Discover 15 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Eindhoven (Netherlands). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Van Abbemuseum, Evoluon, and Watermill at Gennep. Also, be sure to include Eindhoven Museum in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Eindhoven (Noord-Brabant).
Table of Contents
Van Abbemuseum
Museum in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The Van Abbemuseum is a museum of modern and contemporary art in central Eindhoven, Netherlands, on the east bank of the Dommel River. Established in 1936, the museum is named after its founder, Henri van Abbe, who loved modern art and wanted to enjoy it in Eindhoven. As of 2010, the collection of the museum housed more than 2700 works of art, of which about 1000 were on paper, 700 were paintings, and 1000 were sculptures, installations and video works.
The museum has an area of 9,825 m2 and holds one of the largest collections of paintings in the world by El Lissitzky. It also has works by Pablo Picasso and Wassily Kandinsky.[1]
Address: Bilderdijklaan 10, 5611 NH Eindhoven (Centrum)
Evoluon
Conference centre in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The Evoluon is a conference centre and former science museum erected by the electronics and electrical company Philips at Eindhoven in the Netherlands in 1966. Since its construction, it has become a landmark and a symbol for the city.
The building is unique due to its very futuristic design, resembling a landed flying saucer. It was designed by architects Leo de Bever and Louis Christiaan Kalff, while the exhibition it housed was conceived by James Gardner. De Bever and Kalff only got two demands for the design of the building, it had to be "spectacular" and it had to be possible to hold exhibitions in the building.
Its concrete dome is 77 metres (253 ft) in diameter and is held in place by 169 kilometres (105 mi) of reinforcing steel bars.
In the 1960s and 1970s the Evoluon attracted large visitor numbers, since its interactive exhibitions were a new and unique concept in the Netherlands at that time. But when competing science museums opened in other cities, the number of visitors began to decline. After several years of losing money, the original museum closed down in 1989 and the Evoluon was converted into a conference centre, opening in 1998.
In the UK the Evoluon is chiefly remembered from Bert Haanstra's wordless short film entitled simply Evoluon, commissioned by Philips to publicise the museum, and shown as a trade test colour film on BBC television from 1968 to 1972.
In October 2013 the Evoluon was used to stage four 3D-concerts by the German electronic band Kraftwerk, each before an audience of 1,200 spectators. Key band member Ralf Hütter handpicked the venue for its retro-futuristic look. Bespoke 3D-visuals of the saucer section of the building descending from space were used in the live rendition of their track Spacelab.[2]
Address: Noord Brabantlaan 1a, 5652 LA Eindhoven (Strijp)
Watermill at Gennep
The Watermill at Gennep is a watermill along the river Dommel, located on the Genneperweg 143 in Gestel, Eindhoven, in the province of North Brabant, Netherlands. First mentioned in the 13th century, the watermill burned down and was rebuilt in 1587.
Vincent van Gogh lived nearby and made several paintings while in the area, including four paintings of the mill in 1884. The watermill was listed as a national monument in 1972.[3]
Eindhoven Museum
Museum. The Eindhoven Museum is an archaeological open-air museum in Eindhoven, Netherlands, focusing on the Iron Age and Middle Ages in the province of North Brabant. The museum is situated in the Genneper Parken area at the south side of the city. It focuses on the daily lives and routines of people in the time periods mentioned, through demonstrations and recreations of buildings, practices and routines. For example, there are demonstrations of cooking on open fire, of games played in the Middle Ages and groups of school children are allowed to spend the night in the stables.
The museum has several distinct target audiences. Primary among these are school children, who comprise most of the visitors on weekdays. In the weekends and during holiday season the museum focuses on regular tourists. The museum features a lot of living history exhibits as well as semi-historical reenactments. During holiday seasons extra activities are staged for children. The museum also arranges historically themed corporate and family outings outside of opening hours. Some 60.000 people visited the museum in 2005.[4]
Address: Boutenslaan 161b, Eindhoven (Gestel)
Effenaar
Concert hall in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The Effenaar is a music venue in the centre of Eindhoven, the Netherlands. It was squatted in 1971 and has grown into one of the largest pop venues in the country, hosting rock, pop and techno events. The current Effenaar consists of two music halls after being renovated between 2002 and 2005. The large hall has an audience capacity of 1300, is intended for use by larger bands and acts and is considerably larger than the original hall. The small hall has a capacity of 400 and is used for smaller and/or regional bands.
The old Effenaar venue hosted many large (national and international) acts throughout its existence, including Bauhaus, Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Sex Pistols. In 2011, the venue celebrated its 40th anniversary with concerts, a book and an exhibition.[5]
Address: Dommelstraat 2, 5611 CK Eindhoven (Centrum)
Annemie
Mill in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The Annemie is a windmill located on the Boschdijk 1006 in Eindhoven, in the province of North Brabant, Netherlands. Built in 1891 on an artificial hill, the windmill functioned as a gristmill. The mill was built as a tower mill and its sails have a span of 25 meters. The mill is a national monument since 15 August 1972.[6]
Address: Eindhoven, Boschdijk 1006, 5627 AE, Eindhoven
Aalstermolen
Mill in Waalre, Netherlands. The Aalstermolen is a windmill located on the Raadhuisstraat 28A in Aalst, Waalre, in the province of North Brabant, Netherlands. Built in 1904 on an artificial hill, the windmill functioned as gristmill. The mill was built as a tower mill and its sails have a span of 25.70 meters. The mill has been a national monument since 15 May 1968.[7]
Address: Eindhoven, Raadhuisstraat 28A, 5582 JD, Waalre
Watermill at Kollen
Also known as: Collse Watermolen
The Watermill at Kollen is a watermill along the river Kleine Dommel, located on the Collseweg 1 in 't Coll, Eindhoven, in the province of North Brabant, Netherlands. First mentioned in the 14th century, the watermill burned down and was rebuilt in 1681.
The watermill complex was made up out of two buildings, operating two undershot water wheels. One building was a gristmill, while another functioned as oil mill. The gristmill and oil mill are both still in functioning order and are used on a small scale. Vincent van Gogh lived nearby and made several paintings while in the area, including a painting of the mill in 1884. The watermill was listed as a national monument in 1972.[8]
Address: Eindhoven, Collseweg 1, 5641 JN, 't Coll
Vesteda Toren
Also known as: Vestedatoren
Building in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The Vesteda tower is located in Eindhoven and was finished in 2006. At 90 metres tall and 28 floors it is the fourth highest building in Eindhoven. It bears a resemblance to the Flatiron Building in Manhattan, New York City.
In 2007 it was awarded the BNA Building of the Year plaque, by the Royal Institute of Dutch Architects.[9]
Address: Corner of Vestdijk and Smalle Haven, Eindhoven (Centrum)
Muziekgebouw Frits Philips
Muziekgebouw Frits Philips is a concert hall in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The venue is named after Frits Philips and was opened in 1992.[10]
Address: Jan van Lieshoutstraat 3, 5600 AX Eindhoven (Centrum)
High Tech Campus Eindhoven
Technology park in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The High Tech Campus Eindhoven is a high tech center and R&D ecosystem on the Southern edge of the Dutch city of Eindhoven. In 2016, the High Tech Campus is home to more than 140 companies and institutions, comprising over 10,000 product developers, researchers and entrepreneurs and an estimated 85 nationalities. The Financial Times, Fortune, Forbes and others have praised the High Tech Campus Eindhoven as one of the best locations in the world for high-tech venture development and startup activity. As such, the HTCE is an innovation district, a targeted area with a huge potential for innovation and entrepreneurship.[11]
Address: High Tech Campus 1, Eindhoven (Gestel)
Hovenring
Bridge in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The Hovenring is first of its kind in the world suspended cycle path roundabout in the province of North Brabant in the Netherlands It is situated in between the localities of Eindhoven, Veldhoven, and Meerhoven, which account for its name.[12]
MU Artspace
Museum
Address: Torenallee 40-06, Eindhoven (Centrum)
Eindhoven Water Towers
Also known as: Watertoren
Tower in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The Eindhoven Water Towers in Eindhoven, Netherlands, were designed by W.G. Quist and built in 1970.
In the late sixties the older water tower on Elschot Willemlaan proved to be inadequate. Due to its lack of capacity and general deterioration, the tower could no longer meet the growing demand. Thus it was decided that a new one should be constructed at the Anthony Coolenlaan, around the corner from the existing tower and the water company headquarters.
The structure consists of three spherical tanks, each standing on its own 43.45 m (142.6 ft) spire. Each tank is 10 m (33 ft) in diameter, capable of holding 500 cubic meters of water (132.086 US gallons). The innovative design of three tank-towers together created the largest water tower complex in the Netherlands.[13]
Philips Museum
Museum, Specialty museum, Science museum
Address: Emmasingel 31, 5611 AZ Eindhoven (Centrum)