Arnhem in Netherlands has a ton of things to see and do, whether you’d rather go shopping wild or try the local cuisine. Numerous exciting activities in this city will keep you busy and busy during your stay. This site has something special in store for you, no matter what you enjoy.
What is Arnhem famous for?
Arnhem is widely known as the location of one of World War 2’s most notorious battles. It is renowned for its magnificent Burgers’ Zoo and the Open air museum, which vividly recreates historical settings using real buildings and artifacts. Additionally, it has a reputation for being a fashionable city with fantastic shopping.
A brief history
The city, which was first recorded in AD 893, stands where the ancient Roman town of Arenacum formerly stood. Because of its excellent location on the Rhine, it has been a significant trading hub since the Middle Ages. The old city center of Arnhem still bears witness to this early strategic significance.
What makes Arnhem worth visiting?
Arnhem is one of the largest cities in the Netherlands. It is situated a few kilometers below the point where the IJssel splits off the Rhine on the right bank of the Lower Rhine. It’s a great starting point for seeing this charming little nation. But first, devote at least a day or two to exploring Arnhem’s many historical landmarks and tourist attractions. You will also appreciate its many lovely green areas like Park Sonsbeek. It is well-known for its historic manor house and tearoom.
Arnhem is home to a large number of memorials in addition to a wide range of other exciting activities. Shopping, dining, and visiting museums and cultural sites like the superb Netherlands Open Air Museum, with its intriguing demonstrations of traditional lives, are at the top of the agenda for most visitors. Hoge Veluwe National Park is one of the most significant conservation areas in the nation. It is also a great spot to explore on foot or by bike.
Make sure to use our list of the top Arnhem attractions to help you plan your Dutch adventures and convenient day trips from this thriving city.
Things to do and see in Arnhem, Netherlands
The Netherlands Open Air Museum should be viewed
The Netherlands Open Air Museum is one of the top things to do and see in Arnhem. It is spread across 82 woodland acres, approximately four kilometers from the center of Arnhem. This outstanding museum focuses on the living and working conditions of both the rural population – farmers, craftsmen, and fishermen – as well as the townsfolk up to the start of the 1900s. It was founded in 1912 by ordinary Dutch citizens who wanted to preserve traditional ways of life and folk art from various parts of the country.
The classic Dutch farmhouses and fishermen’s homes, many windmills, and a range of craft classes run by costumed guides showcasing age-old techniques are all highlights of a visit. A steam sawmill from Groenlo, a steam-driven dairy from Veenwouden, and a complete set of dwellings from the Zaan region. All of these were relocated here from their original locations, will also be visible to visitors.
A pleasant historical tram line that features a sizable collection of vintage cars from all over the nation is also available. The Canon of Dutch History multimedia exhibit is one of the attraction’s newest features. Visitors can immerse themselves in interesting information about the nation’s rich culture at this fascinating site. The location also often hosts events, including concerts, educational workshops, and programs just for kids and families.
Check out the John Frost Bridge
The Rhine Bridge at Arnhem served as the inspiration for the movie A Bridge Too Far. It was notably defended by British paratroopers for four days in 1944 as part of the Market Garden airborne assault. It was renamed the John Frost Bridge in honor of the parachutist leader who is also remembered by a memorial at the north end of the bridge. The bridge serves as a somber reminder of the city’s historical significance as a strategic location.
Additionally, there is a small information center with facts about the Battle of Arnhem. The significance of the bridge is regularly recognized with events that feature music and fireworks. One of the most well-known is the yearly “Bridge to Liberation”. It takes place in September and involves lining the bridge with members of the Dutch armed forces and dramatically lighting it up.
To get to the Airborne Museum Hartenstein, take the Liberation Route
Airborne Museum Hartenstein will also be interesting to military enthusiasts. This intriguing museum is built in the historic 19th-century villa that served as Frost’s headquarters. It is situated in the Arnhem suburb of Oosterbeek.
A sizable collection of artifacts and displays about life in the Netherlands during World War II are on display here. There are audioguides and guided tours available, and there is a cafe and store on the property. This intriguing story of the Second World War is further enhanced by a trip to the independently maintained Arnhem War Museum.
The neighboring Airborne War Cemetery and the war memorial honor those who sacrificed their lives for freedom and are worth visiting. The Liberation Route offers the opportunity to see here as well as other WWII-related locations like the Airborne Museum. This fascinating self-guided trip visits the major battle sites and associated landmarks in the area of Arnhem and the nearby city of Nijmegen.
Visit Hoge Veluwe National Park
One of the biggest national parks in the Netherlands, Hoge Veluwe National Park, is only 8 kilometers north of Arnhem. It is a must-see when in Arnhem. Hoge Veluwe, which spans over 13,800 acres, is also the nation’s largest nature reserve. It is a birdwatcher’s dream because it is home to a wide variety of flora and animals, including deer, wild boar, mouflon, and many other types of birds.
Additionally, it’s a well-liked site for cyclists thanks to the more than 1,700 free white bikes that are made accessible to tourists. Walkers are welcome here as well. They can explore many wonderful paths, many of which pass through stretches of deep woods, heath, and sand dunes.
With on-site campsite amenities, it’s also a well-liked camping location.
Other attractions include the Kröller-Müller Museum. It houses a top-notch collection of European art from the 19th and 20th centuries, and a sculpture park featuring pieces by Rodin and Noore. Tobogganing and skating are enjoyable winter activities in Hoge Veluwe.
At the close-by Veluwezoom National Park, one can take advantage of a very comparable outdoor experience. It has many of the same geological characteristics, animals, and flora as Hoge Veluwe. It is also as well-liked by cyclists and hikers.
Read more Hoge Veluwe National Park: 7 Reasons Why You Should Visit Here
Visit the Bronbeek Museum to learn more about Dutch colonialism
The Bronbeek Museum is situated in a retirement residence. This place used to house army veterans who had served in the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army in the Bronbeek suburbs between Arnhem and Velp. The former royal residence was converted into a museum in 1863, making it one of the earliest in the Netherlands. Its collection is primarily made up of things these troops stationed in distant Dutch colonies brought back.
Along with its exhibits of weaponry, clothing, and medals, the museum provides a fascinating look into the challenging circumstances these troops had to deal with daily when stationed abroad. The Second World War era and the post-war decolonization of the area are highlighted in particular.
Discover the Old City Center of Arnhem
Head to Arnhem’s Old City Center after exploring the city’s primary retail districts. They include the renowned Modekwartier Arnhem, famed for its upscale boutique stores and galleries. Following the constrained Rijnstraat and Roggestraat, you’ll find a smattering of smaller streets branching off in the direction of the Rhine and the city’s historic districts.
At the expansive Market Square in Arnhem’s Old City, you can begin your exploration (Markt). St. Eusebius’ Church (Grote Kerk), a 15th-century church with a magnificent tower and lovely views of the city, is located here. Other notable features are the carillon and the towering marble monument to Charles of Egmond, the last Duke of Gelderland, who passed away in 1538.
You should also visit the Old Town Hall from the sixteenth century. It is referred to as the Devils’ House because of the three demonic figures who stand guard at its entrance. There are also remnants of the 14th-century Sabelpoort town walls, which are considerably older.
Finally, a ring of gardens extends north from the John Frost Bridge along the line of the former town walls, passing St. Walpurgis Basiliek. The 1422 consecration made it the town’s oldest church.
Visit the City of Nijmegen
Only seven kilometers separate Nijmegen, the oldest village in the nation and the largest city in Gelderland. It from the German border and 24 kilometers from Arnhem. This charming city is found where the southern branch of the Rhine reaches the sea, on the left side of the River Waal.
Nijmegen is one of the cities hit by Operation Market Garden in 1944. It is a lovely destination to explore on foot because of its numerous parks and welcoming pedestrian areas. Additionally, it’s a well-liked spot for entertainment and shopping.
Visits to the Valkhof are among the most well-liked activities in Nijmegen. This lovely park is located on the site of an imperial fortification that Charlemagne constructed in AD 768, high above the Waal. The palatine chapel of St. Nicholas, which Pope Leo III dedicated in AD 799, is all that’s left of the old castle.
St. Maartenskapel, the ruins of a Romanesque apse thought to have been constructed around 1155 during the reign of Frederick Barbarossa. It is located southeast of the park and offers spectacular views of the river and the surroundings. The Grote Kerk (St. Stevenskerk), which dates from roughly 1260, and the Belvedere, a historic watchtower from the 16th century, are also noteworthy.
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Visit the Royal Burgers’ Zoo
The Royal Burgers’ Zoo is only a short stroll from the Netherlands Open Air Museum. It is also highly recommended, especially if you’re traveling with kids. With over 1.5 million visitors each year, this well-liked attraction is one of the biggest and busiest zoos in the Netherlands. The zoo, which is home to more than 2,000 animals, features pandas as well as a wide variety of fish and marine species in its expansive aquarium.
This wonderful family destination is renowned for its chimpanzee and gorilla colonies, extensive bird collection, various stunning rock enclosures, and a region known as Rimba that features a lifelike recreation of a Southeast Asian rainforest. A delightful walking safari through an African-style savanna that offers up-close views of lions, giraffes, rhinos, and cheetahs is quite interesting.
Visit the Museum Arnhem to view Dutch artwork
The Museum Arnhem is built in a former gentleman’s club and is surrounded by the beautiful grounds of the Reeberg. The museum was founded in 1918 and now houses a sizable collection of early 20th-century decorative arts, modern and contemporary figurative art, and temporary exhibitions.
Collections of applied arts and design, such as glass and ceramics, as well as visual arts from the 1980s onward, are further highlights. Visit the Arnhem Museum website for information about visiting exhibitions and the most recent updates on events and educational programs.
Visit the Doorwerth Castle as a side trip
Only 11 kilometers west of Arnhem is the magnificent moated Doorwerth Castle (Kasteel Doorwerth), which is a superbly maintained example of a typical Dutch medieval fortification. It is one of must-see places in Arnhem. This remarkable drawbridge-accessed castle, which was initially made of wood in the 13th century, was later rebuilt in stone following a disastrous fire. Later, in the 15th and 16th centuries, it was expanded to reach its current spectacular size.
Visitors can learn about the history of the castle and the nearby settlements during this time through its many informative displays and exhibitions in addition to taking in the genuine decor and furniture from the 17th century. A few displays and exhibitions also cover the background of forestry and hunting in The Netherlands.
The structure was severely damaged during intense warfare in 1944. Still, it has been painstakingly restored to its former beauty and is equally popular with tourists and ghost hunters.
Visit Amersfoort on a trip
Amersfoort, a charming historic town, is located about 50 kilometers west of Arnhem and is easily accessible by vehicle or public transportation. A double ring of canals surrounds the Old Town, which has been well-preserved and is full of beautiful old structures.
Its historical churches, like St. George’s in the Hof, the town’s central square, are highlights. The church, which dates back to 1243, is home to a stunning Gothic rood screen from the 15th century and the grave of renowned Dutch architect Jacob van Campen.
The neighboring Late Gothic St. Mary’s Tower (Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren), which is approximately 100 meters tall and has a carillon of 47 bells and is regarded as one of the finest in the Netherlands, is among the other interesting Amersfoort attractions. Don’t forget to tour the 15th-century Koppelpoort, which the outer ring canal connects to the old town. In the outer ring of fortifications, this magnificent water and land gate spans the Eem and may still be closed with the help of a windmill.
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Take a trip to Deventer
The old Hanseatic town of Deventer, which is located on the right bank of the river IJssel and is about 30 minutes drive from Arnhem, is well-known for the numerous old homes that have been maintained in its old town center. On Deventer’s central plaza, the Late Gothic Weigh-House (Waag, 1528–31), with a lovely outside staircase, is the most eye-catching structure.
Since 1915, the Weigh-House and the neighboring House of the Three Herrings (De Drie Haringen, 1575) have been home to the Deventer History Museum (Museum de Waag), which has a range of artifacts that depict the town’s and region’s history. A copper kettle that was reportedly used to boil a counterfeiter to death in the past sits on the exterior wall.
Additionally, Deventer is renowned for its mouthwateringly sweet and moist honey cakes (kruidkoek). The Gothic Grote Kerk (Lebuinuskerk) and the wonderful Toy Museum (Speelgoedmuseum), a family favorite for its more than 13,000 antique playthings on exhibit and pleasant play area, are just a couple of the town’s other attractions.
Getting around Arnhem, Netherlands
By public transportation
Four train stations and the main bus hub can be found in Arnhem. The trolley bus is a unique kind of transportation. A bicycle could be rented to tour both the city and the outdoors.
By car
The central ring will lead you to various underground parking lots if you travel by automobile. P+R Gelredome offers free parking, so you may leave your car there and take public transportation into the city.
Here are all you need to know for the Arnhem trip, from what the city is famous for to things to see and getting around. So, come here immediately to begin your fantastic journey! Please share your thoughts by posting a comment below!
