Experience an unforgettable introduction to the Linge region from your holiday home in the Betuwe!

Cycle past dike villages with centuries-old church towers and hike from one castle to another in the riverine floodplains of the Waal. These are just a few highlights you can enjoy from a holiday home in the Betuwe! The river region between the Lek and the Meuse offers a treasure trove of natural beauty and old Dutch towns. Windmills and both blunt and slender steeples dot the view during a bike ride or boat tour. Dreaming of an idyllic spring getaway? Read on and plan an unforgettable holiday in the Betuwe!

Discover the Heerlijkheid Mariënwaerdt Estate from your Betuwe holiday home

From a monastery route to a clog path: the Heerlijkheid Mariënwaerdt estate lives up to its name, offering delightful walks through the Betuwe landscape. Stately avenues alternate with winding little dikes and surprising vistas of the Linge, where a monastery bears witness to an age-old estate. The spring blossom of the apple trees along the dike is a seasonal highlight, and several walking routes make the area easy to explore. A defining feature of Mariënwaerdt is its beautiful tree gallery, also known as the Walnut Avenue, because it is flanked by walnut trees. Their nuts are used in the pastries at restaurant De Stapelbakker, where you can also order pancakes—naturally with a walnut topping if you like!

Stroll through the Gardens of Appeltern and visit the village of Batenburg

A garden complex that naturally slows your pace thanks to its colourful floral splendour is the Gardens of Appeltern. Both day-trippers looking for a fun outing in the Betuwe and garden lovers seeking inspiration will be in their element in this oasis. Scattered throughout the park are numerous themed gardens—from sleek design and lounge gardens to idyllic plots such as the cottage garden. For anyone with a garden to design, the park fires the imagination. Be sure to wander among the fragrant roses in the rosarium and finish your visit with a drink and a bite on the terrace of De Buitenlucht.

Tip: Don’t just cycle from your holiday home in the Betuwe to Appeltern—extend your ride along the Maasdijk to the ruins of Batenburg and the nearby village. Here you’ll find a Romanesque church and a number of white farmhouses lining the church square.

Visit Zaltbommel and take a castles walk in the Waal floodplains

The Betuwe’s river landscape is punctuated by picture-perfect townscapes. Zaltbommel, with its tall, blunt-topped church tower, is a prime example. The cosy centre also delights visitors and passing cyclists with a fine choice of terraces. From the river quay by café De Verdraagzaamheid—or while strolling with an ice cream bought at the old city gate—you can look out over the river and the imposing Waal Bridge. Keen to visit nearby castles? On the opposite bank of the Waal near the village of Oppijnen stands stately Neerijnen Castle, complete with a coach house, moat and drawbridge. Notably, the little bridge is painted yellow, seemingly echoing the equally yellow church of Neerijnen.

Tip: You can link this castle visit on foot with Waardenburg Castle, a rustic, solid keep surrounded by the Waal’s floodplains and a park forest.

Follow the Linge Route from your Betuwe holiday home

Cycling over the Betuwe’s winding dikes may be the most enjoyable way to fully experience the river landscape! You follow the meandering River Linge past picturesque sights such as the white tower mill near the village of Deil and the charming village of Acquoy. This village is famed far and wide for its visibly leaning church tower. With its protected village status, it’s also one of the prettiest places in the Betuwe. Be sure to do this ride in spring when the orchards are in blossom!

Buren: the picturesque pearl of the Betuwe

The Betuwe is a region where natural beauty blends beautifully with old Dutch towns and villages. Buren is one of the most photogenic. The old centre with its red church tower, city gate and historic houses is endearingly lovely. The River Korne flows along a town wall, and for the nicest waterside spot head to the terrace quay of restaurant Della Contessa. For even more history, continue on—or extend your bike ride—to Culemborg. Here you’ll find a large market square with even more terraces. This town on the Lek shows off a painterly skyline dominated by two very different churches: one with a blunt tower and one with a slender spire. A city walk takes you past two windmills that complete the quintessential Dutch scene!

Cruise the Linge and enjoy the Betuwe’s river landscape in every season

Besides cycling along the Lingedijk, you can also explore the Betuwe by joining a boat tour. For example, board with Rederij Leerdam and sail towards Asperen. You’ll pass the imposing St. Catherine’s Church before curving east towards Acquoy, where you can once again see how much the church tower leans out of true. You can also opt for a longer spring excursion and enjoy the blossom along the banks at a leisurely pace. Packages with coffee and cake or lunch are available, even on shorter cruises—and dinner cruises are possible too! Boat trips run year-round, so consider an autumn cruise as well and discover how beautifully the landscape glows in fall colours.

Rent a holiday home in the Betuwe

The Betuwe is a river region with a wealth of heritage set in a picturesque landscape. Take a cruise on the Linge and discover the pearls of this area—especially enchanting in spring when the fruit trees are in bloom! Explore old river towns such as Culemborg and Zaltbommel from your holiday home in the Betuwe, or cycle along the Lingedijk to the “Leaning Tower of Pisa” village of Acquoy. Ancient castles, quaint villages and scenic dike routes make this a destination where history and nature flow seamlessly together!