Dordrecht: Culture, Biesbosch and Historic City Centre

Dordrecht combines historic city experiences with nature experiences in the Biesbosch. Those planning a stay in a holiday apartment in Dordrecht can focus on painting, historic homes, city explorations, or independent excursions by boat and bicycle.

Art, Freedom and Historic Homes

The Dordrechts Museum presents six centuries of painting – from 16th-century altarpieces to contemporary art. At Hof van Nederland, various perspectives and historical events, most of which took place in Dordrecht, are used to explain how the Netherlands has dealt with freedom in the past and present. Hof van Nederland also offers a special Griffioen tour for children. In the monumental Huis Van Gijn residence, visitors can experience how wealthy citizens and their staff lived around 1900. Together, the three attractions offer different ways to explore art, history and everyday life.

Discover the Historic City Centre on Foot

The Grote Kerk Dordrecht is one of Dordrecht’s most prominent sights; its tower leans almost 2 metres out of plumb. A suitable route through the city is Rondje Dordt, a 5-kilometre circular walk through Dordrecht’s historic city centre. You can follow the walk using signposts in the city or the izi.TRAVEL app on your smartphone. This connects the striking church with a clearly defined city exploration.

Water and Nature in the Biesbosch

At Biesboschcentrum Dordrecht, kayaks, canoes, SUPs, rowing boats and silent boats can be rented for independent exploration. The exhibition there provides playful information about the water, plants, beavers and birds of the Biesbosch, as well as the history of the nature reserve. For independent excursions in the Biesbosch, the centre provides maps of hiking and cycling routes. From 1 April to 31 October, visitors can take the Zonnepont 7 foot ferry to the Griendmuseumpad.

Cycling and Hiking Routes Around Dordrecht

De Nieuwe Dordtse Biesbosch forms a buffer between Nationaal Park De Biesbosch and the city of Dordrecht and covers approximately 530 hectares. Two cycling routes of 12.5 and 18 kilometres respectively run through the nature and recreation area. Around the Eiland van Dordrecht, there is also a hiking network of approximately 190 kilometres, with routes heading towards Nationaal Park De Biesbosch. On the VVV cycling route Dordrecht–Kinderdijk–Biesbosch, bicycles can be taken free of charge on the Waterbus. The route passes through Dordrecht’s historic city centre, the Alblasserwaard and the Dutch part of the Biesbosch.

Choose a Holiday Apartment in Dordrecht Based on Your Holiday Focus

When choosing a holiday apartment in Dordrecht, you can consider your preferred daily rhythm: museums and the historic city centre provide a cultural focus, while paths, the Waterbus, boats and the Biesbosch offer days centred on nature and activities. The different route lengths make it easier to plan excursions that suit your own interests.

Further destinations to help you plan: Dordrecht, Bovenpolder, Dordtse Biesbosch

To the higher-level travel overview: Dordrecht.