Open the left delirium menu. Netherlands. Rainy Breda Areas. Where is the best place to live?

Useful information for tourists about Breda in the Netherlands - geographical location, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Breda is a city with a population of one hundred and seventy thousand, representing the community of the same name in the Netherlands. Its location at the confluence of the still navigable Aa and Mark rivers attracted settlers as early as the 10th century. The foresight of the village’s founders was confirmed a century later by the Holy Roman Empire, which established its feud here.

The actions of the overlords and their successors brought city rights to Breda in 1252, which allowed the construction of fortifications. Residents took advantage of the given opportunity to isolate themselves from the vicissitudes of medieval Europe, and soon the city was surrounded by a solid stone wall. As a result of a series of sales and inheritances, the city became the property of the Orange-Nassau dynasty, in which it remained until 1795.

The name of the noble owners attracted nobles who were partial to titles to Breda, whose residences have been partially preserved in the ancient quarters of the city to this day. Concern for the safety of the thriving city prompted Henry III of Nassau-Breda to reconstruct the city fortifications in 1534. But trouble came from within.

In the same 1534, the flames of a gigantic fire incinerated the expanding city, leaving only one and a half hundred houses, making up no more than 10% of the former buildings. By the will of Providence, among the surviving buildings were churches, the town hall and chapels.

The following centuries in the history of Breda are full of military events. He had to experience the Flemish-Spanish occupation organized in 1581 by Claude de Berlaymont, the penetration of the pikemen of Moritz of Nassau into the city in 1590, a ten-month siege by the Spaniards, who managed to overcome the resistance of the townspeople in 1625. The last event was captured in a pictorial masterpiece by the great Spaniard Velazquez.

The struggle for Breda did not end there. The city could not withstand the next siege, this time for four months, in 1637. Frederick Henry of Orange took possession of it, so that a year later, according to the Peace of Westphalia, he would cede the disputed settlement to the Republic of the United Provinces.

The spirit of the French Revolution was brought to the city, which had begun to get used to stability, when French troops entered it in 1795. Their arrival was marked by the liquidation of the old classes, including the seemingly unshakable barony. The end to the revolutionary transformations of the French was brought in 1813 by the Russian troops of Major General Benckendorff, who took the city.

Brad managed to understand the liberation mission of the Slavs at the end of the Second World War. The city was liberated by the First Polish Division. The townspeople erected a monument to her and the general Maciek who led her.

The former patrimony of the Counts of Nassau - the Dutch city of Breda - is an organic fusion of antiquity and the latest trends. Samples of diverse architecture and the finest restaurants, brooding museums and frivolous cafes coexist here. Even tourists purposefully hurrying to the port of Antwerp or to Rotterdam, which is somewhat inferior to it, willingly visit Breda.

History buffs will find the old part of the city full of canals, island buildings, bridges, and ancient buildings. The aristocrats who rushed to follow the family glory of Nassau left their descendants mansions, the classical beauty of which survived the waves of fashion trends.

The city of Breda was founded in the 10th century at the place where the Mark and A rivers merge. The location of the city is reflected in its name, because. Breda comes from "brede A", which means "wide A" in Dutch. The name of the river A (Aa) comes from the word "ahwô", an Old Dutch variant of the Latin word "aqua", but in Old Dutch "ahwô" took on the meaning "source", which is also associated with water.

City `s history

Over its centuries-old history, Breda has gone through many troubles. In 1327 the city was sold to the Duke of Brabant. In 1350 the city was sold again - this time to John II Wassenaar. After another 2 centuries, the city of Breda received the status of a barony and became part of the possessions of the Orange-Nassau dynasty. Breda remained a barony until 1795, when the Netherlands was captured by the French. A landmark event in the history of the city can be considered the construction of the Great Church (Grote of Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk), the main church of Breda. In 1534, fire destroyed about 1,300 houses, approximately 90% of all the houses in the city, but the Great Church remained undamaged.

In the 16th century, a wave of uprisings against the regime of the Spanish king swept across the country. The rebels accepted the so-called "Bred Compromise", which marked the beginning of the Dutch Revolution. Breda was besieged by Spanish troops. But victory ultimately remained with the Dutch. Four years later, the Spaniards again besieged Breda. They even managed to get into the city. They were helped in this by a Walloon soldier who turned out to be a traitor, nicknamed “le Balafré” (“The Marked One”), who allowed Spanish troops into Breda. But despite this, the residents of the city still managed to repel the attack of the Spaniards. The next attempt was more successful, and the delirious had no choice but to capitulate. The Spaniards did not keep their promises that they made during the negotiations and immediately began looting and killing when they entered the city. The result of their outrages was 584 killed local residents.

The Dutch did not sit idly by and in 1590 the army of Moritz of Nassau went to Breda. One of his soldiers, the sailor Adrian van Bergen, developed a cunning plan, thanks to which the Dutch managed to retake Breda. The essence of the plan was as follows: 68 soldiers, armed to the teeth, were to cross the river to the city on a peat barge when the sun set. To camouflage the soldiers, they were covered with a layer of peat. Ultimately, these brave men managed to disarm about 600 soldiers without loss. After these events, Breda became part of the Netherlands again, but not for long. After 35 years, the persistent Spaniards again attempted to retake Breda. Ambrosio Spinola, an Italian commander who, during a 10-month blockade, managed to recapture the city, came to their aid, and Breda capitulated again. The events of 1625 became the subject of the painting “The Surrender of Breda” by Diego Velazquez. You won’t believe it, but 10 years later the baton of the Breda owners again passed into the hands of the Dutch. Frederick Hendrick, the Stadthouder of the Netherlands, was able to take the city during a 4-month siege. In 1648, the Treaty of Westphalia was concluded, and Breda finally became part of the United Provinces of the Netherlands.

But this is not all the disasters that awaited the city. In 1795, as we wrote above, Breda lost its status as a barony due to the French revolutionaries, who conquered Holland and abolished the old estates. After Napoleon's defeat in the Battle of Leipzig in 1813, Allied troops entered the city under the command of the Russian Major General Benckendorff, whose detachment took the city on December 9.

During World War II the city was occupied by the Germans. On October 29, 1944, the 1st Polish Tank Division, after a successful maneuver, was able to liberate the city from the German occupiers. General Stanislav Maczek, who commanded the division, and his soldiers are buried in Breda. Every year, a Polish delegation comes here to celebrate the liberation of the city.

Famous residents of the city

One of the most famous natives of Breda is, of course, DJ Tiesto, in the world Tijs Michiel Verwest. The cult music producer was recognized as the best DJ on the planet three times in a row (2007, 2008 and 2009), and has the title of Knight of the Orange Order, which was awarded to him by the Royal Family of the Netherlands. He is one of the 40 greatest Dutchmen of all time and is considered one of the most titled DJs in the world - over the past 11 years, Tiësto has not left the top three sound producers in the world.

In 2012, Forbes included Theis in the list of the 100 most influential stars on the planet (ranked 84th). Tiesto is the only DJ in the world who performed at the opening of the Olympic Games. This happened in Athens in 2004. To open the competition, he was asked to remake the track “Adagio for Strings”. The musician dedicated the track of the same name to his hometown. By the way, Tiesto set a world record for drinking Red Bull within 24 hours. He managed to drink 31 (!) cans of this drink - a double lethal dose.

Ramon "Diamond" Dekkers

Ramon "Diamond" Dekkers is another famous resident of Breda. Ramon became interested in Thai boxing at the age of 12 and during his career managed to become an 8-time world champion in Muay Thai. He is the first foreigner to be recognized as Thailand's Fighter of the Year, earning him the nickname "Diamond". Ramon had an unbreakable character. So, during one battle his eyebrow was cut.

His adoptive father and coach Cor Hemmers gave Dekkers several stitches during the break without any anesthesia. Dekkers never refused a fight and was not afraid of anyone, but he treated his opponents with due respect. There were periods when Ramon fought a fight every week. After 200 fights, his right leg was crushed, and the attending doctor said that Ramon would never be able to perform again.

But Dekkers would not be himself if he backed down. After 6 operations on his leg and 2 years of rehabilitation, he managed to reach his previous level, although he had to switch to a left-sided stance - he no longer kicked with his right foot. Unfortunately, Ramon Dekkers died in 2013 at the age of 43 from a heart attack. It happened in his native Breda, when he was passing through a tunnel on his bicycle.

Colonel Parker

In addition to Tiësto and Ramon Dekkers, Andreas Cornelis van Kuyk was also born in Breda. When you hear this name, you will most likely think, “Who is this?” Andreas is better known as Colonel Parker, impresario of the king of rock and roll himself, Elvis Aaron Presley. Parker’s great merit is that if it weren’t for him, then maybe we would never have heard about Elvis, because it was Andreas who promoted Elvis along the thorny road of show business. Parker did not interfere with the music, but made the most of any negotiations regarding the Presley brand, which he, in fact, created. Elvis himself spoke of his impresario this way: “When I am away from my family, Colonel Parker replaces my father. It's just that Colonel Parker knows business and I don't. He never interferes with the recording process, and I don’t interfere in the business.”

Attractions

The main attraction of the city is the medieval Breda Castle, built in 1536. Today it houses the Royal Military Academy, where the best of the best officers in the Netherlands study. Not far from the castle you can see 2 watchtowers, which also date back to the mid-16th century. Nowadays, the towers house churches: one is Catholic, the other is Protestant.

Near the castle there is Valkenbergpark, where all city residents like to relax. The park is decorated with ancient statues and fountains, which also remind of Breda's glorious past.

The city center is decorated with the famous Grotekerk church, which became Protestant in 1637. In the northern part of the church there is a family crypt of the rulers of Breda. They wanted to bury the prince here, but when he was killed, Breda was under siege by the Spaniards, which is why William's body rests in Delphi.

When it comes to festivals that take place in Breda, the first one that comes to mind is the Redhead Festival (Roodharigendag), which takes place on the first weekend of September. It first took place in 2006, when artist Bart Rouwenhorst placed an ad in a local newspaper looking for red-haired people to pose for his painting. About 150 people responded to the master’s ad. They all gathered in the square and, while waiting for their turn, entertained themselves as best they could: they sang songs, danced and discussed the latest news. The locals liked this event so much that they decided to hold it every year from now on.

No less exciting is the Hot Air Balloon Festival, which takes place in August. Festival participants try to decorate their balloons in the most original way, and then send them into the sky.

Breda is a city in the south of the Netherlands, which is not particularly notable except for the fact that it ended up in a Velazquez painting and the fact that every year it hosts a rally of red-haired people. In our universe, Breda is “the closest normal city for shopping.” While my mother and I were running with packages and empty wallets from one door to another, hiding from the rain, I suddenly noticed that Breda, in fact, is a nice city.

To all readers who live in the Netherlands and know the country like crazy: be patient: I’m going to be touched here a little.

These creepy potato cones mark the place where French fries are sold in a bag. The white on top is mayonnaise, of course.

Street with bars. Red icons indicate local Jupiler beer.

During the day, of course, everything is closed.

Restaurants are also closed for now. Pizza + shawarma. Fine dining? No, have not heard.

And even the summer terraces of cafes are empty when it rains.

Bicycles were parked at the church. Sometimes they put a bag or cover on the seat to prevent it from getting wet, but they didn’t do that here.

Here's a store for all sorts of household gadgets , which I want to stuff into a suitcase entirely and take away, everything there is so cute and simple and beautiful.

Just 10 km from the Belgian border, Breda is the country's 9th largest city and has many historical buildings and cultural attractions. In the 11th century, Breda was under the patronage of the Holy Roman Emperor. In the 1500s, the city was almost burned to the ground in a great fire and then conquered by Spanish troops. As the story continues, the city was occupied during World War II and then liberated by Polish troops. Today it is an important city in the Netherlands and a fantastic tourist destination with its old architecture, beautiful parks and quiet charm.

How to get there

If you're planning a trip to Breda, you can get there by many different means of transport.

There are two railway stations in Breda - Breda and Breda-Prinsenbeek. However, both stations only serve domestic routes, so if you're coming from other countries, you'll first need to get to larger cities, such as Amsterdam, and then take the train to Breda. Trains in the city are safe and convenient, and are a popular travel choice for tourists. The railway network is well developed and Breda can be reached from literally anywhere in the Netherlands.

Numerous bus routes from all over the Netherlands stop at Breda Central Bus Station. The bus station is located next to Breda train station. As with the train, Breda can be reached from anywhere in the Netherlands by bus. Prices for bus and train tickets are almost the same. However, the main advantage of traveling by bus is that there are direct international buses to Breda from Belgium, Germany and France, which will save you from the inconvenience of changing buses in a big city.

If you decide to travel with your own car, there are a few things you need to take care of. Make sure you have all the necessary documents - international driver's license, insurance and registration documents. Don't forget that your insurance must have a Green Card to be valid abroad.

Unfortunately, there is no airport in Breda. The closest cities with airports to Breda are Rotterdam and Eindhoven, but they only serve flights to European destinations. If you need an intercontinental flight, you will have to first arrive in Amsterdam and then take a bus or train to Breda.

Attractions

The most impressive building in Breda - Grote Kerk towers over the city and takes pride of place in the center of the old city. Designed in an intricate Gothic style, the building's exterior features many pointed turrets, as well as a large bell tower, which reaches a height of 97 m. While the exterior of the church boasts Gothic design, the interior features Renaissance influences. Richly decorated columns and high vaulted ceilings create an impression of great power and beauty.

In the center of the old town is Breda Castle, created in the 12th century as a fortress. Over the years, the castle has been modified and strengthened to its current form. The most impressive parts of the building are the main entrance gate and the watchtower. Tours are organized around the castle, during which tourists visit the castle gallery and library. In the southern part of the Valkenberg park there is Beginhof Museum. According to traditional Dutch rules, this is an enclosed courtyard with an internal garden. Surrounding the courtyard are 29 quaint houses dating back to the 1800s and two small churches. These buildings create a charming setting. In the center of Beginhof there is a small garden with various types of plants and herbs. You will not find a more picturesque and peaceful place in all of Breda.

About 3 km south of Breda there is a stunning forest Mastbos Park. It covers an area of ​​more than 1,200 acres and is one of the most visited places in the city. Mastbos is the oldest forested area in the country, full of tall and imposing pine trees. The absolutely gorgeous forest has plenty of picnic areas, walking trails and benches to rest on. Reptile House De Aarde(Reptile House) is located in the eastern part of the city of Breda. Inside you will see a variety of reptiles including turtles, alligators, snakes and geckos.

The best way to see the beautiful city of Breda is on a boat tour along the network of canals, during which you will see the architecture and sights of the city from a different angle. The main canal system of the city surrounds its center in a ring, with many small canals branching off from the main ring. The boat trip starts at the harbor in the Wismarkt area and lasts about an hour. The market square is often the central point of a city, especially in historical Europe. Grote Markt in Breda exemplifies all the qualities a market square should have - a large church, lots of picturesque architecture, cobbled sidewalks and plenty of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants.

Spanish pit, also known as Spanjaardsgat, is an old fortification that lies at the confluence of the Aa and Mark rivers. Built in the 17th century, the Spanish Pit was originally used as a fortress gate that allowed goods to be transported to Breda via a canal system. The fortification got its name from the story that it was supposedly the place where Breda was liberated from Spanish occupation. Almost fairytale-like in its design and setting Bouvigne castle is just one building, which is located on an artificial lake, and its walls descend into the water, giving the impression that it is floating. The exact origin of this castle and the date of its foundation are unknown. Surrounding the castle and lake are magnificent French gardens that are open to the public. The garden has many varieties of fuchsia, sculptures, and an orchard.

Surrounded by canals and the delightful Beginhof, Valkenbourg Park It has an excellent location in the center of Breda and is an ideal place for walking and relaxing outdoors. As the main park in Breda, Valkenberg covers a large area and is famous for its main fountains, ponds, various trees and flowers, and defense towers from the old city wall. Breda Museum is one of the few museums in the city that displays a collection of local works of art. Situated on the outskirts of the old town, in Chase Park, this museum has a wonderful design and beautiful white courtyards.

Not far from the Grote Markt square in the center of Breda's Old Town there is a Roman Catholic church - Cathedral of St. Anthony of Padua. Built in 1837 in neoclassical style, the church has a large bell tower that towers over the surrounding buildings in the Old Town (except the Grote Kerk!). Inside the church is an ornate wooden organ, many white marble columns and varied religious iconography. At the far end of the hall, a luxurious golden altar glitters and the ceiling is decorated with intricate decorations. As a historic religious building, St. Anthony's Cathedral is a must-see if you're passing through Breda city center.

Many Polish soldiers gave their lives during World War II in the Netherlands and there are many memorials and steles scattered throughout the country to honor this fact. In the western part of Breda there is a small but beautiful cemetery in honor of the Polish ground and air forces who died here.

Festivals in Breda

Breda's festivals present a unique combination of very modern themes and traditional influences. Situated at the confluence of the Aa and Mark rivers, Breda is considered the most exotically landscaped of the Dutch cities in the Noord-Brabant region. Breda is also considered the cultural center of the western Netherlands, so the city hosts a lot of interesting festivals and events.

Every year in May, a jazz festival is held in Breda, which is considered one of the world's most famous jazz festivals. It features a variety of performers, including those from the European jazz genre. Performances are usually held outdoors.

Breda Historical Festival - Red Head Day. This is a traditional summer holiday celebrated for decades. It is held annually in September for two days. The festival encourages naturally red-haired people to gather in Breda. However, beyond this color theme, the festival aims to bring together artists and craftsmen from all over the Netherlands and almost 30 other countries.

Breda Technology Festival is a graphic design festival in Breda. This is a fairly recent addition to the growing list of festivals. After attracting a lot of attention in its first two editions, the graphic design festival has quickly become one of the most sought-after IT festivals in Europe.

Balloon Festival. The Breda Hot Air Balloon Festival, held annually in the last week of August, attracts hot air balloon enthusiasts from all over the world. It provides an opportunity to learn the basics of adventure sports such as hot air ballooning, skydiving and kite flying. This festival is ideal for families. The whole holiday atmosphere is like a big picnic with a barbecue in an atmosphere of happiness and laughter.

Currency

Euro. Shopping in the Dutch city of Breda will give all tourists a wonderful experience. Visitors to the city can easily find products from major Dutch and European brands. In addition, most of the things sold here are much cheaper compared to other cities in the Netherlands. Located in the city center "De Barones"- the largest shopping center in Breda. It contains about 70 different stores that sell clothes, accessories and many other things. Some of the mall's boutiques sell international brands at discounted prices. De Barones is home to two of the most popular department stores in the Netherlands, Bijenkorf and V&D. There are also specialty shops where visitors can try and buy various types of spices, oils and much more.

Tourists looking for elegance and chic must visit the store "T Sas", located in the Central Court of Breda. The store building features attractive and distinctive architecture that complements the lifestyle of the local residents. The square has several specialized shops selling fashion items. For this reason, this place is mainly visited by locals and tourists who can afford expensive things. This square also houses restaurants and bars where tourists can relax and refresh themselves after a day of shopping.

Breda is famous for its many shopping streets, and Endstraat(Endstraat) is one of the busiest streets for local and foreign shoppers. Here tourists can find standard shops that offer many different types of goods. This option is ideal for those who do not want to spend money on local goods. Apart from Endstraat, there are a number of other streets that offer good products for budget travelers.

The busiest day of the week for shopping is Saturday. On this day, the streets and shopping centers are filled with people. Another busy day for shopping is Thursday. To meet the needs of customers on this day, most stores are open until 9 pm, on other days stores are open until 6 pm. Another caveat is that on the first Sunday of every month, shops in Breda are usually open from 10 am to 5 pm.

Food

The city of Breda has many restaurants, cafes and bistros, and everywhere they serve high-quality and tasty food at reasonable and pleasant prices in an atmosphere of friendly service.

Charelli is one of the few places in Breda whose concept is not focused on the theme of Dutch food or snacks. This is a good place with a varied menu, a wide selection of wines and beers, as well as cocktails.

Restaurant Al Dente is located at Nieuwe Ginnekenstraat 20 and serves Italian cuisine (lunch and dinner). The restaurant is open seven days a week, has a smoking area inside, and is surrounded by various shopping centers. The Flinstering restaurant is located at Grote Market 23. The menu mainly features Mediterranean dishes, prepared with the freshest ingredients. This is a restaurant with a cozy, luxurious and relaxing environment. In addition, this is one of the restaurants in Breda that can be used for wedding ceremonies.

Ristorante da Attilio is the best Italian restaurant in Breda according to locals. All dishes are prepared by an Italian chef. There is nothing on the menu that guests might not like. It is especially recommended to try pasta and pizza of any kind. Aussie bar is a real Australian pub and restaurant. There's always a great selection of food here. In addition, this place turns into a dance club at night with themed programs. The establishment also prides itself on affordable prices, the best fish dishes and snacks of Australian cuisine in the city.

Bali Indonesian Restaurant offers an excellent selection of Indonesian dishes at a mid-range price. There are always a lot of people here. Visitors will be pleased with incredibly tasty food, friendly waiters and a very pleasant atmosphere. If you don't know what to choose on the menu, order "Rijsttafel" - these are different types of dishes along with rice.

Where to stay

Located in Lage Mosten, The Bastion Hotel is ideal for travelers looking for a luxury holiday. The hotel has about 85 rooms, which are divided into standard and deluxe categories. The rooms have an en suite bathroom, minibar, tea/coffee making facilities, TV and air conditioning. The hotel has a fitness center, restaurant and bar. As it is only a 5-minute drive from the city center and Central Station, the hotel is ideal for tourists who want to explore the entire city.

Tourists looking for cheaper accommodation should consider Novotel Breda. The hotel's rooms offer excellent amenities such as a minibar, satellite TV, tea/coffee maker, internet access and laundry services. Novotel Breda has a terrace and a restaurant serving French cuisine. The bar offers alcoholic drinks and coffee. It features an outdoor swimming pool and tennis court. Apollo Hotel Breda City Center is the ideal hotel for tourists looking for luxury accommodation in Breda. The hotel is located on Vokzalnaya Square, close to the railway station, allowing tourists to easily travel around the city. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, wireless internet access, hairdryer, minibar, TV, DVD player and telephone. The hotel also has an excellent restaurant and bar where visitors can enjoy a variety of drinks and dishes.

Another great hotel where tourists can stay is Campanile Breda. The hotel has only 83 rooms, which are well equipped with TVs, telephones, Wi-Fi. Guests can also enjoy a varied breakfast buffet. Campanile Breda has a casino, bar, restaurant and fitness center that visitors can use at any time. The Amrath Brabant is located relatively close to the Breda Museum and the Holland Casino Breda. It offers excellent rooms and rooms with tea/coffee making facilities, telephone, satellite TV and laundry facilities. Hotel Amrath Brabant features a bar, restaurant, sauna and indoor swimming pool. The hotel is also ideal for business purposes, with a business center and business services available.

Precautionary measures

Breda is a safe city for travelers. However, do not forget to be careful on the roads, as in all of the Netherlands, follow the rules and laws, especially when it comes to drugs. And also keep an eye on your valuables so as not to become victims of thieves.

I spent more than a year in Breda and all this time I discovered the city from new sides. Despite the fact that this is a rather small town, it is extremely attractive for foreign tourists.

People come here for a calm and measured holiday. In Breda you can enjoy ancient architectural buildings, cozy parks, majestic castles and cobbled streets along which royal carts traveled a couple of centuries ago.

How to get there

You can get to the city by plane, bus or private car. At the same time, of course, each of the listed methods has both obvious advantages and distinctive disadvantages.

I will now tell you about the features of each option!).

By plane

The city does not have its own airport, so if you decide to fly by plane, then be prepared for the fact that after getting off the ramp, you will have to get to Breda for about an hour and a half.

Nearest airports

Eindhoven

This is an international airport that does not accept direct flights from Russia. Therefore, you can fly from Moscow to Eindhoven only with a transfer in Amsterdam or Budapest. The flight is operated by the Dutch airline KLM.

The cost of a round-trip ticket is about 400 EUR. You will have to spend about 7 hours in the air.

How to get to the city:

The distance from Eindhoven Airport to Breda is 55 kilometers. The easiest way to get to point “B” is to take a taxi. There is no need to order it; you can leave the airport and choose any car. The price of the trip will be about 25 EUR.

You can also use the intercity bus, it runs every hour and a half from the airport stop (it is located right at the main exit). The ticket can be purchased from the driver. The cost of the trip is 12 EUR.

Rotterdam

This airport is located 60 kilometers from Breda. It is also international. But despite this, it does not accept direct flights from Moscow. If you decide to fly to Rotterdam, you will have to change planes in Prague or Geneva.

The following airlines fly from Moscow on this route: Lufthansa, British Airways and Turkish Airline. The ticket price (round trip) will cost 450 EUR. Flight time is 8 hours.

How to get to the city:

You can get to the center of Breda by bus, it runs every hour from the airport stop. The fare is 16 EUR, the ticket must be purchased from the driver.

You can also call a taxi. This can be done at the counter on the ground floor of the airport right next to the exit. They will also calculate the cost of your trip there. Usually, the average price is 20-25 EUR.

By bus

Breda can be reached with the help of a fairly well-known carrier company, Euroline. Buses stop at the central square of the city.

In this case, you will have to spend about 40 hours on the road. The cost of the trip (round trip) will be about 340 EUR.

One of the advantages of this travel option is that you will not need to apply for a transit visa.

By car

To get to Breda by car you need to cross the borders of several states at once. So, starting from Moscow, you will have to visit Belarus, Poland and Germany. This journey will take about 30 hours (with stops only at the border), so be patient ;).

The distance between Moscow and Breda is 2200 kilometers. Of course, this is quite impressive, but if you are traveling in good company, I bet you will not even notice how you will end up at your destination!

So, now I will tell you about the most convenient route from the Russian capital to the Dutch town:

• Head towards Smolensk. To do this, it is better to choose the M-1 highway. To get to the border with Belarus without traffic jams, it is better to leave at night or early in the morning. By the way, cars cross the Russian-Belarusian border quite quickly.
• Next, a rather serious test awaits you: the Polish border. There is no other word for this; Polish border guards are very unpredictable guys. From my own experience, I can say that they either completely inspect all the documents and the car, or briefly glance at the passports. In general, in any case, keep all the documents in your hands so that you can hand them over at the first request.
• From Poland, head towards Berlin. Don’t be afraid to take a wrong turn; there will be signs on the highway literally every 20 kilometers. Have you reached the heart of Germany? Stop for a break.)
• The next day, head towards Breda along the A2 highway

As for the cost of gasoline, they amounted to about 13,000 rubles or 190 EUR.

Clue:

Breda - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season? When is the best time to go

Breda is a city of architecture, and you can enjoy ancient buildings all year round. That is why I would not single out a specific period.

But, of course, each season in Breda has its pros and cons, which I will now tell you about).

Breda in summer

The real hot days begin with the onset of May. The average temperature in summer is +22°C. In the morning you can often notice fogs, and in the evenings there is light rain.

This adds incredible freshness to the air. Therefore, walking in such weather conditions, without exaggeration, is a pleasure!

Breda in autumn

Autumn comes into its own only with the arrival of October. It is then that the foliage on the trees begins to turn yellow, and the temperature drops to +10°C. But despite this, the weather in the city remains extremely sunny and windless.

There is practically no rain at this time, so you won’t find any slush or puddles in Brenda).

Breda in the spring

In spring the city blooms. Already at the beginning of April you can notice how the flowers are blooming and everything is becoming lush green. This is one of the most beautiful periods, the city seems to wake up from sleep.

By the way, due to the rather active flowering, spring is clearly not the best time for tourists suffering from allergies. Therefore, be careful!

Breda in winter

Winter in Breda is predictable: snow falls in the morning, and by the evening there is no trace of it left. The air temperature from December to February remains stable at +2°C.

Winter in Breda is surprisingly sunny, and you can often see completely clear skies. The only negative is the dense fog that falls on the city in the morning and completely dissipates only closer to the day.

Breda - weather by month

Clue:

Breda - weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

Breda is a very small and fairly compact town, in which all the main and memorable places are located a few hundred meters from each other. There are few districts in the city, I will tell you about the two most popular of them:

1. Breda Centrum;
2. Breda Oost.

Breda Centrum

Most hotels are located in the central part of the city. The area is literally buried in a large number of ancient buildings, galleries and museums, small parks and alleys. You can also stroll along the simple streets to blend in with the locals and experience the incredible flavor.

By the way, this is an ideal area for those who want to spend a relaxing holiday, without rushing anywhere and gradually immersing themselves in the culture, traditions and realities of the city.

Everyone will feel comfortable here, from young couples, since there are many cafes, bars and restaurants, and for travelers with children, because on every corner you can see a children’s playground or public garden.

If we talk about the cost, then you will have to pay about 32 EUR per night at the hotel.

Breda Oost

This is an ideal option for those who want to save on apartment rentals. The area is located near the center, and the cost of hotel accommodation here is an order of magnitude lower than the pricing policy of hotels in the central part of Brenda. So, for a day in Breda Oost hotels you will need to pay about 25 EUR.

In addition, Breda Oost is a residential area. It is mainly inhabited by local residents, which means that there will definitely be no drunken companies or fun under your windows).

What are the prices for holidays?

Breda, against the backdrop of The Hague and Amsterdam, is a fairly budget city for tourists. Prices here for housing, entertainment, travel and restaurants seem reasonable.

So, here is a list of all the expenses necessary for a tourist for one day:

• Accommodation- 25 EUR;
• Transport- 6 EUR;
• Restaurant/cafe (3 trips)- 30 EUR;
• Museums- 6 EUR;
• Other little things(bottle of water, ice cream, baguette) - 5 EUR.

And so, for 72 EUR per day you can spend a good day in Breda and not deny yourself anything).

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub

Main attractions. What to see

Top 5

Here are the five favorites:

Beaches. Which ones are better

There is only one beach in Breda. It is located near the city center and is quite popular with locals.

The beach has good infrastructure: a rescue station, a medical office, changing cabins, as well as an indoor area with a cafe and islands where you can rent sun loungers (4.5 EUR) and umbrellas (6 EUR).

The local beach will appeal to both adults and children. The entrance to the water is sandy, and the shore itself is quite clean.

Exact address: Veilingkade 12a.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

Breda has quite a few beautiful and very majestic religious buildings. I will tell you about the most interesting of them:

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

I included the two most interesting museums in the city among the top five attractions. Therefore, here I will tell you about another very unusual cultural attraction:

Parks

There are a lot of parks and squares in Breda, but they are all compact and, to be honest, do not differ much from each other.

The only park that is really worth setting aside time for on your trip is:

Tourist streets

Unfortunately, there are no tourist streets in Breda, but there are shopping districts and a huge square with a paved road, shops and cozy cafes. By the way, it plays the unspoken role of the main street of the city)

Great Market Square (Grote Markt)

Grote Markt is one of the most popular places for walking in Breda. Just imagine, five centuries ago, freshly caught fish and overseas scarves, sweets and tobacco were sold here.

Today, on the Market Square you can also buy many unusual little things, mainly souvenirs.

In addition to retail outlets, here you can enjoy the architecture of beautiful buildings of the last century, taste national dishes on the terrace, or simply take a photo as a souvenir.

What to see in 1 day

If I were in Breda for just one day, I would arrange for myself the following program:

• 19:00. End your day in Valkenberg Park, I also talked about it. By the way, it borders Beguinage, so you won’t have to look for it for long;)

What to see in the area

As I already said, there are practically no large natural areas in Breda where you can feel peaceful and inspired by the landscapes.

Do you want to get in touch with flora and fauna? Then head to the De Biesbosch National Park.

Park De Biesbosch (93 km)

This is a unique natural area in which representatives of the animal world feel in their natural environment. That is why all visitors have the opportunity to see sika deer, hand-feed squirrels or watch beavers build their dams.

The park made an incredible impression on me. Thanks to the well-developed infrastructure, it is a comfortable place to relax here, both for couples without children and for tourists with young travelers.

On the territory of De Biesbos you can enjoy lakes, mountain heights and inspiring natural beauty, as well as have a picnic, taste fresh meat on the coals and even rent houses. By the way, the park also has a medical center, a children's room, a currency exchange office and gazebos.

The route from Breda to De Biesbosch Park is extremely popular. Buses go there every day. You can buy a ticket for them at the city railway station; by the way, their route starts from there. The cost of a round-trip ticket is 26 EUR.

Food. What to try

In Breda, I did not notice any distinctive gastronomic features. Basically, in restaurants and supermarkets you can find exactly the same dishes that are offered in Amsterdam. If everything is clear with the taste preferences of the locals, then what about the prices and portions?).

Prices

Surprisingly, both in the center and on the outskirts, prices in restaurants practically do not differ from each other. The average bill is about 15 EUR. A trip to the supermarket will cost 10 EUR.

Dishes and portions

In Breda, the portions are quite small, unlike neighboring Germany. But, basically, all the dishes are filling and tasty. Quite often in restaurants, as a bonus from the establishment, freshly baked bread is served with the first courses, and bruschetta with cheese is served with wine.

Budget

If you want to save money and eat deliciously, then go here:

• Den Boerenstamppot (Schoolstraat 3-5);
• centwich (Akkerstraat 14);
• Coffeelicious (Ginnekenweg 59).

Mid-level

Mid-level gastronomic establishments:

• Gauchos (Grote Markt 33);
• Block 62 (Ginnekenweg 62);
• Zand & Klei (Veemarktstraat 76).

Expensive

Do you want to enjoy gourmet cuisine? Here are some really cool places:

• Wolfslaar (Wolfslaardreef 100-102);
• Zuyd (Ginnekenweg 35);
• Chocolat (Torenstraat 9a).

Holidays

The most striking event of the beginning of autumn is Redhead Festival (Roodharigendag). It is celebrated on the first weekend of September on a grand scale. During these two days, the central part of Breda turns into a noisy platform where musical groups perform, competitions, dance marathons and sweepstakes are held. The festival ends with bright fireworks.

Another event that all locals are looking forward to is hot air balloon festival. It takes place in the suburbs of Breda at the end of August and lasts three days. During this period, hundreds of balloons soar into the sky. All festival participants try to design their balloon as original as possible in order to take home the main prize.

By the way, viewers can not only enjoy this beauty from the ground, but also fly in a hot air balloon.

Safety. What to watch out for

Breda is a calm city, even at night walking along its streets is not at all scary. Personally, I felt extremely safe on this trip.

The only advice is don’t leave home without documents, even if you go to get a bun across the street)

Things to do

The uniqueness of Breda lies in the fact that despite the fact that it is a small city, both lovers of active and connoisseurs of passive recreation can satisfy their needs here.

Shopping, bars, nightclubs, bike rides, diving, going to the zoo - in general, here you will definitely find something to your liking.

Shopping and shops

If you want to choose a product in one place, then it is best to go shopping at a shopping center. Well, if you like to stroll leisurely from one store to another, while stopping somewhere for tea, then the best solution would be retail outlets in the city center.

Shopping centers

The largest shopping center is located in the heart of the city and is called The Baroness. It is located at De Barones 73. There you can buy clothes and shoes, choose souvenirs and household chemicals, and also buy groceries.

On the ground floor there are several cafes and a play area for children.

Street shops

Single brand stores are also represented in the central part of the city. They are located within walking distance of each other, some even in the same building.

Discounts

It is customary to distinguish two seasons - summer and winter discounts. The period of total sales falls on the Christmas holidays and the first weeks of summer. Then you can “snatch” things with a profit of up to 20-30%.

Bars. Where to go

There are relatively few bars in the city; they are all located mainly in the center. Here are a couple of the most popular:

Clubs and nightlife

Breda is the hometown of Dj Tiesto, so there is no doubt that the club life here is quite active!

A couple of clubs that are popular:

• Reeperbahn(Belcrumweg 46). Crowded, fun and very loud: the dance floor in the club is large, the DJs are very lively, and often play tracks from the 90s. There is a bar inside and a seating area. Going through face control at Reeperbahn is much easier than at Luxx. Here it is rather formal. Entrance fee - 8 EUR. Opening hours: Fri-Sun from 21:00 to 06:00.

Extreme Sports

Unfortunately, you won't be able to do extreme sports in Breda. Local residents are used to living a fairly measured life in a small town, so tourists have no choice but to simply come to terms with this state of affairs).

The only event where you can really get a dose of adrenaline is the balloon festival, which I wrote about above. By the way, it is there that anyone can fly over the city and its surroundings completely free of charge under the supervision of real professionals.

There is also a skate park in the city. It is located at Veilingkade 12.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

I won't talk about typical souvenirs like magnets and mugs, I will share with you original memorabilia items:

• Gastronomic: dried cheese, wine, sauces, sweets, chocolate, waffles and cookies. By the way, all these goodies survive the flight well and can be stored for more than two months;
• Tulip and iris seeds;
• Accessories and clothing made from hemp fabric(for example, a scarf or T-shirt);
• Tobacco.

How to get around the city

The best way to get around Breda is on foot or by bike. You can rent a two-wheeled vehicle in special rental departments - the cost of an hour of use is 2 EUR.

But if you don’t want to waste time walking, then the best option for getting around is the bus. Travel by public transport costs 1.2 EUR. Tickets can be purchased at the terminal, special kiosks and from the driver. When entering the transport, be sure to validate your ticket!

As for discounts, to save money you can purchase a special OV-chipkaart card. The cost of such a card is 10 EUR, it is valid for a week for an unlimited number of trips.

Taxi. What features exist

There are only three companies in the city that provide taxi services. Therefore, there is special competition among them, by the way, for this reason the standard price for 1 kilometer was set - 0.7 EUR.

You can only pay for the trip in cash. At the passenger's request, drivers provide receipts. The easiest way is to take a taxi on the street; from my own experience I can say that there are taxi cars at almost every turn.

Buses

The bus is the most popular and most convenient way to get around the city. It runs according to a schedule, which can be checked at the stop.

Note: drivers often stop only when requested. In order to exit at the place you need, you need to indicate this by pressing the “stop” button. It can be found on the handrails.

Transport rental

There is only one car rental point in the city. The choice there is extremely modest, and the prices are simply astronomical - about 50 EUR per day.

If you still decide to rent, then you must have: a passport, driving license, credit card and a deposit of half the rental amount.

The advice will be pretty standard:

• obey the speed limit(fines in Holland are simply astronomical);
• be prepared for the fact that There are no free parking in the city, which means you will have to pay 3.5 EUR per hour for a parking space.

Breda - holidays with children

There are many places in Breda where you can go with young tourists. Here are a few of them:

• Wolfslaar Farm(Wolfslaardreef 95);
• Big Joepie Playground! Binnenspeeltuin(Terheijdenseweg 514);
• Miniaturenmuseum Doll Museum(Catharinastraat 23).