Arnhem between art, city history and nature

Arnhem can be explored through a wide range of themes: art and collections, the city’s history, historic routes and nature experiences. You can tailor your stay to what interests you most – from museum visits to time outdoors.

Museums, art and city history

At the Nederlands Openluchtmuseum, you’ll find buildings, objects and stories dating back as far as 400 years. Visitors can also learn a craft in a workshop. This gives the museum its own way of connecting with the past, where hands-on learning is just as much a part of the experience as looking around.

Museum Arnhem presents modern and contemporary art and design, including fashion and jewellery. Its sculpture garden is free to enter; check the latest visitor information before your visit. The museum is situated on a high lateral moraine formed during the Ice Age and offers views of the Rhine. According to the museum’s description, art, landscape and views of the river come together here.

The Grote Kerk, also known as St Eusebius’ Church, tells the story of Arnhem from medieval times through the Second World War to the post-war reconstruction. Its panoramic lift rises to a height of 73 metres and offers views over Arnhem and the surrounding area. As this is a visitor attraction, it’s worth checking the latest information about the lift before your trip. The church regularly hosts exhibitions about its own history and the Battle of Arnhem; check which exhibitions are currently on before your visit.

At the Erfgoedcentrum in Rozet, objects and stories together tell the history of Arnhem and its surroundings. Airborne at the Bridge offers another historical perspective: this branch of the Airborne Museum is in the city centre and overlooks the John Frost Bridge. It tells the stories of three people who fought and died at this site during the Battle of Arnhem. There is also a VVV information point on site, with tourist information about the region. Check the latest details about this service before your trip.

Two ways to experience the Battle of Arnhem

The City Walk Arnhem is a four-kilometre walking route through the city’s historic buildings and sites. Several audio points on the Liberation Route Europe tell stories about Second World War events at their respective locations. The route combines a walk around Arnhem with stories tied to specific places.

The Airborne City Tour Arnhem also goes through the city centre, but has a distinct focus: 25 audio points bring the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944 to life. The tour covers the attempt by Allied airborne troops to capture bridges over major rivers – including the bridges at Arnhem – which turned the city into a frontline area. The differences are clear when planning your visit: the City Walk has a specified length and takes you to historic sites; the Airborne City Tour tells the story of the battle through its audio points.

Green spaces and themed experiences

Park Sonsbeek is a good place for birdwatching. It’s also worth visiting in different seasons: in early spring, you can see wood anemones, snowdrops and foxgloves, among other flowers, beneath the trees. Stadstuin Kweekland is an edible landscape on a typical south-facing Arnhem slope next to Park Sonsbeek. It offers tours and workshops, as well as lunch and dinner in its garden and greenhouse. As the activities may change, check what’s on during your stay before visiting.

At Burgers’ Zoo, visitors can explore a range of habitats: tropical rainforest, the rocky deserts of Arizona, a coral reef, the savannah of East Africa and the jungles of Southeast Asia. A wooden bridge leads through the East African savannah habitat. The zoo offers a different way to experience nature from watching birds or plants in a park.

The Nederlands Watermuseum explores the importance of water in daily life, in the Netherlands and around the world. Games and activities take place inside the museum or in its surroundings. As this is a visitor programme, check the latest activities in advance. Walking and cycling routes are available at Molenplaats Sonsbeek; check the latest details about this service before your trip.

Planning your stay

From Arnhem’s railway stations, you can walk straight into the city centre, where you’ll find historic sights, shops and cafés. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, it may help to decide on the focus of your trip first: would you mainly like to explore art and city history, discover historic sites through audio points, or focus on nature and habitats? This makes the wide range of options a practical starting point for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Arnhem, Doetinchem, West Maas En Waal, Renkum, Brummen, Zevenaar, Hattem, Druten.

Back to the main travel overview: Gelderland.