Apeldoorn: Culture, Gardens and Cycling Routes

When choosing a hotel in Apeldoorn, it is worth first considering your interests for the trip: Would you like to explore historic gardens and buildings, experience art and events, or go out on walking and cycling routes? The city’s sights and activities offer a range of options.

Paleis Het Loo and its gardens

Paleis Het Loo was the former summer residence of the Dutch stadtholder and royal family and has served as a museum since 1984. It is considered the largest authentic 17th-century palace of the House of Orange-Nassau. The palace gardens are the only reconstruction of a Baroque garden in the Netherlands. One of their distinctive features is the Koningssprong fountain, which shoots water more than 13 metres high.

The palace’s history and garden design offer different points of focus: the palace centres on the history of the House of Orange-Nassau, while the reconstructed grounds and the Koningssprong define the garden. If you are interested in architectural and garden history, you can explore both topics in one place in Apeldoorn.

Art, wildlife and city park

The CODA Museum presents changing exhibitions of modern visual art, contemporary fashion and jewellery by artists and designers. Art on and made from paper is also part of the programme. As the exhibitions change, the focus of each visit varies.

At Apenheul, visitors can discover 34 species of monkeys with a free search map. Bus route 1 runs from Apeldoorn station to the Apenheul bus stop in 15 minutes. As transport times may change, check the timetable before travelling.

Berg & Bos city park has an extensive network of walking trails, suitable for both short circular walks and longer routes. Its observation tower is 26 metres high and offers views across the park and the surrounding area of Apeldoorn. You can combine the trail lengths with a viewpoint; the park trails offer a different way to spend time outdoors than the museums and palace.

The Grote Kerk also combines history with present-day use: the church building was constructed in 1892 and is recognised as a Rijksmonument. It is used for weekly Sunday services and organ concerts. Theater en Congres Orpheus offers event spaces for theatre, concerts, conferences and events. Theater Orpheus opened in 1965.

Discover Apeldoorn by bike

For a cycling tour with an artistic focus, the “Natuurlijk Buitenkunst” audio tour is one option: it is 18 kilometres long and tells the stories behind 14 works of public art. The Makersroute is a circular cycling route through Apeldoorn and Voorst; meeting craftspeople is part of its theme. The two offerings therefore differ mainly in focus: public art on one route, and crafts and a route through two places on the other.

The Culinaire Fietsroute passes artisan shops and farms where regional products can be purchased. A detour at junction 51 leads to Koninginnelaan in Apeldoorn. There, various shops sell regional products from Apeldoorn and handmade goods. This route focuses on regional produce and shopping opportunities, while “Natuurlijk Buitenkunst” explores works of art and the stories behind them.

Whether you are interested in a hotel in Apeldoorn because of the palace gardens, museums and events, or a cycling tour, the topics described are clearly distinct and can be chosen according to your personal interests.

Discover more destinations: Nieuw-Milligen, Uddel, Loenen, Hoenderloo, Beekbergen, Beemte Broekland, Hoog-Soeren, Ugchelen.

For the main travel overview: Apeldoorn.