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Germany
Things to do in Nijmegen
165 attractions · Germany
Gelderland, Germany · 51.833, 5.850
About Nijmegen
Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands, tracing its history back to Roman times when it served as a vital military settlement. Situated on the Waal River, the city preserves its heritage through sites like the Saint Stephen's Church and the historical collections at the Valkhof Museum. Modern Nijmegen serves as a major university hub with a distinctive riverside atmosphere. Nature enthusiasts utilize the city as a gateway to landscapes like the Hatertse en Overasseltse Vennen. The city's landscape is defined by its strategic position on the riverbank, which houses the educational De Bastei.
Good to know
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Nijmegen was the first Dutch city to have a Roman name, Ulpia Noviomagus Batavorum.
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The city was mistakenly bombed by American forces in February 1944 during World War II, causing significant destruction to the medieval center.
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Nijmegen hosts the 'Vierdaagse,' the world's largest multiple-day walking event, which attracts tens of thousands of participants annually.
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The city maintains a unique 'Student City' status, with a significant percentage of the population enrolled at Radboud University.
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Archaeological digs frequently uncover Roman artifacts, including a silver cup discovered in the 20th century.
Plan your visit to Nijmegen
Best time to visit
July, specifically for the International Four Days Marches which brings a massive festival atmosphere to the city streets.
How many days
2-3 days, allowing enough time to explore the city center and nearby natural parks.
Getting around
The city center is highly walkable, and the region is exceptionally well-connected by an extensive network of cycling paths and local bus services.
Where to stay
The city center (Stadscentrum) is ideal for proximity to historical sites, while the areas near the university offer a quieter, greener environment.
Budget
Mid-range; accommodation and dining prices are standard for Dutch regional cities, though demand peaks significantly during the Four Days Marches.
Highlights of Nijmegen
The places our editors single out - and why they're worth your time.
Saint Stephen's Church
This historic church serves as the city's most prominent landmark, featuring a tower that offers panoramic views of the Waal river.
Valkhof Museum
This museum houses a vast collection of Roman antiquities that chronicle the city's origins as a military stronghold.
Kronenburgerpark
This centrally located park is built around the ruins of a 14th-century defensive tower and offers a quiet green space in the city.
De Bastei
This riverside center focuses on the ecology and geological history of the Waal river and its floodplain.
Hatertse en Overasseltse Vennen
These protected marshlands and fens provide an extensive network of trails for hikers and birdwatchers.
Vrijheidsmuseum
This museum focuses on the liberation of the Netherlands and the major military operations that took place in the region during 1944.
Recreatiegebied Berendonck
A recreational area featuring specialized wellness facilities and natural swimming waters just outside the urban core.
Slot Doddendael
This estate showcases a historic castle building surrounded by formal gardens and a moat.
Top things to do in Nijmegen
The 165 most popular places in Nijmegen.
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31
Playgrounds Known locally
Playground Brakkefort
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32
Museums Known locally
Stichting Museum Kasteel Wijchen
Museum Kasteel Wijchen is situated within a 17th-century moated castle, featuring a Renaissance-style facade and a disti...
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33
Temples Known locally
Cenakelkerk, Heilig Landstichting, Groesbeek
The Cenakelkerk, located in Heilig Landstichting near Nijmegen, is a monumental church built between 1914 and 1915 as th...
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34
Natural attractions Known locally
Mookerheide
Mookerheide is a rolling moorland and woodland area located on a terminal moraine formed during the Saalian glaciation....
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35
Museums Known locally
Museum of Anatomy and Pathology
The Museum of Anatomy and Pathology in Nijmegen is a specialized academic collection located within the Radboud Universi...
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36
Amusement parks Known locally
Maisdoolhof Malden (voor openingstijden zie onze site)
Maisdoolhof Malden is a seasonal maize labyrinth located in Malden, just south of Nijmegen in the Netherlands. The attra...
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37
Temples Known locally
Mosque Abi Bakr
Mosque Abi Bakr is a central community facility and place of worship located in the Wolfskuil district of Nijmegen. The...
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38
Historical places Known locally
Kasteel Wijchen
Kasteel Wijchen is a restored 17th-century moated Renaissance castle located in the town of Wijchen, just southwest of N...
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39
Museums Known locally
Agrarisch Museum De Lage Hof
Agrarisch Museum De Lage Hof is a specialized agricultural museum situated in a traditional Dutch farmhouse setting in O...
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40
Historical places Known locally
Estate Schoonderlogt
Estate Schoonderlogt is a historic manor located in Elst, serving as a primary administrative hub for the local agricult...
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41
Natural attractions Known locally
Heerlijkheid Beek
Heerlijkheid Beek is a historic, heavily wooded estate located in the terminal moraine landscape near Nijmegen, managed...
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42
Historical places Known locally
Waal Crossing Memorial
The Waal Crossing Memorial commemorates the perilous September 20, 1944, river crossing by the 82nd Airborne Division du...
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43
Parks Known locally
Waalstrandje 🏖
Waalstrandje is a natural river beach located along the Waal River in the Gelderse Poort nature reserve. The site featur...
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44
Natural attractions Known locally
Zandbak 'Heumensoord' 🛝
Zandbak Heumensoord is a large, natural sandpit play area nestled within the forested Heumensoord estate just south of N...
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45
Parks Known locally
Duivelsberg
Duivelsberg is a heavily forested terminal moraine hill rising nearly 100 meters above sea level near Nijmegen in the mu...
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46
Natural attractions Known locally
Duivelsberg
Duivelsberg, known in French as Montagne du Diable, is a terminal moraine hill rising approximately 75 meters above sea...
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47
Places of interest Hidden gem
Nijmegen Railway Bridge
The Nijmegen Railway Bridge is a prominent infrastructure landmark spanning the Waal River in the Netherlands. Originall...
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48
Natural attractions Hidden gem
Uitkijktoren Mookerschans
Uitkijktoren Mookerschans is a wooden observation tower situated on a historic 17th-century fortification site near the...
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49
Places of interest Hidden gem
De Oversteek
De Oversteek is a prominent city bridge in Nijmegen, Netherlands, spanning the river Waal to connect the northern and so...
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50
Temples Hidden gem
Sint-Nicolaaskapel
The Sint-Nicolaaskapel, situated within the Valkhof Park in Nijmegen, is a rare example of a Romanesque palace chapel da...
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51
Museums Hidden gem
Museum Kinderdorp Neerbosch
Museum Kinderdorp Neerbosch in Nijmegen preserves the history and heritage of the historic Neerbosch orphanage village,...
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52
Parks Hidden gem
Weurtse Uiterwaarden
The Weurtse Uiterwaarden is a dynamic river floodplain park situated along the river Waal just northwest of Nijmegen. It...
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53
Places of interest Hidden gem
Grenzland-Draisine / Fietslorrie
The Grenzland-Draisine, or Fietslorrie, allows visitors to pedal on vintage railway tracks connecting Groesbeek, Netherl...
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54
Museums Hidden gem
Huis van de Nijmeegse Geschiedenis
The Huis van de Nijmeegse Geschiedenis is a municipal history museum located on Mariënburg square in Nijmegen, Netherlan...
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55
Parks Hidden gem
Vis- en recreatieplassen Het Broek
Vis- en recreatieplassen Het Broek is a combined recreation and fishing lake complex located in Gendt, just east of Nijm...
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56
Temples Hidden gem
Eyüp Sultan🕌
Eyüp Sultan Mosque is a prominent Islamic place of worship located on Vondelstraat in Nijmegen, Netherlands. Serving as...
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57
Historical places Hidden gem
Kruittoren
The Kruittoren, or Powder Tower, is a medieval defensive fortification located at Parkweg 11 in Nijmegen, Netherlands. B...
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58
Natural attractions Hidden gem
Wandelroute Duivelsberg (6 km)
The Wandelroute Duivelsberg is a 6-kilometer marked trail located within the Duivelsberg nature reserve, known for its s...
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59
Parks Hidden gem
De Omloop
De Omloop is a park and recreational area located along the Bert Oosterboschpad in Nijmegen, Netherlands. It is named af...
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60
Temples Hidden gem
Petrus Canisiuskerk
The Petrus Canisiuskerk in Nijmegen is a prominent Roman Catholic parish church designed by architect Jos Margry and com...
Around Nijmegen
Worth the short trip out of the city.
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Nijmegen on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Frequently asked
How many attractions are there in Nijmegen?
Aventuro lists 165 curated attractions in and around Nijmegen, sorted by popularity.
What's the top attraction in Nijmegen?
Pathé Nijmegen is the most popular place to visit in Nijmegen right now.
What kind of attractions does Nijmegen have?
The largest category is parks, with 41 places to explore.
Which other cities are worth visiting nearby?
Travellers also explore Berlin, Munich, Hamburg.
