Zevenaar: Water Sports and Cultural Heritage

The options for a trip related to Zevenaar range from water sports at De Bijland and Rhederlaag to Roman finds, historic buildings, and routes through the countryside. Whether you prefer spending time by the water, exploring cultural history, or walking a route, the destinations offer different highlights.

Water sports at De Bijland and Rhederlaag

De Bijland near Lobith and Tolkamer is a 300-hectare water sports area. There, you can surf, pedal boat, sail, go boating, and swim. The area also includes a sheltered marina bay and a speedboat course for speedboat and water-ski users.

Rhederlaag has more than 350 hectares of water and a direct connection to the IJssel. At the beaches near Giesbeek and Lathum, you can swim, sunbathe, play, and surf. Rhederlaag also includes the Het Eiland and WSV Giesbeek marinas, as well as the Rhederlaag yacht yard.

The activities mentioned can help you compare the two areas: at De Bijland, options include sailing, pedal boating and boating, as well as the speedboat course. Rhederlaag combines water sports with beach activities such as sunbathing and playing. This lets you plan your outing around your preferred focus without treating the different offerings as interchangeable.

Routes through the countryside and town

The Rijnstrangenpad is a Klompenpad (traditional walking trail) between Pannerden and Zevenaar. It runs through the Rijnstrangen area, past rugged reed beds, dikes, and old defensive structures. Two chain ferries are also part of the route. These features give the trail its own character: countryside and traces of history lie along the same route.

The Art and Parks Trail in Zevenaar offers a different focus. The route passes more than 40 artworks and objects and runs through eight town parks. You can walk the Oost-Zuid and West-Noord sections; the full route is 23.9 kilometers long. When planning your time, the total distance is therefore not the only consideration: you can also choose one of the sections mentioned.

Roman finds and industrial history

The Liemers Museum in Zevenaar displays Roman finds, including remains of the temple complex at Herwen-Hemeling. A Roman-themed guided tour explores temples and legends. The museum also displays objects from the daily lives of the Romans and later inhabitants, and tells the story of the region, its crafts, and its art. This brings both individual archaeological finds and stories about life and work in the region into focus.

Industrial history can be explored in a different way at Buitengoed de Panoven: a tour of the former brickworks explains the process from clay to brick. Bricks were made there until 1982. At the end of the tour, visitors can shape their own brick. Another activity is a 60-minute carriage ride through the Liemers countryside, drawn by Fjord horses.

The Turmac Cultuurfabriek is a cultural meeting place in Zevenaar's former cigarette factory. Several partners based there offer social, educational, and cultural programs. The heritage of Vesting Zevenaar also includes the town fortifications, the town moat, and the four former town gates: Bleksepoort, Grietsepoort, Didamsepoort, and Kerkpoort.

Gardens, churches, and windmills

Landgoed Huis Sevenaer includes 23 national heritage monuments and a historic horticultural complex. You can visit the house on a guided tour. In the Deelhoven vegetable garden, the Theeschenkerij welcomes visitors on the first Friday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. There, you can buy produce from the estate and enjoy fresh herbal tea with something sweet.

In Oud-Zevenaar, Sint-Martinuskerk has valuable stained-glass windows by artist Joep Nicolas. The St. Martin's/Our Lady Church also houses a Marian chapel. The regional Marian pilgrimage originated in the 15th century and continued until around 1580—a historical tradition that is clearly distinct in time from today's travel offerings.

Buitenmolen te Zevenaar is a tower mill and Dutch-style windmill built between 1500 and 1599, used as a grain mill. It is open to the public; visits are possible by appointment. You should therefore arrange an appointment in advance.

Getting there and choosing a hotel

You can reach Zevenaar from Arnhem by train in less than 15 minutes. Journey times and frequency may change, so check the connection before your trip. From the station, walk via Stationsplein and Kerkstraat to the town center. Several bus routes stop in the center and at the station, with further stops on Molenstraat and Oude Doesburgseweg. Bus routes and stops may also change, so it is advisable to check the latest public transport information.

When choosing a hotel, use your planned focus as a guide: water sports, cultural history, and walking routes offer different ways to shape your trip. Compare the hotel's specific location with the places you plan to visit.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Zevenaar, Giesbeek, Lathum, Babberich, Lingewaard, Brummen, Elburg, Heumen.

For the main travel overview: Gelderland.