Wondering where to spend your perfectly relaxed trip to the Netherlands? Then you might want to consider Breda, an exciting Dutch city located in the west of North Brabant province. This vibrant city is home to an abundance of captivating architecture and cultural delights, including Breda Netherlands, the Cathedral of Saint Antony, Street Art and many more. Here’s a quick guide to the best things to do in Breda.
Overview of Breda city in The Netherlands:
Perhaps the most awe-inspiring feature of Breda derived from its long and intriguing history makes it one of the must-see attractions in the Netherlands (also known as Dutch or Holland). Breda is a municipality with over 185,000 inhabitants in the southern part of Holland, whose name is derived from Brede Aa and referred to the confluence of the rivers Mark and Aa. It has a long history as a military stronghold and army base. Interestingly enough, still today, important parts of the Dutch military still reside here.
Let’s take a glance at the guide to all the incredible things you can do in Breda, shall we?
7 Things to do in Breda:
Marvel at Kasteel Van Breda (Breda Castle).
Among myriads of castles, Breda is one of the first examples of monumental Renaissance architecture existed in The Netherlands. Originally a fortified fortress, Kasteel Van Breda was substantially renovated into a Renaissance-style castle in the 1530s, when large buildings there were still dominated by the late Gothic style from Brabant. Unfortunately, it is off limits to visitors as it converted into a military academy, a role it still serves nowadays, but of course, it can still be visible from across its canal-ringed area.
Drop by Sint-Antoniuskathedraal (Cathedral of Saint Anthony).
Situated on the fringes of the historic city center, the Cathedral of Saint Anthony is outstanding with its neoclassical style both inside and out, which is a relative rarity in The Netherlands. In a somewhat surprising turn of events, the ecclesiastical building lost its cathedral status for a while since Barbara’s Church became the cathedral for the diocese. It was reinstated as the cathedral of Breda in 2001.
Wander around Old Town Breda.
Wandering around the city’s cobbled streets and immersing yourself in its historic atmosphere are perhaps the coolest things to do in Breda. Its picturesque Old Town is a stunning place to explore on foot and of course, by bicycle. Ahh, don’t forget to bring along a camera, as there might be numerous photos you want to snap along the way.
Check out the street art.
For such aesthetics enthusiasts, it would be a miss not to visit the street art of Breda. It is home to the Blind Walls Gallery which gathers artists and their works of art from all over the world. The murals can be found all over the city center, and all of them are pretty phenomenal.
Explore the Church of Our Lady.
When it comes to Breda’s most important monuments, the Church of Our Lady probably springs to the locals’ minds first. This signature of this city might astound you with its remarkable architecture and magnificent interior. The church is open for free each day from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on weekends.
Wander around Park Valkenberg.
Located between the very heart of Breda and the main train station, Park Valkenberg is also a nice place to roam around and to pass time while staying here. The park includes a group of artworks and memorials inside, in addition to a large fountain and the remains of ancient defensive towers.
Explore the city by bike.
Truth be told, cycling is a way of life here in Breda, The Netherlands. As such, it is one of the best ways to get around Breda and see the city from another perspective. You can easily book a bike tour everywhere in Breda.
Tips to travel to Breda, Netherlands:
– Breda has no international airport, so if you are arriving by air, then travel to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam or Belgium instead. The airport has a rail station that takes around an hour to reach Breda.
– Breda is small enough to explore on foot. Therefore, renting a bike near the main railway station or using the local buses to explore the city might save you a bundle of money.
– Netherlands has had few severe crimes other than pickpocketing and wallet theft. However, robbers and pickpockets abound in Breda, particularly near the center. Be careful!!
– Remember that ravelers over 14 must always carry a valid ID to show police. Your nationality must be on your ID.
What is the best time to travel to Breda, Netherlands?
Based on the tourism score, the best time of year to visit Breda for warm-weather activities is from late June to early September. At this time of the year, the days are long, the temperatures soar, and every attraction in the city is actually open. With this being said, the European shoulder seasons (Spring and Autumn) are never bad times to visit.
