Almelo combines the history of a former textile town with museums, historic buildings and waterside paths. Visitors can explore the town’s history, art and nature—or discover these themes on a walking tour, bike ride or boat trip.

A Textile Town in Transition

Almelo was founded in the 11th century at a crossroads of land and waterways. This location helped it develop into a thriving textile town. Several distinctive former factory buildings have been preserved as reminders of its rich textile industry. The Stedelijk Museum Almelo presents the town’s history through objects, paintings, textiles, photographs and videos, showing Almelo both as a former textile town and as a modern manufacturing town.

The museum also offers temporary exhibitions, workshops and activities. The program may change. A museum visit offers a different way to explore the town’s history than a walk through the city: here, objects and images take center stage, while the preserved factory buildings recall the former industry.

Older Traces in the Townscape

Almelo’s history can be traced back to before the textile industry, too. Hof van Gülick is considered the oldest part of the town bearing this name. From the 12th century onward, a settlement of clay and straw houses developed there, from which Almelo grew. The Kolkje and Hof van Gülick area was once characterized by waterways and grassland on both sides. Linen was bleached on the grassland; later, the area became part of the grounds of Huize Almelo.

The Houtstek is another part of the town’s architectural history. The barn originally served as a sawmill and was one of nine sawmills in Almelo. In 1998, it was rebuilt almost exactly as it had been. Since then, it has served as a harbor building housing the marina’s facilities. Its former use and later role as a harbor building mark different chapters in the town’s history.

Museums, Crafts and Walking Tours

The Bolletjewinkel is located in the old Bolletje factory building and is considered the birthplace of the brand. Visitors can shop, eat and drink there, as well as visit the Bolletje Museum. The Bakery Museum shows how bread used to be baked, with exhibits including a wood-fired oven, historic bakery equipment and baking molds. As visitor services may change, check in advance what is currently offered.

Those interested in visiting several museums can follow a museum route through Almelo. It leads to Stadsboerderij het Wevershuisje, Stedelijk Museum Almelo and the Bolletje Museum. A guided city tour is another way to explore the town: walking tours of Almelo with experienced guides are offered from the Wevershuisje. Availability may vary, so check the available dates in advance.

Art can also be a focus in its own right. The art route passes several art installations, studios, galleries and artistic activities around the town. The routes therefore differ in their focus: the museum route highlights three museums, while the art route takes in various art venues and activities.

Green Spaces, Water and Trails

Doepark de Hagen is located in central Almelo and is a green gathering place for residents and people seeking recreation, especially children. The park’s amenities include a water playground. Those looking to take a break from museums and local history can find a different kind of setting here without leaving the city center.

For a longer walk, a hiking route passes through Gravenallee and the grounds belonging to the driveway of Huize Almelo. Along the way, dense patches of woodland alternate with open areas; the route follows broad avenues and narrow paths and passes streams and ponds. Another hiking route in Almelo runs alongside the small river Aa, boats and the distinctive combination of greenery and water. It is about seven kilometers long and is described as easy to moderate. These offer two different landscape experiences: the varied paths of Gravenallee and the combination of river, boats and greenery along the Aa.

You can also explore Almelo on the water. Praam Stad Almelo II offers sightseeing trips in and around the town aboard an authentic iron cargo vessel that once transported peat. For a bike ride, the Beleefroute Almelo-Nordhorn runs mostly along the historic Almelo-Nordhorn Canal and connects Almelo with Nordhorn. Each option—boat trip, walk or bike route—offers a different perspective, from the former transport route to the landscape and the town’s history.

When choosing what to do during your stay, consider your interests: museums and historic buildings, art, walking trails or experiences on the water. Explore Almelo as a cultural destination or add paths through green spaces and along the water.

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