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Eindhoven Activities Guide: Design, Technology, and Innovation

Discover Eindhoven's top attractions — the Van Abbemuseum, Strijp-S creative district, Philips Museum, and cutting-edge design experiences in the Netherlands' innovation capital.

Eindhoven Activities Guide: Design, Technology, and Innovation

Eindhoven wears its industrial heritage proudly while racing toward the future. Once the heart of Philips' global electronics empire, the city has reinvented itself as the Netherlands' undisputed capital of design and technology. This transformation is visible everywhere — from the repurposed factory buildings of Strijp-S to the cutting-edge architecture of the city center. Eindhoven offers visitors a unique blend of industrial history, world-class design, contemporary art, and technological innovation that you won't find anywhere else in the Netherlands.

Must-See Museums & Galleries

Van Abbemuseum

One of Europe's leading museums of modern and contemporary art, housed in a striking building that combines the original 1936 structure with a bold modern extension by Abel Cahen (2003). The collection focuses on art with a social and political conscience.

Highlights:

  • Pablo Picasso's "Femme nue" and other Cubist works
  • El Lissitzky's "Proun Room" — A reconstructed Constructivist installation
  • Works by Kandinsky, Chagall, and Mondrian
  • Contemporary installations addressing social issues

Practical Information:

  • Address: Bilderdijklaan 10
  • Hours: Tue-Sun 11:00-17:00
  • Admission: €12 adults, €6 students, free for under 18
  • Tip: The museum cafe has excellent views of the Dommel river

Philips Museum

Located in the original Philips factory where Gerard Philips produced his first light bulbs in 1891, this museum tells the story of the company that built Eindhoven. Interactive exhibits make this engaging for all ages.

Highlights:

  • The first Philips light bulb — The artifact that started it all
  • Interactive exhibits — Test your knowledge, play games
  • Vintage Philips products — From radios to medical equipment
  • The evolution of lighting — From incandescent to LED

Practical Information:

  • Address: Emmasingel 31
  • Hours: Tue-Sun 11:00-17:00
  • Admission: €12 adults, €9 students/seniors, free for under 18
  • Perfect for: Families, technology enthusiasts, history buffs

DAF Museum

Dedicated to the trucks and cars produced by DAF (Van Doorne's Aanhangwagen Fabriek), this museum showcases Eindhoven's other major industrial success story. The collection includes vintage vehicles, prototypes, and racing cars.

Highlights:

  • Vintage DAF cars — Including the quirky Variomatic models
  • Truck collection — From early models to modern giants
  • Racing heritage — DAF's involvement in motorsport
  • The Variomatic transmission — The revolutionary continuously variable transmission

Practical Information:

  • Address: Tongelresestraat 27
  • Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00
  • Admission: €12 adults, €9 students/seniors
  • Perfect for: Car enthusiasts, families with children

MU Hybrid Art House

Located in the former Philips machine building in Strijp-S, MU focuses on contemporary art at the intersection of technology, design, and society. The exhibitions are always provocative and forward-looking.

Practical Information:

  • Address: Torenallee 40-06, Strijp-S
  • Hours: Thu-Sun 12:00-17:00
  • Admission: €10 adults, €5 students
  • Tip: Check their website for special events and openings

Designhuis

A platform for design exhibitions located in the former municipal library. Showcases work by emerging and established designers, often with an Eindhoven connection.

Practical Information:

  • Address: Stadhuisplein 3
  • Hours: Tue-Sun 11:00-18:00
  • Admission: Varies by exhibition (often free)

Strijp-S: The Creative District

Strijp-S is Eindhoven's most exciting neighborhood — a former Philips industrial complex transformed into a vibrant creative district. The area exemplifies Eindhoven's reinvention from industrial city to design capital.

What to See in Strijp-S

Klokgebouw (Clock Building) The iconic building with the "S" logo on the roof. Once Philips' main assembly hall, now home to:

  • Dutch Design Week headquarters
  • Events and exhibitions throughout the year
  • Restaurants and cafes on the ground floor

Torenallee and the "White Lady" The main strip of Strijp-S, lined with:

  • Design shops and galleries
  • Restaurants and bars in repurposed industrial buildings
  • Street art and installations

Piet Hein Eek Workshop and Showroom The workspace and retail space of one of the Netherlands' most famous designers. His signature scrapwood furniture and industrial aesthetic have become synonymous with Dutch contemporary design.

Practical Information:

  • Address: Halvemaanstraat 20
  • Hours: Tue-Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 12:00-17:00
  • Why visit: See where the magic happens and purchase unique pieces

Strijp-R (The Other Strijp)

Across the tracks from Strijp-S, this area is also worth exploring:

  • Former Philips factories now housing creative businesses
  • More industrial architecture
  • Less touristy than Strijp-S

Architecture & Design

Evoluon

This flying saucer-shaped building is Eindhoven's most iconic landmark. Built by Philips in 1966 as a science museum and exhibition center, it now hosts conferences and events. While the interior isn't always open to the public, the exterior is worth seeing.

Location: Noord Brabantlaan 1A Tip: Best photographed at dusk when lit up

The Blob

A striking, organic-shaped glass building in the city center designed by Italian architect Massimiliano Fuksas. It connects the main shopping area with the Piazza entertainment district.

Location: 18 Septemberplein

St. Catherine's Church (Sint-Catharinakerk)

A beautiful neo-Gothic church in the city center. The interior is stunning, with impressive stained glass and vaulted ceilings.

Practical Information:

  • Address: Sint-Catharinaplein 1
  • Hours: Tue-Sat 12:00-17:00 (varies)
  • Admission: Free (donations appreciated)

City Hall and Urban Development

Eindhoven's city center features interesting modern architecture alongside historic buildings:

  • City Hall — Modernist building from the 1960s
  • The Admirant — Striking modern shopping and residential complex
  • Various examples of post-war reconstruction architecture

Unique Experiences

Dutch Design Week (October)

The largest design event in Northern Europe, attracting over 350,000 visitors annually. For one week in October, the entire city becomes a design showcase:

  • Exhibitions in Strijp-S and throughout the city
  • Lectures and workshops
  • Product launches and prototypes
  • Parties and networking events

Tip: Book accommodation well in advance if visiting during DDW

Glow Eindhoven (November)

An annual light art festival that transforms the city into an open-air museum of light installations. International artists create spectacular works using light, projection, and technology.

When: One week in November Admission: Free Route: A walking route through the city center

PreHistorisch Dorp (Prehistoric Village)

An open-air museum reconstructing life in the region from prehistoric times through the Middle Ages. Interactive and educational, with costumed guides demonstrating ancient crafts.

Practical Information:

  • Address: Boutenslaan 161B
  • Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00 (seasonal)
  • Admission: €14.50 adults, €11 children
  • Perfect for: Families, history enthusiasts

Flight Forum

For aviation enthusiasts, this area near Eindhoven Airport features:

  • Aircraft viewing spots
  • Aviation-related businesses
  • Occasional aviation events

Parks & Outdoor Spaces

Genneper Parken

A large recreational area south of the city center featuring:

  • Walking and cycling paths
  • Genneper Watermolen — Historic watermill
  • Ice skating rink (winter)
  • Swimming facilities
  • Museum dedicated to the Dommel river

Stadswandelpark

A pleasant city park with:

  • Walking paths
  • Sculptures and art installations
  • Ponds and greenery
  • Connected to the Van Abbemuseum

Anne Frank Plantsoen

A quiet park near the city center, named after Anne Frank who briefly attended school in Eindhoven before going into hiding.

Shopping & Design

Design Shops

Piet Hein Eek (mentioned above)

Yksi Expo

  • Address: Vestdijk 29
  • Why visit: Design shop and gallery showcasing work by young designers

Various Strijp-S shops — Design items, vintage finds, and local products

Main Shopping Areas

Piazza Center Modern shopping mall in the city center with major brands.

Demer and Heuvel Galerie Covered shopping streets with a mix of high-street brands and local shops.

Kleine Berg Upscale street with boutique shops, design stores, and cafes.

Day Trips from Eindhoven

Nuenen (15 minutes)

The village where Vincent van Gogh lived and worked in 1883-1885. Several locations from his paintings can still be seen:

  • Van Gogh Village Museum
  • The church he painted
  • The watermill
  • Statue of Van Gogh

's-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) (30 minutes)

A beautiful historic city with:

  • St. John's Cathedral — Stunning Gothic architecture
  • Canals and historic center
  • Museum Quarter
  • Famous Bossche Bollen (chocolate cream puffs)

Tilburg (30 minutes)

Another Brabant city with:

  • Textile Museum
  • De Pont Museum — Contemporary art
  • Lively cafe culture

Nature Reserves

The Kempen region around Eindhoven offers:

  • Cycling routes through heathland and forests
  • Hiking trails
  • Nature watching

Practical Information

Getting Around

  • City center: Compact and walkable
  • To Strijp-S: Bus or bike (about 15 minutes from center)
  • Bike rental: Available at the station and various locations (€8-12/day)
  • Public transport: Good bus network, OV-chipkaart or contactless payment

Eindhoven City Card

Available at the tourist office, offering discounts on museums and attractions.

Best Times to Visit

  • October: Dutch Design Week (busy but exciting)
  • November: Glow light festival
  • Spring/Summer: Pleasant weather for exploring Strijp-S and parks
  • Year-round: Museums and indoor attractions

Eindhoven rewards curious visitors who look beyond the surface. It's a city that celebrates innovation while honoring its industrial past — a place where creativity isn't just encouraged, it's the main industry. Whether you're exploring world-class museums, wandering through the industrial-chic streets of Strijp-S, or simply enjoying the city's youthful energy, you'll find Eindhoven to be one of the Netherlands' most surprising destinations.