Nordhorn: Vechte River, textile history and nature experiences

Experience Nordhorn from the water

Several options take you onto the water, each with a different focus. The Vechte City Tour runs around the island in the town centre, passing the Old Church on the Market Square and continuing along Nordhorn’s waterways. The “Nordhorn on Foot and by Water” tour combines a walk through the town centre with a trip on a Vechte boat. Those wishing to explore the local flora and fauna can choose the approximately two-hour “Vechte Ranger” discovery cruise, which circles Nordhorn’s town centre and Lake Vechtesee. On board, participants can explore nature in and around the water using binoculars and a landing net.

The “Kunstwegen” route also follows the course of the Vechte. It is more than 180 kilometres long and runs from Ohne via Nordhorn to Zwolle in the Netherlands. Alongside trips around the town and Lake Vechtesee, this offers a route covering a considerably larger area.

Cycle routes of varying lengths

There are several options for a cycle tour starting and ending in Nordhorn. The “Along Towpaths and Church Paths between the Vechte and Ems” route is 54.40 kilometres long and starts and ends at the VVV Tower. The shorter “Border Adventure for Families” is an easy family cycle route covering 30.27 kilometres. It starts and ends at VVV Nordhorn and passes the historic lock on Lake Vechtesee and Klukkerthafen harbour. Guided VVV cycle tours pass through the town and by significant architectural monuments.

Textile history and views over the town

The industrial museum in the NINO high-rise devotes more than 1,200 square metres to Nordhorn’s textile and fashion history. The exhibition features a changing selection from the museum collection of more than 100,000 photographs. It also includes fashion magazines, original garments made from NINO, Povel and Rawe fabrics, hundreds of pattern books and fabric swatches, as well as collection catalogues and promotional materials from the history of the three companies. In the “Dressing Room”, visitors can try on historical clothing themselves—an interactive way to explore fashion history alongside the exhibits.

The Town Museum in the Povel Tower tells the story of Nordhorn, particularly its development as a border town in northwestern Germany. The tower’s top gallery offers views across Nordhorn. Another historic landmark is the Old Church on the Market Square, built in the 15th century in the Late Gothic style. Guided tours that include a climb up the tower are offered there during the summer months.

Nature trail, zoo and regional cuisine

At Nordhorn Zoo, the Vechte Floodplain nature trail teaches children and young people about animals and nature through educational games and information boards. The path crosses a floodplain forest biotope on raised walkways along an old arm of the Vechte and continues to the historic Vechtehof farm. The farm includes a petting zoo with piglets of the Bunte Bentheimer breed. Nature observation and learning are combined with a visit to the farm, offering families a different focus from a cycle tour or museum visit.

A weekly market featuring regional specialities takes place in front of the Old Church on the Market Square every Wednesday and Saturday. At the Vechtehof, the “De Malle Jan” inn serves visitors homemade cakes and gateaux. Those wishing to include culture and regional cuisine in their trip will find further specific reasons to get to know Nordhorn beyond individual excursions.

Discover more places

More places: Georgsdorf, Laar, Wilsum, Neuenhaus, Emlichheim, Schüttorf, Bad Bentheim and Engden.

For the main travel overview: Grafschaft Bentheim.