What are popular cities and villages in Gelderland?

Arnhem, Apeldoorn, Nijmegen and Zutphen are among the popular cities to visit in the province of Gelderland. Arnhem is situated amid beautiful surroundings and represents the green gate to the Veluwe. It is also known as the leading fashion city and makes for a great shopping experience. Apeldoorn is a livelly city with a historic center and lovely city parks. Go to Apeldoorn for endless shopping, architecture and cultural delights. Nijmegen is also well worth a visit. There are beautiful historic buildings, centuries-old squares and the oldest Dutch shopping street in this oldest city in the Netherlands. Zutphen is also an old city with many historic and cultural highlights. This old Hanseatic city overlooking the IJssel river has a beautiful old center with plenty of great shops.

What are fun outdoor activities in Gelderland?

Among the most popular areas for outdoor activities in the province of Gelderland is National Park De Hoge Veluwe. National Park De Hoge Veluwe is the perpect place to see beautiful landscapes and wild animals. Borrow one of the free white bicycles and explore the stunning park. In addition to spotting wild animals, you can also see art at the Kröller-Müller Museum. National Park Veluwezoom is a huge nature reserve that is part of the Veluwe and consists of beautiful and pristine natural landscapes. It is a fantastic hilly landscape with forests, heathlands, sand drifts, and country estates. De Tuinen van Appeltern is the biggest garden inspiration park in the Netherlands. With over 200 different model gardens, it offers plenty of inspiration if you love gardening. Belmonte Arboretum is a botanical garden in Wageningen that is also well worth a visit. The estate is the perfect place for a relaxed walk to enjoy beautiful nature. Another beautiful park is Park Sonsbeek in Arnhem. This stately park was create more than 250 years ago and is in the middle of the city. It is one of the most beautiful parks in the Netherlands, with old trees, wide paths, ponds, and interesting altitude differences.

What are great attractions and museums to visit in Gelderland?

The province of Gelderland boasts a variety of museums and attractions. Kinderpretpark Julianatoren in Apeldoorn guarantees a great day for families with little children. The amusement park is not too big and structured around young children, featuring a wide variety of attractions and great shows. Dolfinarium Harderwijk is Europe’s biggest marine mammal park. Come face to face with dolphins, walruses, sea lions, seals, rays and sharks! In Burgers’ Zoo and Safaripark in Arnhem, you can see the most exotic animals in their natural habitat. The MORE Museum in Gorssel is devoted to modern realism. Here, you will find a broad collection of modern realist art from Dutch soil in a stunning building. The Airbornemuseum Hartestein in Oosterbeek is devoted to the Battle of Arnhem in 1944. Discover all about Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands and explore the big collection of authentic weapons, documents, movies and photographs.

Photo: © Leon Ephraim

Gelderland

Why go?

Gelderland, Holland’s largest province, has so much to offer! Discover the unforgettably beautiful natural landscapes of the Veluwe, the historic cities of Arnhem and Nijmegen, the numerous castles and manor houses of the Achterhoek area and the twisting, meandering dikes and rivers of the Rivierenland (‘Riverland’ or ‘Land of Rivers’) area. Popular places in Gelderland are:

See & do

Gardens & Parks
The Gardens of Appeltern

Visit Holland's biggest garden ideas park with over 200 model gardens.
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Zoos
Apenheul

Meet the monkeys of Apenheul face to face.
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Natural sites
De Hoge Veluwe National Park

Explore De Hoge Veluwe on a white bike, free of charge, or during an exciting safari.
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History museums
Bronbeek museum

Visit the beautiful Bronbeek estate and explore the colonial past of Holland.
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Culinary experience
Wine Museum Arnhem

How is wine produced and how does it get its unique flavor? Taste it and learn more about the different flavors of wine!
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Kids Museum
The Netherlands Water Museum

Get to know the world of water like you never did before.
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History museums
Freedom Museum

At the Freedom Museum, you will see how the war began, experience the occupation, celebrate the nation's liberation, and witness the reconstruction of Holland and Europe.
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History museums
Airborne Museum 'Hartenstein'

At Airborne Museum Hartenstein, you will experience the Battle for Arnhem and Operation Market Garden with the aid of authentic objects, movies and personal documents. Take part in the battle in the 'Airborne Experience'.
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Event
Balloon Fiesta Barneveld
Aug. 17, 2022 through Aug. 20, 2022 Barneveld

The ultimate hot air balloon festival occurs in Barneveld in August.
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Also great:

Eating & drinking

Michelin-star restaurants in wonderful locations, regional delicacies on your plate, trendy terraces in Arnhem and Nijmegen, and great spots to relax in nature. Gelderland boasts a huge culinary offering. Enjoy all the great food, from venison and mushrooms to apples and strawberries.

Culinary experience
Gelderland’s regional products

All you need to know about Gelderland’s regional products.
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Restaurants
6x Michelin Starred Restaurants in Gelderland

Discover the very best restaurants in Gelderland.
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Restaurants
5x restaurants in Arnhem

Enjoy dinner at the best restaurants in Arnhem.
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Restaurants
3x restaurants in Nijmegen

Dine in Nijmegen’s tastiest restaurants.
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Where to stay

Unique accommodations
Unique B&Bs and hotels on the Veluwe

Check out the 5 best hotel tips for accommodations in the Veluwe nature reserve.
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Unique accommodations
Unique accommodation in Nijmegen

Get inspired: stay in a luxury wellness centre, a historic ship or a converted wagon in Nijmegen.
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Unique accommodations
6 unique places to stay in Arnhem

Discover unique places to stay in Arnhem, including a luxury campground, chic hotels and a castle.
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Hotels
Hotel de Sterrenberg

Within walking distance from the entrance of Hoge Veluwe National Park. The perfect starting point for fall walks and visiting the Kröller-Muller museum.
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Hotels
Herberg de Gouden Leeuw

Stay in this monumental farmer's cottage in the smallest town in Holland.
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Gelderland details

Gelderland consists of four regions: the Veluwe, the Arnhem-Nijmegen area, the Achterhoek, and Rivierenland. All four are fantastically beautiful and memorable, but the most famous of the four is without a doubt the Veluwe, with its beautiful nature parks, the Kröller-Müller Museum and Het Loo Royal Palace.

A day out in the historic cities of Arnhem and Nijmegen or a zoo or amusement park is a great way to top off any holiday in any of these regions, while the picturesque hamlets and villages of the Achterhoek provide an ideal peaceful setting to rest, relax in.

The Achterhoek region is also well known for its numerous castles and manor houses and – during autumn – venison and other game.

Lastly, there is Rivierenland, itself subdivided into the Betuwe, the Bommelerwaard and the Land of Maas and Waal (two major rivers). Rivierenland means ‘Riverland’ or ‘Land of Rivers’, and this region’s handsome fruit orchards, winding dikes, meandering rivers and vast natural vistas make it truly unique.

Castles in Gelderland

Castles
Ammersoyen Castle

Bring the middle ages back to life at Ammersoyen Castle and explore its historic interior.
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Castles
Loevestein Castle

A medieval castle with a rich history and a museum of over 6,000 historical and archeological objects.
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Castles
Wijchen Castle

Soak up centuries of history and stories from the region in this imposing museum castle.
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Castles
Doorwerth Castle

Bike or take a hike through the natural areas surrounding Castle Doorwerth, and try to wrap your arms around the 7-meter (almost 23 ft.!) circumference of the oldest tree in Holland.
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Castles
Rosendael Castle

Explore the historic castle and park, admiring vibrant collections and the eye-catching fountains.
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Castles
Middachten Estate

Explore this palace and its lovely gardens, offering a lesson in centuries of landscaping history.
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Castles
Jachthuis Sint-Hubertus

Explore the iconic hunting lodge designed by Berlage, situated in the Hoge Veluwe National Park.
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Castles
Het Loo Palace

A majestic palace with fantastic gardens.
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Castles
Cannenburch Castle

Visit the museum and park of this imposing Dutch castle, dating from the 16th century.
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Castles
Huis Bergh Castle

Huis Bergh Castle has an amazing art collection, and offers visitors the possibility of spending the night in a castle.
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Castles
Verwolde House

Verwolde House in Laren is a paradise for anyone who loves nature and culture. Combine an intriguing tour through the house and the gardens with a high-tea in the tearoom.
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Art museums
Ruurlo Castle

From Golden Age history to modern art, Ruurlo Castle in Gelderland is a memorable daytrip.
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Castles
Hernen Castle

Go back in time with the ‘talking lamp’ and walk along the covered wall, unique in the Netherlands.
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Where is what?

Places to visit in Gelderland

Destinations
Arnhem
Destinations
Nijmegen
Apeldoorn
Doetinchem
Hansa Towns
Deventer
Natural sites
Winterswijk National Landscape

Frequently Asked Questions

Arnhem, Apeldoorn, Nijmegen and Zutphen are among the popular cities to visit in the province of Gelderland. Arnhem is situated amid beautiful surroundings and represents the green gate to the Veluwe. It is also known as the leading fashion city and makes for a great shopping experience. Apeldoorn is a livelly city with a historic center and lovely city parks. Go to Apeldoorn for endless shopping, architecture and cultural delights. Nijmegen is also well worth a visit. There are beautiful historic buildings, centuries-old squares and the oldest Dutch shopping street in this oldest city in the Netherlands. Zutphen is also an old city with many historic and cultural highlights. This old Hanseatic city overlooking the IJssel river has a beautiful old center with plenty of great shops.
Among the most popular areas for outdoor activities in the province of Gelderland is National Park De Hoge Veluwe. National Park De Hoge Veluwe is the perpect place to see beautiful landscapes and wild animals. Borrow one of the free white bicycles and explore the stunning park. In addition to spotting wild animals, you can also see art at the Kröller-Müller Museum. National Park Veluwezoom is a huge nature reserve that is part of the Veluwe and consists of beautiful and pristine natural landscapes. It is a fantastic hilly landscape with forests, heathlands, sand drifts, and country estates. De Tuinen van Appeltern is the biggest garden inspiration park in the Netherlands. With over 200 different model gardens, it offers plenty of inspiration if you love gardening. Belmonte Arboretum is a botanical garden in Wageningen that is also well worth a visit. The estate is the perfect place for a relaxed walk to enjoy beautiful nature. Another beautiful park is Park Sonsbeek in Arnhem. This stately park was create more than 250 years ago and is in the middle of the city. It is one of the most beautiful parks in the Netherlands, with old trees, wide paths, ponds, and interesting altitude differences.
The province of Gelderland boasts a variety of museums and attractions. Kinderpretpark Julianatoren in Apeldoorn guarantees a great day for families with little children. The amusement park is not too big and structured around young children, featuring a wide variety of attractions and great shows. Dolfinarium Harderwijk is Europe’s biggest marine mammal park. Come face to face with dolphins, walruses, sea lions, seals, rays and sharks! In Burgers’ Zoo and Safaripark in Arnhem, you can see the most exotic animals in their natural habitat. The MORE Museum in Gorssel is devoted to modern realism. Here, you will find a broad collection of modern realist art from Dutch soil in a stunning building. The Airbornemuseum Hartestein in Oosterbeek is devoted to the Battle of Arnhem in 1944. Discover all about Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands and explore the big collection of authentic weapons, documents, movies and photographs.