'''Hilversum''' [http://www.hilversum.nl/live/index.jsp?nav=181985&loc=1361409] (pron: hill-fair-SUM) is a medium sized city in the Gooi area of North-Holland. Located among forests between the major cities of Amsterdam and Utrecht, it makes for an excellent day trip. The forests, lakes and vast heath lands around the city can best be discovered by bicycle or on foot. The city itself is also green and breezy. In Hilversum there are 660 different types of trees, the largest variety of species in the Netherlands. The botanical garden Pinetum Blijdestein has an enormous collection of rare and endangered trees and plants, and is home to one of the most complete collections of conifers in the world.
The city itself is especially recommended for architecture enthusiasts. Numerous modern architects like W.M. Dudok placed many of their remarkable buildings (and even entire neighborhoods) here. His masterpiece, the 1931 City Hall of Hilversum, is especially worth a look. Another architectural highlight is the Dutch Institute of Sound and Vision, designed by architects Neutelings and Rietdijk. Hilversum is the center of Dutch broadcasting, and has the largest television studio complex of Europe. Media and related sectors dominate the economy and made Hilversum into an upscale place. Many Dutch celebrities live in the wealthy neighborhoods in and around Hilversum. Because incomes in the region are well above the national average, there are plenty of quality restaurants and nightlife.
Understand
Get in
By train
Because of the central location of it's train station, Hilversum can best be reached by the Dutch Railways [http://ns.nl/en]. Trains run roughly every 15 minutes between 4:45am and 1:30am to and from Amsterdam, Schiphol, Utrecht, Amersfoort, Almere, Leiden, Hengelo, Groningen and Leeuwarden. Every day, six international trains to and from Berlin and Hannover also stop in Hilversum. Reserving seats [http://www.nshispeed.nl/en] for the international train is not necessary, but can be advised during rush hour due to the high amount of passengers.
By plane
The closest airport, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, is one of the largest hubs in Europe. There are many connections from all around the world, especially from Europe, Asia and North America. From there, trains between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Hilversum take about 20 minutes and run roughly each 15 minutes. Many low-cost carriers fly to Rotterdam Airport and Eindhoven Airport. It's also possible to reach Hilversum by train from there, but you will need to transfer at Utrecht station.
By bus
International buses will most likely arrive in either Amsterdam or Utrecht. The fastest way to get to Hilversum from there is by train.
Get around
There is a limited local bus network in Hilversum, centred on Hilversum station.
Also, there are three train stations in Hilversum. Hilversum Sportpark in the south, the central station Hilversum and Hilversum Noord opposite the Media Park and the Beeld and Geluid Experience. The stations are about 1500 meters apart.
See & Do
Nature
Most tourists come to Hilversum for a nice day off from hectic cities like Amsterdam. The best way to spend your time here is by '''cycling''' in the forests and heath lands surrounding the city.
Another way to explore the nature is by hiking. The following trails are available.
Starting from Sint Janskerkhof (Hilversumseweg), Laren (North Hilversum)
Trail 6: Westerheide/Bussummerheide Trail
Trail 7: Westerheide Trail
Trail 8: Zuiderheide/'t Bluk Trail
Trail 9: Zuiderheide Trail
Starting from Anna's Hoeve (Anthony Fokkerweg), Hilversum (East Hilversum)
Trail 10: Anna's Hoeve Trail
Starting from Soestdijkerstraatweg, Hilversum (Central Hilversum)
Trail 11: Hilversums wasmeer/Erfgooiersbos Trail
Starting from Station Hollandse Rading (Southwest from Hilversum)
Trail 12: Erfgooiersbos/De Zuid Trail
Starting from Noodweg, Hilversum (South Hilversum)
Hoorneboegseheide Trail
'''Museum Hilversum''' shows the art and history of Hilversum after 1850. [http://www.museumhilversum.nl/]
St. Vitus Church.
Laapersveld.
'''Pinetum Arboretum Blijdesteijn''' is part of the University of Amsterdam and has a large conifer, sequoia and rhododendron collection. [http://www.pinetum.nl/navnl0.html]
Largest "eco-bridge" of the world.
Play Golf.
Due to the wealthy demographic, Hilversum is an excellent destination to play golf.
</do>
Modern architecture
There are so many modern architectural masterpieces in Hilversum, it almost feels like an open air museum. However, finding these buildings scattered all over the city can be a frustrating experience. Your entry point in the world of architecture is City Hall Hilversum. It is a must-see for any tourist, even for those having a limited interest in modern architecture.
City Hall Hilversum. udokpark 1. 31 35 629 28 26. ttp://www.hilversum.nl.
This is unquestionably the masterpiece of the famous modern architect W. M. Dudok. Built in 1928-1931, this building has wide international fame, and has even been recreated on a smaller scale in Japan. The building has a remarkable shape and feels like a combination of 'blocks'. It's built with yellow bricks that have a slightly different size than usual ones. Dudok is also responsible for the interior, the furniture and the decorations. Every Sunday at 2PM, there is a guided tour through the town hall for ?7.50. It is in Dutch, but the guide will also tell something in English upon request. It gives you the chance to view all kinds of rooms, like the marriage room and the mayor room. You will also visit the Dudok Centre, a permanent overview of Dudoks life and work. At the end, you will climb the 46 meter tower for a nice view of Hilversum and the surrounding areas. There are special arrangements possible for groups. For bookings, call the listed phone number or ask the staff of Museum Hilversum.
</see>
If you want to continue from here, the best way to do that is by walking or cycling the '''W.M. Dudok Architectural Route'''. By foot, this route takes around 3 hours and shows the most important buildings of the famous architect Dudok. Instead of re-doing everything here, be sure to take a look at this brochure [http://www.hilversum.nl/folderscultuur/dudokarchitecturalroute.pdf], print it and bring it with you while taking the route. White signs with the word Dudok also show where you have to go, but keep in mind that the route of the signs is ''slightly different'' from the route of the brochure. The following buildings are attended during the route, in the following order:
Dudok Centre. udok Dependence. udokpark 1. 31 35 629 28 26. and Su noon-4.30PM. M-Tu, Th-Sa closed.
The Dudok Dependance is a separate part of Hilversum's famous town hall, located in the basement of the building. Administered by the Museum Hilversum, it is basically a permanent overview of Dudoks life and work. There's also an exposition on the renovation of the town hall, which took place during 1989-1996. It took 5 years to restore the exterior and the interior to their original state, which almost plunged the municipality of Hilversum into bankruptcy. Keep in mind that it's only opened on Wednesday and Sunday afternoon.
</see>
Multatuli School.
Snellius School.
Rembrandt School.
Fabritius School.
Bosdrift.
Geranium School.
Bathhouse.
Some buildings are listed as optional in the brochure. They are just as interesting, but are located slightly further away. These buildings are best visited if you take the route by bike:
Northern Cemetery.
Laapersveld Pumping Station.
Wildschut Sports Pavilion.
Grandstand.
Zuiderhof Cemetery.
Dudok was certainly Hilversum's most famous architect, many remarkable buildings in Hilversum have been created by other architects. There is no destined route for the following buildings, but they are still interesting from an architectural point of view. Make sure to rent a bike if you want to see all of them:
MVRDV. illa VPRO.
Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision. ederlands Instituut voor Beeld en Geluid. umatralaan 45. ailway station Hilversum Noord. 31 35 629 21 11. ttp://instituut.beeldengeluid.nl/index.aspx?ChapterID=8532.
The Institute of Sound and Vision is interesting for it's remarkable architecture. Don't be fooled by it's size: it's actually double as big, as half of the building is underground! One century of Dutch television archives are stored there. This colorful 'block' is a design of Jaap Drupsteen. The glass windows show important moments in Dutch television history. Inside is an interactive museum and a gigantic display of Dutch audiovisual archives. However, you must have a profound interest in the Dutch cultural heritage to be able to enjoy that as a foreigner.
</see>
Rainbow Church. egenboogkerk. By Ben van Berkel
Sanatorium Zonnestraal. By Jan Duiker.
Festivals
Hilversum Funfair (end April)
Queen's Day (April 30)
Avondvierdaagse Hilversum (begin June)
Day of Amateur Arts (begin June)
Hilversum Alive (end June)
Beachvolley Tournament (begin July)
Hilversum On Air (end August)
Christmas Circus Hilversum (end December)
Buy
Although the center of Hilversum is quite compact, it does have one of the most varied shopping areas of the country. Upscale and cheap, luxury brands and vintage, all is available within walking distance.
The easiest entry point for are '''Hilvertshof Shoppingcentre''' [http://www.hilvertshof.nl/], the '''Kerkstraat''', and the areas around it. Hilvertshof was opened in 1973 as the first covered shopping center of the Netherlands, and it's still one of the largest of the country. The mall has some of the big chain stores, like '''Free Record Shop''' (+31 35 621 87 50), '''Hennes & Mauritz''' (+35 623 73 31) and '''Zara''' (+31 35 626 10 10), but also some smaller shops you might not have thought of:
<buy
name="Anwb"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
url=""
hours=""
price=""
lat=""
long="">
Shop for travellers. They have everything, from travel guides to first aid packs. Their cycling guides are especially a recommendation if you want to explore the surrounding forests by bike.
</buy>
<buy
name="Expo"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
url=""
hours=""
price=""
lat=""
long="">
Nice shop for buying little gifts, like cards, posters, maps, globes, clocks, etc.
</buy>
<buy
name="De Globetrotter"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
url=""
hours=""
price=""
lat=""
long="">
As the name suggests, this is a "world store". They sell small handmade tribal objects, like instruments, paintings, accessories and furnitures. The focus is on Aboriginal Australian, Native American and Far Eastern cultures.
</buy>
<buy
name="H. Sprey Kaascentrale"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
url=""
hours=""
price=""
lat=""
long="">
Definitely the ''smelliest'' shop of the city. But they do have a wide array of delicious Dutch cheese available for you to try. The staff are experts and can help you make a choice. Also many kinds of wine available.
</buy>
<buy
name="Halfords"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
url=""
hours=""
price=""
lat=""
long="">
Hilversum is a great place for cycling, this is a good place for repairs and accessories.
</buy>
<buy
name="De Hilversumse Boekhandel"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
url=""
hours=""
price=""
lat=""
long="">
One of the better bookshops in the city. Has a travel and English literature section.
</buy>
<buy
name="Mecca"
alt=""
address="Groest 86 B24"
directions=""
phone="+31 35 621 52 54"
url="http://www.mecca.eu"
hours="M 1PM-6PM, Tu-W, F 9.30AM-6PM, Th 9.30AM-9PM, Sa 9.30AM-5PM, Su closed"
price=""
lat=""
long="">
Shop for buying small chocolate and candy gifts. There are many typical Dutch sweets you should try, like the world famous Droste chocolate [http://www.droste.nl/], Autodrop, Venco Muntendrop and stroopwafels (syrup waffles).
</buy>
<buy
name="De Natuurwinkel"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
url=""
hours=""
price=""
lat=""
long="">
Won the 2004-05 award for being the best biological food store. It's spacey and they serve free coffee for all customers.
</buy>
<buy
name="Toko Mee Sin"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
url=""
hours=""
price=""
lat=""
long="">
This shop has a wide range of Eastern spices, like more than 60 different kinds of sambal. They also sell many kinds of exotic snacks. Ask the staff what you are buying, or you might be in for a surpise!
</buy>
<buy
name="Vishandel Volendam"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
url=""
hours=""
price=""
lat=""
long="">
The must-try here is the typical Dutch raw herring with onions. Also eat it the Dutch way: stretch your arm, look into the air, move your hand up and let the fish slip into your mouth.
</buy>
Boutiques
Due to the wealthy demographic, Hilversum is an excellent place for upscale shopping. Even though '''Gooische Brink Shopping Center''' [http://www.gooischebrink.com/] calls itself a shopping center, it is actually not more than an open square connected with a small covered path. Still, this is the place to be for some trendy boutiques. Don't expect any discount!
<buy
name="Blanche"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
url="http://www.blanche-online.nl"
hours=""
price=""
lat=""
long="">
This women's fashion store is located a bit further away from Gooische Brink, but does deserve it's place in the list for the fair share of exclusive brands available. Especially their Danish design labels are interesting, but they also have labels from Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and elsewhere in Europe.
</buy>
<buy
name="De Bunker"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
url=""
hours=""
price=""
lat=""
long="">
Very trendy shop, especially for wealthier younger audiences in the ages between 15 and 25. Their bags are worn by hipsters all over the country.
</buy>
<buy
name="Covergirl & Touchdown"
alt="CVRGRL & TCHDWN"
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
url=""
hours=""
price=""
lat=""
long="">
Fashion boutique for young and trendy women. Expect brands like Armani, Antony Morato, Dolce & Gabbana, Miss Sixty and more.
</buy>
<buy
name="Duetz Menswear"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
url="http://www.duetz.nl"
hours=""
price=""
lat=""
long="">Upscale store for men's fashion, mostly suits. Tommy Hilfiger, Gant, Burberry, Corneliani and Ralph Lauren are some of the brands.
</buy>
<buy
name="Fastenau"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
url=""
hours=""
price=""
lat=""
long="">
A combination of women's clothing and designer products. They have a wide selection of trendy Scandinavian clothing. The design products come from Italy, Denmark, Finland and Germany, with brands like Stelton, Alessi, Arabia-Iittala, Georg Jensen and Zack.
</buy>
Vintage
Interested in Vintage and used products? Then the '''Leeuwenstraat''' is your thing. This place has lived up recently due to the opening of the Hollywood store.
<buy
name="Bibak"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
url=""
hours=""
price=""
lat=""
long="">
American jeans shop with definitely fits in with the other vintage stores.
</buy>
<buy
name="Hollywood"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
url=""
hours=""
price=""
lat=""
long="">
Vintage and used clothes
</buy>
<buy
name="'t Oor"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
url=""
hours=""
price=""
lat=""
long="">
Record store with mostly urban music, like raggae and hiphop. Also has a selection of vinyls. The staff is helpful if you are looking for a specific cd or vinyl.
</buy>
Eat
Budget
Apolonia"
alt=""
address="Spoorstraat 20"
directions="In a little alley from the Groest"
phone="+31 35 623 49 97"
url="http://www.steakhouse-apolonia.nl"
hours="02:00pm - 01:00am (03:00am on fri and sat)"
price=""
lat=""
long="">
A cheap Argentinian/Egyptian restaurant. Don't expect luxury cuisine here, but good meat for a good price. It's especially a nice place for small dishes, like steaks and doner kebab. The tables can be sticky though. Officially the restaurant closes at 03:00am, but unofficially it sometimes stays open till 04:00am. That makes it a great place for eating meat after the bars close.
</eat>
Mid-range
Chiang Mai"
alt=""
address="Havenstraat 20"
directions="Take bus 1 and exit at the stop Kerkbrink"
phone="+31 35 624 81 91"
url="http://www.chiangmaihilversum.nl"
hours="5pm - 10pm, closed on Mondays"
price=""
lat=""
long="">
Definitely the best Thai restaurant in the area, specialized in the cuisine of Northern Thailand. The place has the usual Thai dishes, but also some interesting ones with rabbit and turkey. Good service and reasonable prices.
</eat>
Het IJscafe"
alt=""
address="Emmastraat 2"
directions="Next to Hotel Gooiland"
phone="+31 35 624 17 88"
url=""
hours="11am - 10pm"
price=""
lat=""
long="">Most popular place to eat ice cream. Must-try flavor is the "stroopwafel", which is a traditional Dutch waffle with a syrup filling. It's not cheap though, an ice cream costs around 7 euro.
</eat>
IJssalon De Jong"
alt=""
address="Havenstraat 93"
directions="Take bus 1 and exit at the stop Kerkbrink"
phone="+31 35 624 62 95"
url=""
hours=""
price=""
lat=""
long="">Ice cream restaurant, a bit cheaper than Het IJscafe. Must-try flavor is the 'apple and cinnamon'.
</eat>
De Kei"
alt=""
address="'s Gravelandseweg 12d"
directions="Take bus 1 and exit at the stop Kerkbrink"
phone="+31 35 624 72 77"
url="http://www.spijslokaaldekei.nl"
hours="tue-thu and sun: 3pm - 1am, fri: 3pm - 3am, sat: 12pm - 7pm, closed on Mondays"
price=""
lat=""
long="">
A typical "brown cafe", but mostly known for it's simple but tasty menus. It's especially recommended to visit their wine tasting sessions.
</eat>
Lorenza"
alt=""
address="Langestraat 134"
directions="Take bus 1 and exit at the stop Kerkbrink"
phone="+31 35 624 10 37"
url=""
hours="04:00pm - 10:00pm"
price=""
lat=""
long="">
Reasonably priced Italian restaurant. The pizzas are good in general, but once the Hawaiian pizza had strips of prosciutto in it, instead of shredded ham. Ordering two pizzas costs around 20 euro.
</eat>
Royal Mandarin"
alt=""
address="Emmastraat 9"
directions="Near Hotel Gooiland"
phone="+31 35 640 08 01"
url="http://www.restaurantroyalmandarin.nl"
hours="13:30pm - 11:00pm"
price=""
lat=""
long="">
A Chinese restaurant, interestingly housed in a historic Dutch farm. The staff is really friendly and sometimes the first round of drinks are free of charge. The restaurant is pretty expensive, but worth it. A good suggestion is the Beijing Duck.
</eat>
Surya"
alt=""
address="Langestraat 126"
directions="Take bus 1 and exit at the stop Kerkbrink"
phone="+31 35 631 94 20"
url="http://www.suryarestaurant.nll"
hours="5:00pm - 12am, closed on Mondays"
price=""
lat=""
long="">
Indian and Nepalese restaurant with an absolute stunning interior. Everyone is sitting on benches with pillows, which makes for a very warm atmosphere. The staff is friendly and the food is served in large quantities. The price is okay for the amounts served, but it's not a restaurant for budget travellers. Try the Gulab Jamin, it's good.
</eat>
Las Tapas"
alt=""
address="Havenstraat 18b"
directions="Take bus 1 and exit at the stop Kerkbrink"
phone="+31 35 622 08 48"
url="http://www.lastapas.nl"
hours="3:00pm - 11:30pm"
price=""
lat=""
long="">
Very popular Spanish tapas restaurant. The menu is in Dutch, so hard to read it for foreigners. However, the staff speaks English and will gladly help you with ordering. The garlic bread, artichoke and feta salad, garlic prawns, sauteed mushrooms, bruschetta with feta and pine nuts are recommended. The bill is reasonable for the amount of food served. Worth a visit, but keep in mind they only accept cash.
</eat>
Splurge
Joffers"
alt=""
address="Vaartweg 33"
directions="Take bus 1 and exit at the stop Kerkbrink"
phone="+31 35 621 45 56"
url=""
hours=""
price=""
lat=""
long="">
Expensive restaurant specialized in French and Mediterranean cuisine.
</eat>
De Jonge Haan"
alt=""
address="'s Gravelandseweg 62"
directions="Take bus 105 or 106 and exit at the stop Melkpad"
phone="+31 35 624 53 14"
url="http://www.dejongehaan.nl"
hours="9am - 12am on mon-fri, 12pm - 12am on sat-sun"
price=""
lat=""
long="">
This is the most upscale brasserie of Hilversum. It is listed 57th in the Top 100 Best Dutch Cafes by the magazine Horeca Misset. At any time of the day you can walk in for a cup of coffee or tea, accompanied with a muffin or pie. If you want to eat during lunch or dinnertime, a reservation is recommended. De Jonge Haan is the best place to run into Dutch celebrities, as some of the television studios are closeby.
</eat>
Drie&Dertig
Puur Smaeck
De Lamme Goedtsack
Kimono
BENK
Drink
Entering bars is legally allowed from the age of 16. However, many bars and clubs in Hilversum have their own policies and do not allow people under 18 or even 21 to enter. Keep in mind that 16 and 17 year old people are only allowed to drink beer, wine and mixed drinks like Bacardi Breezer and Smirnoff Ice. To drink stronger alcoholic beverages, like vodka, an age of 18 or older is required.
Most bars and clubs in Hilversum are located in the city center, especially at the Groest. Even while these bars are very close to each other, there is a lot of variety in music and style. There is something for everyone here. On weekdays and Sundays, bars are open till 1:00am, while some clubs will stay open till 3:00am. Fridays and Saturdays have longer opening hours, bars will be open till 3:00am, and clubs will close at 5:00am.
Always bring your passport or official identity papers, as many bars and clubs require you to show it among entry. Also keep in mind that smoking is only allowed in designated smoking areas, and that bar employees won't serve drinks to you in these areas.
Bars
<drink
name="De Baron"
alt=""
address="Spoorstraat 47"
directions="Near Karroesel bar"
phone="+31 35 623 13 36"
email="info@cafedebaron.nl"
fax=""
url="http://www.cafedebaron.nl"
hours="till 1am (3am on fri and sat)"
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags="rock bar, pool, darts"
>Rock bar with pool table and darts. Not very crowded on Saturdays.
</drink>
<drink
name="Cartouche"
alt=""
address="Stationsstraat 22"
directions="Near the railway station"
phone="+31 35 621 69 84"
email=""
fax=""
url="http://www.cafecartouche.nl"
hours="3pm - 1am (3am on fri and sat)"
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags="eating, folk, older audience"
>This is a typical Dutch "brown cafe", an excellent place with a relaxing atmosphere to try different kinds of Dutch and Belgian beers. Several kinds of dinner are also served, like meat, fish and vegetarian dishes. The place is targeted for older audiences. The music style can be characterized as a kind of emotional Dutch "folk" music.</drink>
<drink
name="Cafe 1890"
alt=""
address="Biersteeg 10"
directions="Little alley from the Groest"
phone="+31 35 623 51 69"
email="cafe1890@hotmail.com"
fax=""
url="http://www.cafe1890.nl"
hours="2pm - 1am (3am on fri and sat)"
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags="older audience"
>Quite an old-fashioned bar for older audiences. On weekdays, it's possible to play darts. On Saturdays, it's one of the few bars where plenty of seating is available.
</drink>
<drink
name="De Doelen"
alt=""
address="Groest 42"
directions=""
phone="+31 35 623 56 67"
email="info@cafededoelen.nl"
fax=""
url=""
hours="11am - 1pm (3 pm on fri and sat), sun: 6pm - 1am"
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags="younger wealthy audience, pop music"
>This bar has a very young audience (aged 16-18) with a wealthy background. Music is mostly pop, and it's extremely crowded in weekends.
</drink>
<drink
name="De Dokter"
alt=""
address="Groest 44"
directions="Next to De Doelen"
phone="+31 646 74 18 74"
email=""
fax=""
url=""
hours=""
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags="young audience, pop music"
>At daytime it's possible to eat here, at nighttime the bar has a very young audience and music style similar to De Doelen. At weekdays, pool can be played. Officially entry is only for people aged 18+, but in practice it's filled with visitors under 18.
</drink>
<drink
name="Dudok"
alt=""
address="Larenseweg 1a"
directions="Close to the railway station"
phone="+31 35 642 08 51"
email=""
fax=""
url=""
hours="11am - 1am"
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags="dudok architecture, classic, jazz, salsa"
>It is recommended to visit this place at daytime, especially after visiting some of Hilversum's architectural highlights. The interior is in the same style as the famous architect W.M. Dudok. Lunch and dinner are served, and are not very expensive. At daytime, the music is a combination of classic, like Chopin and Vivaldi, and jazz. At nighttime, the music is more diverse, with a combination of salsa and rock. At Sundayafternoon, tango is the style of choice.
</drink>
<drink
name="Felix II"
alt=""
address="Herenstraat 9"
directions="Opposite City Cinema"
phone="+31 35 621 70 90"
email=""
fax=""
url="http://www.felix2.nl"
hours="4pm - 1am (3am on fri and sat)"
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags="brown cafe, rock, blues, live bands"
> Typical "brown cafe", mostly for older audiences. The music is rock and blues, and sometimes live bands play.
</drink>
<drink
name="Flater"
alt=""
address="Herenstraat 2"
directions="Opposite the police station at the Groest"
phone=
email="info@flaterhilversum.nl"
fax=""
url="http://www.flaterhilversum.nl"
hours="11am - 1am (3am on fri and sat)"
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags="ski hut music, very young audience"
>The audience at this bar is very young, mostly between the ages 16 till 18. They play pop music and in particular a style of pop that's called "Apres Ski", music that is familiar from winter sport holiday destinations in the Alps. At daytime, it is a nice place to sit outside when the weather allows it.</drink>
<drink
name="The Guardian"
alt=""
address="Groest 33"
directions=""
phone="+31 35 647 32 33"
email="info@theguardian.nl"
fax=""
url="http://www.theguardian.nl/index.php?hilversum=true"
hours="11am - 1am (3am on fri and sat)"
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags="english pub"
>The only English pub in Hilversum. Great interior on weekdays, but Saturdaynight it's so dark inside that it's barely noticeable.
</drink>
Le Journal"
alt="" address="Groest 21"
directions="Opposite the Kerkstraat, the shopping street"
phone="+31 35 624 42 06"
url="http://www.grandcafelejournal.nl"
hours="10am - 1am (3am on fri and sat)"
price=""
lat=""
long=""
email="le.journal@hotmail.com"
fax=""
tags="young audience, hip, eating">Located in a former printing press building, Le Journal turned into a hip bar for visitors aged between 18 and 25. At daytime this is a dining facility, from 10.30pm onwards it turns into a bar. At ground floor, you can sit down and chill, while at the first floor the music is loud and many people are dancing on the dance floor. Ordering beer here is generally cheaper than the surrounding bars, around 1,75 EUR each. The best evening to visit is Thursdaynight, as they have a '10 beer for 10 euro' discount offer. At Saturdays, music is particularly loud, even at ground floor. Great for dancing, but not the place to be for conversations.</drink>
<drink
name="Karroesel"
alt=""
address="Spoorstraat 44"
directions="In an alley from the Groest"
phone="+31 35 538 30 25"
email=""
fax=""
url=""
hours="12pm - 1am (3am on fri and sat), sun: 3pm - 1am"
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags="rock, metal, alternative"
>Bar with hard rock, metal and alternative audiences. British expats gather here to watch important rugby matches together.
</drink>
<drink
name="The Legacy"
alt=""
address="Spuisteeg 3"
directions="Beside the police station"
phone=""
email="info@cafethelegacy.nl"
fax=""
url="http://www.cafethelegacy.nl"
hours="12pm - 1am (3am on fri and sat)"
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags="dance, pop"
>Visited by people aged between 18 and 30. Mostly dance and popular music.
</drink>
<drink
name="Musk"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone="+31 35 628 93 74"
email=""
fax="+31 35 622 93 67"
url="http://musk.nl"
hours="11am - 1am (3am on fri and sat)"
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags="hip, east asian, buddhist, lounge, upscale"
>Possibly the most upscale place to go out, Musk is the best bar if you want to run into some Dutch celebrities. Be sure to dress very neatly and bring some girls, as entry is extremely hard! Not to say nearly impossible on a Saturdaynight. You must be older than 21 to enter and identity papers are required. The best night to go is Thursdaynight, as gaining access is a lot easier and you can be sure that no entry fee has to be paid. Musk is a hip lounge bar with a dance floor in the back. The interior can be characterized as modern East Asian, with influences from Buddhist cultures. It is also possible to have dinner at daytime, but don't do that: the food and service are average at best and prices are outrageous.
</drink>
<drink
name="Rendez-Vous"
alt=""
address="Groest 58a"
directions=""
phone="+31 35 601 36 70"
email=""
fax=""
url="http://www.caferendezvous.nl"
hours="open till 1am (3am on fri and sat)"
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags="folk, pop, wide age range"
>The audience has a wide age range, but consists mostly (but not only) of lower educated people. There is a dance floor downstairs, while upstairs you can find a nice balcony to sit and talk. Some better Dutch darts players started their career here.
</drink>
<drink
name="Rex Bar"
alt=""
address="Groest 23"
directions=""
phone="+31 35 631 95 29"
email=""
fax="+31 35 621 84 47"
url="http://www.rexhilversum.nl"
hours="11am - 1am (3am on fri and sat)"
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags="lounge, chill, hip, upscale"
>Rex has a separate bar and club part. The club part will be dealt with in the "club" section below. The bar is a hip place with lounge music, visited mostly by upscale audiences. There is a very stylish interior, with seats and couches everywhere for sitting and chilling. At Saturdays it's best to go here in the early evening, as from 12:00am onwards it gets very empty. Most people then leave the bar and wait in line for the club part.
</drink>
<drink
name="'t Tolhuis"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
email=""
fax=""
url=""
hours=""
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags=""
>
</drink>
Clubs
<drink
name="Baccara"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
email=""
fax=""
url=""
hours=""
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags=""
>
</drink>
<drink
name="Camouflage"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
email=""
fax=""
url=""
hours=""
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags=""
>
</drink>
<drink
name="G-Spot"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
email=""
fax=""
url=""
hours=""
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags=""
>
</drink>
<drink
name="Havana"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
email=""
fax=""
url=""
hours=""
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags=""
>
</drink>
<drink
name="Rex Club"
alt=""
address=""
directions=""
phone=""
email=""
fax=""
url=""
hours=""
price=
lat=""
long=""
tags=""
>
</drink>
Sleep
Budget
Hotel De Waag. roest 17. 31 35 624 65 17. ttp://www.dewaag.nl/. This is the oldest hotel in town, as it's from 1880. It's a fine budget hotel. It is located in the heart of the center, so great for backpackers. As it's located above some bars, the noise can be very disturbing, especially Fridays and Saturdays. ?45-?65.
Mid-range
Amrath Hotel Lapershoek. trechtseweg 16. ailway station Hilversum Sportpark. 31 35 623 13 41. ttp://www.amrathhotels.nl/hotel/lapershoek. Quite a luxury hotel in a green location. Comfort and superior rooms feature a shower, bath tub, hairdryer, phone, television and ADSL-internet. Junior suite rooms also have a jacuzzi, bathrobes and mini bar. ?80-?150.
Amrath Grand Hotel & Theater Gooiland. mmastraat 2. 31 35 621 23 31. ttp://www.amrathhotels.nl/hotel/gooiland. As Hilversum is a city of architectural highlights, Gooiland is a chance to spend the night in one of these beauties. This neo-architecture hotel/theatre has been designed by Jan Duiker in 1936. All the rooms have a shower, hairdryer, phone, television and free wireless internet. ?70-?120.
Hotel Ravel. mmastraat 35. 31 35 621 06 85. ttp://www.ravel.nl. This wonderful villa is located quite close to the center. All rooms have a phone, television, clock radio, writing desk and private shower/toilet. ?75-?175.
</sleep>
Hotel Villa Trompenberg. hr. de Wetlaan 1. 31 35 621 47 60. ttp://www.villatrompenberg.nl. Nice villa in the wealthiest neighborhood of Hilversum. There is a fairly large road next to the hotel, but the noise is barely hearable. ?70-?210.
Tulip Inn Media Park Hilversum. oninginneweg 30. 31 35 623 24 44. ttp://www.goldentulip.com/hotels/eng/hotels-hilversum-nl.asp. Unlike the name suggests, it is actually not that close to the Media Park. However, it is only a 7 minutes walk from the city center, and near the City Hall. ?69-?130.
Stay safe
There is not much to worry about in Hilversum. However, be wary of youth groups hanging around in the center and near the station, especially when it's dark. The biggest safety issue occur after the bars and clubs close on Fridays and Saturdays, between 2:00am and 5:00am. Large amounts of drunk people gather on the streets, which often leads to a confrontation with the police. Make sure you do not get involved, especially as the police often use dogs to temper the masses. Also avoid snackbars and other eating facilities at this time, as there's a chance you will get involved in a fight.
If you are hiking of biking in the forests around 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. If you discover a red ring on your body in the weeks after you have been cycling, be sure to visit a doctor as to check for Lyme disease.
Get out
Bussum - Generally uninteresting for tourists, but has some bars you can visit.
Laren - One of the wealthiest cities of the country. From the end of April onwards, be sure to try traditional Dutch poffertjes at '''Poffertjeskraam Cornelis de Haas''' (De Brink, +31 35 538 04 58) [http://www.poffertjeskraamlaren.nl/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1]. This small pancake seller has been standing here for longer than 100 years.
Lage Vuursche - Usually a small sleeper town, it wakes up around Sunday afternoon for hungry cyclists. The best visit here is restaurant '''Vuursche Boer''' (Dorpsstraat 34-36, +31 35 666 82 13) [http://www.vuurscheboer.info/] , one of the best pancake restaurants of the Netherlands.
Loosdrecht - Many lakes and facilities for swimming and water sports.
Naarden - Naarden is a small town surrounded by large 17th-century fortifications, which are among the best preserved in Europe.
Weesp - A small historic town to the north of Hilversum.