Heusden
A small fortified town with ramparts, windmills and a little harbour on the Maas.
Route by public transport ↗
The city of Bosch, bols and hidden canals.
Den Bosch, as everyone calls 's-Hertogenbosch, was home to Hieronymus Bosch all his life. You can still find traces of his strange world in the streets, the cathedral and the museums. And beneath the houses runs a secret river.
For museum visitors, Den Bosch is a city to explore at an easy pace. The Noordbrabants Museum tells the story of the province and shows art from Bosch to Van Gogh. Next door, the Design Museum Den Bosch stages changing exhibitions on design. The centre is small and largely car-free, so you do everything on foot: from the Markt you reach St John's or the old ramparts in a few minutes. Visit a museum, eat a Bossche bol and finish with a boat trip on the Binnendieze.
One day, four moments. How to get the most out of your visit.
Six places to complete your museum day.
Art and history of Brabant, from medieval sculpture to work by Van Gogh. Part of the museum is in the old Government House, with a lovely garden.
One of the largest Gothic churches in the Netherlands. Look up at the flying buttresses for the little stone figures that have watched over the city for centuries.
An open boat takes you along narrow waterways, under houses and streets. You see the city from below.
In a former church you see reproductions of almost all of Bosch's work in one place. A good way to learn to read his imagery.
Exhibitions on design, fashion and craft, past and present. The museum sits next to the Noordbrabants Museum.
Den Bosch has kept much of its old city walls. Walk past bastions and water with views over the green land around the city.
Around Den Bosch you find fortified towns, river landscapes and places with a powerful story. These three are easy by public transport.
A small fortified town with ramparts, windmills and a little harbour on the Maas.
Route by public transport ↗The former concentration camp is now a moving memorial centre about the Second World War.
Route by public transport ↗An old town on the Waal with a tall church tower and a charming centre.
Route by public transport ↗Travel times are indicative. Live times on 9292.nl ↗.
Den Bosch has hotels for every budget, from boutique hotels in historic buildings to simple rooms near the station. Trains take you quickly to Eindhoven, Utrecht or Zaltbommel, and buses run to small fortified towns nearby. Head out by day and come back to the city for dinner. A comfortable base for all of Brabant.
Restaurants, shops and hotels near the museums, picked for museum visitors.