Alphen aan den Rijn: Roman history, mills and walking trails

Roman sites, mills and routes through the cultural landscape reveal different sides of Alphen aan den Rijn. The Oude Rijn runs through the municipality. The Roman Limes also extends for 17 kilometres through the municipal area and is known here as the Oude Rijn. Estates, expanses of water, far-reaching views and a diverse array of wildlife shape the landscape in and around Alphen aan den Rijn.

Roman history and museums

At Museumpark Archeon, you can see reconstructed buildings and houses from the prehistoric Netherlands, Roman times and the Middle Ages. Roman activities include drill exercises, a Roman massage, making a fibula and a herb hunt; the specific programme may vary. The Romeins Museum at Archeon tells the story of soldiers and local people through numerous Roman finds from Alphen aan den Rijn.

Roman heritage can also be found in other places. The Albaniana walking route passes traces of a fort, a vicus, a bathhouse and a sanctuary dedicated to Venus. The Historisch Museum Hazerswoude displays finds from Roman times. You can also see a replica of a tabula ansata there: a wooden Roman writing or name plaque with its nail still intact. The original was excavated in 2023 in Westvaartpark. Avifauna opened in 1950 in Alphen aan den Rijn as the world’s first bird park.

Walking trails through polders and the nursery-gardening area

The publicly accessible Wandelpad Kroft has formed a circular walk since September 2025. The route connects, among other places, Zegerpark, Westkanaalweg, a farm walking trail across the Kroft family’s land and Windepad. The Boerenlandpaden in Alphen are unpaved paths across agricultural land. They are accessible with the landowners’ permission; walkers must follow the signposted route, and dogs are not allowed. As these access rules determine how the paths may be used, check them before setting out.

The Boerenlandroute – Westvaartroute is a one-hour circular route through the Gemenewegse Polder. It follows the historic Westvaart and starts and ends in Hazerswoude-Dorp. The Boskoop wandelt route offers a different perspective on the landscape: the nursery-gardening area you experience there is considered intangible cultural heritage. If you would like to look out for historical traces while walking, Albaniana leads to the Roman sites and structures mentioned above.

Mills and nursery-gardening culture

The Molenviergang Aarlanderveen is the only working chain of mills in the world that drains a polder. One of the mills can be visited by appointment; confirm the time before your visit. At the De Eendracht grain mill, the miller explains the milling process. From the gallery, you can enjoy views over the Oude Rijn and Alphen aan den Rijn. The mill is open to the public on Saturdays and to groups by appointment. The mill shop sells bread-making items and offers advice; its range may change.

The Boomkwekerijmuseum presents the history and present-day life of the Boskoop nursery sector. Volunteers share stories about nursery entrepreneurs. In the summer months, the museum offers excursions in a Boskoop schouw boat; a guide points out the nurseries and other notable features along the route. Availability may vary. Plantentuin Esveld is a traditional Boskoop nursery with a history dating back to well into the 19th century; it offers boat trips and guided tours of the nursery.

Water and cycling routes

On the eastern shore of Zegerplas lies the Zegersloot underwater nature park, where visitors can snorkel and dive. At Social Club Wet ’n Wild, you can learn to water-ski and wakeboard on a cable ski lift. There are boat trips in the waterside village of Rietveld, and you can rent a rowing boat at Lena’s Hoeve. Both are subject to operator availability.

There are dozens of cycling routes in and around Alphen aan den Rijn. The Hollandse-Limes cycling route connects Alphen aan den Rijn with the excavations in Westvaartpark, Leiden, Hazerswoude, Archeon and Zwammerdam. Check the current route before setting off. For maps and directions, you can visit the centrally located VVV in Alphen: it provides visitor information, leaflets, route maps, gift cards and souvenirs; visitor services may change.

Discover more destinations: Zwammerdam, Aarlanderveen, Alphen aan den Rijn; Westland, Hardinxveld-Giessendam, Schiedam, Kaag en Braassem, Rozenburg.

Go to the main travel overview: South Holland.