Holiday apartment in Laren: Discover art, the basilica and heathland

Laren combines sacred architecture, the history of Dutch art and open heathland. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Laren, you will find a range of opportunities here for eventful days: cultural discoveries at Singer Laren, walks through the countryside and insights into the village’s unique history.

Holiday apartment in Laren for culture and shared discoveries

One prominent landmark is the Sint Jansbasiliek. It was built between 1924 and 1925 to a design by the architect Wolter te Riele. In 1936, Pope Pius XI elevated the church to a Basilica Minor because of the great significance of the annual Jansprocessie held in Laren in June. Inside, the stained-glass windows above the main altar, designed by Han Bijvoet, tell the story of John the Baptist.

Art can also be experienced in Laren in various ways. Singer Laren’s permanent collection includes works from the period between 1880 and 1950 by Anton Mauve, Piet Mondriaan, Jan Sluijters, Kees van Dongen, Leo Gestel and Bart van der Leck. Singer Laren combines a museum, a theatre and a sculpture garden in the heart of the artists’ village of Laren. The sculpture garden was designed by Piet Oudolf. This allows you to tailor your stay to your interests by combining paintings, performing arts and sculptures.

Art history in public spaces and historic houses

The Kunstbordenroute Laren - Blaricum presents works by artists who lived and worked in the two villages on 16 information boards in public spaces. The Lindenhoeve, home to the Historische Kring Laren, is one of Laren’s oldest longhouse farmhouses; temporary exhibitions are held in the threshing floor area. Landgoed Nardinclant was founded in 1916, while the present house dates from 1939. These different places offer you several perspectives on Laren, without limiting your exploration to a single destination.

Heathland, walking routes and practical orientation

The Westerheide stretches across Laren and Hilversum, while the Zuiderheide is located in Laren. Sint Janskerkhof is considered a recommended starting point for the walking network. Another reliable point of reference is the “De schilders van Laren & Blaricum” walking route, which starts and ends at Singer Laren at Oude Drift 1 in Laren. Different starting points and route options make it easier to choose the right mix of art, village history and countryside for each day.

For your mobility planning, electric and conventional Voi rental bikes are available at various locations in the village of Laren, including bus stops and residential areas. After use, you can leave the bike in a designated parking zone without having to return it to the pick-up location. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday house, your preferred daily routine may play a role: those who want to combine culture and exhibitions can plan around the relevant destinations; those who want to focus on physical activity can incorporate the heathland and walking network into their plans.

For the overarching travel overview: Laren.