Almelo was founded in the 11th century at a crossroads of land and water routes. This history is still reflected in the city’s themes: the textile industry and water shape the collections of the Stedelijk Museum Almelo, while historic avenues and canal paths offer other perspectives on the surrounding area.

Textile and Water History at the Museum

The Stedelijk Museum Almelo has more than 35,000 objects relating to the city’s history and present as a former textile town. Archaeological finds, art, historic equipment, textiles and clothing are part of the collection, as are objects and archives from Almelo textile companies. Through objects, paintings, textiles, photographs and videos, the museum conveys both the city’s textile past and its water history.

Temporary exhibitions, workshops and other activities complement the collections. Talks, treasure hunts and themed workshops for children and adults are held regularly, including during exhibitions, public holidays and school holidays. The programme is subject to change. The museum offers weekly guided tours on request. For group visits, a tour led by a volunteer can cover topics such as the city’s textile history, Huize Almelo and archaeology.

Buildings and Places of Remembrance

The De Hoop windmill brings together two building phases: it was built in 1910 on a base dating from 1870. The mill is open to the public and can be visited by appointment. From October to March, it is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; from April to September, it is open on those days from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Check opening hours before you arrive.

The churches also tell stories of different eras. The Grote Kerk is a cruciform church built in 1738. The St. Georgius Basilica was built between 1900 and 1902 as a Neo-Gothic cruciform church and is a Rijksmonument. It contains a 14th-century baptismal font from the former church on Kerkplein.

Another place of remembrance is the Jewish cemetery on Boddenstraat, founded in 1842. Its associated tahara house was renovated in 2000. A wall of names commemorates more than 250 Jewish residents of Almelo who were murdered during the Second World War. Some former textile factory buildings have also been preserved, serving as reminders of the city’s textile heritage.

The Bolletje Museum displays historic baking machines, baking tins, cans and advertising materials. It is free to enter for guests of the Bolletjewinkel; a guided tour can be arranged on request, particularly for visits on Saturdays. Bolletje’s roots in Almelo date back to 7 November 1867, when a bakery with a shop opened.

Routes by the Water and Through the Countryside

The Almelo-Nordhorn Canal is no longer navigable. Walkers and cyclists can use the paths along the canal; a well-maintained cycle path runs along both banks. A cycling route from Almelo to Nordhorn follows the canal and is about 35 kilometres long. For a shorter walk, the more than five-kilometre Waterpad walking route passes cultural and historic buildings and three museums: Stadsboerderij Het Wevershuisje, the Stedelijk Museum Almelo and the Bolletje Museum. It highlights the city’s water-rich past. As participating venues may change, check the latest route information before your visit.

The Gravenallee offers a total of 16 kilometres of walking and cycling paths through a varied landscape. It has been the entrance avenue to Huize Almelo since around 1700. Within the Gravenallee is a 3.5-kilometre hunting avenue that ends at the Almelo-Nordhorn Canal. From Almelo railway station, you can reach the Gravenallee on foot in about 45 minutes or by OV-fiets in just under 15 minutes. These times are estimates and depend on route conditions; you should also check local access conditions before setting out.

Discover Green Spaces and Get Around

At Landgoed Bellinckhof, winding paths lead through woodland, hedges and avenues, with views of the landscape along the way. The estate is open to visitors, with the exception of the park immediately around the house and the house itself. As local access conditions apply, check them before your visit.

Stadsboerderij Beeklust is open to the public and has various farm animals. Pony carriage rides take place on Wednesday afternoons and are available on request on other days. Guided tours and children’s parties are also offered. Beeklustpark has a music pavilion and an adjoining children’s farm. At Natuurhus Almelo, children can examine natural finds under a microscope in a discovery corner, play nature-themed games and get help from nature guides.

The weekly goods market on Marktplein is also part of everyday life in the city: it takes place on Thursday mornings and Saturdays. In Bornerbroek, a circular route passes the Stephanuskerk, newly created nature at De Doorbraak and historic farmhouses. Almelo’s museums and architectural history thus sit alongside routes through the countryside and by the water, while Bornerbroek adds a circular walk of its own.

Discover more destinations: Almelo, Bornerbroek, Steenwijkerland, Hof Van Twente, Deventer, Kampen, Dalfsen, Zwartewaterland.

For the broader travel overview: Overijssel.