Breda, The Pearl of the South, is likely one of the greatest place to go to within the North Brabant province within the south of The Netherlands.
The town has held the title of greatest metropolis middle within the Netherlands from 2017 to 2020. And that’s fairly rightly too. Breda has a vigorous middle with cozy terraces, attribute canals and a stupendous inexperienced park. Briefly, Breda has all of it!
On this journey weblog you’ll find out all the things it’s essential to know in regards to the Breda vacationer sights and what to do in Breda. Let me present you one of the best locations to go to on this underrated metropolis within the South of The Netherlands.
A little bit of historical past about Breda
The folks of Breda proudly named their metropolis ‘the Pearl of the South’, and I’ve to confess, the Burgundian Brabant metropolis is a surprisingly enjoyable weekend vacation spot when touring to The Netherlands.
Breda has a historic reference to the home of Nassau (the Dutch Royal household). Till 1795, the residents of Breda have been topics of the lord of Breda, who was additionally depend of Nassau from 1403 and from 1538 additionally the prince of Orange-Nassau. Since 1815, Baron van Breda has been one of many historic titles of the king or queen. Because of this, Breda will not be solely an Orange Metropolis, however it’s also thought to be the Nassau metropolis par excellence. As a Dutchie I had no thought in regards to the significance of Breda within the Dutch historical past.
For hundreds of years the town was an necessary garrison and fortress metropolis and nonetheless performs a visual position inside the Dutch armed forces because of the presence of the Royal Army Academy (KMA) and the headquarters of the Royal Netherlands Air Power.
These days Breda is the third largest municipality within the province of North Brabant and the ninth largest municipality within the Netherlands.
Finest issues to do in Breda
We lately visited the town of Breda for the primary time ever. Welkom in Breda helped us out and created an incredible, enjoyable and diversified itinerary. We’ve seen and carried out a lot, that we wish to share all our Breda journey ideas and experiences with you and create an inventory of one of the best issues to do in Breda.
Breda shocked us with all its distinctive however on the similar time superior vacationer actions. At first we thought what to really do in Breda, however now we expect once you journey to Breda for two days solely it’s truly too quick to expertise all the things they’ve to supply. You need to make decisions on what to see and do. To make it simple for you we listed our favourite actions and a few distinctive issues to do in Breda under.
Associated: 30 Finest Locations to Go to in Netherlands
1. Go to the Breda Citadel
Our go to to Breda and its historical past have been stuffed with surprises for us. I by no means knew that Breda Citadel was as soon as the ancestral dwelling of the Nassaus, the ancestors of the Dutch Royal household. Till the Eighty Years’ Struggle, the citadel was dwelling to the royal household of Orange-Nassau, whose most well-known resident was William of Orange.
Due to the necessary worldwide position of the Nassaus, the Citadel was an necessary place in Europe in the course of the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries.
In 1828 the Royal Army Academy opened its doorways on the citadel, since 2005 a part of the Dutch Protection Academy. They yearly practice about 700 cadets and college students to turn into officers.
As a result of Breda Citadel is a army barracks it has restricted entry. There are just a few guided excursions per yr, so if you wish to be a part of one, ensure to go to Breda once they manage one.
You possibly can freely stroll as much as the citadel and see elements of it from the encompassing Valkenberg Metropolis Park.
2. Beguinage Breda (Begijnhof)
The Beguinage in Breda was based in 1268 and was initially positioned nearer to Breda Citadel. Nevertheless, Depend Henry III of Nassau needed to increase his backyard. So, with some reluctance the Beguines moved to the present location in 1535. In return they have been promised by Henry III that they might at all times stay underneath the safety of the Nassaus. Because of this, the Beguinage nonetheless has a particular bond with the Dutch Royal Household.
Beguines are not there at present. The homes on the Begijnhof are nonetheless inhabited by single girls. You’ll discover an in depth herb backyard on the Begijnhof. The beguines had quite a lot of data of medicinal herbs and used the herbs loads within the care of the sick.
The Beguinage Breda is likely one of the two remaining Beguinages within the Netherlands, so positively an additional cause to go to this particular place.
3. Valkenberg Metropolis Park
I merely adore it when cities have parks the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from nature and the outside and simply loosen up and chill. Park Valkenberg is the inexperienced oasis within the middle of Breda. A park with royal attract, the place solely the citadel residents and their visitors have been welcome till the early nineteenth century. These days it’s the place to be in Breda.
4. Blind Partitions Gallery
I’m an enormous fan of road artwork, and a few cities within the Netherlands are really well-known due to their road artwork. Breda is one among these cities.
It’s known as the Blind Partitions Gallery, it’s the outside museum in Breda. A rising assortment of over 100 murals created by worldwide artists.
Every portray relies on a Breda story that matches the placement. The murals inform the story of the town. Preserve your eyes open always once you stroll via the town, as a result of you will discover these murals in all places in Breda.
5. Procuring in Breda
Shopaholics can indulge themselves in Breda, it’s an actual buying vacation spot. Give the Ginneken district a go in case you’re into lovely design outlets, you gained’t be dissatisfied.
The town middle of Breda has tons of buying alternatives. Each main retailer will be present in Breda. In between all of the outlets within the metropolis middle is indoor shopping center the Barones.
Our private favourite is ‘t Sas, a stupendous buying courtroom within the coronary heart of Breda, proper on the foot of the Grote Kerk. Atmospheric, stylish and nice buying and culinary enjoyment. An absolute hidden gem that you shouldn’t miss when visiting Breda.
6. Folks watching at Grote Markt
No higher place for folks watching than on the massive market sq., Grote Markt known as in Dutch. The identify says all of it, it as soon as was the primary market of Breda. The massive sq. can be the guts of the town and there’s nonetheless a vigorous market each Wednesday from 9.30 am to five.30 pm.
Discover uncountable eating places and bars across the market sq. and when the climate is sweet the terraces are crammed with folks. Sit again, loosen up order a drink and watch The Dutch. A enjoyable factor to do when visiting Breda.
As talked about earlier than Breda was rated because the greatest metropolis middle within the Netherlands from 2017 to 2020, so belief me this factor to do in Breda goes to be one among your favorites.
7. Climb the Grote Kerk Tower
You actually can’t miss it or look previous once you’re in Breda, the massive church (Grote Kerk) proper within the middle of the town. One of many should issues it is best to do when visiting Breda is climbing the tower of the Grote Kerk. The tower of the Grote Kerk is greater than 97 meters excessive and was constructed between 1468 and 1509 within the Brabant Gothic model.
You climb the tower by way of a spiral staircase. Your first cease is at roughly 40 meters, nonetheless contained in the medieval tower and proper beneath the 3500 kg Nassau clock. The information will clarify all the things in regards to the inside the tower, the clock and the previous tower guard’s room.
After this primary cease you proceed to climb to 60 meters, right here you’ll have superb and delightful views over the historic metropolis middle and the environment of Breda.
8. Algorithmic Perfumery Breda
I had seen the Algorithmic Perfumery on social media earlier than and was intrigued. I used to be pleasantly shocked when it turned out to be a part of our particular and enjoyable journey itinerary in Breda.
There are solely three Algorithmic Perfumeries worldwide, one in Dubai within the Museum of the Future, one in New York and one in Breda, The Netherlands of all locations. Frederik Duerinck, who’s from Breda, designed an clever gadget that creates your distinctive scent based mostly on an in depth questionnaire. That explains the presence in Breda subsequent to the metropolises Dubai and New York. And shortly Stockholm and London will probably be added to this checklist as nicely.
Once you stroll via the doorways of Residing Lab in Breda you might be greeted by a powerful fragrance machine. How does it work, how do you find yourself with your individual fragrance?
Once you enter Algorithmic Perfumery’s Residing Lab, you’ll first obtain a questionnaire that you will need to full. You’re answering questions like, are you a follower or a frontrunner? A morning or a night individual? A spectator or a participant? After you accomplished the questionnaire you obtain a private code that you just enter into the machine. The gadget then begins working together with your distinctive scent in life.
With 46 totally different perfume chords and greater than 500 billion mixtures, every perfume is a one among a form. In the long run, you get three totally different scents that fit your persona. You possibly can alter the names of the scents your self and they’ll seem on the bottle.
I used to be tremendous enthusiastic about creating my very own fragrance and particularly creating it with AI based mostly on the solutions I crammed out within the questionnaire. We each created our personal perfumes and it’s superb to see that the three totally different scents are fully totally different however are all so good and match to who we’re.
In the course of the expertise you create an account with Residing Lab the place they save your distinctive and private scents. So at any time you need to re-order your private scent, simply go to your account and order a brand new bottle.
That is completely one of the vital particular Breda actions. Actually one among my favourite experiences whereas touring. And that in our personal, small nation The Netherlands, in Breda!
Are you on the lookout for that one thing particular, one thing distinctive to do in Breda, one thing solely few others have carried out. I extremely advocate going to the Algorithmic Perfumery in Breda!
9. Boat journey on the canals of Breda
The town middle of Breda is actually surrounded by water, which is moderately particular and fairly superior. Like many different cities in The Netherlands it’s also possible to discover Breda by boat. The whole lot appears to be like totally different from the water. So when visiting and exploring Breda, and after you climbed the tower of the Grote Kerk, you must also actually expertise the town from the water. The canals of Breda are nice enjoyable to discover by boat, canoe, water bike or sup. There may be a lot to see from the water.
We had an incredible expertise with Bootje Varen Breda. We thought we have been simply having lunch at Baai, however as an alternative we had a lunch cruise via the canals of Breda.
Bootje Varen Breda sails with absolutely electrical sloops. Solely by appointment you’ll sail the canals across the metropolis middle of Beda. The 2-hour tour takes you throughout Breda, alongside the best way your skipper will inform you all in regards to the metropolis and what you’ll encounter on the route.
Once you go to Breda in Spring or Summer season months, we extremely advocate exploring the town from the water as nicely!
10. Hire a motorbike
When in The Netherlands it’s important to hire a motorbike. And exploring Breda on a motorbike is enjoyable. We like to discover cities by bike. We predict it’s one of the best ways of attending to the vacationer sights and across the metropolis and this fashion you get to see far more of a metropolis. We all know Breda has loads to supply in the case of culinary hospitality and historical past. However very quickly additionally, you will end up in probably the most lovely, inexperienced nature reserves close by the town. Breda is surrounded by inexperienced and nature. So get on that bike and begin exploring! Get misplaced in your bike, there isn’t a higher place to cycle round than in The Netherlands.
11. Breda Festivals
Breda Mild Sloop Parade
The Breda Mild Sloop Parade is a spectacle on the water during which about 75 illuminated and adorned boats take part yearly. They sail from Café Markhoek on the Marksingel via the canals of Breda to the Nieuwe Haven.
Massive and small boats with atmospheric lighting and enjoyable themes entertain the general public alongside the waterfront. Our skipper advised us very enthusiastically about this distinctive and enjoyable occasion. It’s such an occasion for which you particularly go to Breda.
Jazz pageant
One other main occasion our skipper advised us about throughout our boat journey is the Breda Jazz Pageant. We had by no means heard of it earlier than, however it’s one thing massive. In 2023 the 51st version of the Breda Jazz Pageant befell. Native and worldwide artists and 1 / 4 of 1,000,000 guests from everywhere in the globe go to Breda yearly for the Jazz Pageant. So in case you are an actual jazz lover, then a go to to Breda throughout this pageant is definitely a should.
12. Take in the Burgundian life-style
Breda is an actual Burgundian and hospitable metropolis. Whether or not it’s a conventional Dutch pub for fries with satay or an in depth dinner with a number of programs, no matter it’s you’re on the lookout for, you’ll find it in Breda.
Breda is filled with eating places, bars and outside terraces (in Summer season) in all places! It’ll come as no shock that we actually loved the culinary aspect of Breda. In reality, it was of such a excessive normal that among the eating places are actually amongst our all-time favorites in The Netherlands.
So please listen in case you’re visiting Breda anytime quickly. These Breda eating places shouldn’t be missed!!
Finest eating places in Breda
BAAI
Particularly in Summer season, BAAI is the place to be in Breda. BAAI is the spot in Breda the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from a scrumptious drink or snack at their waterfront terrace. It’s such a cool place. Right here you’ll expertise the final word vacation feeling. If you wish to do a ship tour although Breda, BAAI is the place to be as Bootje Varen Breda departs from right here.
Emily’s Wholesome Bar
Emily’s Wholesome Bar is your house for that wholesome breakfast or lunch. Wholesome meals and drinks are the one factor that’s being served right here. An actual wholesome hotspot the place they serve the tastiest juices, smoothies, wholesome snacks and scrumptious espresso.
Foodhall Breda
The Foodhall in Breda jogged my memory of many journeys overseas and all of the scrumptious road meals you will get everywhere in the world. The Foodhall provides meals from everywhere in the world, all underneath one roof. The setting and environment is improbable, the Foodhall is a good place to go to when in Breda.
Holy Moly
Undoubtedly, Holy Moly is our primary favourite place to go to once you’re in Breda. It’s a actual hotspot proper on the foot of the Grote Kerk. From the second you step inside, all of your senses are stimulated. A tremendous expertise and an actual should do.
How you can describe Holy Moly? Properly, it’s meals and comedy in probably the most colourful and great setting. From the second you stroll in to Holy Moly, you’ll be overwhelmed by all the colours and impressions. There is no such thing as a normal menu, however particular meals.
You order a 3, 4 or 5 course dinner and will probably be shocked each course. Dinner at Holy Moly was subsequent degree in each facet.
Regardless of how enthusiastic I’m and no matter I write right here, I gained’t do Holy Moly justice. You merely need to expertise Holy Moly with your individual eyes.
That is one among our all-time favourite locations now. Undoubtedly a spot we are going to re-visit every time we’re within the space.
The place to remain in Breda
Our favourite place to remain in Breda is Lodge Nassau. Lodge Nassau Breda is a novel resort expertise in a historic Catholic place the place folks used to dwell soberly. This kinds a beautiful distinction to the present luxurious providers and amenities.
It is a tremendous inspiring place the place trendy meets historical past. You possibly can clearly see the historical past of the constructing from the surface and the within, but it surely has an actual trendy twist now. It makes it a novel place to remain. And one of the best half, it’s positioned proper within the coronary heart of Breda, with all of the outlets and historic highlights at strolling distance.
See extra of this superb place to remain in our weblog with a overview of our keep in Lodge Nassau Breda.
Breda is a improbable metropolis journey vacation spot within the Netherlands. It bustles between the traditional monuments and historical past, the water and canals and the inexperienced parks. There may be a lot to do in Breda that staying in a single day is a should. I get why they name it the Pearl of the South. We liked our keep in Breda and are shocked what the town has to supply.
A large thanks is so as right here for Welkom in Breda for internet hosting us within the Pearl of the South and organizing an incredible weekend journey to Breda. Visiting Breda anytime quickly? Make sure that to contact Welkom in Breda for insider ideas and should do’s.
This weblog was written by journey author and Traveltomtom staff member Ashley. She was invited to go to and expertise Breda and wrote this journey weblog about her adventures. Take a look at her Instagram @travelashie for extra journey inspiration.
Take pleasure in your journey to Breda!
