Eemnes between polder landscapes and village history

Open polder landscapes, farms, and nature reserves shape the scenery in Eemnes. Historic village centers, old dikes, and a former pumping station also tell the story of the area. This makes it easy to combine a stay with walks and wildlife watching, as well as with architecture and local culture.

Polder landscapes and trails

The Nesserpad runs through the open Eemland polder landscape from Eemnes. The walking trail passes farms and dikes and follows the winding Zomerdijk along the Eem. You can choose between routes of 6 and 11 km—a practical difference when planning the length of your walk for the day. In spring, you can spot numerous birds in flooded meadow plots known as plas-dras areas.

The Eemnes polder, with its many wheel ponds, is also a geological monument. You can explore it on foot or by bicycle via the Zomerdijk. Further across Eemland, an open, protected marsh pasture landscape preserves medieval dikes and plots. The Eemland walking route follows the medieval Meentdijk and Zomerdijk dikes and lets you take a detour to a birdwatching hut on the Eemmeer. From there, you can observe many waterbirds.

The seasons bring different wildlife-watching opportunities: migratory birds, meadow birds, waterbirds, and winter visitors can be seen in Eemland all year round. In winter, large flocks of barnacle geese and brent geese graze in the Eem polders; by contrast, a defining feature of the Nesserpad is the birdwatching at the plas-dras areas in spring.

Village history and water management

The state-protected village landscape of Eemnes-Buiten includes the historic village center around the Nederlands Hervormde kerk. The Ned. Hervormde Kerk at Wakkerendijk 49 is a late Gothic building; its tower was added around 1500. Eemnes-Binnen has a different character: it is mainly made up of several farms along the Wakkerendijk. The Oudheidkamer offers another perspective on the town as an exhibition and documentation center devoted to the history of Eemnes. Its historical overview dates back to around 1200; a new exhibition is on display about every six months, though this schedule may change.

Founded in 1883, Gemaal Eemnes played an important role in the town’s history and in draining the surrounding area. The old pumps, drives, auxiliary equipment, and electrical installations have been preserved in the building, which was restored in 2005–2006. One of the pumps is still operational. As well as offering insight into village history, the site gives a concrete impression of the technical equipment used in water management.

Culture and local dining

Huis van Eemnes has a theater, a library, workshops, lectures, and a brasserie. For bicycles, the venue has a large parking area with several charging stations for electric bikes. Rondje Cultuur, featuring art, culture, stories, and music, takes place there on the third Thursday of every month. Check the current program before visiting. One example from 2025 is the ninth edition of Een Dijk van Kunst en Cultuur: it took place at 23 locations along the Wakkerendijk and Meentweg, with 34 visual artists from Eemnes exhibiting their work. The program also included performances by musicians, poets, and dancers.

Goois Openluchttheater is located on Landgoed de Lieberg on Heidelaan in Eemnes. Open-air performances take place there at irregular intervals, so if you are planning a visit, it is worth checking the current schedule. Another local highlight is Theetuin Eemnes | Brave Hendrik, with its high tea, garden seating, tea house, furnished greenhouses, and adventure playground. The forgotten vegetable Brave Hendrik, related to Swiss chard and spinach, grows in the garden’s own vegetable plot.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Eemnes, Wijk Bij Duurstede, Veenendaal, Maarssen, Oudewater, Rhenen, Montfoort, Utrecht

For the main travel overview: Utrecht.