Enjoy rural charm? Bring your hiking boots to a holiday home in Twente!

Experience the small-scale landscape of meadows, streams, and rolling fields that makes the Twente region so unique! Plan a walk from Ootmarsum or the beautiful Singraven Estate and stop for a drink at one of the many watermills that dot the area. You might also consider a car puzzle tour to discover more of the region’s hidden gems, such as the Reggedal valley. Want to cross the border or cycle across the Sallandse Heuvelrug? Choose a varied cycling holiday from a holiday home in Twente!

Discover the castles of Diepenheim from your holiday home in Twente

Among all your explorations, a cycling route around Diepenheim is an absolute must! This charming town is surrounded by no fewer than four castles. Although Huis Diepenheim is a private estate, the public woodland with its rhododendrons is perfect for a relaxing walk. The grounds of Nijenhuis Castle also invite visitors to wander along winding paths that follow a scenic stream through the park. The forest includes monumental trees, and the route reveals stunning vistas across the countryside. One of the medieval castles you can actually visit is Warmelo Castle, whose gardens are open to the public. From early May to early October, you can also admire the annual sand sculptures, each year inspired by a new theme.

Visit the Rijksmuseum and the synagogue of Enschede

Stimulate your senses and admire paintings and photographic portraits at the Rijksmuseum in Enschede. The museum boasts an extensive permanent collection and is renowned for its many changing exhibitions throughout the year. Another unique landmark in the Netherlands is the local synagogue, designated a national monument since 1998. Guided tours, an exhibition, and a small shop make this building a must-see for anyone interested in history, architecture, and Judaism.

Grab a table at the watermill on the Singraven Estate

One of the absolute highlights for romantic nature lovers is the Singraven Estate. During a walk here, there is so much to discover — for instance, how beautifully the River Dinkel meanders around the white manor house. You’ll encounter many different landscapes: fields, marshes, elegant avenues, and forests. The local watermill makes the visit complete, especially thanks to its terrace by the pond! The Arboretum is also worth mentioning for its rich variety of special trees. Close to the manor, you’ll find geometric gardens, while further away the park takes on a lush, natural look, with ponds typical of the English landscape style.

Plan a cycling holiday from your holiday home in Twente

Eastern Overijssel is best discovered by bike! The traditional “essen” landscape alternates beautifully with forest edges and cozy villages such as Markelo, whose surroundings are graced with rolling meadows and a windmill. Rural charm is what Twente promises everywhere, with trails along the Twente Canal and farmlands shaped by gentle relief. Cycling to the Sallandse Heuvelrug is also within easy reach from your holiday home in Twente, or cross the border and enjoy the stream valleys of the Reggedal. You don’t even have to find your own way — a marked route like the Borne-Delden trail conveniently starts at the Kulturhus in Borne.

Tip: Take a circular route from Enter and ride through farmland with hedgerows and forests alternating with heathland. Near Rijssen, you can cross the Regge River using a small ferry for cyclists and pass the Pelmolen windmill.

Take a walk from the village of Ootmarsum

The charming Ootmarsum is always listed among the most picturesque villages in Twente. It’s an ideal place to pause your cycling trip for a pleasant break in the village square. It’s also a lovely destination for a stroll through the scenic streets and beautiful countryside. The town lies near a push moraine, which explains the region’s rolling landscape. Combined with the varied scenery of streams, hedgerows, and farmland that constantly changes, this makes Ootmarsum’s surroundings perfect for hiking! This is especially true of the Kuiperberg, a hill offering surprising long views across meadows and forests in the distance.

North of the village, walkers can also enjoy the Springendal nature reserve, where a boardwalk winds through forests and along a small lake. A gently sloping field merges into a woodland where the church tower of old Ootmarsum rises above the trees.

Recreation park Het Rutbeek

For all kinds of fun and adventure, head to Rutbeek Recreation Park! Here you can go waterskiing, or challenge yourself in the treetop adventure park with ziplines and climbing courses. Swing through the air among the trees as your feet search for balance on wobbly beams — an exciting activity that’s as thrilling as it is agile!

Explore Twente by car — with Twickel Castle as the highlight

Consider a road trip through Twente with Twickel Castle as one of the highlights, stopping along the way for short walks at other castles or villages. Even better, try a car puzzle tour! It turns a scenic drive into an adventure, taking you through rural roads and to charming spots. From March to September, you can book a guided tour inside Twickel Castle. Afterwards, stroll through the castle gardens and travel through time as the garden design blends classicist and English landscape styles. Around the castle, you’ll also find old farmhouses that give the estate the charm of a historic hamlet.

Rent a holiday home in Twente

A holiday in the east of Overijssel guarantees a trip full of special experiences — from crossing the Regge River by small ferry to admiring sand sculptures at Warmelo Castle. Enjoy it all with scenic walks, cycling routes through rolling landscapes, and cozy terrace stops by watermills — all from your holiday home in Twente!