Hilversum
Discover Hilversum
Hilversum is a medium-sized city in the Gooi area of North Holland in the Netherlands. Once called the Garden of Amsterdam, most travellers still come over to cycle and hike through the surrounding forests and heathland. The city is also known for its modern architecture, with Dudok's Hilversum Town Hall being the most significant design. Hilversum is known as "media city", being the home of the radio and television broadcasting industry of the Netherlands. Unlike most of the Netherlands, Hilversum is in a hilly area on sand soil. The town is between the major cities of Amsterdam and Utrecht, and most travellers visit it as a relaxing day off from the urban mayhem. The forests, lakes and heathland surrounding the town can best be explored by bicycle or on foot. Most of these lands are property of the Goois Natuurreservaat Foundation (GNR), a non-profit organisation dedicated to protecting the nature reserves. Another goal is to connect nature reserves that have been separated by motorways and other human-made structures. For this end, the wildlife crossing Zanderij Crailo was completed in 2006, and it is the largest wildlife crossing in the world. It connects the Spanderswoud and the Bussumerheide, and is part of a larger programme to connect nature reserves from the Utrechtse Heuvelrug to Naarden.
Taste of Hilversum...
Because of its affluent population and status of "media city", Hilversum is known for its "see and be seen" bar/restaurants. These establishments have a luxurious indoor appearance and it's possible to both eat and drink. Outdoor seating is available for warm summer nights. Of course, prices are higher than the other establishments in town. Most bars and nightclubs in Hilversum are centred around the Groest. There is something for everyone's taste, from youth bars to bars for older ages, and from dive bars to upscale cosmopolitan places. On weekdays and Sundays, bars are open till 01:00, while some nightclubs will be opened till 03:00. On Fridays and Saturdays, bars open till 03:00 and nightclubs till 05:00. Always bring your passport or official identity papers, as many bars and nightclubs require you to show it upon entry. Also keep in mind that smoking is only allowed in designated smoking areas, and that bar employees won't serve drinks in these areas. Be aware on the streets when the bars close as people are drunk and some might be looking for trouble. Walking around with an alcoholic beverage on the Groest can get you a fine of €60. The best club in town is the Rex, mentioned in the Eat section as it is also a bar and restaurant. There is not much to worry about in Hilversum. The town sometimes makes headlines with cases of vandalism. Be more cautious when bars and nightclubs close, particularly on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Hilversum into what it is today.
Hilversum is one of the firstly inhabited areas of the Netherlands, as shown by earthenware from the early to mid-Bronze Age (1800-1200 BCE). This prehistoric civilisation is called Hilversum culture and is characterised by the use of barrow cemeteries. The urns show similarities with the Wessex culture of Southern Britain, where the population might have migrated from. This people lived in the area from Hilversum to northern Belgium and spoke an Indo-European language of unknown origin, not related to the Germanic language spoken today. In the early Middle Ages, Hilversum was an agricultural area. Around 900, the first bricks were laid, but no official mention of Hilversum was made until 1305. Then called Hilfersheem, ethymologists explain the name of Hilversum to derive from Hilvertshem, which means 'houses between the hills'. First the town was a part of Naarden, which is also worth a visit for its medieval remains, but it received an official independent status in 1424. Daily life was characterised by farming, raising sheep and wool manufacturing. Economic growth came in the 17th century when Holland became one of the richest trading nations in Europe. Canals were built to indirectly link Hilversum with Amsterdam, though fires in 1725 and 1766 destroyed most of the town. A railway link to Amsterdam in 1874 aided a substantial textile and tapestry industry....
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsBecause of the central location of its train station, Hilversum can best be reached by the NS railway service. Trains run roughly every 15 minutes between 05:00 and 01:00 to and from Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport, Utrecht, Amersfoort and Almere. The smaller train stations Hilversum Media Park and Hilversum Sportpark are within walking distance of the main train station. Every day, six international trains to and from Berlin and Hanover stop in Hilversum. You can reserve seats at NS International. This is not required, but can be advised as prices are lower and rush hours can be crowded. Hilversum can be reached by motorways A1, A2 and A27. From the northwest and east (Amsterdam and Amersfoort), take A1 exit 9 at Laren, drive south on N525 and follow the signs. From the west (Schiphol Airport and Leiden), get on motorway A2 and take exit 4 at Vinkeveen. From there, drive east on N201. From the north and south (Almere and Utrecht), take motorway A27 and exit 33....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
As nearly all stores, restaurants and bars are in the centre, walking is a good way to get around Hilversum. From the main train station, it's a short walk through the Leeuwenstraat to the centre and most of the attractions. The streets in the centre are pretty much free of cars and bicycles, except for the Groest on which bicycles and a limited number of cars are allowed. If you want to see more of the city than just the inner city core, cycling is the way to go. Hilversum is very safe to explore by bike, as all arterial roads have designated bike lanes, which can be recognised by their reddish-purple appearance. Bikers should follow the red and white signs for directions. Bicycles can be rented for €3.15 per day at all three train stations. Connexxion offers bus connections from Hilversum's main train station to the surroundings. You can plan your trip door-to-door using 9292.nl, though results vary.
Where to Stay
There is not much to worry about in Hilversum. The town sometimes makes headlines with cases of vandalism. Be more cautious when bars and nightclubs close, particularly on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Large amounts of intoxicated people gather on the streets, which can lead to fights. Staying healthy is probably the least you have to worry about. Tap water in the Netherlands is among the cleanest and safest in the world, and tap water in Hilversum tastes even better than elsewhere in the country. Research from consumer authorities have shown that customers get tricked when ordering mineral water in bars or restaurants. One in three of them actually serve tap water instead of mineral water! If you are hiking or biking in the forests surrounding the city, be careful of ticks and tick-carrying diseases. It is advisable to wear long sleeves and long trousers. If you want to be completely safe, tuck your trousers inside your socks.
Money & Budget
Shopping in Hilversum has a heavy emphasis on clothing and accessories. Due to the upscale demographic, most clothing stores are relatively pricey with luxurious brands. Most stores have similar hours (M 13:00-18:00, Tu W F 10:00-18:00, Th 10:00-21:00, Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 12:00-17:00), but some are closed on Mondays. The easiest entry point is Hilvertshof. It was opened in 1973 as the first shopping centre of the Netherlands. It is now a modern shopping centre with world-wide fashion stores such as H&M, Mango, Primark and Zara. Adjacent to Hilvertshof is the Kerkstraat with shops similar to those found elsewhere in the country. You can stroll to the Gooische Brink and the 's-Gravelandseweg for upscale boutiques, or to the Leeuwenstraat for vintage clothing and used products stores.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
There is not much to worry about in Hilversum. The town sometimes makes headlines with cases of vandalism. Be more cautious when bars and nightclubs close, particularly on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Large amounts of intoxicated people gather on the streets, which can lead to fights. Staying healthy is probably the least you have to worry about. Tap water in the Netherlands is among the cleanest and safest in the world, and tap water in Hilversum tastes even better than elsewhere in the country. Research from consumer authorities have shown that customers get tricked when ordering mineral water in bars or restaurants. One in three of them actually serve tap water instead of mineral water! If you are hiking or biking in the forests surrounding the city, be careful of ticks and tick-carrying diseases. It is advisable to wear long sleeves and long trousers. If you want to be completely safe, tuck your trousers inside your socks.