Breda

Breda is a city of many faces. With its cobblestone streets, extraordinary historic buildings, beautiful canals, green parks, lively pavement cafés and surprising creative hotspots, there’s something for everyone. It has all the amenities of a city but with the charming cosiness of a village. Discover the good life in Breda.

Like a local
Discover the good life in Breda

Discover the good life in Breda

View of Begijnhof

The people of Breda enjoy the good life. You certainly get a sense of that when visiting the city, which is rightly considered one of the most hospitable and welcoming places in the Netherlands. It’s also a historic city with royal roots. Highlights such as the Grote Kerk, the Begijnhof and two remarkable castles are traces left behind by the Nassaus (the ancestors of our Royal Family). Discover their intriguing story in a multimedia exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum Breda: The Nassaus of Breda.

Although steeped in history, Breda is also a city that sets its sights on the future - towards innovation, sustainability and creativity. All this creates a new sense of pride that is focused on the many innovative pioneers, circular startups and a new creative culture. The Explore Creative Breda route leads you past these different places, making it a great way to discover a surprising side of Breda.

A person looking at a piece of art

The contrast between history and innovation makes Breda a creative breeding ground. You can stroll along charming cobblestone streets one minute and then enjoy modern street art the next. Experience this artistic side of Breda with the street art of Blind Walls Gallery, for example. This outdoor museum with almost 150(!) murals along the streets of Breda is accessible to everyone and can be admired 24/7. The murals are created by national and international artists and tell the stories of the city.

Art on a wall at the Ginnekenmarkt in Breda

Hospitable Breda

Grote Markt Breda

You’ll get a warm welcome in Breda. Pavement café culture thrives here and there are hundreds of places to enjoy a locally brewed beer, a nice glass of wine, a tasty snack or an extensive dinner. Locals will proudly tell you about the city and are happy to point out unique sights. You can, quite literally, taste the hospitality in Breda! There is always something going on, and we mean always! From large, international events such as BredaPhoto and the Breda Jazz Festival to small-scale food and drink festivals.

Finally, you are never far away from nature in Breda. The city has a wealth of parks, forests, gardens and charming canals, which together form a green thread running through the city with the Valkenberg city park at the heart. The former castle garden of the Nassaus is now a wonderful place for locals and visitors to gather, and the terrace of the T-Huis is a great place to enjoy a coffee, cocktail or meal. With 4,000 hectares of nature reserve just around the corner, Breda is also an excellent starting point for hours of hiking and cycling fun.

Bird view of T Huis in Breda
Sustainable
The green city in the park

The green city in the park

City in the park

Breda makes the city greener

With more and more nature and water in the city, Breda is living up to its ambition of becoming a 'city in the park'. You’ll notice this when you explore the city. After all, we all thrive in a green city where greenery provides respite from increasing temperatures. Everyone is doing their part, which is why 150 shops in the city centre have a wisteria planted next to their front door. Brabant's third largest city is continuously building a green and sustainable living environment where the living is good – for now and for generations to come.

But Breda is not only a green city in the literal sense. There is growing room for entrepreneurs with sustainable initiatives. Hospitality establishments are increasingly choosing suppliers from the region and developing initiatives to prevent waste. For example, industrial heritage in the Havenkwartier will be given a new destination and the first bicycle taxi has already been spotted! Those who want to see all those green hotspots themselves should take the Explore Green Breda route. In addition, the city’s waterways offer fantastic opportunities to enjoy yourself in Breda, from canal cruises with electric sloops to water biking on the canals.

Water in Breda
Hidden gems
Undiscovered and unique places

Undiscovered and unique places

The Havenkwartier used to be an industrial area but has undergone a complete transformation in the past 10 years. Now this part of the city is totally trendy and clearly shows that Breda is a city on the move. Quite literally too, because a former factory hall is home to one of the leading skate parks in Europe: Pier15. Not only is it a paradise for skaters, but it’s also a cultural hotspot where budding artists can exhibit their works and local bands can perform. Skating not your thing? Don't worry, you are also welcome at Pier15 for a game of basketball or a locally brewed beer with friends.

People at a skate rink on pier 15 in Breda

Feet in the sand

Belcrum beach Breda

Located right next to Pier15, you can put your feet in the sand at Belcrum Beach city beach in the summer. The children can build sandcastles while you relax, and the beach pavilion is made entirely of recycled material. Although swimming is not permitted here, you can rent a sloop and hit the water, which is the next best thing. DJs and bands often perform here on weekends. While you're in the neighbourhood, check out what’s going on over at Electron, where artists, designers and culture lovers meet and work together.

The circular STEK business park is a great place to check out. It's a breeding ground for small entrepreneurs who seem to have sustainability and collaboration in their DNA. You can also go there for an organic glass of wine, a cup of coffee, a tasty lunch and even enjoy dishes from true BBQ masters.

Stumbling towards pretty things at Stek Breda

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