Bosch?
The correct name of the Dutch city of Den Bosch is hotly debated. It comes down to language purists versus being practical. The official name for the city is ās-Hertogenbosch. ās-Hertogenbosch is the name youāll see on road signs. But most people call the city simply Den Bosch. You can use either name on Google Maps or in the train planner.
Den Bosch is the name I use, and itās the name most people in the Netherlands use in daily conversation. Itās much easier to pronounce and spell, even for the Dutch! True locals of the city use the official name.
How to get to Den Bosch?
Den Bosch is just one hour south of Amsterdam. 30 minutes from Utrecht. Less than 30 minutes from Eindhoven. And about 90 minutes from Maastricht. So from every direction itās easily accessible.
Once in Den Bosch, you donāt need to use public transportation. Everything is within walking distance.
The easiest way to plan your trip, look up prices, and buy a ticket for your train journey is from the officialĀ NS Xtra App on your phone. Itās available in English, and you can use your credit card for payment (or, better, use the Wise Debit travel card I recommend).
Tickets will be digital, so you donāt need a printer. The App is free to use, and tickets are ā¬1 cheaper than paper tickets. I advise a 1st class ticket for extra comfort.
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