Hilversum, Bussum, Laren

Hilversum, in the heart of the Gooi, has a special connection with Dutch media. Hilversum's story as Media City begins in the 1920s, when the first radio broadcasts reached the ear. That Hilversum grew into the centre of the broadcasting world did not come out of the blue. A major player at the time was the Nederlandse Seintoestellen Fabriek (NSF), founded in 1918. Specialising in radio equipment, this factory provided the technical advances needed to make Hilversum a media centre. Cooperation between the NSF and broadcasters laid the foundation for what would later become a vibrant centre of radio and television production. Add Hilversum's strategic location and you can understand why this city in particular grew to become the Media City of the Netherlands.

Today, the Mediapark is the heart of the Dutch broadcasting world. Here, news programmes, series and talk shows are produced daily in state-of-the-art studios. It is a bustling place where media organisations like NPO and RTL have their home base. But Hilversum's media history is much more than just the modern Mediapark. Think of the old KRO building on Emmastraat, an impressive 1930s building where generations of radio and television programmes were made. Or the former AVRO building on ‘s-Gravelandseweg, a stately location that was the epicentre of various productions for many years.

One of the most special places to experience this history for yourself is Beeld en Geluid. This striking, colourful building at the Mediapark is a treasure trove of media heritage. Beeld en Geluid is not only a museum but also an archive, where the past comes to life through interactive exhibitions. Here you can look back at iconic television clips, hear how radio used to sound, and see how programmes are made.

Besides television and radio, Hilversum also plays a big role in the music world. The Wisseloord Studios are legendary and have a magical status in the music industry. World stars like Elton John and The Rolling Stones have recorded albums here, and the studios are still known for their perfect acoustics and cutting-edge technology. What makes Hilversum perhaps even more special is the combination of that vibrant media culture with the beautiful nature that surrounds it. The Gooi offers vast heathlands, forests and picturesque villages, where you don't realise that just a stone's throw away a newsreader is speaking to the whole country.

Coming by car? There is ample parking available at Schaapskooi Blaricummerheide.