For the next installation in our mini-series, it’s time for a Den Bosch day trip. The city’s name is technically ‘s-Hertogenbosch, which is a bit of a mouthful, and even Dutch people call it Den Bosch.
Similar to Dordrecht, another recommended Dutch day trip, Den Bosch is located about 1.5 hours from Amsterdam by train. While many locals would say the region of Brabant is too far for a day trip, if you’re not opposed to 1.5 hours each way, the train ride goes by super fast and we really recommend that you pop down into Brabant if you can. The region is very different from the rest of the Netherlands, and it’s definitely worth a visit while you’re here.
Whether you’re exploring the stunning St. John’s Cathedral, strolling through the picturesque Binnendieze canal network, checking out super cool museums, or indulging in the city’s famous Bossche Bollen pastries (chocolate, pastry, and whipped cream… need we say more?), Den Bosch offers a delightful escape from Amsterdam.
Den Bosch is a city steeped in a rich and vibrant history dating back to the 12th century. After its founding, Den Bosch quickly became an important trade and cultural center due to its strategic location along the Dommel River. The city’s name, which translates to “The Duke’s Forest,” reflects its origins as a hunting ground for the Dukes of Brabant. In 1185, Duke Hendrik I of Brabant granted Den Bosch city rights, setting the stage for its growth and prosperity.
Throughout the Middle Ages, Den Bosch flourished as a fortified city, with impressive walls and fortifications that protected its inhabitants from invaders– you can still see the walls today. The city’s strategic importance unfortunately made it a frequent target during various conflicts, including the Eighty Years’ War, when it played a significant role in the Dutch struggle for independence from Spanish rule.
In the modern era, Den Bosch has continued to thrive as a cultural and economic hub. The city is renowned for its vibrant art scene, lively festivals, like the annual Carnival celebrations, and a laid-back and welcoming atmosphere.
If you’ll indulge us to continue the history lesson a little longer, the region of Brabant also is worth mentioning in a bit of detail, because it has a very different history to the rest of what is today “the Netherlands.”
Originally a county within the Holy Roman Empire, the Dukes of Brabant, who ruled the region, played a crucial role in shaping its development, fostering trade, and promoting the arts. Such as it was, by the late Middle Ages, Brabant was one of the most prosperous and influential regions in Europe, known for its vibrant cities like Antwerp, Brussels, and Den Bosch. If you notice that Antwerp and Brussels are now in Belgium, that’s true– landscapes and borders shifted a lot during the centuries, often not in Brabant’s favor, unfortunately.
During the Middle Ages, the region was predominantly Catholic. However, the Reformation in the 16th century brought religious turmoil, as Protestant ideas gained traction. This period saw intense conflict between Catholics and Protestants, culminating in the Eighty Years’ War, which further divided the region.
During this war (1568-1648), Brabant was divided between the Dutch Republic in the north (which shifted to Protestantism) and the Spanish Netherlands in the south (which remained Catholic.) This split had long-lasting consequences, shaping the region’s political and cultural landscape and fostering a lot of tensions. Today, Brabant remains split between the Netherlands and Belgium, with Noord (North) Brabant being a province in the Netherlands and Flemish Brabant and Walloon Brabant being provinces in Belgium.
One last thing– because the southern parts of the Netherlands remained Catholic, they kept the tradition of Carnival celebrations, which remain a really fun part of the culture today, not just in Brabant, but also in neighboring Limburg. Known as “Vastenavond” or “Carnaval,” these festivities typically take place in the days leading up to Lent and are marked by colorful parades, lively street parties, and elaborate costumes. Cities like Den Bosch, Breda, Maastricht, Eindhoven, and Tilburg host lively parades, street parties, and various cultural events during the Carnival season. Definitely check it out if you’re visiting around this time!
There are loads of NS “sprinter” and “intercity” trains departing from Amsterdam Centraal or Amsterdam Sloterdijk that stop in Den Bosch. The journey takes about 1.5 hours, and the trains are super regular, once every 15-20 minutes or so. Once you arrive at the Den Bosch central train station, it’s a quick walk to the city center and surrounding attractions. There are loads of street signs, so you really won’t get lost!
Recommended Reading
Top Things to Do in Den Bosch
Check out the city's super cool museums.
You know us, we love a museum city, and Den Bosch does not disappoint. A few museums to definitely check out while you’re here include:
Noordbrabants Museum: This museum is a must-visit for art lovers, housing an impressive collection of works by Dutch and Flemish masters, including Vincent van Gogh (who spent a lot of time in Den Bosch prior to moving to France) and Hieronymus Bosch (a native son, if his name is any indication!). However, what we actually liked most here was the portion of the museum about the history of the region, where we learned much of what we wrote about above in the history section.
Stedelijk Museum ‘s-Hertogenbosch: Focusing on modern and contemporary art, this museum features a diverse range of exhibitions that showcase both local and international artists. Much more cutting-edge than what’s displayed in the Noordbrabants Museum, these 2 complement each other quite nicely.
Jheronimus Bosch Art Center: Dedicated to the life and work of the famous painter Hieronymus Bosch, this center provides a unique insight into his enigmatic and surreal art. His art is certainly a bit… odd, but therein lies the appeal!
Museum Slager: This museum was our favorite that we visited. It offers a fascinating look into the history of Den Bosch and its surrounding region through the paintings of 1 local family, the Slagers, who boasted a whopping 4 generations of artists within the family– portraitists, watercolorists, landscape artists, and more. All absolutely stunning and on display in their former home. Can you imagine having so much talent in your immediate family? The staff is also really lovely, and offer you tea and cakes when you visit– a nice bonus.
Design Museum Den Bosch: This museum is dedicated to contemporary design and features a variety of exhibitions that showcase innovative and creative works from around the world. We weren’t able to visit, but it’s very highly recommended, so we thought we’d add it at the end here.
Explore the city center
After much discussion, we agreed that the city center of Den Bosch is definitely in top contention for being one of our favorites in the Netherlands. It’s leafy, quaint, charming, and super walkable. We found locals to be really kind, the food really yummy, and all in all we had an absolutely wonderful time walking around here. Here are some must-sees:
- St. John’s Cathedral (Sint-Janskathedraal): This imposing Gothic cathedral is one of the most iconic landmarks in Den Bosch. You can visibly see different eras of construction (the brick tower is quite noticeably different to other parts of the cathedral), and the clock tower was jauntily playing Offenbach’s Can Can on the hour.
- Markt (Market Square): The bustling Market Square is the heart of the city center, and impossible to miss. Surrounded by historic buildings, it’s the perfect place to shop for local produce, crafts, and souvenirs. Don’t miss the chance to try a Bossche Bol, a mouthwatering local pastry that you absolutely can’t leave the city without trying.
- Kruithuis: This historic gunpowder magazine has been converted into a museum that showcases the city’s military history.
- Bolwoningen: These unique, spherical houses are a quirky and iconic sight in Den Bosch, designed by architect Dries Kreijkamp.
- Parade: This lively street is lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants, and a really nice place to just meander around.
- Citadel Park: This beautiful park offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling city center. Don’t miss the quirky statues!
Den Bosch is one of our top recommendations for places to visit for the day when you’re in the Netherlands. It’s a fantastic day trip from Amsterdam if you have a few more days to explore the region while you’re here, and a worthy introduction to the lovely Brabant region, which has such a fascinating history.
Keep an eye out for the next few Amsterdam day trips coming your way soon– we’ve got Delft, Gouda, Utrecht, and more queued up! In the meantime, you can pin this guide for later on Pinterest here or by clicking on the photos below.
Don’t miss our other day trip guides to cute-as-a-button Zaanse Schans and sophisticated Den Haag (the Hague.) Speaking of tulips… our guide to Keukenhof will give you all the best tips for a stress-free visit to the world capital of tulips.
