Zutphen: Hanseatic History, Art and Water

Zutphen is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands and a Hanseatic city. Historic towers and churches sit alongside museums, activities on the Berkel and excursions into the countryside. If you’re looking for a hotel in Zutphen, you can plan your stay around what interests you most: city history, art or waterside experiences.

Hanseatic history and historic buildings

Zutphen has more than 900 monuments, including churches, hofjes, city gates and merchant houses. A historic walking route through the city centre takes you past the Zaadmarkt, the 's-Gravenhof, the Berkelpoort and the Drogenapstoren. The Librije in the Walburgiskerk also tells the story of the city’s long history: it is the oldest public reading room in the Netherlands and was built between 1561 and 1564, modelled on the book rooms of two medieval Zutphen monasteries. Its collection comprises around 750 books, several of which are chained to centuries-old reading desks. The oldest part of the tower of the Martinuskerk dates from around 1100 or earlier.

Museums and art

The Stedelijk Museum Zutphen presents the city’s history through special objects from museum and archaeological collections. Museum Henriette Polak is devoted to figurative art, as well as modern classical painting and sculpture from after 1945. Musea Zutphen is about a ten-minute walk, or 600 metres, from Zutphen NS railway and bus station. At Houtmarkt 75, Inspiratiepunt Zutphen welcomes residents and tourists with information and inspiration.

Experience history and plan your time

Guided tours of the Walburgiskerk and the Librije last around 40 minutes and are limited to a maximum of eight visitors per tour. Packages and visitor limits may change; check the details before you travel. Guided city walks in Zutphen last around 1.5 hours and share interesting facts and the city’s history.

With a guide, you can climb the Wijnhuistoren. The free climb offers views of Zutphen and the surrounding area, as well as information about the carillon. There is an exhibition in the tower’s attic about its construction and the carillon. Check the schedule in advance; the climb may be weather-dependent.

Erve Eme brings Zutphen’s early medieval history to life. The site includes a furnished farmhouse, a smithy, a small pit dwelling and an oven building with a bread oven and pottery kiln. There is also an apiary, vegetable and herb gardens, and fields with traditional crops. At events, craftspeople explain their work and give demonstrations. The programme varies; check current dates before your trip.

Water and nature

Bronsbergenmeer is south of Zutphen, near Fort Bronsbergen. It covers 12 hectares and has several beaches. Swimming is permitted throughout the lake from sunrise to sunset, at your own risk. Check the latest water quality information before swimming.

Visitors can canoe or stand-up paddleboard on the Berkel and discover Zutphen from the water, as well as the nature around the city. A whisper boat trip lasts more than an hour and passes through the historic city and surrounding countryside. A lift can be used when boarding and disembarking by people with reduced mobility. Timetables and booking conditions may change; check them before your trip.

Tastings and events

Rokerij Zuidvenne offers a tour about the smoking of fish, ending with a tasting of authentically smoked products. The tour must be booked in advance. Smaakverkenners is a walking tour of Zutphen where you sample dishes and products at various restaurants and speciality shops. Availability and participating venues may change; check before booking.

In Warnsveld, TOP is walking route network starting point 27. Cycling junctions 74 and 76 let you plan your own routes. The Dorpsfeesten in Warnsveld traditionally take place on the third weekend in August and include music and various activities. If you’d like to plan your trip around them, check the dates and programme for your travel year. From Zutphen, you can cycle into the Berkelstreek, including along Klompenpaden, to the 't Velde estate and Vorden’s Eight Castles.

Discover more destinations: Warnsveld, Zutphen, Nunspeet, Heerde, Voorst, Geldermalsen, Tiel, Neder-Betuwe

For the regional travel overview: Gelderland.