Birthplace of the CD: A Self-Guided Eindhoven Tour
- 1–1.5 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Eindhoven's story is one of constant reinvention. On this walking tour, you'll discover how a small medieval settlement transformed into a technological powerhouse where Philips and the compact disc were born, exploring the city's stunning modern architecture along the way. Starting at Philips Stadium, you'll walk past the iconic Lichttoren — the former Philips lightbulb factory — through 18 Septemberplein, named after the city's wartime liberation, and past De Blob, the futuristic glass and steel structure that exemplifies Eindhoven's bold approach to urban design. Along the way, hear how post-war reconstruction created one of the Netherlands' most forward-thinking cities, and stop at St. Catherine's Church, designed by the architect behind Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum. The tour ends at Stratumseind, the Netherlands' longest pub street — a fitting place to reflect on Eindhoven's remarkable journey from industrial powerhouse to design capital.
Inclusions
What's included
- Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- App for Android and iOS
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
What's not
- Smartphone and headphones
- Transportation
- Food and drink
- Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
Itinerary
Begin your tour at Philips Stadium, walking through the heart of a city transformed by the arrival of the Philips lightbulb factory in 1891. Discover how a city that received its rights in 1232 became a technological powerhouse.
Explore the Light Tower (Lichttoren), the iconic former Philips factory where the company once tested their revolutionary light bulbs. Take in this landmark as a symbol of Eindhoven's industrial transformation.
Visit 18 Septemberplein, named after Eindhoven's liberation day during World War II. Learn about the city's remarkable post-war reconstruction, which created one of the Netherlands' most forward-thinking urban landscapes.
Visit the Van Abbemuseum, one of Europe's first public museums dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Take in this cultural institution as part of Eindhoven's creative legacy.
Reflect at Anne Frank Park, a memorial space honoring Holocaust victims from Eindhoven. Take a quiet moment here amid the city's story of reinvention and resilience.
Stop by City Brewery Eindhoven, a craft brewpub set along the Dommel river in the heart of the city. Sample beers with names tied to Eindhoven's history, like Witte Dame and Heeren van Eynthoven, alongside Philips-inspired brews named after wattages.
Discover De Blob, the futuristic glass and steel structure that exemplifies Eindhoven's bold approach to modern urban design. Take in this striking piece of contemporary architecture as a symbol of the city's forward-looking spirit.
Stop at St. Catherine's Church, designed by Pierre Cuypers, the same architect behind Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum. Take in this architectural landmark, a striking contrast to Eindhoven's modern design.
Pass through the Markt, Eindhoven's historic central square dating back to 1232, when the city first received its rights. Take in this lively gathering spot, still home to a small antique market every Saturday.
End your tour at Stratumseind, the Netherlands' longest pub street. Relax and reflect on Eindhoven's remarkable journey from industrial powerhouse to design capital.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- This tour starts at Philips Stadion. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- VoiceMap Audio Tours
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Eindhoven
- Its from-price is 65% below the median of the 55 experiences we list in Eindhoven.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Eindhoven
Eindhoven is the Netherlands' design and technology city, with a modern art museum, a creative quarter in old factories and Van Gogh country nearby.
Eindhoven, in the province of North Brabant, grew from a small town into a city of electronics and engineering, and is still called the City of Light. Much of the old centre was lost in the Second World War, so the city feels modern, with pedestrian shopping streets, squares such as the Markt and a long street of bars at Stratumseind. The Van Abbemuseum, a leading museum of modern art, shows contemporary art and design.
