Oldenzaal: Hanseatic history, towers and trails in the countryside

Oldenzaal combines a historic centre with walking trails and landscapes in Twente. Historic buildings stand on the Groote Markt, the lively heart of the city. A small part of the Landgoederen Oldenzaal Natura 2000 area lies within the municipality, on and around the Oldenzaal push moraine. This gives you a choice of focus for your stay: city history, culture or time outdoors in the countryside.

Discover the city’s history and culture

The tower of St Plechelmus Basilica is almost 800 years old, stands 61.5 metres tall and is built of Bentheim sandstone. From its summit, the “Lood’n Bönneke”, you can see across Twente to Germany. Access arrangements may vary; if you plan to climb the tower, check the current conditions before your visit.

The collection at Oldenzaal Museum ranges from archaeological finds and religious heritage to traditional crafts. The visitor programme includes tailor-made guided tours, a special city walk and an escape room; the programme is subject to change. At De Pelgrim, ArcheoHotSpot Oldenzaal brings together archaeology, archaeologists, volunteers, residents and visitors. It makes archaeological finds from past and current excavations accessible to the public. The permanent exhibition “Ritme van de stad” explores rituals and traditions in Oldenzaal and Twente.

The Hanseatic past can also be explored in several ways: at Hanzehuis Oldenzaal, you can learn about it as well as the city’s contemporary business community. The Hanzetour app tells the city’s history as a search for lost coins and takes you to six different places in Oldenzaal. Visitors to the historic home of the Palthe family can discover how a wealthy family must have lived in the 18th century.

A quieter place is the Herdenkingstuin, a memorial garden that is easily accessible to the public. It commemorates residents who died in acts of war or post-war peacekeeping missions, as well as those who died in the explosion on the Groote Markt on 8 May 1945. The garden also features memorials to Jewish victims and Sinti people from Oldenzaal.

Walk between the city and the countryside

There are several routes to choose from for walks. Rondje Oldenzaal, also known as “Loakgang”, is 35.8 kilometres long and follows 62 junctions. The walking route starts at Hulsbeek, Oude Almelosestraat 13, and is marked with white-and-green trail signs. Along the way, you’ll pass historic boundary stones and cross eight nature areas in Twente.

The OHP 1 route starts at Oldenzaal railway station, is marked red and white, and can be walked in either direction. It passes through country estates and ends at Kennispark in Enschede, forming part of the Overijssels Havezatenpad. Check the trail markings and access before setting off; conditions may vary by season.

Het Hulsbeek covers 230 hectares and is considered the region’s largest landscape park. The “'t 12-uurtje” walk through the park leads through extensive woodland, past small bodies of water, across heathland and open meadows, and along water with beaches and green lawns for sunbathing. The package also includes a walk from Oldenzaal to De Lutte and back. Lunch is served at two different locations along the way. As the package, route and restaurant details may change, check the details before planning.

The Tankenberg lies in the wider area around Oldenzaal. At 85 metres, it is the highest “mountain” in Overijssel, with views across Twente to Germany. Nearby Landgoed Egheria offers walking and cycling through woodland and along streams to the Tankenberg. Its protected pools in the stream valleys are a habitat for the rare great crested newt. Check access information for Egheria before your trip.

Then match the location of a specific hotel offer to the trails and route starting points you plan to use.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Oldenzaal, Hardenberg, Losser, Borne, Olst-Wijhe, Twenterand, Dalfsen, Hengelo.

For the overview of the wider region, see: Overijssel.