Dordrecht is a watersports hub, situated at the confluence of three rivers. Discoveries here range from painting and Dutch history to trails in the Biesbosch. You can get to know the city through its museums or explore its nature and water activities.
Waterways and nature
Biesboschcentrum Dordrecht is a starting point for visiting the Hollandse Biesbosch. The exhibition covers water, plants, beavers, birds and the history of the nature area. The centre offers opportunities to explore on foot or on the water; you can also rent whisper boats and canoes there. Seven walking routes, ranging from 1.5 to 5 km, are available. This gives you a choice of different route lengths, while the rentals and exhibition offer different ways to discover the area’s themes.
The Griendmuseumpad combines nature with cultural history. You can choose the 5 km walk or take a shorter 1.5 km route. Along the way are the Stenen Keet and the Schrankkeet, where griend workers used to spend the night. The route is accessible only by Zonnepont 7; check seasonal and operational details before making plans.
Another nature and recreation area near the city of Dordrecht is the Nieuwe Dordtse Biesbosch. It forms a buffer zone between De Biesbosch National Park and the city. Here you can enjoy cycling and walking. From the boardwalk, you can see open water, reed beds and wet grasslands. These landscape features give the trail its own character, while cycling and walking offer other ways to explore the area.
Art, history and a view over the city
Founded in 1842, the Dordrechts Museum is one of the oldest museums in the Netherlands. Behind a historic façade, you can see six centuries of painting. The permanent exhibition ranges from 16th-century altarpieces to contemporary art. The collection brings together works from widely differing periods.
Huis Van Gijn is the former home of Simon van Gijn (1836–1922) and his wife Cornelia Agatha Vriesendorp (1840–1889). The house offers a glimpse into the everyday life of a wealthy family around 1900. This view of family life in the past adds a different perspective on history to the themes of art and museums.
The Hof van Nederland presents the history of Dutch freedom through important historical events, most of which took place in Dordrecht. The First Free Assembly of the States was held in 1572 at the present-day site of the Hof van Nederland. The site thus connects the history of a specific event with the wider story of Dutch freedom.
The tower of the Grote Kerk also offers a special perspective: from April through October, you can climb its 275 steps for views over the city and the surrounding area. Check the current opening conditions before your visit.
Local produce and tastings
Since 1872, Distilleerderij Rutte has been making gins, genevers and liqueurs in Dordrecht using traditional methods. A tasting combines a tour past the stills and barrels with samples of various genevers, gins and liqueurs. Booking details may change, so check them before making plans.
At Stadsbrouwerij Dordrecht, tours explain the brewing process and end with a beer tasting. Tour arrangements may change here too. Boerenstreekmarkt Dordrecht brings together farmers and producers from Dordrecht and the surrounding region. Products on offer include vegetables, wine, honey, cheese, tea and jam; the selection may vary depending on the market date.
Food Design Playground in the city centre of Dordrecht hosts pop-up dinners, exhibitions, workshops, talks and tastings. It also puts on a small bean festival featuring workshops, talks, tastings, a celebration and experiments; admission tickets include lunch. Event dates and programmes may change.
Getting around by Waterbus
From Dordrecht, you can take unlimited Waterbus trips to Zwijndrecht, Papendrecht, Sliedrecht, H.I. Ambacht, Rotterdam, Krimpen aan den IJssel, Ridderkerk and Alblasserdam. Bicycles can be taken on board free of charge. Check routes, fares and the applicable conditions for taking a bicycle on board before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Dordrecht, Bovenpolder, Dordtse Biesbosch, Dordrecht, Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, Lisse, Oud-Beijerland, Zoetermeer.
Return to the main travel overview: South Holland.
