North Brabant · the Netherlands

's-Hertogenbosch and Brabant

The capital of North Brabant, also called Den Bosch: the Gothic St. John’s Cathedral, the underground canals of the Binnendieze and the birthplace of Jheronimus Bosch.

South

In the photo: St. John’s Cathedral seen from the Bossche Broek

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

's-Hertogenbosch, also known as Den Bosch, is the capital of North Brabant, the southern Dutch province that borders Belgium. The name means “the duke’s forest”: the town received city rights from Duke Henry I of Brabant, according to chroniclers, in 1185, and for centuries was one of the largest cities in the Netherlands.

The historic core lies within walls and bastions that are still largely preserved. Rising in its middle is the Sint-Janskathedraal, a jewel of Brabantine Gothic, with figures carved on its flying buttresses. Nearby, the Markt honors the painter Jheronimus Bosch, the city’s son, with a statue, and the Binnendieze, the network of covered canals, offers low-boat tours.

Museums complete the visit: the Noordbrabants Museum and the Design Museum Den Bosch in the museum quarter, and the Jheronimus Bosch Art Center, dedicated to the painter’s work. To the south, in the neighboring municipality of Vught, a national memorial recalls the concentration camp that operated there during the German occupation.

The city is also known for the Bossche bol, a choux pastry filled with whipped cream and covered in chocolate, and for carnival, when Den Bosch becomes Oeteldonk. Brabant is famed as a welcoming region with generous food and lively street festivities, with its own accent and customs.

This destination brings together 1 city: 's-Hertogenbosch.

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Where 's-Hertogenbosch and Brabant is

Outlines: CBS/PDOK, Gebiedsindelingen 2024, CC BY 4.0. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: 's-Hertogenbosch and Brabant

✈ Eindhoven Airport (EIN), in Eindhoven · 35 km to 's-Hertogenbosch

✈ Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), in Haarlemmermeer · 95 km to 's-Hertogenbosch

's-Hertogenbosch station lies on the line between Amsterdam, Utrecht and Eindhoven, with frequent trains: from Utrecht it takes about half an hour; from Amsterdam about one hour. The nearest airport is Eindhoven, some 35 km away. By car, the city sits on the A2 and A59 highways.

Brabante do Norte · 's-Hertogenbosch and Brabant Capital

's-Hertogenbosch

Den Bosch, as locals call 's-Hertogenbosch, the seat of the provincial government, preserves much of its walls and bastions. The skyline is defined by the tower of St. John’s Cathedral; the market square brings together narrow façades and terraces; and guided boats descend the canals hidden beneath the houses. Museums focused on Brabant and on Jheronimus Bosch complete the visit, and the local patisserie created the Bossche bol.

The local experience

Things to do in 's-Hertogenbosch and Brabant

's-Hertogenbosch · North Brabant · Cathedral

St. John's Cathedral (Sint-Janskathedraal)

Gothic cathedral of 's-Hertogenbosch, dedicated to St. John, built between the 14th and 16th centuries. The flying buttresses have nearly a hundred carved figures, from musicians to fantastic creatures, and the tower is open to visitors at certain times.

's-Hertogenbosch · North Brabant · Square

Markt (Den Bosch Market Square)

The triangular market square of 's-Hertogenbosch, with the statue of Jheronimus Bosch, the classical-faced town hall and De Moriaan, a brick house considered one of the city’s oldest. On some days of the week it hosts a market.

's-Hertogenbosch · North Brabant · Boat trip

Binnendieze (Den Bosch underground canals)

The network of canals that runs beneath houses, streets and squares in 's-Hertogenbosch, formed from branches of the Dommel River. Low boats with guides travel open and covered sections, passing under bridges and cellars.

's-Hertogenbosch · North Brabant · Museum

Het Noordbrabants Museum

The museum of the province of North Brabant, in the former provincial government palace in the museum quarter. It brings together art and history of Brabant, including works by Vincent van Gogh from the period he lived in the province, and hosts temporary exhibitions.

See 2 more places in 's-Hertogenbosch and Brabant

's-Hertogenbosch · North Brabant · Museum

Jheronimus Bosch Art Center

Center dedicated to Jheronimus Bosch in the former St. James’s Church in 's-Hertogenbosch. It displays life-size reproductions of the artist’s paintings—he was born and worked in the city—and has a tower with views over the center.

's-Hertogenbosch · North Brabant · Memorial

Nationaal Monument Kamp Vught

National memorial on the site of the Herzogenbusch concentration camp, created by the SS in Vught, south of 's-Hertogenbosch, during the German occupation. Exhibitions, a reconstructed barrack and the crematorium remember the prisoners who passed through there.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

In spring and summer there are more boat departures on the Binnendieze and longer daylight hours. June, July and August usually have mild temperatures; in the depths of winter it is cold and nights come early. Carnival typically falls in February or March, and the city is very busy on those days.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

One day covers the cathedral, the Markt and a Binnendieze boat trip. With two days you can add the museums and the Nationaal Monument Kamp Vught in Vught, plus time to walk the ramparts.

Which city to stay in

The historic center, inside the walls, puts the cathedral, the Markt and the museums within walking distance. The area near the station, west of the center, is convenient for those arriving or departing by train. The Uilenburg neighborhood and the streets around Korte Putstraat concentrate restaurants and cafés.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about 's-Hertogenbosch and Brabant

How to get to 's-Hertogenbosch?

By train: the city is a stop on the Amsterdam–Utrecht–Eindhoven line, with journeys of about half an hour from Utrecht and about one hour from Amsterdam. Those arriving by plane can use Eindhoven or Schiphol. Check timetables before you go.

's-Hertogenbosch and Den Bosch—are they the same city?

Yes. 's-Hertogenbosch is the official name, and Den Bosch is the more commonly used everyday form. Both appear on signs and on train timetables.

How many days to stay in Den Bosch?

One day is enough for the essentials of the center and the boat. Two days allow time for the museums and the Vught memorial.

Do you need a car in Den Bosch?

No. The station is next to the old center, which can be explored on foot. For Kamp Vught there is local bus 207 departing from the central station, Monday to Saturday; a car only helps for visiting other towns in Brabant.

Is Den Bosch a good day trip from Amsterdam?

Yes. The train trip takes about an hour, and you can walk from the station to the center. For museums and the boat tour, start early.

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's-Hertogenbosch and Brabant

A region to enjoy
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