Holiday apartment in Druten: Waal, nature and culture

Druten between the Waal and nature

The Veerdam is located on the northern side of Druten, directly on the Waal. Its surroundings are ideal for walking, cycling and exploring nature. During the summer months, a bicycle and passenger ferry runs from the Veerdam to Dodewaard. The Afferdense en Deestse Waarden nature reserve, located along the Waal, is also near Druten.

Hiking with views of Druten’s history

The 8 km circular walking route “Het Achtje van Druten” takes the shape of a figure eight through Druten, passing reminders of water, clay extraction, and the brick and roof-tile industry. It also runs past monuments and sights connected with the coarse ceramics industry. At the starting points of the Druten walking network, you will find information boards with walking maps, as well as information about routes and sights.

Cycle routes between junctions and culture

The cycle route through Drutens Bosje between junctions 12 and 92 forms part of the nationwide cycle-route network. In addition, the “Cultuurhistorie in het Land van Maas en Waal” cycle route leads to cultural and historical sights in the surroundings of Druten and West Maas en Waal. This allows you to spend your days combining experiences in nature with regional history.

Heemtuin and the river area

Heemtuin Druten offers opportunities for walking and picnicking in a local natural landscape. It preserves characteristic plants, shrubs and trees that were originally native to the Gelderland river area.

Ambtshuis, church and special places

The Ambtshuis is probably a building from the 16th century. In 1758, it became a courthouse after the courts of Wamel and Bergharen were merged into one court in Druten; around 1840, it was renovated for a second time. The Ambtshuis also contains a preserved stucco group depicting allegorical figures of the Maas and Waal, created by J.M. Rieff.

The present-day H.H. Ewaldenkerk was built from 1874 to 1877 to a design by Pierre Cuypers and features stained-glass windows by the glass painter and glass artist Frans Nicolas. The De Engelbewaarder war memorial commemorates the evacuation of girls with intellectual disabilities from Druten in May 1940. Metropole Druten, a car museum, and the Steenfabriek Vogelensangh add further distinctive themes: the Steenfabriek was built in 1919 and is the last coal-fired ring kiln complex in the Netherlands.

Orientation and regional discoveries

The Tourist Information Point Druten in the Bondsgebouw provides information about sights and activities in the municipality of Druten and also houses a Historical Information Point. Work is underway in the Bondsgebouw at Kattenburg 27 in Druten on an accessible centre that will contain historical information about Druten’s Roman Catholic church in connection with Pierre Cuypers. At Landwinkel de Zandroos, you can find seasonal fruit such as cherries and strawberries; in autumn, you can pick apples yourself.

If you would also like to compare other places in the same destination, you can include Puiflijk in your orientation.

For the higher-level travel overview: Druten.