Holiday apartment in Oldenzaal: Culture, Hanseatic history and nature

Oldenzaal combines distinctive architectural history with the Het Hulsbeek landscape area.

Culture and history in Oldenzaal

The Plechelmus Basilica stands on the site where the missionary Plechelmus founded the first church around 765. Its tower has five levels and is 61 metres high.

The Oldenzaal Museum presents permanent and changing exhibitions that offer new perspectives on the past and present. The museum also offers individually tailored guided tours. The tours can be focused on selected museum topics. Visitors can combine the exhibitions with individually tailored guided tours.

The Palthe Huis is a historic former residence of the respected Palthe family. There, visitors can see how the family lived in the 18th century. At the Palthe Huis, the Oldenzaal Museum offers the escape room activity “De geheime dienstingang”. It is set in 1980 during the Cold War. The juxtaposition of family life in the 18th century and the Cold War creates a clear contrast in time at the Palthe Huis.

The Hanzetour app brings Oldenzaal’s Hanseatic history to life with a treasure hunt for a merchant’s lost gold coins. At the Hanzehuis, visitors can discover Oldenzaal’s Hanseatic history. The ArcheoHotspot Oldenzaal makes archaeological excavations from the past and present accessible to the public. Visitors can help with archaeological work and ask questions.

Het Hulsbeek and historic urban landscapes

Het Hulsbeek in Oldenzaal is a former country estate and recreational area with forests, bodies of water, beaches, sunbathing lawns, heathland, small ponds and meadows. The area includes an adventure course with more than 20 play features, as well as a water playground. There is also a climbing circus, a pannakooi and a skating track. Those planning different parts of the day in Hulsbeek can switch between bodies of water, open meadows, heathland and woodland. Beaches, sunbathing lawns and small ponds mark additional specific areas in the landscape. Sunbathing lawns and beaches thus provide separate places to stay alongside the facilities for play and exercise.

Kalheupink is a historic city park on the edge of Oldenzaal and can be reached from the city centre within ten minutes on foot. The Groote Markt is Oldenzaal’s central square, surrounded by historic buildings and featuring markets, festivals and inviting outdoor terraces. Historic houses are also part of the cityscape. The park and the central square represent two distinct urban spaces: Kalheupink is on the edge, while the Groote Markt is in the centre.

Routes and local attractions

Various walking and cycling routes start in Oldenzaal city centre. The “Coulissenlandschap Noordoost Twente” cycling route also starts in Oldenzaal. For an active day, both walking and cycling options therefore begin in the city centre; walking and cycling have the same starting point in Oldenzaal.

The “Historical Pub Tour” includes one drink at each stop.

To the main travel overview: Oldenzaal.