While some cities are content to trade on former glories – be they architectural or historical – Eindhoven is cut from different cloth entirely.
This is a place that has always embraced the future, from the latest technology to next-level design. It’s also a place of genuine passion, from its exuberant culture to a resounding love of football.
A date with design
In Eindhoven, design and technology go hand in hand. This is the home of the tech giant Philips, who have helped transform the city in many ways. Wander the Philips Museum and you’ll discover not only the countless innovations of the company, but also its key role in Eindhoven’s success.
The city hosts the annual Dutch Design Week each October, when a quarter of a million people flock to the city to share ideas and exhibit the latest innovations. While visiting, you’ll also find signs of Eindhoven’s long-standing investment in the future, such as the remarkable Evoluon building.
Built in 1966, this spectacular flying saucer-shaped structure doesn’t look like a stereotypical ‘UFO’ by accident – it was built by the Philips family as a gift to the city and intended to evoke the Space Age.
Temples of art… and football
The cultural highlight of Eindhoven is also one of the best galleries in the Netherlands. The Van Abbemuseum has a superb, cutting-edge collection of modern and contemporary art spanning over a century.
There’s significant work here form Picasso, Kandinsky and Mondriaan, among many others. New additions by current artists, and a shifting programme of events and exhibitions, make it a lively cultural hub too.
The city’s people are equally passionate about football, and flock in their thousands to the Philips Stadium, home of PSV Eindhoven. The ‘Lightbulbs’ began in 1913 as a team for Philips workers, although they cast their net a lot wider these days.
They’ve won the Dutch top league, the Eredivisie, more than 20 times, and legends of the game such as Ruud Gullit have played here. The club offers guided tours of the stadium, which includes the dressing rooms and tunnel.
A Dutch road trip
Make the most of your hire car by heading out onto the open roads of the Netherlands.
It’s only a short distance to Nuenen, which combines military history with the claim to fame of having once been home to Van Gogh. The artist lived and painted here, and aficionados will be able to spot elements of the town and nearby landscape in his works.
Further afield, you can head to Amsterdam, the nation’s capital. It’s a modern city with a traditional look, all gabled buildings and romantic bridges crossing the countless canals. There’s the Van Gogh Museum for those seeking even more artworks, as well as the sobering history of Anne Frank’s house, famous cafes, and the sensational urban oasis known as the Vondelpark.
Discover the joys of an innovative city and the beautiful locations nearby with car hire in Eindhoven. Book online now and start planning your adventure.
