Environment
Harderwijk
Harderwijk an old Hanseatic city located on the Randmeren in the middle of the Veluwe. A city full of rich historical buildings and monuments, a city center with many sights, nice restaurants and plenty of culture. The beautiful city center that can be explored on foot with a city guide to sniff the culture and history even better.
The 6th city poet Henk Ruiter has been the poet of the Hanseatic city since 2019. His poems and those of the junior city poet can be read at www.stadsdichterharderwijk.nl
The city of Harderwijk is known to many for the Dolfinarium. Situated on an 'island' in the Veluwemeer on the pleasant boulevard. In recent years, the boulevard has been enriched with a fantastic city beach. Wonderful to bathe barefoot in the Wolderwijd on a summer's day or to relax on the beach, stirring in the sand. The beautifully restored Molen de Hoop is located a stone's throw away. A guide will lead you through the mill and explain how it works. If you are lucky, you will witness the milling process using wind power. You can watch the wings turning in the wind. There is also an exhibition of the Harderwijk distillery Hulsink.
Forest and water
In Harderwijk you can explore the nature of the Veluwe with its lush forests, mostly by bike or on foot. Due to the location of the rural villages and medieval Hanseatic cities in the area, you can indulge yourself as a nature lover. In this vast and protected nature reserve, nature has free rein. The Big Five, such as red deer or wild boar, are given all the space here.
The Veluwe is a treasure trove if you like to delve into history. With its valuable memories that take you back to the old days with its castles and estates, beautiful Hanseatic cities, the industrial heritage and the Second World War. Cycling and walking over the sand drifts (Hulshorst), the thick forests and along colorful heathlands.
The water around the Veluwemeer and the Wolderwijd has a natural attraction. With the many surf beaches there are enough activities to see and experience. Plenty of choice for recreation in the area or a boat rental for a day. Directly at the harbor of Harderwijk you will find Bij Oost, located on the original shipyard. From this historic location you can board one of the boats for a day of sailing in the Randmeren. Sail along with a tour boat or step into one of the historic sloops and explore the water around Harderwijk.
Several Hanseatic cities nearby?
Harderwijk, Elburg and Hattem. Thanks to their favourable location on the IJssel and Zuiderzee, you can cycle from one to the other using one of the Hanseatic routes, partly on the old trade routes.
Can't get enough of the medieval towns? The other Dutch Hanseatic cities of Doesburg, Zutphen, Hasselt, Kampen, Zwolle and Deventer are also not far from the Veluwe.
The many museums in the area tell you a beautiful story about the rich history. These stories take you to earlier times of prosperity, war, beautiful estates and castles and the industrial heritage.
Castles and estates
In and around Harderwijk there are beautiful estates and castles. Would you like to go on a castle tour for a day? Your journey starts at Kasteel de Essenburgh in Hierden. You continue your way to Kasteel Staverden located in the smallest town in the Netherlands Staverden. Via Speuld and Drie you drive to the village of Ermelo. The beautiful Landgoed Oud Groevenbeek unfolds before your eyes here. After this the journey follows to the village of Putten. Several estates can be found here, including Kasteel de Vanenburg, Landgoed Oldenaller, Landgoed Groot Spriel and Landgoed Schovenhorst where there is a beautiful lookout tower. The road continues to Nijkerk to Landgoed Salentein. In Nijkerk there is also an old water tower and steam pumping station with a museum.
Activities in and around the city
Harderwijk offers plenty of activities for young and old. Do you really want to get out and about actively with your family, your company or relatives:
- Klimbos Harderwijk- Adventure Veluwe- De Veluwe Specialist- SOS Events- Kok ExperienceIndoor and outdoor play paradise, sneak through the exciting laser game maze or watch the latest films in the Kok CinemaxX cinema
Prefer an amusement park or family park:
- Dolfinarium Harderwijk- Apenheul in Apeldoorn- Julianatoren in Apeldoorn- Amersfoort Zoo- Walibi Holland with more than 40 attractions and shows
Other activities and/or sights:
- City walk Harderwijk. For information www.stadsgidsenharderwijk.com
- Brewery De Uddelaer is located in the authentic Coach House of Staverden Castle and is furnished as a 'brewpub'. Here you can witness brewing activities in combination with the rich history of the Castle. Taste the delicious specialty beers at this unique location!
- The Sculpture Garden in Garderen is full of beautiful garden statues and other decorations. On the same grounds, the Veluws Zandsculpturenfestijn takes place annually from April to October. The most beautiful scenes that are all depicted with sand.
- Ermelo sheep herd consists of about 300 sheep that are housed at the Sheepfold of Ermelo. This is built in authentic style and is one of the largest in Gelderland.
- Wellnessresort de Zwaluwhoeve. Relax and unwind! Enjoy a whole day of spa and wellness!
- Paleis het Loo. More than 300 years ago, the Oranjes chose the Veluwe to live, work, relax and have free time. Do you want to stroll royally in the stables, the coach houses and the beautiful baroque gardens? Treat yourself to the interior of bygone years and let yourself be carried away by the ravages of time in the field of interior design of the Oranjes.
Art and Culture
· Theater: Theater Harderwijk· Catharinakapel· Museums: Stadsmuseum Harderwijk and Marius van Dokkummuseum· Music: Poppodium Estrado· The Palingmuseum in Harderwijk is unique in the Netherlands, it provides a very interesting and educational experience for young and old. You can get delicious via at Palingrokerij & Vishandel Dries van den Berg
· Works of art in the town hall and public spaces: www.harderwijk.kunstwacht.nlOrnaments: www.harderwijk-ornamenten.kunstwacht.nl
Nature gardens to visit:
· A. Bird gardens at 't Harde· Medieval monastery gardens in Elburg· Bee nature garden in Nunspeet· Heemtuin Heimanshof in Vierhouten· Pick-your-own garden in Putten
Towards the end of the summer, the heathland on the Veluwe is in bloom. We recommend a number of locations.
· Elspeetsche Heide · The Hoge Veluwe National Park · Ermelosche Heide · Renderklippen (Epe) · Veluwezoom National Park
Shopping in the area
Harderwijk itself has many shops and boutiques located in the old city center. If you want to explore the area in terms of shopping, you can certainly go to the cities of Amersfoort, Zwolle and Apeldoorn. Utrecht is further away, but with the beautiful canals and numerous boutiques it is also certainly worth a visit.
Furthermore, Lelystad has the well-known Bataviastad, the fashion outlet with all kinds of well-known brands represented. The outlet is named after the ship Batavia from 1628, of which a replica is moored nearby, at the Bataviawerf.
Activities in the area
The area around Harderwijk offers a rich selection of day trips. The buttons below will link you to the websites.
