- Uniquely curated outings
- Plan and book your day instantly
- For every audience
- Uniquely curated outings
- Plan and book your day instantly
- For every audience
What is there to do in Den Bosch?
There is so much to experience and discover in Den Bosch. The city is full of stories, historical sites, atmospheric streets, and surprising activities on and along the water. But you’ll also find many cozy terraces and restaurants. Do you want to get to know the city better, or plan a complete day out with your family, friends, colleagues, or just on your own? In Den Bosch, there is always something to do, both indoors and outdoors.
See what you can do:
Our 10 best activities in Den Bosch
Den Bosch has so much to offer that you have to make a choice in what you would like to do and see. To make it a bit easier for you, we highlight our ten favorite activities below. All activities can be easily booked via DagjeDenBosch.com.
1. Boat trip through the Binnendieze
± 50 min · from €13 p.p.
Your visit to Den Bosch is only truly complete when you take a boat trip on the Binnendieze. This is our absolute number one of our booked activities in Den Bosch. You sail in an open electric whisper boat right under the city, past ancient walls and through narrow waterways that you cannot reach on foot.
2. City walk through the old town
± 1.5 hours · from €9 p.p.
During the City Walk through the old town, a guide takes you on a ninety-minute journey past the most beautiful alleys, monuments, and hidden stories of ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Discover places you wouldn’t easily find yourself and special stories behind the city, such as the facade poems and Zoete Lieve Gerritje.
3. Tower climb with bell ringing
± 2 hours · from €13 p.p.
During the tower climb with bell ringing, you explore the St. John’s Tower and are also allowed to ring the bells yourself. A unique experience, where you are rewarded with a wide view over the city. Note! This activity can be booked every first and third Saturday of the month.
4. Hertogstad Boat Tour
± 1.5 hours · from €18 p.p.
The Hertogstad Boat Tour takes you both outside the fortifications on the Dommel and under the city on the Binnendieze. This boat trip lasts a bit longer and consists of two parts where you transfer to another boat in the inner harbor. This way, you discover Den Bosch from the water for a complete perspective.
5. Guided tour of St. John's Cathedral
± 1.5 hours · from €9.50 p.p.
St. John’s Cathedral is one of the seven cathedrals in the Netherlands and the symbol of the city. During a tour by one of our enthusiastic guides, you will discover the extraordinary details of this masterpiece built between 1350 and 1530. After the tour, you can optionally climb the tower for a magnificent view over ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
6. Jeroen Bosch Boat Tour
± 1.5 hours · from €14 p.p.
During the guided Jeroen Bosch Boat Tour, you sail through the world of fellow citizen Jheronimus Bosch (1450–1516). Along the way, you discover his imaginative world, experience a fascinating light show, sail past sculptures, and behold medieval Den Bosch from the water.
7. City walk along Courtyards and squares
± 1.5 hours · from €92.50 per group
Discover the hidden beauty of Den Bosch during the Courtyards & Squares walk. This peaceful route takes you to private courtyards and picturesque squares that you normally wouldn’t notice so quickly. You will visit the Sint Jacobshofje, the Schilderstraat, and the green Jeroen Bosch garden, among others. Along the way, you will hear beautiful stories about the history of the city.
8. Guided tour of the historic city hall
± 1.5 hours · from €9.50 p.p.
Led by a guide, you step inside the medieval city hall on the Markt. Here you can admire the council chamber with centuries-old tapestries, the wedding hall with beautiful gold-leather wallpaper, and the meridian in the Oranjezaal. A unique look behind the scenes of the administrative heart of ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
9. City walk 'City & St. John'
± 2 hours · from €105 per group
With the combined City & St. John walk, you experience the highlights of ‘s-Hertogenbosch in two hours. First, you walk with a guide through the historic city center, past the Markt, the Binnendieze, and old fortifications. Then you visit the imposing St. John’s Cathedral. Meanwhile, your guide tells the stories behind interesting details.
10. Guided tour of the Zwanenbroedershuis
± 1.25 hours · from €9.50 p.p.
In the Zwanenbroedershuis on the Hinthamerstraat, you experience special artworks and centuries-old objects up close. A guide tells you the fascinating story of the Illustrious Brotherhood of Our Blessed Lady, a society from 1318 of which Jeroen Bosch was once a member and King Willem-Alexander is now, and which has been connected to the city for centuries.
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Activities
There are various activities to do in Den Bosch. Relaxing, fascinating boat trips, guided city walks, tours of special locations, and complete group packages. There are plenty of interesting activities for every group. Popular activities in Den Bosch include:
- Boat tour on the Binnendieze
- Climb St. John’s Tower
- Guided tour of the city hall
- Guided city walk through the old town
You can choose a short activity as part of your day, but you can also combine multiple activities for a complete day program in the city.
Boat tours
A boat trip through Den Bosch shows the city from a completely different perspective. From the water, you’ll discover historical walls, hidden passages, and special places that you can’t reach on foot. Unique boat trips through Den Bosch include (among others):
You sail through places under buildings, along old facades, and through the centuries-old water system in the heart of the city.
Guided city walks
Prefer to keep both feet on the ground? You only really get to know Den Bosch during a guided city walk. Together with a guide, you’ll walk through narrow streets, past squares, monuments, and hidden spots with extraordinary stories behind them. A guide tells you so much more; why are there poems on the facades, and who was Zoete Lieve Gerritje? Popular city walks are:
You can book various city walks, both individually and as a group.
Guided tours
In addition to walking and sailing, you can also choose a guided tour on location in Den Bosch. During a guided tour, doors open that are normally closed to visitors. Step inside special monuments in Den Bosch such as:
A guide will tell you the stories behind these places. A tower climb, where you can ring the bells yourself, is also an option.
What to do in Den Bosch with a group?
A day out with friends, family, or colleagues? Den Bosch is perfect for a fun and interesting group outing. Take themed walks like the Fortification Walk, Alley Walk, or the Oeteldonk Walk, or take to the water together with a private boat trip or the salon boat. Guided tours of the Gruyter Factory or the Mariënburg Campus are also wonderful group activities.
Tip: Put together a customized group package with our help and make it an unforgettable day.
Rain? These indoor activities are available in Den Bosch
Don’t feel like getting wet? Fortunately, there is plenty to experience in Den Bosch even when it rains. Visit Museum Kruithuis, where you’ll discover history ‘from 1629 to now and back again’, and attend one of the fascinating Kruithuis lectures. Or pay a visit to the House of Bosch. A guided tour of St. John’s Cathedral, the Gruyter Factory, or the city hall will also keep you mostly dry. This way, even a rainy day becomes a successful day in Den Bosch.
Even more fun things to do in Den Bosch
Den Bosch is a city where you can easily spend a whole day looking around and doing fun activities. Walk through the old city center, sail across the Binnendieze, relax on one of the atmospheric terraces, visit various museums, or let a guide who knows the stories behind the city take you along. The history, conviviality, and experience make Den Bosch such a great destination for fun things to do for a wonderful day out.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Den Bosch
Can you easily discover Den Bosch on foot?
Yes, Den Bosch is actually very easy to discover on foot. The historical center is compact, meaning the most beautiful alleys, squares, and monuments are within walking distance of each other. You’ll see even more with a city walk led by a guide. Discover hidden stories and places you wouldn’t easily find yourself. The City Walk through the old town, for example, takes about an hour and a half.
What can you do in Den Bosch in the evening?
In the evening, you experience Den Bosch at its most atmospheric. Step on board for a private boat trip over the illuminated Binnendieze, or attend one of the Kruithuis lectures at Museum Kruithuis. In addition, the cozy squares, many restaurants, and terraces in the center invite you to end the day peacefully with a snack and a drink.
How much time do you need for a visit to Den Bosch?
For a first introduction to Den Bosch, you’ll quickly need half a day to a full day. A boat trip on the Binnendieze takes about 50 minutes and a city walk about an hour and a half. If you combine that with a museum visit, a tower climb, and a terrace, you can easily fill an entire day. If you want to discover everything at your leisure, plan for several days.
What are the best sights in Den Bosch?
The most famous sight is the imposing St. John’s Cathedral, one of the seven cathedrals in the Netherlands and the most famous attraction in Den Bosch. You also shouldn’t miss a boat trip on the Binnendieze (the hidden network of waterways under the city). In addition, the historical city hall, the Zwanenbroedershuis, Museum Kruithuis, and a climb up the St. John’s tower (with its panoramic view) are highly recommended.
What can you do in Den Bosch on a rainy day?
Even in the rain, there is plenty to experience in Den Bosch. Visit various museums, take a guided tour of St. John’s Cathedral or the historical city hall.
Is Den Bosch a nice city for a day out?
Absolutely! Den Bosch is ideal for a day out, for young and old. The city has a centuries-old history, a cozy vibrant atmosphere, and a versatile range of activities, from boat trips and city walks to guided tours in special monuments. Under the guidance of expert, enthusiastic guides, every visit becomes an experience with a fascinating story.