For a pleasant change now and then, visit one of the markets in a traditional Veluwe village. Or explore the remains of the old cities in Elburg, Wageningen or one of the old Hanseatic towns. You can go shopping, visit monuments, dorp into a museum, spend a few hours in an amusement park, or have an evening out at the theatre or cinema. It's all waiting for you in the Veluwe...

 

Hattem, bordering the forests of ‘De Veluwe' and along the river IJssel has much to offer: cosy terraces, interesting museums, a large variety of authentic shops an annually returning events. In short: the Hanseatic town of Hattem is waiting for you to be explored.

 

Harderwijk has a lovely boulevard and a monumental Vischpoort, this old Hanseatic town also has lots of outdoor cafes. Harderwijk is also famous for its Dolfinarium, the largest marine animal park in Europe. The city has a rich cultural-historical heritage. It dates all the way back to 1231, when Count Otto van Gelre Harderwijk granted it town and market privileges.

 

Elburg is beautifully situated on the banks of the Randmeren lakes. This former Hanseatic towns is one of the Netherlands most worth seeing old towns. Time seems to have stood still in the old centre, when Elburg was still a fishing settlement on the Zuider Zee. The town has retained its rectangular medieval layout of streets, and along the way you will find majestic ramparts, canals and sections of the town walls. There are over 250 monuments within the ramparts.

 

Nijkerk is situated on the edge of the Northwest Veluwe and the Gelderse Vallei. The city is named after the ‘Nije' Kerk or ‘new church', which was built in 1222. Nijkerk's old town centre has dozens of little shops and lively outdoor cafes. Friday is especially lively when the market is set up on the main square and the shops are open late. A popular event in springtime is ‘boerenmaandag' or ‘farmer Monday', which has become widely known in the Netherlands.

 

Wageningen, which is located in the province of Gelderland, was granted town privileges in 1263. Its rich history is reflected everywhere you look. A walk through the village takes you along gorgeous old mansions, characteristic buildings and charming little streets. To learn more about the town's history, the Museum De Casteelse Poort is definitely worth your while. Wageningen is also famous for the role it played in the World War II. The capitulation treaty was signed here in hotel De Wereld in May 1945.