Christmas in The Netherlands – Festive Shopping in Den Bosch

Last Updated on 19/12/2023

Traditional food, cobbled streets and unique shops. It’s easy to see why Den Bosch is one of the best cities in The Netherlands for a winter getaway. In this post, I am sharing things to do in Den Bosch and all my top festive shopping in Den Bosch tips to pick up some individual and festive gifts.

 

Is Den Bosch Worth Visiting?

When I’d asked friends about the places they had visited in The Netherlands, the response was always the same ‘Amsterdam.’ Though, I have explored the Amsterdam Beach area, which has enabled me to experience a city/beach break combined and thoroughly enjoyed this year’s Amsterdam Light Festival, it’s intriguing to check out other festive cities in The Netherlands.

 

Den Bosch or ‘S Hertogenbosch, if we’re using the city’s full name is located around 45 minutes by train from Schiphol Airport and a Den Bosch day trip is ideal to pick up some festive gifts!  

On arrival, we were greeted to the most beautiful autumn hues and a quaint city with cobbled streets.

The main market square (which reminded me of the square in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) has a really traditional and nostalgic vibe to it, with an organ playing music and local sellers on market stalls. Though, this was my first encounter of The Netherlands, it crossed my mind that you couldn’t find a city more traditionally Dutch than Den Bosch.

 

Den Bosch has a warmth to it, it’s picturesque and kind of made me feel like I was stepping back in time or looking in on a movie set.

Den Bosch Shopping & Brunching! 

On the trip, we were getting a taste for some of the city’s best restaurants as well as meeting local Den Bosch retailers who were all ready for Christmas shoppers. 

As we arrived early, we popped into The Yogurtbarn for a hot drink and a light bite. The Yogurtbarn is the cutest little cafe with rustic tables, exposed brickwork and quirky features. Not to mention the Instagram-worthy food!

Instagram: @yogurtbarn

Robbies Den Bosch

Our meeting place was Robbie’s, a concept store and cafe full of festive charm. Shopping in Den Bosch really doesn’t get any better than at Robbies!

Voted The Netherlands number one experience store, Robbies is a unique store that occupies a former bank building, where the original vaults can still be seen.

 

Store owner Nikkie Wolfs is full of passion for the brand, which was a dream she turned into a reality and, one in which she is looking to expand across The Netherlands. Nikkie regularly ventures abroad to discover new trends and brands to give her inspiration, giving her experiences which she credits for her entrepreneurial success.

Shopping in Robbies Den Bosch is like stepping into a winter wonderland and you can’t help but be swept up in the Christmas festivities. The store is full of trinkets, decorations and beautifully crafted stocking fillers.

 The Robbies cafe is the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat whilst you’re out shopping in Den Bosch. We dined on mushroom soup and quiche with salad for our welcome lunch, which set us up for a day of shopping.

Instagram: @robbies_365

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Looking for more festive things to do in The Netherlands? Why not do a Rhine Christmas Market Cruise from Amsterdam?

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Coca & Sebas

It would be rude to visit Robbie’s without visiting chocolatiers Coca & Sebas next door…

After all, Christmas is all about chocolate right?! How cute are their penguins and mushroom chocolates!

Westside Den Bosch

Fashion and contemporary art is on display in trendy Westside.

The store has an upstairs art studio, which provides young artists with a showroom to display their carefully curated works of art. The 60s and 70s furniture made me reminiscent of my grandparent’s house and I’m convinced they had the same sideboard below complete with matching record player.

I thought my birthday trip to Lisbon was colourful, though it’s not just the art that is injecting some colour into Westside, check out their rainbow range of gloves. Westside is the perfect shop in Den Bosch to pick up some unique gifts and quirky artwork.

Hype Heroes Den Bosch

 This store has the coolest range of denim jackets, which can be customised into your chosen design. In fact, Hype Heroes is the only store in The Netherlands that make distressed customised denim. They had a fabulous butterfly customised jacket, which I loved…obviously!

They also have some fabulous handmade bracelets. Christmas shopping aside, Hype Heroes is ideal for picking some unique customised goods (maybe for a Christmas treat of your own!)

Instagram: @hypeheroes

 

Stadsherberg ‘t Pumpke

 

Now, no visit to Den Bosch is complete without trying the Den Bosch Bossche Bol: a cream filled, chocolate-covered puff pastry originating from Den Bosch. After tasting, I can tell you reminded me of a giant chocolate eclair!

San & Mam/XWork

Next stop was San & Mam and XWork, two contrasting brands combined in one store.

San & Mam have beautiful clothing made from luxe fabrics, including this season’s favourites tweed and velvet. They also have a great range of diffusers. But, what really caught my eye (other than their friendly resident doggy) is their array of gorgeous scarves. I literally could’ve bought them all and, as I liked so many I couldn’t narrow them down to purchase one!

XWork is a brand that is proud of its Dutch heritage, with all their products handmade in The Netherlands. After originally starting as a production company making belts, four years ago they expanded their range to include bags and are looking to branch out across Europe.

Piet Zoomers Den Bosch

Another store I loved is Piet Zoomers, a department store selling Dutch and International brands. Similarly to Robbies, this store also has a fantastic Christmas collection and I loved how the trip to Den Bosch brought about my excitement for the festive period.

I couldn’t leave without picking up this t-shirt! I have a thing for slogan tees this season and I loved the Brit vibes as well as the price at a mere 12 euros!

I loved visiting the traditional city Den Bosch, as the city gives a unique shopping experience, enabling visitors to pick up some really unique gifts. It is perfect for a winter getaway and a Den Bosch day trip is a great option if you’re still insistent on visiting Amsterdam!

I had no idea quite how festive I would be feeling after shopping in Den Bosch, such a heart-warming city.

 

Curious about where we dined and where we stayed?! Don’t worry, I’ve shared all the details in my Den Bosch at Night post – click here to read.

 

Jaz

xoxo

*This was a press trip to Den Bosch with NBTC, whose Den Bosch shopping itinerary showcased some of the best fashion stores and eateries in the city. Though, thoughts as always are my own ✌*

 

 

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