Explore Doetinchem through a range of interests: mills and local history, castle interiors, nature, theatre and regional cuisine. When planning your stay, it helps to choose a focus. Would you like to learn more about historic buildings and their stories, plan a guided tour, or set aside time for the landscape and culinary offerings? The options vary in both subject matter and format.
Castle history and city museum
At Kasteel Slangenburg, you can explore the rooms independently with an information booklet. It guides you through the castle and shares background stories and special details about its history. Guided tours focus on different aspects: they cover former residents, life on the estate and the building’s history. Before you travel, check whether a tour is available on your chosen date.
The castle’s furnishings also give it a clear focus on architectural history. Original painted ceilings, one of the oldest stucco ceilings, and paintings by Gerard Hoet date from around 1700, when most of the castle was built for Frederik Johan van Baer. This places the surviving decorative features and the building’s history in the same historical context.
Stadsmuseum Doetinchem collects, manages and preserves the cultural heritage of Doetinchem and the surrounding area. One local story leads to the Oude IJssel: a Viking sword lay in the river near Doetinchem for centuries. During a diversion of the Oude IJssel in the 1950s, an excavator operator discovered the sword and handed it over to Stadsmuseum for safekeeping.
Mills and culture in the city
The Oude Stad Doetinchem route starts at Simonsplein and passes through streets by the Walmolen. The grain mill dates from 1851 and was built on a surviving section of the old city wall. Here, the history of milling and part of the former city fortifications come together in one building.
The Benninkmolen is also one of the Doetinchem mills that visitors can experience as living heritage. Visitors can stop by, learn about the history of the mills and find out how they work. At one of the Doetinchem mills, a volunteer miller is on site when the sails are turning or the flag is flying outside. They can then tell visitors more about the mill’s history and function.
Amphion Cultuurbedrijf is a theatre in central Doetinchem, at Hofstraat 159; the information point is also located there. The tower of Catharinakerk can be explored virtually in two formats: as a standard 2D video or as a 360-degree version that you can watch on a smartphone or with a VR headset.
Landscape, routes and events
East of Doetinchem, Landgoed Slangenburg has walking and cycling routes through old avenues, woodland and open farmland. De Zumpe is part of the Gelders Natuurnetwerk. There, calcareous groundwater rises to the surface as spring water, creating distinctive flora. While walking and cycling routes are the main draw at Landgoed Slangenburg, De Zumpe is characterised by its spring water and distinctive plant life.
Living Statues Doetinchem is an annual festival in the city centre featuring living statues and street theatre. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates in advance. This lets you plan your visit around the event programme without assuming a particular edition or date.
Regional cuisine and tastings
Doetinchem has restaurants that serve regional dishes and wine from the Achterhoek. Menus can change, so if you’re interested, check the current selection before your visit. Het Bierkwartier offers private beer tastings in a dedicated tasting room. If you’re planning to attend, it’s a good idea to check the booking details in advance.
This makes it easy to choose the kind of discoveries you want to focus on during your stay in Doetinchem.
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