's-Hertogenbosch, universally shortened to Den Bosch, is the most Burgundian city in the Netherlands: a cathedral covered in carved figures, a cafe culture that starts early, and a river running underneath the streets. The Binnendieze was built over centuries as the town grew on top of it, and small boats now take you through the vaulted tunnels below the houses. It is the birthplace of Hieronymus Bosch, though not one of his paintings remains here.
The most elaborate Gothic church in the country, its buttresses ridden by carved stone figures - including, added in 2011, an angel holding a mobile phone and a laptop bag. Inside are the 1622 Grand Organ and the medieval Zoete Lieve Vrouw statue.
Entry to the nave is free. The tower climb is separate, ticketed, and sells out on summer weekends.
Official siteA fifty-minute guided trip through the vaulted, partly underground remains of the old river that runs beneath the medieval city. Much of it was built over as the town grew, and it was nearly filled in entirely before volunteers restored it.
Runs 1 April to 31 October only. Book online, and check the language: commentary is in Dutch with an English summary.
Official siteA ninety-minute themed variant of the Binnendieze trip that passes through the Hellegat, a dark vaulted stretch where lighting projects Bosch's creatures onto the arches.
A combination ticket with the Art Center is better value than buying both separately.
Official siteNot one original Bosch hangs in his home city, and this is the only place holding full-size reproductions of his entire body of work, filling a former church on the Jeroen Boschplein, with a climbable tower.
Closed Mondays year-round. Cheap for adults, cheaper for children.
Official siteThe provincial museum on the Verwersstraat, covering Brabant masters alongside international work. Its permanent Van Gogh in Brabant display holds original works from the years he spent in the province.
Closed Mondays. It shares a block with the contemporary Design Museum Den Bosch.
Official siteWalk it at your own pace, on your phone. Works offline.
Official sources, so you can check today's hours and prices rather than trusting ours. All open in a new tab.
Groups are set down on de Parade, beside the Sint-Janskathedraal. Short waits go to the park-and-ride transferia and longer parking to Treurenburg. Plan the approach: the centre is low-traffic with camera-enforced access bans.
Official coach information's-Hertogenbosch station has NS lockers, from about €8 for 24 hours, ten to fifteen minutes' walk from the Markt.
Locker sizes and prices's-Hertogenbosch is the city's official name, meaning 'the Duke's forest.' Den Bosch is simply the shorter, more commonly used name.
It's known for St. John's Cathedral, one of the most elaborate Gothic cathedrals in the Netherlands, and for being the birthplace of the painter Hieronymus Bosch.
Not currently. We offer a self-guided VoiceMap audio tour covering the cathedral, the Binnendieze canals, and the historic center.
