Eindhoven

The city of Philips and design

Eindhoven has no canals and no centuries-old houses, and it doesn't pretend otherwise. The city grew around Philips, the company that began making light bulbs here in 1891, and today it has a different identity: technology, design and contemporary art. Strijp-S, Philips's former industrial complex, has become a creative quarter with studios, design shops and restaurants inside old factory buildings. The Van Abbemuseum holds one of the strongest modern art collections in the Netherlands, and the Evoluon, the flying-saucer-shaped building, remains one of the country's oddest silhouettes. The "Blob", the white organic-shaped building near the station, sums the city up at a glance.

Light, football and nightlife

Eindhoven has tied its name to light. In November GLOW turns streets and buildings into light installations, and in October Dutch Design Week fills the city with exhibitions and design students from around the world. PSV play at the Philips Stadion in the heart of the city, and big matches change the feel of the surrounding neighbourhoods. Stratumseind, the street with more bars than any other in the Netherlands, is where the evening goes. In Brabant, try a worstenbroodje, a pastry wrapped around baked sausage, and in February the city dresses up for Carnival, known here as Lampegat.

Seasons and getting there

The city is liveliest from September to November, when the two big festivals run, but May and June bring long days and terraces. Winter is cold and damp, though GLOW makes up for it. Eindhoven Airport is served by low-cost carriers, and we check which routes are running before proposing dates. From Amsterdam and Schiphol the train takes about an hour and a half. The centre is compact and a bicycle covers most of the city. It also works well as a base for a trip that continues to other Dutch cities.