In the centre of Wijchen stands Kasteel Wijchen, which serves as the town hall, a museum and a wedding venue. Its history dates back to 1609, when Emilia, the daughter of Prince Willem van Oranje, acquired the castle. Today, the museum’s archaeological collection traces 6,000 years of settlement history, from the Stone Age to the early Middle Ages.
Castles, Museum and History
Plants cultivated from the Late Iron Age through the Middle Ages grow in the museum garden, “De Tuun”. Visitors can see, touch and smell them, bringing this historical period to life beyond the collection. Guided tours, workshops for adults and children, lectures, family activities and treasure hunts for children through the castle and museum round out the programme. As the programme may change, it is best to check the current offerings before your visit.
Kasteel Hernen also offers a distinctive glimpse of medieval architecture, with its unique covered defensive walkways. An exhibition focuses on the vanished tower, while a “talking” lantern accompanies visitors on a tour. Check the current programme and access arrangements before your trip. For a walk, the four-kilometre Landgoed Hernen walking route passes through forests and by a medieval castle, which can be visited with a guide.
Other historical sites have their own distinctive stories. The Banmolen originally dates back to 1531 and is closely linked to the lordship of Batenburg. In 2026, the ruins of Batenburg Castle were scheduled to be open to visitors on set days from April to September, and by appointment during that period. Check the current annual schedule before travelling at a later date.
Routes Through Landscape and History
Those exploring Wijchen on foot can choose from routes with different themes. “Wandelen in Wijchen” is a historic walk through Wijchen and its surroundings. It shares the history of the area and leads to points of interest, where columns provide brief explanations of their historical significance. The five-kilometre “Ommetje Wijchen 5” route runs through the centre and combines art and history. Orange stickers on lampposts and posts mark the way.
For a longer cycling trip, the 48-kilometre “Fietsroute langs Wijchense Oorlogsherinneringen” takes visitors to various historic sites in and around Wijchen. The “Kunstgeheimen Wijchen & Beuningen” route offers a different perspective: between the Waal and Maas rivers, it leads to distinctive works of art by the water. The routes thus range from historic memorial sites to art in the landscape, without suggesting that they offer the same experience.
The walking routes also have different focuses. The five-kilometre Leemweg walking route crosses the Valendriese Heuvels and passes through natural landscapes in the area around Wijchen, near Nijmegen. It starts at Urnenveldweg in Wijchen; signposts and posts help with navigation. The 2.6-kilometre Wijchens ven walking route has paths that are accessible to wheelchair users, people with pushchairs and users of other mobility aids. Check route markers and access information before setting out.
Nature, Water and Leisure
Wijchen lies on a sandy ridge south of the Maas. The municipality of Wijchen encompasses a varied landscape of open farmland, river dunes, forests and waterways. Hernense Ven is rich in fish, many species of dragonfly, distinctive aquatic plants and amphibians. Wijchens ven is a nature reserve where, among other animals, Galloway cattle live.
The Berendonck recreation area offers broad sandy beaches, large sunbathing lawns and plenty of greenery. Facilities for visitors mentioned there include wheelchair-accessible entrance gates and parking spaces for visitors with a disabled parking permit. Thermen Berendonck is a wellness resort in Wijchen, with pools and an extensive Moroccan-style sauna complex. It also has an outdoor pool overlooking the water and outdoor whirlpools. The resort also offers wellness days with sauna and spa; check the current access rules before your visit.
Discover more places: Bergharen, Leur, Wijchen, Niftrik, Balgoij.
Discover more destinations: Zevenaar, Wageningen, Neder-Betuwe.
Back to the regional travel overview: Gelderland.
