Emmen offers several reasons to take a short trip of discovery: at the Grote Kerk, periods of construction from centuries far apart meet in a cultural programme; WILDLANDS organises the zoo visit into three themed worlds, while the Emmerdennen add a touch of nature with their forest and ancient sand dunes. There is also a Friday market in the centre. To plan your trip, it is worth first deciding what you want to focus on: culture, wildlife, nature or a specific event date.

Church, culture and creative places

At the Grote Kerk, two markedly different periods of construction come together. The church was built in 1856 and dates to the 19th century; the tower dates from the 12th or 13th century. This contrast makes the church a striking example of different historical layers.

The Grote Kerk is also used for concerts, readings and exhibitions organised by the Stichting Grote Kerk Cultureel. Every year, the foundation hosts Orgelzomer Emmen there: the seasonal programme runs in July, August and September, with concerts on Friday evenings and/or Saturday afternoons. Specific dates may change. If you would like to combine your visit with a concert, check the dates before travelling.

The Rensenpark, a creative meeting place, is also located in the city centre. If you would like to explore Emmen’s culture beyond its historic architecture, it is another place to consider.

Wildlife at WILDLANDS

WILDLANDS Adventure Zoo Emmen takes visitors on a journey through three themed worlds: Jungola, Nortica and Serenga. More than 250 animal species live in these worlds, in habitats designed with inspiration from natural environments. This makes it a clearly different focus from the cultural attractions: here, the emphasis is on animal species and the design of their habitats.

In the covered Rimbula jungle, two observation towers are connected by a bridge. On 1 July 2026, WILDLANDS announced that visitors would be able to use the towers from 4 July. If the towers are important to your visit, check their current availability in advance.

Emmerdennen: forest and trails

The Emmerdennen, a forest with ancient sand dunes, lie just outside the centre of Emmen. Along the Boom tot bos Emmerdennen route, QR codes on the trail posts provide additional information about the forest. The Emmerdennen family trail is a paved, family-friendly walking route, suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs. Different considerations therefore matter when choosing a route: the QR codes add information about the forest, while the paved surface and suitability for the listed mobility aids are key features of the family trail.

Friday market in the centre

Emmen Market takes place every Friday from 08:00 to 14:00 on Marktplein and Hoofdstraat in the centre of Emmen. It is worth checking the schedule before your trip. The Friday market has more than 100 stalls selling fresh vegetables, fruit, bread and cheese; the selection may vary by date. If particular products are important to your visit, take this possible variation into account when planning.

Discover more destinations: Emmer-Compascuum, Erica, Weiteveen, Zwartemeer, Nieuw-Amsterdam, Roswinkel, Schoonebeek

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