CC BY-SA 4.0 • Photo by Steven Lek via Wikimedia Commons

Korte Putstraat

Q: Is there an entrance fee to visit the Korte Putstraat area?

No, there is no entrance fee to stroll through the street, as it is an open public area. However, you will need to pay for any food, drinks, or shopping you choose to purchase from the local businesses.

Q: What is the best time to visit to experience the lively atmosphere?

The area is most vibrant during the warmer months, when the local restaurants and bars set up outdoor seating on the cobblestones. This is the ideal time to enjoy the bustling, convivial atmosphere of the street.

Q: What can I expect to see and do while walking through the street?

You can enjoy the historic charm of 17th-century buildings and take in scenic views of the city’s canals. It is a popular spot for people-watching and browsing the boutique shops that line the street.

Q: Are there dining options available, and what kind of cuisine is offered?

Yes, the street is home to a variety of restaurants and bistros that serve a range of options. You can enjoy everything from a quick, modest snack to a more elaborate meal, depending on your choice of venue.

Q: Is the area suitable for photography and leisurely strolls?

Yes, the combination of historic architecture and a lively ambiance makes it a popular destination for photography. It is an ideal location for a leisurely stroll where you can soak up the atmosphere of ’s-Hertogenbosch.

Historic canal street with 17th-century architecture

#1 of 8 in 's-Hertogenbosch

Where: 's-Hertogenbosch, West Brabant
Directions: Directions

Korte Putstraat is a short pedestrian street in the centre of 's-Hertogenbosch, known as Den Bosch, and it is the city's best-known address for eating and drinking. The street is lined with narrow historic houses, many dating from the seventeenth century, and the ground floors are now filled with restaurants, bistros, cafes and small shops. In the evening, tables spill out onto the cobbles, and the lanterns and the gabled facades create an intimate and cheerful atmosphere.

The street runs close to the Binnendieze, the network of canals and small rivers that flows beneath and between the buildings of the old town. In several places, the backs of the houses open onto the water, and from certain points you can look down on the hidden waterway. The proximity of the water adds to the character, and it is one of the reasons why a stroll in this part of the city is so rewarding. A canal boat trip passes under the neighbouring streets.

In terms of food, Korte Putstraat offers a wide range, from traditional Dutch and Brabant dishes to international cuisine and modern cooking. Cafes serve coffee and pastries by day, while restaurants fill up at dinner time, and booking ahead is wise on weekends. The street is also associated with a famous local product, the Bossche bol, a large round pastry filled with whipped cream and covered in chocolate, and Jan de Groot, the patisserie noted for it, is among the places to try one. It is a messy treat, so be prepared.

The street is a few minutes' walk from the cathedral of St. John, the great Gothic church at the centre of the city, and from the Markt, the main square, where a market is held twice a week. The Noordbrabants Museum, which covers the art and history of the province, and the Hieronymus Bosch exhibition spaces are also nearby. A walk through the old town reveals more lanes and squares, with the character of a medieval trading town.

The street suits couples, groups of friends and families, and it is at its best in the evening. Allow time for a meal or a drink, and combine it with a boat trip on the Binnendieze and a visit to the cathedral. Prices and opening hours vary by venue.