Holiday apartment in Diemen: Nature, History and Special Trails

Diemen offers a diverse mix of nature, waterways, history and events. Between Diemerbos, the banks of the River Diem and historic sites are trails, nature areas and special cultural venues that give the town a wide variety of facets.

Nature and Trails

Diemerbos is accessible year-round. The entrance at Veeneikbrug is intended for pedestrians and cyclists only. In the forest, there is the 2.9-kilometre circular Rondje Diemerbos trail and the 3.7-kilometre Veeneikroute. The paved paths are suitable for wheelchairs, walking frames and pushchairs. Separate bridleways also run through almost the entire Diemerbos.

Marked routes also lead through the landscape beyond the forest area. Rondje Diemerscheg is an approximately 30-kilometre cycle route through the green areas between Amsterdam, Diemen and Weesp. In the Overdiemen recreation area, there are opportunities for walking and cycling along the River Diem. Several walking trails run through the polder landscape and along the banks of the Diem, where visitors can enjoy the tranquillity of nature.

Diemen also offers unusual activities: here, you can jump across ditches, go rafting and use a zip line.

Landscape and Animals

Diemer Vijfhoek, also called PEN Island, is an artificial peninsula and nature reserve in the IJmeer near Over-Diemen. At Diemer Vijfhoek, visitors can observe cormorants, tufted ducks and grebes. The old ditch structure of the polder landscape has been preserved in De Omloop park. The inaccessible meadows are popular with animals, and many birds nest there.

Natuurpark Spoorzicht is freely accessible to walkers. It contains alder woods with rare plants and wildlife. The IVN butterfly and bird garden and the De Harmonie community garden are also freely accessible.

History and Culture

Oud-Diemen was one of the oldest settlements in the Amstelland region; historic houses were rebuilt there. Diemen also has a walking route exploring the town’s history during the Second World War. The accompanying stories can be accessed via QR codes.

Schuilkerk De Hoop is the only surviving rural clandestine church in the Amsterdam area. The venue is used as a wedding location, concert hall and for other events. Fort Diemerdam is part of the Stelling van Amsterdam, which is protected as a UNESCO monument, and can be visited free of charge.

The Nederlands-Israëlitische begraafplaats in Diemen was inaugurated on 3 May 1914. Hof Zeldenrust dates from the 17th century and is the oldest surviving house there in Diemen. The historic structure of De Oude Smidse has also been preserved.

Events and Local Places

House of Bird in Diemerbos is the official tasting room of Bird Brewery. Eighteen of its own beers are served on tap as standard; additional beers are available in bottles and cans.

Diemer Festijn has been a recurring tradition in Diemen since 1983 and takes place in the first full week of September. Wereldfestival has been held in Diemen every year in July since 2017.

Getting Around Diemen

Covered bicycle parking facilities are available at Diemen’s railway stations.

Other local pages in this selection: Diemen, Uitgeest, Aalsmeer, Uithoorn, Wieringermeer, Laren, Haarlemmerliede En Spaarnwoude, Naarden.

To the overarching travel overview: North Holland.