Holiday Home Arnhem: The Hub of Beautiful Rivers and the Veluwe

Arnhem is a city surrounded by diverse landscapes, from the floodplains of the Lower Rhine to the banks of the IJssel, and from the Veluwe to the hills of Montferland. This Rhine city is an ideal base for a varied cycling and hiking holiday. One day, you can cycle along the rivers and experience the typical Dutch holiday feeling while crossing on a small ferry; the next day, you will feel as if you are abroad during a walk across the Posbank or a bike ride in the border area of Montferland. Some cycling routes from your holiday home in Arnhem combine different landscapes, and via the Zypendaal estate, you can walk straight into the city!

Visit the Dutch Open Air Museum from Your Holiday Home in Arnhem

But a holiday home in Arnhem is also a great option thanks to the high-quality museums in the area! One of the nicest and oldest museums in the Netherlands is the Open Air Museum. This village faithfully reflects the life of our ancestors and has existed since 1918. Discover traditional crafts, walk past windmills, old farmhouses, the Zaanse neighborhood, and try riding a 19th-century bicycle. The large site can be explored with a tram ride, giving you the real feeling of stepping back in time.

Visit Sonsbeek Park and the Water Museum

It must be said: Arnhem is not a city you visit primarily for its historical atmosphere. Yet there are a few highlights that make this place very appealing! One of them is Sonsbeek Park, a green and shady oasis north of the central station. There are even waterfalls and several cafes, such as De Molenplaats or Grand Café Aan de Beek, a cozy terrace overlooking the park stream. The Water Museum is also located in the park, an educational and interactive museum where you can learn all about the vital importance of water. When you enter the park from the south side, it feels like a city park, but did you know that Sonsbeek flows seamlessly into the Zypendaal estate and the castle of the same name? For locals, the lawn between the castle and the majestic tree with red leaves is a favorite place to relax.

Walking and Cycling in Veluwezoom National Park

The rolling and diverse nature around Arnhem more than makes up for the lack of a historic center. The rivers, Veluwezoom and the Veluwe National Park offer a wealth of hiking and cycling routes. For example, take a walk starting at the visitor center in Rheden and explore the rolling heathlands of the Posbank, where you’ll encounter Icelandic ponies. A walk that requires a bit more climbing is the route from Dieren station to Veluwezoom National Park. The climbs at the start reward you with wide views over the heath and various cafés like Pavilion De Posbank. For something more idyllic, walk across the estates of Heuven and Beekhuizen. This trail offers forests, beautiful vistas, the Beekhuizense stream, and some small waterfalls.

Discover the Veluwe and the IJssel from Your Holiday Home in Arnhem

Thanks to the varied landscapes around your holiday home in Arnhem, there is plenty to explore by bike. For example, cycle along the eastern edge of the Veluwezoom towards the IJssel. On this route, you will pass several castles and estates, starting with the Rosendael Castle park. This route also takes you past the previously mentioned Beekhuizen estate, the IJssel floodplains, and the Veluwezoom landscapes. To the west, the scenery unfolds beautifully as well, where you’ll discover the flat Rhine region along with the wooded slopes and streams near Oosterbeek.

Take a Trip to Doesburg and the Spelerij in Dieren

Would you like to experience a place with a distinctly medieval atmosphere? Then Doesburg is a charming and lively attraction located on the Old IJssel river. This town perfectly displays the medieval character of a Dutch Hanseatic city with many monumental buildings. A striking feature of Doesburg is the remarkably tall church tower of the Martinikerk. At 94 meters high, the church is a landmark visible from far away. Climbing the tower is possible and definitely worth it for the stunning view over the river landscape and the Veluwezoom in the distance.

On the opposite bank of the IJssel lies Dieren; not a remarkable town in itself, but children will have the time of their lives if you take them to the Spelerij! This unique attraction has two parts: the Spelerij and the Uitvinderij. In the Spelerij, there are various devices you can set in motion, like a crane. In the workshop of the Uitvinderij, children can independently saw figures out of wood or plexiglass or make drawings using a paint machine.

Visit the Rolling Hills of Montferland

If you are staying east or southeast of the Rhine city, be sure to visit the vast Montferland region. In this area on the German border, you can enjoy wonderful cycling over a forested ridge and through an open landscape of fields and occasional vineyards. Tip: book a wine tasting at Wijngoed Montferland and find a seat on the terrace surrounded by vineyards. Other highlights to include in your cycling tour are ’s-Heerenberg Castle and the Hulzenberg lookout tower. This tower rises high above the forests and offers a wonderful view over the rolling landscape.

Rent a Holiday Home in Arnhem

Estates, museums, river floodplains, and rolling landscapes – the area around Arnhem offers plenty for a great holiday! The natural beauty of the Rhine city extends right up to the central station, where you can stroll through Sonsbeek Park. This park is perfect for relaxing and walking to the Zypendaal estate, optionally combined with a visit to the Water Museum. Are you looking for more interesting museums, a fun children’s attraction, or a walk to the second highest point in the Netherlands? Discover how enjoyable a holiday in your own country can be and book a holiday home in Arnhem!