Holiday apartment in Wijk bij Duurstede: Culture along the Rhine and Lek

Wijk bij Duurstede lies at the confluence of the Nederrijn and Lek rivers. Between the river landscape and the protected townscape are historic sites, paths along the water and opportunities to explore the town’s history.

Historic Sites with Their Own Character

The earthworks of Wijk bij Duurstede were transformed into a star-shaped walking area in 1769. The old town is designated as a protected townscape of national importance. Among the most significant Rijksmonumenten in Wijk bij Duurstede is the Grote Kerk; its tower is also one of the most significant late Gothic towers in the Netherlands. The Oude Stadhuis is likewise a Rijksmonument and was built between 1662 and 1666 in the Classicist style.

The Rijn en Lek windmill is the only mill in the Netherlands built on a city gate, and it is still used to grind grain. Its gallery offers views over the Rhine and Lek. The ruin and parkland of Wijk bij Duurstede are of general cultural-historical significance.

Holiday apartment in Wijk bij Duurstede for Paths along the Water

Waterways play a role of their own. A canoe route connects Wijk bij Duurstede and Utrecht; at locks, including those in Cothen and Werkhoven, there are designated portage points. The passers-by marina “De Wijkse Haven” connects the historic town centre of Wijk bij Duurstede with the expansive river landscape.

For hikers, the Kromme Rijnpad is a 29-kilometre trail between Utrecht and Wijk bij Duurstede. It follows the course of the Kromme Rijn and partly runs along an old towpath. Between Utrecht and Wijk bij Duurstede, the trail is signposted and walkable in both directions. At TOP Stadshaven, you will find a starting point for hiking, cycling or boating, as well as information on route networks and parking facilities.

Museums, Guided Walks and Unusual Experiences

Museum Dorestad presents the history of Wijk bij Duurstede since the Dorestad era. The reconstructed Scandinavian cargo ship Katla is also located there, and visitors can sit inside it. A city walking tour of Wijk bij Duurstede guided by the VVV lasts about one and a half hours and covers local history since Roman times. During “Op Stap met de Stadsdichter”, a walk through the historic town centre, participants encounter poems. The poetry route comprises thirteen texts on walls, on plinths, on works of art or in the road surface.

The Nachtwandeling is an approximately two-hour torch-lit walk guided by a guide along the monuments in the illuminated old town, conveying the history of the old town. The Straatsafari makes urban nature tangible, including swallows, ants working together and plants growing on an old town wall. The approximately one-and-a-half-hour guided tour through the centre ends with a snack and a drink made from wild plants.

River Cruises, Craftsmanship and Regional Impressions

A trip on the Krommerijnder shows visitors the nature along the banks of the Kromme Rijn for about three hours. Both group bookings and individual registrations are possible for trips on the Viking ship Dorestat 1. The ship regularly travels to the island area of Maurik and back on Saturdays at 2 p.m. Stadsbrouwerij de Dikke adds a culinary touch: since 2015, it has brewed craft beers according to a historic recipe or an ordinance from 1495.

During Open Monumentendag 2026, some of the Rijksmonumenten with medieval origins in Wijk bij Duurstede, Cothen and Langbroek will traditionally open their doors.

To the higher-level travel overview: Wijk Bij Duurstede.