's-Hertogenbosch

Located where the rivers Aa and Dommel meet, the city of 's-Hertogenbosch became a city in 1184. It is one of the foremost cities of the historic Duchy of Brabant (1183 - 1794), which roughly consisted of the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant and large pieces of Flanders. Being one of the first cities founded in the Low Countries during the Mediaeval period, the charter which granted Den Bosch its city rights was subsequently used and adapted by a lot of other newly founded cities throughout the Low Countries.

's-Hertogenbosch lends its name to the very Duchy it was once located in, meaning "The Duke's forest". Its shorter name, Den Bosch, is an abbreviation of said name. In other languages of mainland Europe, the name of the city is often translated (German: Herzogenbusch, French: Bois-le-Duc), which is fairly unique with Dutch cities.

The city holds significance for the Netherlands as a whole due to its siege of 1629 being a turning point for the Dutch revolution and the independence war that formed from said revolution. The city until that point had been considered to be impossible to successfully besiege, earning it the nickname De Moerasdraak (The Swamp Dragon). The capitulation of the city after a siege of half a year, gave stadtholder Frederik Hendrik the highest victory of his military career with him thusforth being known as De Stedendwinger (The subjugator of cities), but also led to an exodus of many Catholic citizens and clergy, as a reparation for the siege.

The population of Den Bosch is approximately 151,000 and with that it is reaching its limits, because almost all the ground available for building has been used. This does not mean that the whole area is one big city, as there are several (big) parks. Likewise, the southern edge of city is totally green as this is a protected natural reserve.

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

• Center includes the whole area inside the city walls. Most sights and places to visit can be found in this area.
• North is the area between the city center and the A59, which includes the neighborhoods de Rompert, Orthen, Herven and the area around the Prins Hendrik Park.
• Maaspoort is the area north of the A59. Mostly a residential area with some industry.
• Hintham is the area around the FC Den Bosch football stadium.
• South is the area between the city center and the A2 highway to the south. Residential, but with also a large amount of office buildings.
• West is the area west of the central station. High presence of industry, as well as the residential neighborhoods Kruiskamp and Helftheuvel. The Brabanthallen can be found here.
• Engelen is the village of Engelen which is going through the development of Haverleij, a combined residential complex on a golf course.
• Rosmalen, a town to the east of the A2.
• Empel, small village to the north of Rosmalen.

Most visitor attractions are found in the center, except for the footballstadium and the Sportiom.

's-Hertogenbosch is a medieval city and among the oldest cities in the Netherlands. As the city center is historically protected there are still a lot of medieval buildings to be found. Wander around and see the traditional building style.

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.

Hidden below the old city is a canal network called the Binnendieze that once stretched 22 km. It started out as a regular river, the Dommel, running through the city in medieval times but due to lack of space in the city, people started building their houses and roads over the river. In later times it functioned as a sewer and fell into disrepair. The remaining sixth of the old waterway system has been renovated, and it is possible to take several guided subterranean boat trips through it.

• 🌍 Saint John's Cathedral (Sint Jans Kathedraal). One of the most prominent landmarks of Den Bosch. Building started in 1380, in Gothic style. The exterior of the building had been deteriorating fast due to acid rain and restoration works started in 1960. 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 maintenance takes place constantly. (updated Jan 2016)

• 🌍 The Moriaan (on the market square). The oldest brick building in The Netherlands, built in the 13th century. It houses the Tourist Center (VVV), and in the basement, the rock cafe Plein79. (updated Jan 2016)

• 🌍 Town Hall (Stadhuis), Markt 1 (south side of the market square). 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. (updated Jan 2016)

• 🌍 The North Brabant Museum (NoordBrabants Museum). It 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. (updated Jan 2016)

• 🌍 City Museum 's-Hertogenbosch (Stedelijk Museum 's-Hertogenbosch (SMS)) (next to, and connected to, the North Brabant Museum). 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. (updated Jan 2016)

• 🌍 Jhyeronimus Bosch Art Center, Hinthamerstraat (in a former church). It 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. (updated Jan 2016)

• 🌍 Citadel (In the north of the city center, outside the boundaries of the northern fortifications). This fortress was added to the city later and is not directly included in the fortifications but sort of pasted on. It held the garrison to protect the city or, if necessary, to counter an uprising in the city. It is now part of the national archive. 

• 🌍 Kruithuis (powder arsenal) (Opposite the Citadel). It is an hexagonal building and one of the last of its kind. It is used as a museum for art. 

• 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. There are several tours available. It is a popular tour so be aware when booking a time. Tickets can be bought at the Bolwerk which also have a beautiful café and a restroom free of charge.
• 🌍 De Maashorst, Visitors Centre: Erenakkerstraat 5, 5388 SZ Nistelrode (30 km east of s-Hertogenbosch via the N279 and A50), ☏ +31 412 611 945. 
• 🌍 Brabanthallen, Diezekade 2. The third-largest event venue in the Netherlands (after the Amsterdam RAI and Utrecht Jaarbeurs) at 55,000 square metres (590,000 sq ft) of indoor space, which hosts many events, fairs, congresses and concerts year-round. (updated Oct 2022)
  • 59th Record Planet Mega Record & CD Fair: 8–10 November 2024. Held twice annually, the Mega Record & CD Fair is not just the largest record fair in the Netherlands, but is a strong contender for the biggest in the world. The event, held during a weekend in April/May and November of each year, draws in over 600 vendors from all over the world selling vinyl, CDs, and other media and music-related items.
  • Art & Antiques Fair: April. Renowned antique and art fair, pulling in some 25,000 visitors from multiple countries. (date needs updating)

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 (09:00-17:00) 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 (09:00-14:00) 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 centre is packed with small and large restaurants that serve all kinds of crowds. The streets 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.

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:

• De Drie Gezusters (One of the most popular places in Den Bosch, it has 3 areas: Pub, Apres Ski and Club with different music and appearance. Can't miss it on Friday and Saturday as there will be a line outside.), Karrenstraat. Opens at 21:00, but the scene starts at around 23:00. Open until 04:00. Entrance €4, coatcheck €1. 
• 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 22:00 until 04:00, sometimes later. 
• Silva Ducis (Next to Cinq, same attendance.), Parade, ☏ +31 73 6130405. 10:00-16:00. 

• Golden Tulip Hotel Central, Burg. Loeffplein 98 (the hotel is on the north side of the Markt, easily recognized as a white building), ☏ +31 73 6926926, fax: +31 73 6145699. It's in the city center, and is one of the best hotels to visit the city if you are willing to pay a little more. around €140. 
• 🌍 Mövenpick Hotel 's-Hertogenbosch (Moevenpick), Pettelaarpark 90 (near the highway A2. Take exit 22, where signage will guide you to the hotel.), ☏ +31 73 6874674, fax: +31 73 6874635, hotel.s-hertogenbosch@moevenpick.com. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. This 4-star 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. (updated May 2016)
• Best Western Euro Hotel (/ in the city center), Kerkstraat 56 (near the St. Jans Cathedral opposite the main post office.), ☏ +31 73 6137777, fax: +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 6422525, fax: +31 73 6410048, denbosch@campanile.com. €59. 
• Bark Hotel 's-Hertogenbosch. 
• Fletcher Hotel Rosmalen (Located outside the city center along the A2 highway), Burg. Burgerslaan 50, ☏ +31 73 5219159, fax: +31 73 5216215, info@fletcherhotelshertogenbosch.nl. 
• 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 6587777, fax: +31 73 6587700, vught@valk.com. €80-100. 

Den Bosch uses the area code 073.

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. Watch out to the drunk people that might easily start brawls (especially during the carnival).

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. Families will find fun all year round at the Efteling, the country's largest theme park. The Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park is also a short ride away.