Amersfoort is great any time of year. And throughout the year there are cool events, such as free festivals. Come by and bring your camera!
1. The ultimate photo city
Amersfoort has been characterized as the "most photogenic city" in the Netherlands. Therefore, it seems almost impossible to take a picture that does not impress your Instagram friends. To make it even easier, there is now a special "photo route" along the most beautiful spots in the historic city center.
2. Go supping through the canals
Photo: Citymarketing Amersfoort
Most people know Amersfoort from the Koppelpoort, the Hof or the cozy terraces. Let yourself be surprised by the unique experience that supping (stand-up-paddle) through the surroundings of our beautiful city offers you. You are not only doing sports, but while paddling through the beautiful forests and canals you will experience a completely different view of Amersfoort. Think of a city tour through the Randenbroekerpark through the attractive canals in the center, a trip through the Lockhorsterbos towards Leusden or discover the vast landscape of the Eem. Sups can be rented in Vathorst at Lakeside Sup or at the Eem via SAMENsuppen.
3. De Nieuwe Stad
Right next to the medieval city center, a former industrial area is developing into a hip new neighborhood called 'De Nieuwe Stad'. Where toothpaste used to be made in the Prodent Factory there are now all kinds of cultural hotspots, cool workshops and nice restaurants. Also very nice is Het Lokaal where a 'regional supermarket' for local products is combined with a coffee roaster (the Best Coffee of the Netherlands 2018), a beer brewer, a baker, etc.
4. Amersfoort Beer City!
Amersfoort and beer have been a golden combination for centuries. In the Middle Ages, beer from Amersfoort's many breweries was a household name because of its clean water (from the Eem, the only river that begins and ends in the Netherlands). Now young brewers are taking over the tradition. For example, visit the hip Rock City Brewery just outside the city center, or the historic brewhouse De Drie Ringen near the iconic Koppelpoort.
5. De Volmolen
Who has never seen it, the famous Koppelpoort? From the train, you can't miss it if you enter Amersfoort from the North or East. The only combined land and water gate is a feast for the eyes. The water gate used to be closed at night by local prisoners. A kind of community service, in other words. Did you know that this is where the term "ringleaders" comes from? Right next to that centuries-old city gate is another striking building: the Volmolen. This year (until October 2019), that old (water) mill has been temporarily transformed into a cultural incubator where exhibitions are continuously held and young musicians work on new sounds.
6. We Are Public
After Amsterdam, the popular cultural subscription service We Are Public is expanding to Utrecht and Amersfoort, among other places. Do you have a pass that allows you to go to the coolest performances for € 17 a month? From now on you can also go in Amersfoort! For example in theater and cinema De Lieve Vrouw. And in August there is a real open air cinema Movienights under the tower.
7. Into the Woods
Lovers of electronic dance music have known it for years: for the sweetest, most fun and special festival you have to be in Amersfoort during Into the Woods. Visitors now come from home and abroad yet this still feels like a friends party. A friends party with the ravening gnomes in a fairytale forest, that is.
8. Shop till you drop
Leave the main shopping street and turn down to "the coziest street in Amersfoort"; the Krommestraat. No big chain stores, but small entrepreneurs with a unique taste. In every store you will find something different, so there is something for everyone! Fond of chocolate? Beautiful! At Sweet Sisters you can taste and buy delicious homemade chocolate. Do you love color? At The Litte Shop of Coloursthey certainly do. Feminine clothing from small to large is on sale here. Or go shopping at Roots; winner of the Most Innovative Start Up Award; a young trendy store, where both men and women can succeed.
9. Grab a terrace?
Amersfoort, with its numerous squares, has many different terraces to choose from. If you like to sit at the largest square in Amersfoort, then Hof is the place to be. It is nice to sit at Gaudi's, De Bijzaeck or Lapart. If you prefer something more intimate, we recommend the terrace of wine bar Sister Margaux, which is hidden in the beautiful cloister of the Mariënhof. The smaller, atmospheric squares of Groenmarkt and Appelmarkt are also recommended. At the Onze Lieve Vrouwkerkhof, under the foot of Our Lieve Vrouwetoren, you will find one of Amersfoort's coziest squares, with several nice terraces, from the Café de Lieve Vrouw to Stadsafé Amersfoort. Prefer a view of the canals? Then you are also in the right place in Amersfoort, for example at the communal terrace of the Krankeledenplantsoen; one of the favorite terraces of the Amersfoorters. Want something different? Then walk along the Eemhaven, pass the laid-back terrace of Dara and end on the industrial terrace of Hoog Vuur in the New Town. And in the summer months the terraces are open extra long. That means extra long enjoyment!
10. The best hotels in the Netherlands
You understand: one day in Amersfoort is not enough. Fortunately, here are the best hotels in the Netherlands! Amersfoort was voted 'Hotelstad 2015' by reviewers on trivago, and in 2019 the congenial Long John hotel may call itself 'best budget hotel in the Netherlands'. The hotel is part of the trendy 'Krankenledenplantsoen'.
