The city of Nijmegen is located in the eastern Netherlands, a few kilometres from the western German border. It is the largest city in the Gelderland province but also ranks as the 10th largest city in the entire country with a population in excess of 170,000 people.
There is no shortage of things to do in Nijmegen, with many historical buildings and squares, as well as ruins dating back to the Roman times. Nijmegen is also steeped in history that can be discovered at one of the many museums within the city. The architecture is incredible, with a mix of modern and olden styles that come together seamlessly in the city.
Nijmegen is both old and young at heart. It is the oldest city in the Netherlands and in 2005 it celebrated 2000 years. On the other hand, there is also a certain buzz within the city as Nijmegen is home to the Radboud University and its many students.
With a large choice of restaurants, cafes and bars in Nijmegen, things to do are easy to come by. I have put together a list of the top things to do in Nijmegen so that all you need to do is arrive in the city ready to explore. You won’t have to ask yourself what to do in Nijmegen because that’s all taken care of. So, sit back and get ready to immerse yourself in the oldest city in the Netherlands.
Contents
- How to get to Nijmegen
- Best things to do in Nijmegen
- 1. Museum Het Valkhof
- 2. De Bastei
- 3. Afrika Museum
- 4. Pancake boat
- 5. MuZIEum
- 6. Infocentre WW2
- 7. Stevenskerk
- 8. Kronenburgerpark
- 9. Valkhof Park
- 10. Belvedere
- 11. Grote Markt
- 12. Lakenhal
- 13. De Waagh
- 14. Historical Town Hall
- 15. Lange Hezelstraat
- 16. Besiendershuis
- 17. Go to the beach – Waalstrand
- 18. Oude Haven
- 19. Barbarossa Ruin
- Final words
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How to get to Nijmegen
Nijmegen is easily accessible both by public transport and by car from the major cities in the Netherlands, which makes it the perfect destination for a day trip. The city is also well connected to the two major airport in the Netherlands: Schiphol an Eindhoven. As it is located close to the German border, the low-cost airport in Weeze (DE) is also a short drive (50 min).
Tip: Read this post about using the public transport in the Netherlands. It’s packed with tips that only a local knows!
- Amsterdam – Nijmegen: 120 km/1 hr 25 min; by train: 1 hr 40 min
- Schiphol – Nijmegen: 130 km/1 hr 25 min; by train: 1 hr 40 min
- Eindhoven – Nijmegen: 75 km/55 min; by train: 1 hr 20 min
- Utrecht – Nijmegen: 90 km/1 hr 5 min; by train: 1 hr 5 min
- The Hague – Nijmegen: 140 km/1 hr 40 min; by train: 1 hr 50 min
- Den Bosch – Nijmegen: 50 km/40 min; by train: 40 min
- Rotterdam – Nijmegen: 135 km/1 hr 30 min; by train: 1 hr 50 min
- Maastricht – Nijmegen: 140 km/1 hr 30; by train: 2 hrs
The best way to find out how to travel from A to B in the Netherlands is to use the Glimble app. You can buy your tickets in the app and travel hassle-free. The app is absolutely free to download.
Besides a train connection with the largest Dutch cities, Nijmegen is also well-connected by bus. Check out the website of FlixBus for more information. For international travel options, check out Omio, where you can also buy train and bus tickets.
Pro tip: Buy your train tickets online with the Dutch Railways (NS) for hassle-free travel. On the website of NS you can also check for any discounts.
Best things to do in Nijmegen
Read further to find out which are the best things to do in Nijmegen. On the handy map below I’ve marked all tourist attractions in Nijmegen. You can add the map to your Google Maps and use it even if you are offline.
1. Museum Het Valkhof
Museum Het Valkhof in Nijmegen is one of the most important archeological museums in the Netherlands. Its rich collection follows the 5000 years of history of the area. Nijmegen (or Noviomagus in Latin) is the oldest Roman settlement in the Netherlands, which makes it the oldest Dutch city. Besides the collection of archeological artifacts, the museum also exhibits classical and modern art.
It is important to note that the museum will be closing for a period of time from the 1st of October 2022 for renovations. It will be housed temporarily at the former ABN AMRO building, after which it will reopen at the original venue at Kelfkenbos.
2. De Bastei
De Bastei is the result of two museums in Nijmegen merging to become one, namely the Natuurmuseum and De Stratemakerstoren. De Stratemakerstoren is a 16th century tower and is one of the highlights of the museum.
There is a large variety of different items on display (in excess of 100, 000) made up of archaeological pieces, taxidermy animals, rocks, minerals and insects. There is also a permanent display in the basement of the museum called Oergrond, which explains how the prehistoric soils came into being.
The River Treasury is another permanent exhibition which details the riparian landscape, followed by a temporary exhibition floor. Finally, there is a restaurant on the top floor where you can grab a bite to eat and something to drink with unparalleled views of the city.
3. Afrika Museum
When visiting Nijmegen, things to do just outside of the city include a visit to the Afrika Museum located in a wooded area called Berg en Dal. The museum has both indoor and outdoor displays that has many traditional African artefacts, contemporary African art, photographs, videos and other African cultural exhibits.
Another fun aspect of this Nijmegen attraction is that there are several different African residential displays for you to walk through. The dwellings and other aspects of everyday life of many different African countries are right here in the Netherlands for you to explore and discover. Saves you a trip all the way to Africa to see them. Although not the real thing, it gives you a good idea of what life is like for these African people back home.
Buy here your tickets to the Afrika Museum.
4. Pancake boat
The Pancake Boat is one of the most popular things to do in Nijmegen and it’s easy to understand why. You get to cruise on the Waal River, observe many of the Nijmegen tourist attractions and eat all the pancakes that your heart desires.
The cruise lasts 75 minutes, during which time you will get to see many of the famous bridges in Nijmegen as well as the other sights around the city. The pancakes come out fresh for the duration of the trip with an assortment of toppings that are both sweet and savoury. As an added bonus for young families, there is a massive ball pit in the middle of the boat for the little ones and other forms of entertainment to keep the children occupied.
Buy here your tickets for the Pancake Boat experience in Nijmegen!
5. MuZIEum
MuZIEum is one of the most unique museums not only in Nijmegen, but in the whole Netherlands, as it aims to recreate what everyday life is like for a blind or visually impaired person. There are two different tour experiences available – one indoors and one outdoors.
The indoor experience is called the Dark Experience and as the name suggests, it is completely dark inside and you rely on your other senses to navigate around. Your hearing, smelling and feeling senses will be called upon as you navigate and discover what life is like for these individuals during the 1.5 – 2-hour tour.
The outdoor experience is called Expedition Ripple Route and you will have to navigate in everyday life without being able to rely on your vision. You will have a sort of VR headset covering your eyes and will be helped along by one of the visually impaired experts who will take you through the 1.5 – 2-hour tour.
Buy here your tickets for the unique MuZieum experience!
6. Infocentre WW2
If at this point you’re still asking yourself what to see in Nijmegen, fear not. We’re just getting started. The Infocentre WW2 is the next on the list of the many places to visit in Nijmegen – an information point that covers information regarding World War 2 in the Nijmegen area. From stories and information to heritage sites, events and more, the centre covers it all.
Nijmegen was the first Dutch city to be invaded by the Germans in 1940 and was heavily bombed by the Allies. In 1944 the city was in the middle of Operation Market Garden.
You will be able to gather all the information you require at the centre, and it also serves as the assembly point for historical tours and walks through the city. Aside from this, there are also several exhibits such as the interactive wall, the experience, the mystery, city under siege and the hologram display case.
7. Stevenskerk
Stevenskerk is definitely one of the top places to visit in Nijmegen as it is both the oldest and the largest church in the city. Built on a small hill called the Hundisburg, construction began in the mid-13th century. Over the next few hundred years, more construction took place until around 1650.
During WWII, a lot of damage to the church occurred and therefore it underwent extensive renovations. Today, the church is considered the “heart of the city” and no visit to Nijmegen is complete without a visit to the Stevenskerk.
8. Kronenburgerpark
A visit to Kronenburgerpark, located in the city centre close to the railway station, is one of the favourite things to do in Nijmegen. There are medieval remains in the park as well as the Kruittoren – a powder tower that dates back to 1425 – a real piece of Nijmegen history.
A visit to the park to walk around, relax on a bench or simply observe and immerse yourself in the natural beauty is highly recommended, given its close proximity to the city.
9. Valkhof Park
Valkhof Park is another one of the things to do in Nijmegen that doesn’t cost you a cent. The park is also perched on top of a small hill that provides great views of the city and De Waal River.
The walk around the park is scenic and is the perfect escape from the busy centre – a nice way to relax and have a snack or read your book. In the middle of the park you’ll find the Carolingian Chapel of St. Nicholas. It was built around the year 1000 and is the only Romanesque building that has survived to present day in the Netherlands.
10. Belvedere
Restaurant Belvedere is one of the favourite Nijmegen attractions, sporting both great food and unparalleled views of De Waal and the surrounds. It is housed in an ancient tower that overlooks the city, serving delicious food in a professional yet relaxed environment. It’s also the perfect location for a romantic evening out with your significant other – a real treat to end off the day of exploring.
11. Grote Markt
The Grote Markt is one of the most famous Nijmegen attractions – a beautiful square surrounded by old buildings with restaurants and bars a plenty. It is the main square in the city and open-air markets are still held there every week, so make sure to be around the city when it’s market day.
At the square there is a statue of a woman – the Mary of Nijmegen or Mariken van Nieumeghen – the hero of a 16-th century miracle play written in Middle Dutch.
12. Lakenhal
When embarking on your Nijmegen sightseeing tour, another not-to-be-missed attraction is the Lakenhal, or Cloth Hall – the marketplace of the city. Nijmegen had a flourishing cloth trade in the 14th century. The Lakenhal ocated on the Grote Markt originates from the 14th century and was once a buzzing trading place, where wool imported from London was sold among others.
Today, Café ‘In de Blauwe Hand‘ is housed in the Lakenhal – a name attributed to the blue dye that stained the hands of those using it. This is also the oldest cafe in the city of Nijmegen.
13. De Waagh
De Waagh restaurant in housed in one of the most beautiful medieval buildings on the Grote Markt built in the early 17th century. This area was once used by traders and merchants where they weighed their goods before proceeding to sell them at the market.
The café-style restaurant is a must-see when exploring the Grote Markt area and surround for a quick snack, drink or full meal. Remnants of the old market such as cobbled floors, wrought-iron chandeliers and a huge scale still remain today.
14. Historical Town Hall
The Historical Town Hall (het Oude Stadhuis) in Nijmegen was is the oldest part of the town hall and dates back to 1555. It was built in line with the early Renaissance style. Today, the building still functions as a town hall. In the catacombs under the town hall there used to be torture chambers, luckily decommissioned today. The Town Hall was destroyed by a fire during WWII in 1944 but has since been restored to its former glory. The Town Hall can be visited with a guided tour organized by Gilde Nijmegen.
15. Lange Hezelstraat
Walking along the Lange Hezelstraat is one of the things to do in Nijmegen that can’t be missed – it’s the oldest shopping street in the entire country! Lange Hezelstraat is home to family-run shops, cafes, restaurants and bars and no trip to the city is complete without along this street.
16. Besiendershuis
The Besiendershuis was built in 1525 in the Lower Rhine Gothic architectural style and inhabited by patricians. It is rumoured that the name came from the person who collected toll from passing ships – a besiender. One of the special features of the house was the hanging room which was a room hanging from the ceiling of another room, connected by a staircase.
17. Go to the beach – Waalstrand
One of the favourite things to do in Nijmegen in the summer months is to go down to Waalstrand for a spot of sunbathing and swimming. It’s a small, quaint beach perfect for friends and family alike.
18. Oude Haven
Another one of the things to see in Nijmegen is the Oude Haven – a street of historical buildings, situated where the old port once was. These former port buildings are now largely residential dwellings and make for a great photo opt and to admire the old architecture of Nijmegen.
19. Barbarossa Ruin
Located in the Valkhof Park, the Barbarossa Ruin is a remarkable monument. A stone’s throw from the city centre, this once religious building is a great place to take a stroll to for a break from the buzzing city and to take a look into the historical side of Nijmegen. The ruin is a remnant from the apse of the chapel that was part of the palace built 1155 by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.
Final words
Given this extensive list of things to do in Nijmegen, you will have no time to sit around bored when visiting the oldest city in the Netherlands. From the wonderful museums in Nijmegen, the ancient Roman findings, and of course, the Pancake Boat tours, there really is so much to see and do in this amazing city.
With so many places to visit in Nijmegen, I would highly recommend visiting the city for a few days to truly get a feel for what it is about. It’s always fascinating learning about a city that isn’t spoken about or overly visited by tourists, which adds to the charm and attraction of visiting. So, go on and be the first of your friends to do so – you’ll be highly envied!
Do you need some extra help to plan your trip to the Netherlands? Join the dedicated Exploring the Netherlands Facebook Group, where you can get tips from other travellers and locals. Or perhaps you have questions or comments? Join the group and I’ll be happy to answer them.
