Holiday apartment in Pekela: Discover waterways and industrial heritage

Pekela combines waterways, the Veenkoloniën landscape and striking reminders of industrial history. The Vaarroute Pekela runs through the heart of the Alte Veenkoloniën and passes through Oude Pekela, Nieuwe Pekela and Boven Pekela. This brings together waterside locations, historic technology, mills, art and signposted routes within a compact thematic area.

Water and routes

Along the Pekelder Hoofddiep, there are mooring facilities beside the marina in Oude Pekela and near the shopping centres of Oude Pekela and Nieuwe Pekela. The route along the Pekelder Hoofddiep offers views of the Veenkoloniën landscape. A lock keeper’s house was built at the lock on the Pekelerhoofddiep in 1898; the lock enabled boats to pass despite the difference in water levels.

Pekela can also be explored in its own way on foot and by bicycle: the municipality offers signposted walking and cycling networks from which visitors can put together their own routes. The most beautiful Ommetje in Groningen in Pekela is a walking route of approximately 5 kilometres along natural and historic sights in a village. The Roegbainder Wandeltocht reached its fifth edition in 2026.

Culture and history

There are currently 22 buildings in the municipality of Pekela designated as Rijksmonumenten. The photographs of the “Pekelder Pareltjes” offer a special way to access individual sites: their QR codes provide information about the respective site and its location. The bronze monument “De Scheepsjoagers” by Hans Mes has stood in Oude Pekela since 1987. It commemorates the men, women and children who manually pulled ships and barges.

Events are also among the town’s regularly visible cultural references. The Oranje-Bevrijdingsconcert in the Wedderwegkerk in Oude Pekela was held for the 20th time in 2026. The history of Oude Pekela is also closely connected with the strawboard industry: in the 19th and 20th centuries, the town was a centre of this industry.

Industry and technology

Siep&Co is located in a former strawboard factory in Oude Pekela and has several large steam and diesel engines, some of which are still operational. In the engine house, Siep&Co houses a Stork steam engine with a large flywheel dating from 1929. At Siep&Co, the Siepco steam engine can be visited at the site in Oude Pekela on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; group visits are possible outside these times by arrangement.

Mills and art

The Hervormde Kerk in Oude Pekela was built between 1683 and 1685 as a simple hall church. Its furnishings date partly from the 17th century and partly from the 18th century. Eight sandstone plaques depicting the history of Oude Pekela are set into the quay walls of the bridge “de Wedderklap”.

Two mills are also among the striking buildings. Korenmolen De Zwaluw was built in 1891 as a round stone gallery mill and is one of the few remaining round stone mills in the northern Netherlands. Molen De Onrust is a historic grain and peeling mill. It can be visited on Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and by arrangement.

Galerie Spavento is located in Nieuwe Pekela. It is a small private art gallery run by artist Rolien Schrik in a converted farmhouse. More than 70 paintings depicting realistic flowers and animals, as well as portraits and landscapes, are displayed there. Galerie Spavento regularly offers small painting courses for a maximum of four participants.

Nature and places in Nieuwe Pekela

A young forest was planted at Hoetmansmeer on the site of a former peat lake by Staatsbosbeheer. Heeresmeer has sandy beaches, clean bathing areas and opportunities for canoeing. The Spielplek Heeresmeer has, among other things, a zip line, swings and climbing equipment. The Dierenweide Nieuwe Pekela is freely accessible, allowing visitors to observe the animals up close.

Another testament to the local history of construction and labour is the Nooitgedacht Houtzagerij in Nieuwe Pekela. It was built around 1888 from wood and red bricks in a traditional craft style.

More places in Pekela: Nieuwe Pekela.

More destinations in Groningen: Hoogezand-Sappemeer, Stadskanaal, Oldambt, Loppersum, Bellingwedde, Marum, Bedum.

To the higher-level travel overview: Groningen.