Holiday apartment in Veendam: Canals, culture and Borgerswold

Veendam represents a landscape whose history is visible in its canals, peat extraction and industry. Veendam and Wildervank developed along the Ooster- and Westerdiep canals. The canals were used for peat extraction; after the peat had been removed, the reclaimed land was used for agriculture. Today, these historical traces meet museums, waterways, expansive nature and numerous opportunities for active recreation.

History and culture

The Veenkoloniaal Museum Veendam tells the story of the Groningen peat colonies, from peat extraction and shipping to industry. The museum building itself is a Rijksmonument, a listed national heritage site, and is significant both architecturally and culturally. Nearby, Grand Café In de Brouwerij is located less than 10 metres from the museum. It serves house-brewed Bogdike beer on tap.

The connection between the waterway and regional history can also be traced along the Oosterdiep. A boat route passes large manor houses from the 19th and early 20th centuries, built by Veendam industrialists. The route includes the Sarabrug, considered the oldest bridge in Veendam. Also located along the Oosterdiep route is the Catholic church, a so-called Waterstaatskerk from 1845.

The STAR Museum Railway runs between Stadskanaal and Veendam and is the longest heritage railway in the Netherlands. STAR was founded in 1992 to preserve the railway line as an industrial monument. Alida's Poppenhuis Museum offers a different view of past homes and everyday life, with around 140 dollhouses, doll rooms, shops and antique toys. The oldest dollhouse in the collection dates from 1880.

Nature and active recreation

On the outskirts of Veendam lies Borgerswold, a 450-hectare recreational area rich in water and woodland. The five-kilometre Compagniepad runs through its southern section, offering views of the peat-colony landscape. The five-kilometre Wold & Wotter route runs through the forest and along bodies of water. For mountain bikers, Borgerswold has a 24.5-kilometre trail as well as a separate 19-kilometre route with technically challenging singletrack trails.

The approximately 2.5-kilometre Veenjagerspad is an activity and adventure trail through Borgerswold, with adventure and exercise equipment. Along the trail, visitors can complete tasks using an activity booklet; a small reward can be earned at the end. Veendam is also part of the province of Groningen's cycle node network, which allows visitors to create their own routes.

At the free Skills Garden Veendam, exercise and sports take centre stage for all age groups. Facilities include football pitches, a basketball court, badminton courts, a track for BMX and cyclocross riders, and a baseball field. Borgerswold Experience offers paintball for adults and children as well as laser games for younger visitors. Additional activities include a survival course, archery, GPS tours and canoe excursions.

For horse riders, Borgerswold has dozens of bridleways through woodland, waterside areas and open terrain. Manege Lipizza offers riding lessons for people who want to learn how to ride. Golfclub Landgoed De Compagnie has an 18-hole A-status championship course designed by golf course architect Gerard Jol. Tropiqua is a subtropical swimming pool in Veendam with a water temperature of 32 °C.

Food and information

Van Heijningen Bosch offers lunch, high tea and wine tastings in a unique monumental setting. For information about the surrounding area, hiking and cycling routes, sights and events, the vanBeresteyn cultural centre in Veendam has a tourist information office.

Veendam railway station offers a direct train connection to Groningen. Boaters can moor at the visitors' harbour on the Molenstreek.

Also check which services are included, how the price is made up and which booking or cancellation conditions apply. You can then compare the offers based on the details that are important to you.

Other destinations: Veendam, Leek, Menterwolde, Slochteren, Delfzijl, Hoogezand-Sappemeer, Bedum, Ten Boer.

To the main travel overview: Groningen.