Arnhem combines natural spaces with a wide variety of cultural destinations. Two walks show how you can spend your time here: the 5-kilometre Water Walk leads through Sonsbeek Park, while the 4-kilometre Arnhem City Walk takes you to historic buildings and places in the historic centre. There are also museums, a church with panoramic views and historic parkland—depending on whether you prefer to spend time outdoors or focus on culture.
Nature and walking routes in Arnhem
The municipality of Arnhem manages more than 2,500 hectares of natural areas in its forests and parks. Along the Water Walk, you’ll encounter springs, spring heads and waterfalls; mills once stood along these waterways. The route combines a walk through Sonsbeek Park with traces of its former use. The Arnhem City Walk has a different focus: over 4 kilometres, it takes you to historic buildings and places in the historic centre. By comparison, the Water Walk is the longer route and the one with water and park scenery; the city route focuses on built heritage.
The Water Walk starts at Bothaplein. It can be reached from Arnhem Centraal by public transport in under ten minutes. As journey times can change, check the current connection before travelling. This lets you plan your journey to the walk separately from the walk itself.
Huis Zypendaal also brings together landscape and history in a different way. The house was built between 1762 and 1764 for the prominent Arnhem regent family, the Brantsens. Its grounds combine formal French and romantic English landscape styles with springs, streams and ponds. You can walk and picnic in the park surrounding the house. Huis Zypendaal is one of the seven castles open to visitors that belong to Geldersch Landschap & Kasteelen; check the latest visitor information in advance.
Museums, architecture and history
The Eusebius Church has a panoramic lift that takes you up to a height of 73 metres, as well as glass balconies overlooking Arnhem’s skyline. This makes it a viewing point in its own right within the cultural itinerary. The Nederlands Openluchtmuseum offers another way to explore the past: its 44-hectare museum park lets you discover how people lived in the past. The museum also offers rides on a historic tram.
For a connection between the city’s history and its landscape, Museum Arnhem offers another focus. The museum is located on a high push moraine and offers views over the Rhine. Airborne at the Bridge, meanwhile, tells the personal stories of service members who fought and died at John Frost Bridge during the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. Together, these places take you from architecture and landscape to specific historical experiences, while addressing different aspects of the city’s history.
Special themes and changing offerings
Burgers’ Zoo recreates natural environments as authentically as possible in its eco-displays. The habitats represented range from tropical rainforest and the rocky deserts of Arizona to the East African savannah, a tropical coral reef and the jungles of Malaysia. Animals often live among hundreds of plant species, with plenty of space to move around. These varied landscapes give a zoo visit a different focus from the city’s historic sites and museums.
The Nederlands Watermuseum explores the importance of water in everyday life, in the Netherlands and around the world. Games and activities take place in or around the museum. The Waterlab offers changing activities at weekends and during school holidays; as the programme may change, check the latest information before your visit.
The Modekwartier is located in the heart of the Klarendal district, a few minutes’ walk from Arnhem city centre. Fashion, design, art and food shape the neighbourhood. Visitors can watch designers at work in their studios and often talk to them about what they do; these conversations depend on individual studio opening hours. For a culinary addition, Wijnproeverij de Ontdekking combines a tasting of three wines with a tour of authentic wine cellars and a visit to the Nederlands Wijnmuseum. Check the programme and availability in advance. The Nederlands Openluchtmuseum also serves freshly baked poffertjes at a classic stall; availability may vary depending on the day of operation.
For the full travel overview: Arnhem.
