Philips Museum

The Philips Museum tells the story of the company that made Eindhoven. It is housed in a very special place: the former first light bulb factory of Philips, on the Emmasingel in the city centre, just a short walk from Eindhoven Centraal.

Where it all began

In 1891 Gerard Philips and his father Frederik started a small company in Eindhoven to make light bulbs; soon Gerard's brother Anton joined. At the time Eindhoven was little more than a group of villages. Philips grew quickly, first with light bulbs, later with radios, televisions, medical equipment and countless other products. Workers came from all over the country, the company built entire neighbourhoods for them, and Eindhoven grew into a city. That is why Eindhoven is called the City of Light, and why the history of Philips is also the history of the city.

The museum follows that story from the small light bulb factory to a global company, and looks ahead at the innovations of the future. You will see historical products, from early light bulbs and radios to televisions and medical technology, and learn how inventions from Eindhoven changed daily life around the world.

For families: Mission Eureka

Children are not forgotten. In Mission Eureka, an interactive game, young visitors go on a mission through the museum and discover how inventions work. There is also a daily torchlight treasure hunt (Lampjes Speurtocht) for children. During the school holidays the museum organises extra activities, such as the Museum Kids Factory in the Christmas holidays.

Exhibitions and events

Besides the permanent exhibition, the museum regularly has temporary exhibitions and events. In October 2026 the museum takes part in Dutch Design Week, and earlier in the autumn it showed a photo exhibition about 75 years of television. The museum also has a café and a shop.

Opening hours and tickets

• Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 to 17:00. Closed on Mondays.
• Tickets: available online through the museum's webshop. Free with a Museumkaart.
• Guided tours: available on request.

Good to know for internationals

The Philips Museum is a good first stop for anyone who has just moved to Eindhoven, especially if you work in technology. In an hour or two you understand why the city looks the way it does, why there are so many former factories, and why light keeps coming back in the city's festivals. The museum is wheelchair accessible.

Tips for your visit

• Plan one to two hours. That is enough for the permanent exhibition at a relaxed pace, a little longer with children playing Mission Eureka.
• Check the agenda. Temporary exhibitions and holiday activities change throughout the year; the museum's website lists them.
• Go on a weekday. Weekends and school holidays are the busiest days.
• Combine with a walk. Many former Philips buildings are close by, from the Witte Dame to the Lichttoren. Walking past them after your visit makes the story of the museum come alive in the city.

Getting there

The museum is at Emmasingel 31, about a five-minute walk from Eindhoven Centraal and close to the shopping streets of the city centre. Car parks are available in the centre. Combine your visit with a walk past the Witte Dame, a former Philips lamp factory that now houses the city library and the Design Academy Eindhoven, or with a visit to the Van Abbemuseum.

See also our museums guide and Eindhoven with kids.