Dordrecht: Art, History and the Biesbosch
Accommodation in Dordrecht
For a stay in Dordrecht, you can focus on culture, the city’s history or nature. Museums and historic buildings sit alongside walking tours, hiking and cycling routes, and activities around the Biesbosch. If you’re looking for a hotel in Dordrecht, deciding what you want to do can help you choose: a focus on painting and historic houses offers a different experience from excursions into nature.
Art and History in Dordrecht
The Dordrechts Museum showcases six centuries of painting, from 16th-century altarpieces to contemporary works.
At the Hof van Nederland, different perspectives and historical events—most of which took place in Dordrecht—show how the Netherlands has dealt with freedom, both in the past and today. The museum thus connects historical events with a theme that explicitly spans both periods.
At the monumental Huis Van Gijn, visitors can experience how wealthy citizens and their staff lived around 1900. Children can take a special Griffioen tour at the Hof van Nederland.
Old Town and Walking Routes
The Grote Kerk Dordrecht is one of the city’s most striking sights. Its tower leans almost two metres out of plumb. Rondje Dordt is a five-kilometre walking route through the historic city centre. You can follow the route using signposts around the city or the izi.TRAVEL app on your smartphone.
Rondje Dordt is a single, clearly measured city route. By contrast, the island of Dordrecht has a 190-kilometre network of walking trails, with routes leading towards Nationaal Park De Biesbosch. The city-centre walk and the extensive network therefore differ not only in length, but also in the range of tours they offer. Check route information and signage before setting out.
Cycling and Nature in the Biesbosch
De Nieuwe Dordtse Biesbosch covers approximately 530 hectares and forms a buffer between Nationaal Park De Biesbosch and the city of Dordrecht. Two cycling routes cross the nature and recreation area: one is 12.5 kilometres long and the other is 18 kilometres long.
Biesboschcentrum Dordrecht has an exhibition about the water, plants, beavers and birds of the Biesbosch, as well as the history of the nature reserve. Maps of walking and cycling routes are available there for independent excursions. Visitors can also rent kayaks, canoes, SUPs, rowing boats and electric whisper boats to explore the Biesbosch independently.
From 1 April to 31 October, you can take the Zonnepont 7 foot ferry to the Griendmuseumpad. The VVV cycling route Dordrecht–Kinderdijk–Biesbosch passes through Dordrecht’s historic city centre, the Alblasserwaard and the Dutch part of the Biesbosch; bicycles can be carried free of charge on the Waterbus along the route. For specific planning details, it’s best to check the latest information on rentals, the Griffioen tour, the ferry operating period, the izi.TRAVEL app and taking bicycles on the Waterbus.
Discover more destinations: Dordrecht, Bovenpolder, Dordtse Biesbosch
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