Discover Apeldoorn | A Visitor's Introduction to Apeldoorn

Why is Apeldoorn Worth a Visit?

Apeldoorn is worth visiting for its unique mix of royal heritage, green spaces, and accessibility to one of the Netherlands’ most beautiful natural areas, the Veluwe. As the location of Het Loo Palace—the former royal residence—Apeldoorn carries a sense of grandeur, but without the crowds of bigger Dutch cities. Its wide streets, abundant parks, and leafy residential areas make it feel open and airy, ideal for relaxed exploration.

Unlike more densely built-up Dutch cities, Apeldoorn offers a spacious, peaceful setting with cultural attractions, excellent cycling routes, and easy connections to nearby towns and villages. It’s a great option for families, nature lovers, and visitors looking for a slower-paced Dutch experience within reach of major highlights.

Apeldoorn Highlights: Things to See and Do in Apeldoorn

Paleis Het Loo

Paleis Het Loo is Apeldoorn’s star attraction and one of the most impressive palaces in the Netherlands. Once the residence of the Dutch royal family, it’s now a museum offering insight into four centuries of royal life. The palace itself, recently refurbished, is richly decorated with period furniture, artworks, and personal items from Dutch monarchs. The gardens are a showpiece in themselves, designed in the baroque style with fountains, topiary and symmetrical flowerbeds. It’s especially beautiful in spring and summer when everything is in full bloom.

Apenheul Primate Park

Apenheul is a unique and hugely popular wildlife park where monkeys and apes roam freely among visitors. Designed to promote close encounters with primates in a respectful and naturalistic setting, the park is home to species ranging from squirrel monkeys to gorillas. It’s fun, educational, and particularly ideal for families. The park is set within the forest, giving it a lush and immersive feel, and offers picnic areas, play zones and plenty of interactive exhibits.

Hoge Veluwe National Park

Just a short drive or cycle from Apeldoorn, Hoge Veluwe is the largest national park in the Netherlands and a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts. Covering over 5,000 hectares, it features forests, heathlands, dunes and wildlife such as deer, wild boar and birds of prey. The park is famous for its white bicycles, which visitors can use for free to explore at their own pace. Walking trails and picnic areas are plentiful, and the park changes character beautifully with the seasons.

Kröller-Müller Museum

Located within the Hoge Veluwe National Park, the Kröller-Müller Museum houses the second-largest collection of Vincent van Gogh paintings in the world, alongside works by Monet, Picasso, and other modern masters. The sculpture garden outside is one of the largest in Europe, with installations spread through forest and open lawn. The museum’s tranquil, nature-integrated setting makes it a rare and peaceful cultural treasure.

CODA Museum and Library

In the centre of Apeldoorn, CODA combines a contemporary art museum, library, and heritage centre. Exhibits often focus on modern design, jewellery, and paper art, as well as local history and archives. It’s a cultural anchor for the city and offers a quiet, creative space to explore during your stay. There’s also a gift shop with locally made products and a stylish café.

Julianatoren Theme Park

Julianatoren is a small but charming amusement park designed especially for children up to 10 years old. It offers a classic, nostalgic feel with rides, shows and games that are gentle and family-friendly. The park is compact, easy to navigate and offers a great day out for families with young children, particularly in spring and summer.

Park Berg & Bos

Park Berg & Bos is a large forested park on the edge of Apeldoorn, offering trails, a waterfall, viewing tower, playgrounds, and gardens. It’s a fantastic place for a picnic or an afternoon walk. The park is also home to climbing courses and zip lines for those who want a bit of adventure. It borders the Apenheul park, so you can combine both attractions in a day.

Orpheus Theatre and Cultural Events

Apeldoorn’s Orpheus Theatre is one of the largest theatres in the Netherlands, hosting concerts, musicals, plays and dance performances throughout the year. Check the calendar if you’re visiting—there may be a classical music concert, ballet, or comedy show during your stay. The city also hosts festivals including food fairs, seasonal markets and open-air cinema nights.

De Naald Monument

At the entrance to Het Loo Palace stands De Naald, an obelisk-shaped monument built to honour Dutch royalty. It marks the edge of the palace’s parkland and is often a starting point for cycling and walking routes into the surrounding forests.

Local Markets and Shopping

Apeldoorn has a lively town centre with a mix of modern shopping streets, independent boutiques, and weekly markets. The Saturday market on Marktplein is a great place to sample Dutch cheeses, fresh produce, and local baked goods. The Hoofdstraat is the main shopping street, offering both big-name stores and cosy cafés for a coffee stop.

Practical Advice for Visitors

Getting There

Apeldoorn is easily accessible by train, with direct connections from Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Amersfoort. The journey from Amsterdam Central takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The town is also well connected by road via the A1 and A50 motorways. For those exploring by bike or on foot, the region’s flat terrain and abundant cycle paths make getting around simple and enjoyable.

Parking

If you’re arriving by car, there are multiple car parks in and around the city centre, with clear signage and plenty of space. Some are free for short stays, while others have reasonable day rates. There’s also parking available at Paleis Het Loo and the entrance to the Hoge Veluwe National Park.

Dining

Apeldoorn offers a good variety of dining options, from cosy brasseries and pancake houses to modern bistros and international cuisine. Try local dishes such as poffertjes (mini pancakes) or stamppot in one of the traditional Dutch eateries. The city has a growing number of vegetarian and vegan-friendly spots, and riverside terraces offer relaxed dining in warmer months.

Shopping

Apeldoorn is a pleasant place to shop, with well-maintained pedestrian zones and a mix of chains and independents. There are several galleries selling local art and crafts, particularly jewellery and woodwork. Local delicacies to look out for include honey, cheeses, and chocolate from small family producers in the Veluwe area.

When to Visit

Spring and summer are the most popular times to visit Apeldoorn, especially when the gardens at Het Loo and the Veluwe landscapes are at their most colourful. Autumn offers a quieter, beautiful experience with changing foliage in the national parks, and winter brings festive lights, Christmas markets and cosy indoor events. Most attractions are open year-round, though outdoor parks and seasonal businesses may have reduced hours in winter.

Local Events

Highlights on the local calendar include King's Day celebrations in April, with street markets, music, and festivities. In summer, the Drakenboot Festival (Dragon Boat Races) draws crowds to the Apeldoorn canal for races, performances and food stalls. There are also regular open-air concerts, theatre performances, and family days held in city parks and gardens.

Exploring Beyond Apeldoorn

Apeldoorn makes a great base for exploring the wider Veluwe region and beyond. You can visit nearby towns such as Deventer, Zutphen, or Arnhem, each with its own unique history and charm. The Open-Air Museum in Arnhem and the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek are both within an hour’s reach and offer excellent day trips. For nature lovers, Loenen Waterfalls and the Veluwezoom National Park provide further hiking and cycling options.

Final Thoughts

Apeldoorn is a peaceful, green and elegant city that offers a little bit of everything—royal heritage, family-friendly attractions, expansive nature, and Dutch charm without the rush of larger urban centres. Whether you're walking the palace gardens, cycling through the Veluwe, or enjoying coffee on a quiet terrace, Apeldoorn invites you to slow down and explore the richness of central Holland at your own pace. It’s a place where you can breathe deeply, relax fully, and discover something new in every season.