Holiday apartment in Drenthe

Drenthe is a quiet, spacious province in the northeast of the Netherlands, where families can easily combine nature days, ancient history, and a choice between a peaceful or a practical base. Three national parks, hunebeds, and livelier towns make the region easy to understand without losing its relaxed character.

Open heathland landscape in Dwingelderveld National Park.
Dwingelderveld National Park in Drenthe. Photo: Baykedevries, Commons page, CC BY-SA 3.0 nl.
Hunebedcentrum in Borger, the museum for Drenthe's megalithic heritage.
Hunebedcentrum in Borger, Drenthe. Photo: Ziko van Dijk, Commons page, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Rural landscape in Drentsche Aa National Park.
Drentsche Aa National Park in Drenthe. Photo: Andre Brasse, Commons page, CC BY-SA 3.0 nl.

Quick facts about Drenthe

  • Drenthe is a quiet, rural region in the northeast of the Netherlands with lots of open space, forests, cycle paths, and villages.
  • Drenthe has three national parks: Dwingelderveld, Drents-Friese Wold, and Drentsche Aa.
  • The hunebeds in Drenthe are among the oldest archaeological sites in the Netherlands.
  • The official Drenthe site groups holiday homes in visitor areas such as Assen/Westerbork, Emmen/Coevorden, Hoogeveen/Zuidwolde, and Meppel/Dwingeloo.
  • Assen and Emmen are described as livelier places with culture, markets, and events.

If you want to compare Drenthe in the wider Netherlands context, you can find the overview via Netherlands: islands, coast, nature and culture.

Why Drenthe appeals to families

Drenthe's strength lies in the mix: lots of space, forests, and villages on the one hand, and hunebeds plus well-known cultural experiences on the other. That means a day can start quietly and still have a clear outing focus.

Nature and history in Drenthe

A typical image is Dwingelderveld with its broad heathland and flock of sheep. Add to that the hunebeds and the Hunebedcentrum in Borger, as well as other well-known cultural experiences such as the UNESCO Global Geopark Hondsrug and Kamp Westerbork. The traditional farming villages with a central village green also shape the character of the region.

Which base in Drenthe suits your family holiday?

If you are travelling with children and looking for peace and plenty of space, a more rural location suits Drenthe well. Assen is a useful, more practical town base for families. Emmen is also a more practical base with culture and events.

The official Drenthe site groups holiday homes in visitor areas; it also includes Coevorden, Hoogeveen, and Meppel.

More places in Drenthe

Aa En Hunze · Borger-Odoorn · De Wolden · Midden-Drenthe · Noordenveld · Tynaarlo · Westerveld

Frequently asked questions about Drenthe

What is Drenthe known for as a family destination?

For peace, lots of space, forests, and villages - and for the hunebeds as very old archaeological sites in the Netherlands.

Is Drenthe more nature or culture?

Both: three national parks, the characteristic Dwingelderveld landscape, and also hunebeds, Hondsrug, and Kamp Westerbork.

Which location is suitable for a more practical base in Drenthe?

Assen and Emmen are the more obvious town bases if you want culture, markets, and events nearby.

Which location is better for a quiet family holiday?

A more rural base is a good choice if peace, space, and nature are the main priorities. That is exactly what makes Drenthe such a fitting region.