Holiday apartment in Wijk Bij Duurstede: River Landscape, Culture and Cherries

Wijk Bij Duurstede lies at the point where the Nederrijn and Lek branch off. Duurstede Castle is surrounded by a public landscape park. The ruins of Duurstede Castle and the public park surrounding them are of great cultural-historical and horticultural-historical significance. The castle stands on an island and can be reached via a drawbridge over the moat.

River Landscape and Nature

Gravenbol is part of the water-dominated surroundings. Swimming is available there in a riverside area focused on nature and recreation. Gravenbol also has a slipway for launching boats onto the river. The area includes a pond and marshland zone partly directly connected to the river and is designated as a Natura 2000 site.

Cothen is also characterized by distinctive landscape features: orchards, extensive natural areas, the Kromme Rijn, castles and country estates shape the scenery. The old town centre of Cothen is designated as a protected townscape. Orchards, waterways and historic estates thus create a closely interwoven juxtaposition of different landscape and settlement forms.

Paths and Water

The Gerrit Achterbergpad leads through the countryside around Doorn, Langbroek and Wijk bij Duurstede, along the foot of the Heuvelrug and through forests and the river and strip landscape. Along the route, information boards display works by the poet Gerrit Achterberg and point out the coach house at Sandenburg Estate as his birthplace.

In Cothen, the 8-kilometre Rondje Kersenpracht walking route runs through the area. It passes Kasteel Rhijnestein and the Cothen inundation sluice. Along the route, the fruit trees blossom in spring; in summer and autumn, fruit is sold at various cherry stands in the surrounding area. The Krommerijnder is a replica trekschuit with a quiet electric motor, allowing for a tranquil nature experience.

TOP Stadshaven Wijk bij Duurstede is a starting point for hiking, cycling and boating. Among other things, it has an information panel with route networks and parking facilities. The connection between hiking trails, cycling routes and waterways is thus evident at several independent locations and through various offerings.

Culture and History

The Grote Kerk Wijk bij Duurstede was expanded by Bishop David of Burgundy into a three-aisled cruciform church. The Molen Rijn en Lek was built on the Leuterpoort city gate. When the miller is present, he is happy to explain the history and workings of the mill to visitors at the Molen Rijn en Lek.

The Dorestad Museum displays archaeological finds that illustrate everyday life, trade and encounters between cultures. Visitors can also board a reconstructed Scandinavian cargo ship there. On request, guided tours lasting approximately one hour are available.

The interactive Kersenmuseum Cothen is dedicated to the history of cherry cultivation. It preserves the auction bell, benches and tiled tableau from the former fruit auction of Wijk bij Duurstede. A two-day Kersenfestival is held annually in Cothen, focusing on the various aspects of cherry cultivation.

Another historical trace leads to the Oog In 't Zeil windmill in Cothen. Built in 1869, the windmill is open to the public and continues to grind regularly for human consumption.

Connections

U-link bus route 41 connects Wijk bij Duurstede to Utrecht Centraal via Bunnik. From 1 September 2025, the Rijndijk/Lekdijk road connection between Wijk bij Duurstede and Amerongen was scheduled to be closed for approximately one and a half years. The closure was to affect through motor traffic, cyclists and pedestrians. During the closure, motor traffic was to be diverted via the N229, N227 and N225.

When considering a holiday apartment in Wijk Bij Duurstede, read the exact location, accommodation type and occupancy on the relevant listing page. Also pay attention to included services, price components, and booking and cancellation conditions. The same points apply to a holiday home. These points relate to the individual listing and should be fully available before you book. This keeps the specific accommodation conditions clearly separate from the location information. Compare the fields in the same order so that nothing essential is overlooked.

Other places: Rhenen, Maarssen, Loenen, Breukelen, Oudewater, Soest.

For the higher-level travel overview: Utrecht.