Holiday apartment in Harderwijk: Water, history and family experiences

Water, Veluwe and urban history

Harderwijk lies on the waters of the Randmeren. In Harderwijk, relaxation is possible on and around Lake Veluwe; at the same time, cycling and hiking are possible in the natural areas of the Veluwe.

The VVV, or Toeristisch Informatie Punt, in Harderwijk provides cycling, hiking and city maps.

Historic routes and buildings

The Vischpoort is the only surviving city gate in Harderwijk. It was built at the end of the 14th century; its upper section dates from the 15th century. A lighthouse was erected on the Vischpoort in 1851, and its light was probably extinguished in 1947. The Vischpoort is included in guided city tours and can be visited as part of such a tour.

The “Stadswandeling open monumenten” is a 3.7-kilometre city walk passing the Old Town Hall, the Vischpoort and the Grote Kerk. Harderwijk’s Poëzieroute is a permanent walking route through the historic city centre; poems are displayed on the façades of notable places. In the Grote Kerk, the vaults were painted in 1561 and 1562 by Ewolt van Delft and his daughter Agatha van Deventer. An audio tour about the painted vaults is available in Dutch, English and German.

Museums with interactive stories

The permanent exhibition “Pension Harderwijk | kamers vol verhalen” at the Stadsmuseum Harderwijk presents the city’s history through figures, each representing a particular era. The Stadsmuseum also offers the Eksterroute, which takes children playfully to the museum’s treasures.

The Marius van Dokkum Museum is located in the former Snijkamer of the University of Harderwijk. It is dedicated to the work of a living artist; humorous paintings are displayed in the museum. The Palingmuseum presents the historical development of eel fishing through the fisherman Barend. Visitors can smoke eel there themselves under the guidance of master smoker Dries.

Water traditions, craftsmanship and family experiences

The Bottermuseum presents Harderwijk’s sailing heritage and nautical past. It offers a package combining a museum visit with a trip on an authentic botter; availability depends on the botters and skippers. SUP tours on the Randmeren were also offered in Harderwijk. The waterscape is therefore part of both recreation and the town’s historical stories.

Families can find the dolphin show “Oceanica” at the Dolfinarium. Admission includes access to the park, all shows and presentations, the playgrounds, the beach and the “Waterpret” attraction, provided it is open. The Harderwijkse Molen Stichting also focuses on shared experiences: it organises practical baking workshops annually under the guidance of an experienced baker. Participants take their freshly baked creation and the recipe home with them.

Another landmark is Molen De Hoop, a windmill built in 1778 and standing 35 metres high, which has marked Harderwijk’s city gate since 1998.

If you would like to explore other places in the same destination in addition to Harderwijk, you can also find Hierden.

For the higher-level travel overview: Harderwijk.