Bussum is a small town south east of Amsterdam. Approximately 30,000 people live in Bussum.
While Bussuss’s proximity to Amsterdam makes it a practical base for business travellers, the town offers a surprisingly vibrant cultural pulse that belies its commuter reputation. Its modest size nurtures a tight‑knit arts scene, with small galleries and independent music venues that showcase emerging Dutch talent. Seasonal street markets draw locals and visitors alike, providing a chance to sample regional cheeses and handcrafted ceramics. The town’s layout encourages pedestrian exploration; narrow lanes intersect with leafy boulevards, and many residents still cycle to work, meaning you’ll often encounter cyclists weaving past historic shopfronts. This blend of everyday Dutch life and subtle creativity gives Bussuss a lived‑in authenticity that larger hubs often lose.
Bussuss sits at the fringe of the Gooi’s forested belt, granting easy access to an extensive network of cycling and walking routes that link the town to Hilversum, Naarden and the open fields of the Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen. Rent a bike and follow the gentle rise along the Vecht River, where the occasional windmill punctuates the landscape. For those preferring a slower pace, the local parkland offers shaded loops popular with joggers and families. Because the town is only a short train ride from the capital, you can design a day‑trip itinerary that swaps a morning in museums for an afternoon of countryside immersion, returning to Bussuss for a relaxed dinner at a cafe overlooking the town’s modest lake.
In Bussuss, the Dutch value punctuality and personal space, a nuance that can surprise visitors used to more relaxed timings. Trains and buses run on strict schedules, and meeting points are adhered to with precision; a five‑minute delay can be perceived as disrespectful. Conversely, the town’s cafés and bakeries thrive on informal conversation; it’s customary to greet the barista with a friendly ‘goedemorgen’ and to keep your voice low enough not to disturb neighbours enjoying their morning koffie. When cycling, remember the unwritten rule of yielding to pedestrians on shared paths and signalling with a discreet ring. Observing these small customs will smooth interactions and enhance the sense of belonging, even on a brief stay.
Town and former municipality in North Holland, NetherlandsBussumTown and former municipalityBussum across from city hall FlagCoat of armsLocation in North HollandCoordinates: 52°17′N 5°10′E / 52.283°N 5.167°E / 52.283; 5.167CountryNetherlandsProvinceNorth HollandMunicipalityGooise MerenArea • Total8.15 km2 (3.15 sq mi) • Land8.09 km2 (3.12 sq mi) • Water0.06 km2 (0.023 sq mi)Elevation1 m (3.3 ft)Population (2019) • Total33,595 • Density4,150/km2 (10,800/sq mi)DemonymBussumerTime zoneUTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)Postcode1400–1406Area code035Websitewww.bussum.nl Map of the former municipality of Bussum, June 2015 Bussum (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbʏsʏm] ⓘ) is a commuter town to the east of Amsterdam, and former municipality in the Gooi region in the south east of the province of North Holland in the Netherlands near Hilversum. Since 2016, Bussum has been part of the new municipality of Gooise Meren. Bussum had a population of 33,595 in 2019 and covered an area of 8.15 km2 (3.15 sq mi).
[edit] For a long time Bussum was a hamlet situated in the heathlands of the Gooi and was first mentioned in 1306. At this time, Bussum was shown on maps as a large heathland with many small farms, sheep pens and forests. Since Bussum was situated near the fortified town of Naarden it was governed by Naarden from 1369. In 1470 Bussum had about 250 inhabitants, which made it the smallest village in the Gooi. Bussum became independent from Naarden in 1817, yet it was not until the arrival of a railway line in 1874 that Bussum began to flourish. Two train stations were built in the town, that still exist today: Naarden-Bussum and Bussum Zuid (Dutch for Bussum South), both on the connection between Amsterdam and Hilversum. The stations and the road network fostered the town's status as a satellite town of Amsterdam, allowing for reverse commute also to Hilversum. From 1898 until 1907, Bussum housed the first Dutch socialist colony after the example of Thoreau's Walden, set up by the writer and psychiatrist Frederik van Eeden. In 1951, Bussum hosted the first Dutch national TV broadcast and the national TV studios were located there until 1964. Bussum merged with the local municipalities of Naarden, Muiden and Muiderberg on 1 January 2016. In October 2014, the combined town councils chose the name Gooise Meren for the new municipality, the other options being Naarden-Bussum and Naardingerland.
[edit] The last municipal council of Bussum consisted of 23 seats, which at the 2014 election were divided as follows: VVD - 5 seats List nr 6 (blank list) - 5 seats D66 - 4 seats PvdA - 3 seats CDA - 2 seats GroenLinks - 2 seats Gooise Ouderen Partij - 2 seats Elections were held in November 2015 for a council for the new merged Gooise Meren municipality that commenced work in January 2016, replacing Bussum council.
[edit] See also: Gooise Meren § Notable people Freddy Wittop (1911–2001), international costume designer Karel Thole (1914–2000), painter and illustrator Paul Biegel (1925–2006), author Willem Duys (1928–2011), radio and television presenter and record producer Thierry Veltman (1939–2023), artist Tineke Lagerberg (born 1941), swimmer Ronnie Tober (born 1945), singer and entertainer Charles de Lint (born 1951), Canadian author and musician Huub Rothengatter (born 1954), racing driver Raoul Heertje (born 1963), comedian Anneloes Nieuwenhuizen (born 1963), field hockey defender Ruud Hesp (born 1965), football goalkeeper Ellen Elzerman (born 1971), swimmer Thekla Reuten (born 1975), actress Wopke Hoekstra (born 1975), Dutch politician Joël Drommel (born 1996), football goalkeeper
[edit] The town of Bussum has two railway stations: Naarden-Bussum and Bussum Zuid.