Breda City guide
Breda is a city in the province Brabant, located in the centre southern part of the Netherlands. It has great connections to Amsterdam central station, as well as to Antwerp and Brussels in Belgium. It is a city that is often overlooked by international travellers. But it should definitely be on your list. This is especially true for those who’d like to stay somewhere more quiet than the major cities further north. That is why I wrote this Breda city guide. I also worked in Breda for a decade so I spent plenty of time there.
That is not to say Breda is boring or sleepy though! It has plenty to see and discover. In the southern part of the Netherlands, people tend to be less rushed and have more of an appreciation for the good things in life. Wandering the streets, stopping to have a drink at a cafe or have lunch with friends. And in Breda (and some surrounding cities) you will see people sitting outside cafes year round. In winter many cafes supply their visitors with a blanket or turn on space heaters. If it rains, which is does a lot in the Netherlands, many cafes have giant umbrellas or awnings to keep their guests dry.
If all of this sounds exactly like the kind of city you’d like to visit or stay at, keep reading because I will tell you more about this beautiful city. Explain the best options for transport and tell you which activities and spots are worth your time.
Are you travelling with small children? Rent a cargo bike! Some of these are specifically designed to safely transport kids around and they love it.
Transport in Breda
You know no Slow Travel Express City Guide would be complete without dedicating some words to sustainable transport options!
Due to its central location between bigger cities in the Netherlands and Belgium, Breda is well connected for transport. This makes it a great place to discover the area from. Like on most Dutch trains you don’t need a reservation (except for some international trains).
The easiest way is to simply tap your debit or credit card (Maestro, V PAY, Mastercard or Visa) when you enter the train station or the bus you want to take. And tap it again when leaving the station or getting off the bus!
There are more options that may be interesting if you are planning to stay in the Netherlands longer, or plan to do a lot of travelling. I will cover these in an upcoming post.
Photo by me
By train
Breda is easy to reach by train. It has direct trains to Amsterdam/Schiphol Airport, Rotterdam, The Hague, Eindhoven and ‘s Hertogenbosch. It also has a direct international connection to Antwerp and Brussels.
Top tip: when planning your trip make sure you select Breda (centraal), not Breda Prinsenbeek, which is a suburb of Breda.
Buses
The central bus station connects internally to the central train station. Nearly all city and regional buses stop at this covered station. So no matter where you are going in Breda you can probably find a bus here to get you where you need to go.
Walking/Cycling
It only takes 10 to 15 minutes by foot to get from the station to the city centre.
And most of that time you will be in the beautiful Valkenburg park. The city centre is mostly pedestrianized. Other traffic is only allowed during certain time frames to make deliveries (except for emergency services of course). The city centre is compact enough that you can walk everywhere in less than 20 minutes.
If you are staying just outside the city centre or want to explore a bit more, why not rent a bike? Dutch cycling infrastructure is famous around the world for its safety and accessibility. So why not try it while you are here? It’s a lot less chaotic in Breda compared to Amsterdam for example. You can rent a regular or electric bike at different locations throughout the city. Most hotels also offer bike rental for their guests!
Cycling isn’t allowed in the pedestrianised area of the city centre between 11:00 and 17:00. You’ll see lots of people doing it anyway, but you’ll risk getting a €75 fine.
Historical Breda
The first mentions of Breda as a place where people live dates back to 1125, so there is plenty of history to be found.
It has connections to nobility and even the history of the Dutch royal family.
The city has historically been part of an important defense line, holding off countries attacking from the south from advancing further north.
It was also home to one of the most creative military tricks in Dutch history. Think of the Trojan Horse, but instead of a wooden horse, the Dutch used a boat filled with peat to retake Breda after it was taken during the 80 years’ war with Spain. A story any local guide will tell you during one of the many guided tours you can take around the city.
If you are interested in the second world war the Maczek Memorial Breda is worth a visit. This military cemetery highlights the role of the Polish forces in liberating Breda.
Best time to visit Breda
The summer months (June to September) are your best options if you are hoping to enjoy having a drink outside a cafe in the sunshine. However the climate never gets particularly bad, just expect a good chance of rain (like everywhere in the Netherlands). It’s always a good idea to bring a raincoat when travelling anywhere in the Netherlands. Umbrellas can be useful as well, but only if yours is sturdy enough to deal with windy conditions. A lot of Dutch people don’t usually carry one for that reason. What good is an umbrella if it breaks after 5 minutes?
When NOT to visit Breda
Like in other cities in the South of the Netherlands, Carnaval is a huge event in Breda, often attracting over 200.000 people from all over the country to the city centre. Shops and restaurants may not be open, both in the centre and elsewhere in the city. They will even completely deny people entry into the city centre if it gets too busy, which could be really annoying if you are just trying to get back to your hotel!
In 2027 it will be from Saturday February 6th till Tuesday February 9th. Do keep in mind though, that festivities will start before that, but it won’t be as busy yet. Just expect some more noise in the weeks leading up to it, especially if you are staying near bars or cafes.
So unless you really want to experience what it’s like to celebrate Carnaval in the Netherlands, it’s probably best to avoid those dates.
Best things to see and do in Breda
Visit “De Grote Kerk”
Officially called the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (Church-of-our-Lady) but usually called the Grote Kerk (the big church) by most is probably the most recognisable building in Breda. Construction started in the 15th century and it’s designed in the local gothic style. The Church is free to visit at least 8 months out of the year. Sometimes they have events or exhibitions and in those instances you need a ticket. Check their website in advance to see. You can also buy a ticket to climb the 97 meter tall tower if you feel up to it.
Visit the Begijnhof
If you were a woman from a wealthy family in Breda in the 1200s you had 2 options: get married or become a nun. That is until the Begijnhof was founded. There unmarried women were allowed to live and work for their own income, if they promised to live a pious life for as long they lived there.
You can still go see the 29 houses and church that made up this little community, as well as visit the museum for a small fee.
People still live here, please consider this when visiting, don’t try to peep into the houses or try to get into ones that aren’t the museum.
Have brunch at Sowieso
If you need a late breakfast or lunch Sowieso is the best place in Breda. It’s located in the city centre, but in a slightly quieter street. The menu is completely plant-based and everything on it is absolutely delicious. It has a very convivial atmosphere. Last time I visited Sowieso I had a very filling and refreshing smoothie bowl in their cozy little courtyard in the sun. That is just the best start of the day you can have. You can view their menu and opening hours online.
On this same street is Latte’s and Literature: an English language bookshop/cafe, which I highly recommend visiting before or after your brunch.
Are you planning a trip to Breda soon? Do you plan to use this Breda city guide? Let me know in the comments!
For other hidden gems in the Netherlands check out 10 alternatives to Amsterdam
If you are looking for some inspiration for day trips in the Netherlands by public transport, look here!
I’ve also started work on a full guidebook about slow travel in the Netherlands, full of smaller cities, gorgeous hikes and of course everything about public transport. If you have something you’d like to see in that, let me know!