Markelo offers several distinct highlights for a stay: in the De Borkeld nature reserve, gently rolling landscapes meet archaeological traces; the church, mill, costume collection and open-air theatre offer further ways to explore history and culture. This lets you decide whether time outdoors, local culture or an event should shape your stay. Rather than trying to fit everything into a single day's itinerary, you can plan your trip around your interests.
Nature and archaeological traces in De Borkeld
De Borkeld is easy to explore on foot or by bike. The nature reserve is also an archaeological site: settlements and burial mounds have been found there, dating back 4,000 to 6,000 years. Its landscape features gentle contours and occasional juniper trees. Alongside its natural character, these finds give the area a historical dimension—making it an interesting place to explore nature and early settlement history together.
If you arrive by car, parking is available at the Dagcamping and Informatieboerderij 'n Witten. The Informatieboerderij has a permanent exhibition about the surrounding De Borkeld nature reserve; excursions can also be arranged from there on request. For planning your visit, Tourist Info Markelo offers walking and cycling routes, maps, information sheets about attractions and guidebooks.
The summit of the Markelose Berg offers a different landscape highlight. It is 40.1 metres high and provides a scenic view. While De Borkeld combines natural features with archaeological finds, the viewpoint is the main attraction here.
Church, mill and regional collection
The Martinuskerk is a Protestant church dating from 1840. Inside is a sandstone baptismal font from the 15th century. The two dates set the church building alongside a much older stone artefact, making the building's history tangible through specific details.
Molen de Hoop, also known as Mölle van Buursink, is an octagonal smock windmill with a gallery, dating from 1836, and a Dutch Rijksmonument (national heritage site). It was fully restored in 1991. The construction and restoration years mark two different chapters in its history; the mill adds another historic building to the story of the church.
The Mariakapel on De Hulpe is also linked to Markelo as a place of pilgrimage. Museum Eungs Schöppe offers another way to explore local culture: it displays one of the largest costume collections in the East Netherlands. The collection includes costumes from 1820 to 1940 and an extensive collection of Twente bonnets. Alongside buildings, clothing and headwear offer another way to experience the area's cultural history.
Open-air theatre and trip planning
Every July, Openluchttheater De Kösterskoele stages an open-air play in its authentic theatre. Other events are also held there each year, including concerts and the Avond4daagse.
A specific theatre date gives your travel plans a fixed point in time. When looking for a hotel in Markelo, you can first decide whether an event or a particular interest should shape your trip. For a nature-focused stay, De Borkeld and the visitor information from Tourist Info offer different starting points from the church, mill and museum.
Discover more destinations: Ambt Delden, Hengevelde, Diepenheim, Goor, Delden, Bentelo.
Return to the main travel overview: Hof Van Twente.
