- Arnhem is the only city in the Netherlands to operate a trolleybus system, which has been in continuous service since 1949.
- The city is home to a unique underground system of medieval cellars, many of which were renovated and connected for public exploration.
- Arnhem serves as the capital of the Gelderland province and historically acted as an affluent residence for Dutch nobility due to its proximity to the Veluwe forest.
- During the 1944 Battle of Arnhem, the city became a focal point of Operation Market Garden, significantly altering its architectural landscape.
- The city is a major hub for creative fashion education in Europe, housing the ArtEZ University of the Arts which has produced many internationally recognized designers.
About Arnhem
Arnhem is a Dutch city situated on the banks of the Rhine, distinguished by its unique topography and significant role in 20th-century history. Visitors frequently explore the extensive natural landscapes surrounding the area, including the sprawling trails at Wandelroute Veluwezoom-Posbank. The city serves as a gateway to cultural history, anchored by the poignant exhibits at the Airbornemuseum Hartenstein and the sprawling exhibits at the Netherlands Open Air Museum. Architecture enthusiasts often focus on the iconic structure of the John Frost Bridge, a site central to the city's wartime narrative. Beyond history, the city offers expansive green spaces like Park Sonsbeek, which remains central to the local urban lifestyle.
Highlights of Arnhem
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Zoos
Features an elaborate indoor tropical rainforest environment that simulates diverse ecosystems.
Museums
Displays historical Dutch structures and traditional crafts preserved in an expansive outdoor setting.
Parks
Offers a prominent landscape park featuring historic water features and large-scale botanical collections.
Museums
Details the tactical reality of the 1944 Battle of Arnhem through original documents and personal accounts.
Places of interest
Stands as a historic landmark that serves as the primary commemorative site for the 1944 airborne operations.
Museums
Houses a substantial collection of modern and contemporary art with a focus on regional Dutch painters.
Natural attractions
Provides access to the Veluwezoom's highest points, offering panoramic views of the heathlands.
Museums
Explores the technical and historical relationship between the Netherlands and its water management systems.
Top things to do in Arnhem
The 125 highest-rated places in Arnhem, ranked by travellers.
1
Zoos
Burgers' Zoo is an eco-display-based zoological park in Arnhem designed around large-scale habitats rather than traditio...
2
Museums
The Netherlands Open Air Museum in Arnhem features over 100 historical buildings, farms, and workshops relocated from va...
3
Parks
Park Sonsbeek is a historic 67-hectare English landscape-style estate located in the center of Arnhem. The park features...
4
Parks
Nationaal Park Veluwezoom is the oldest national park in the Netherlands, established in 1930. The park features a uniqu...
5
Museums
The Airborne Museum Hartenstein is located in the former 1944 headquarters of the British 1st Airborne Division during t...
6
Parks
Burgers' Bush is a 1.5-hectare indoor tropical rainforest ecosystem located within the Burgers' Zoo complex in Arnhem. I...
7
Places of interest
The John Frost Bridge is a vital landmark in Arnhem, serving as the primary site of the 1944 Battle of Arnhem during Ope...
8
Museums
Kasteel Rosendael is a medieval castle complex situated in the village of Rozendaal, just outside Arnhem. The estate is...
9
Museums
Museum Arnhem is a prominent Dutch institution dedicated to modern and contemporary art, including a significant collect...
10
Parks
Estate Heuven serves as a primary gateway to the Veluwezoom National Park, bordering the expansive Posbank moorlands. Th...
11
Natural attractions
The Wandelroute Veluwezoom-Posbank is a prominent hiking trail located in the Veluwezoom National Park, the oldest natio...
12
Museums
The Nederlands Watermuseum is a highly interactive educational facility located within the historic Sonsbeek Park area o...
13
Parks
Park Angerenstein is an 18th-century country estate in Arnhem featuring a classic English landscape garden style with ro...
14
Parks
Immerloo Park serves as a significant recreational green space in the southern Arnhem district of Malburgen. The park is...
15
Parks
Landgoed Duno is a historical estate situated on a steep lateral moraine overlooking the Lower Rhine river near Doorwert...
16
Parks
Park Klarenbeek is a historic park in Arnhem, Netherlands, known for its rolling rural valley landscape and mature arbor...
17
Parks
Park Hartenstein is a historic estate and public park located in Oosterbeek, adjacent to the Airborne Museum Hartenstein...
18
Natural attractions
Estate Beekhuizen is a historic woodland estate situated on the southern edge of the Veluwezoom National Park near Velp....
19
Zoos
Burgers' Ocean is a massive saltwater ecosystem housed within Royal Burgers' Zoo, featuring a series of connected tanks...
20
Parks
21
Parks
22
Zoos
Burgers' Mangrove is the world's largest covered mangrove habitat, spanning 3,000 square meters. It replicates the Beliz...
23
Parks
24
Parks
25
Historical places
26
Historical places
27
Parks
28
Museums
29
Temples
30
Museums
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Arnhem on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Arnhem
May through September, when the mild weather allows for full exploration of the expansive parks and the nearby Veluwe nature reserve.
2-3 days, providing sufficient time to balance historical site visits with the various outdoor parks and museums.
The city is highly walkable, complemented by an extensive network of electric trolleybuses and regular train connections to the rest of the Netherlands.
The city center is ideal for immediate access to shopping and dining, while the area near Park Sonsbeek offers a quieter, residential atmosphere close to major green spaces.
Mid-range; while standard Dutch costs apply, local accommodation and dining options are generally more accessible than in the larger Randstad cities.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 125 curated attractions in and around Arnhem, ranked by traveller ratings.
Burgers' Zoo is the highest-rated place to visit in Arnhem right now.
The largest category is parks, with 34 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague.
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Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
