On the Laren–Blaricum art route, art and movement come together: 16 information boards in public spaces display works by artists who lived and worked in the villages. The route is available as a 5.5-kilometre walking trail and an 8-kilometre cycling route. The two distances refer to different formats—a useful distinction when planning your exploration on foot or by bike.
Art and history in Laren
The connection with Blaricum also extends into cultural history. Since the late 19th century, Laren and Blaricum have been known as artists’ villages; their landscapes and authentic rural life attract painters and other creative people from the Netherlands and abroad. Another art route, “Kunstroute Laren & Blaricum”, starts and ends at Singer Laren, Oude Drift 1 in Laren.
The Sint Jansbasiliek brings together architectural history and visual art. The present-day basilica was built in 1924/25 to a design by architect Wolter te Riele. In 1937, it received its title in connection with the old procession tradition. The stained-glass windows were based on designs by Han Bijvoet; the windows above the main altar tell the story of John the Baptist. The building period, procession tradition and imagery offer different ways to explore Laren’s cultural heritage.
Singer Laren also brings together several art forms: the venue includes a museum, a theatre, a sculpture garden and a café. The museum presents an extensive art collection and temporary exhibitions. The sculpture garden was designed by landscape architect Piet Oudolf. At De Lindenhoeve, one of the oldest longhouse farmhouses in Laren, the barn section is used for temporary exhibitions; the programme may change.
Museums, theatre and get-togethers
At Geologisch Museum Hofland, minerals, rocks and fossils offer insights into the history of the Earth. A permanent exhibition is devoted to the formation of the Gooi region and its earliest settlement history. During a hands-on activity, visitors can saw geodes under the guidance of knowledgeable guides and take the finished geode home. The schedule may change; check what is available before your visit.
The cultural programme extends beyond museums. Papageno Huis Laren hosts concerts, art exhibitions, markets and other events throughout the year. Visitors are welcome at events in the concert hall, including weekly coffee concerts on Sunday mornings. As concert dates may change, it is worth checking the current programme. The restaurant serves lunch, coffee with fresh apple pie and high tea; the menu and service may change.
At Rosa Spier Huis, residents, their relatives, local residents and other interested visitors can attend exhibitions, concerts, theatre performances and lectures. Musicians, photographers, painters, sculptors and philosophers live there and can continue their work. The Brinkhuis Theater is a cosy, intimate theatre in the heart of Laren; its programme changes over time.
Heathland, woodland and traces of earlier settlement
The 344-hectare Westerheide is located in Hilversum and Laren. Its heathland and woodland can be explored on foot, by bike or on horseback. The area’s natural features include a variety of heathland vegetation and birds of open heathland. At the same time, old Doodwegen (funeral paths), a burial urn field and burial mounds point to thousands of years of human use of the area.
On the Zuiderheide, the transition from the ridge to the Eem Valley is easy to see. The area is also home to prehistoric burial mounds dating back around 4,000 years. Together, these details offer a different perspective on the landscape: its long history becomes apparent alongside its landforms. For nature enthusiasts, landscape observation and archaeological traces can be explored side by side, without suggesting that the two heathland areas share the same history.
Gardens and local tradition
The garden at Landgoed Nardinclant combines three styles in an eclectic design. Visits are possible, and guided tours can be arranged for groups. Confirm the arrangements for visits and tours before travelling. For a taste of local culinary tradition, head to the Brink: the traditional Dutch poffertjes stall has been a Laren institution for more than 100 years. Its opening arrangements may change.
Laren can be explored through a range of interests: artworks in public spaces, religious visual art, museums and theatres sit alongside heathland and woodland. The routes mentioned also offer different ways to explore the culture and surroundings on foot or by bike.
Discover more destinations: Laren, Loenen, Graft-De Rijp, Naarden, Medemblik, Zandvoort, Blaricum, Wervershoof
For the broader travel overview: North Holland.
