Breda has many epithets, of which ‘Pearl of the South’ does perhaps most justice to the image of the city. Its rich past and sparkling present link up with each other perfectly. Whether you go into town to 'shop till you drop' or to push the boat out, Breda won’t disappoint you. Breda was (quite rightly) nominated Best City Centre of the Netherlands recently, see www.bredabestebinnenstad.nl (in Dutch).
You'd want to come to Breda as a student even if it were only for the many restaurants, pubs (including De Beyerd, the ‘best café in the Netherlands’) and discos in and around Breda. Check the entertainment list on the home page to see what there is to do and which parties you cannot afford to miss!
But there is so much more …
For instance, Breda has the dazzling Chassé theatre, the third (as far as visitors are concerned) theatre in the Netherlands, and there are small stages and exhibition spaces throughout the city where cultural life flourishes. Breda has made its presence very much felt as a City of Visual Culture over the past few years, with the Graphic Design Museum and annual events such as Breda Photo and the International Film Festival. Check out the UIT-punt diary at www.uitinbreda.nl (in Dutch) for the full cultural offering.
Fans of green and nature can indulge themselves in the green environment around Breda. If you prefer city life, Rotterdam or Antwerp are only a short train ride from Breda, and once the connection with the HSL is completed, Brussels or Paris will be well within reach.
Sport
Sport fans may use a wide range of sports facilities through BRESS, at a low price. In addition, Breda has numerous associations and a real sports boulevard with a covered skating rink, swimming pool and racket centre. When mentioning sport in Breda, you immediately think of NAC. The professional football club is well-loved in the city and the ‘NAC evening-out’ is a household word in the city, as well as far outside it.
Festivals
The Jazz festival, HBO Intro festival, Breda Barst and the International Film Festival are just a few of the festivals Breda boasts. There are many more. Read at 'spare time' all about the forthcoming festivals … and enjoy visiting them. Because the relaxed and fun atmosphere at festivals is unique!
'Spare time' lists many more information and ideas to fill your leisure time in Breda. We suspect that you won’t have any problems doing so.
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