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Arnhem
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Arnhem blends Dutch history, the Battle of Arnhem, green parks, modern museums and riverside culture with easy access to Gelderland’s landscapes and heritage.

A City Shaped by Landscape

Arnhem stands in the eastern Netherlands where the wooded slopes of the Veluwe meet the broad lower Rhine. Its setting gives the city a character distinct from the flatter, canal-centred towns of the west: streets rise gently towards forests and heathland, while the river and its floodplains open the southern horizon. Park Sonsbeek, with its streams, lawns and wooded paths, reaches almost into the centre, and the surrounding region offers easy access to cycling routes and protected landscapes.
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History in the Streets

The city’s past is visible in a mixture of medieval traces, nineteenth-century avenues and post-war reconstruction. The Gothic Eusebius Church dominates the skyline, while the John Frost Bridge and the Airborne at the Bridge information centre recall the Battle of Arnhem during Operation Market Garden in 1944. The city suffered extensive damage during the fighting and subsequent evacuations, but its rebuilding produced a varied urban fabric rather than a single uniform style.

Museums, Gardens and City Life

Arnhem combines serious historical interpretation with family attractions and a well-established creative scene. Museum Arnhem explores Dutch art from a riverside position, the Netherlands Open Air Museum presents buildings and traditions from across the country, and Burgers’ Zoo is known for its large ecodisplays. In the centre, the Seven Streets provide independent shops and cafés, while the areas around Jansplein and the Korenmarkt become livelier in the evening. Arnhem is also a practical base for exploring Oosterbeek, the Hoge Veluwe and other landscapes of Gelderland.

When is the best time to visit Arnhem?

Best: June–August · 21–23°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January668
February657
March1157
April1457
May1857
June (best)2157
July (best)2357
August (best)2257
September2057
October1557
November1057
December757

Getting to and around Arnhem

How to get there

Arnhem Centraal is a major railway station with direct domestic services linking the city with Utrecht, Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Ede-Wageningen and other Dutch centres; international travellers can usually reach it by changing within the Dutch rail network. Arnhem has no large commercial airport of its own. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the principal international gateway, while Eindhoven Airport and Rotterdam The Hague Airport may also be useful depending on the route. Long-distance coaches serve the Netherlands and Europe, and the city is accessible by road via major motorways including the A12 and A50. Check current rail, coach and road conditions before travelling, particularly during engineering works.

Transportation

The central districts are convenient to explore on foot, with Arnhem Centraal, the shopping streets, the Eusebius Church and the riverfront within a manageable urban area. Arnhem is particularly associated with its trolleybus network, supplemented by conventional buses serving outer neighbourhoods, museums and surrounding towns. Dutch cycling infrastructure makes a bicycle useful for reaching Park Sonsbeek, the Open Air Museum and routes towards the Veluwe, although distances and hills increase beyond the centre. Taxis are available, and car travel is practical for regional excursions, but parking in the centre is regulated and often easier in designated car parks than on-street spaces.

Best attractions in Arnhem

Arnhem offers a varied set of attractions within and around its green urban setting. The Netherlands Open Air Museum presents historic buildings, landscapes, crafts and everyday traditions from different parts of the Netherlands, while Burgers’ Zoo uses large themed environments to interpret habitats from rainforest to desert. Museum Arnhem focuses on modern and contemporary art in a building overlooking the Rhine, and nearby Park Sonsbeek provides wooded paths, water features and open lawns close to the centre. The Eusebius Church rewards visitors interested in the city’s medieval heritage and skyline, while the Airborne at the Bridge centre explains the 1944 battle from a site beside the John Frost Bridge. The Seven Streets add independent shops and cafés to the sightseeing experience, and the riverfront offers broad views towards the floodplains and southern Arnhem.

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Best landmarks in Arnhem

The Eusebius Church is Arnhem’s principal historic landmark, its late-medieval Gothic structure and tall tower dominating views across the centre; the tower also offers an elevated perspective over the city and Rhine plain when access is operating. The John Frost Bridge is significant not only as a river crossing but as the focal point of the 1944 attempt to hold Arnhem during Operation Market Garden. The Airborne at the Bridge centre beside it gives the bridge’s history a human and military context. In the northern city, the historic estate landscape of Park Sonsbeek represents Arnhem’s nineteenth-century expansion into wooded surroundings, while the restored railway architecture and public spaces around Arnhem Centraal reflect the city’s modern transport role. Together these places show the city’s medieval, wartime and contemporary layers.

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Best restaurants in Arnhem

Arnhem’s dining scene reflects its position as a provincial capital with strong international connections. Cafés and restaurants in the centre serve familiar Dutch fare alongside Indonesian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and other cuisines, reflecting the Netherlands’ long-standing overseas and migration histories. Dutch staples such as bitterballen, herring in season, apple pie and pancakes appear in casual settings, while bakeries and coffee shops provide easy daytime stops. The area around the Seven Streets and central squares has a concentration of cafés and independent restaurants, and Steenstraat is known for a broad mix of international food shops and eateries. Market stalls and specialist retailers can add local cheeses, bread, sweets and other Dutch products to a self-guided food exploration. Menus and payment practices vary, so checking current arrangements is sensible.

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Best bars in Arnhem

Evenings in Arnhem are concentrated around the central squares and streets near Jansplein, the Korenmarkt and the surrounding nightlife area. These districts combine traditional cafés, modern bars, pubs and places for live music, with a younger atmosphere around the student and cultural population. The centre also has wine bars, cocktail-led venues and cafés suited to a quieter evening, while theatres and cultural programmes provide alternatives to drinking and clubbing. Arnhem’s nightlife is active by regional-city standards but remains more compact than that of Amsterdam or Rotterdam, and the atmosphere changes considerably between weekdays and weekends. After dark, the pedestrian centre is easy to navigate, though visitors should remain aware of cycle traffic and use licensed taxis or public transport for longer journeys.

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Best nightclubs in Arnhem

Evenings in Arnhem are concentrated around the central squares and streets near Jansplein, the Korenmarkt and the surrounding nightlife area. These districts combine traditional cafés, modern bars, pubs and places for live music, with a younger atmosphere around the student and cultural population. The centre also has wine bars, cocktail-led venues and cafés suited to a quieter evening, while theatres and cultural programmes provide alternatives to drinking and clubbing. Arnhem’s nightlife is active by regional-city standards but remains more compact than that of Amsterdam or Rotterdam, and the atmosphere changes considerably between weekdays and weekends. After dark, the pedestrian centre is easy to navigate, though visitors should remain aware of cycle traffic and use licensed taxis or public transport for longer journeys.

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Best shops in Arnhem

Arnhem’s central shopping area mixes national retailers with independent businesses, design shops and specialist food stores. The Seven Streets, including streets such as Bakkersstraat and Zwanenstraat, are known for smaller boutiques, cafés, vintage goods and creative retail, while Koningstraat and Bakkerstraat provide a broader connection through the centre. Steenstraat has a distinctly international character, with food shops and businesses reflecting Arnhem’s diverse communities. Visitors looking for Dutch products may find regional cheeses, confectionery, design objects, cycling goods and practical souvenirs rather than a single signature craft associated exclusively with the city. Regular markets bring fresh produce and everyday commerce to central locations, although the exact schedule and location can vary. The larger shopping area around the main pedestrian streets is convenient for combining retail with the Eusebius Church and central cafés.

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Arnhem essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the euro (EUR). Debit and credit cards are widely used in hotels, museums, shops and restaurants, and contactless payment is common, although smaller businesses, market stalls or unattended facilities may have their own preferences. Dutch debit-card systems are familiar locally, but international visitors should carry at least one widely accepted card and keep a modest amount of cash for contingencies. ATMs are available in the city centre and shopping areas; bank charges and exchange fees depend on the card provider. When paying by card, check whether the terminal offers payment in euros or conversion into the card’s home currency.
Safety
Arnhem is generally straightforward for visitors, but ordinary urban precautions remain sensible. Keep bags and phones secure in crowded shopping streets, around transport hubs and during busy events, and use properly marked cycle paths rather than walking in cycling lanes. Take care near roads and cycle crossings, where bicycles may approach quietly from several directions. The centre is active in the evening, while quieter parks, transport areas and river paths deserve normal awareness after dark. When cycling, lock bicycles securely and follow local traffic signals. Weather can change quickly, so take care on forest paths and near the river during wet or windy conditions.
Emergency Situations
For an immediate emergency involving police, fire or urgent medical assistance in the Netherlands, call 112 and state the location clearly. For non-urgent police matters, the national number is 0900 8844; international visitors who cannot use Dutch easily should explain that they need assistance in English. Pharmacies can advise on routine medical needs, while hospitals and general practitioners provide non-emergency care through the Dutch healthcare system. European Health Insurance Card holders and other travellers should carry relevant insurance and identification. In a serious situation, follow instructions from emergency services and avoid blocking roads or access points used by responders.
Do's and Don'ts
Keep to the right on stairs, paths and escalators, and never walk casually in marked cycle lanes. At museums, churches and memorials, observe posted photography and behaviour rules, and treat war cemeteries and remembrance sites with particular respect. Dutch restaurants commonly expect payment at the table, and tipping is discretionary rather than an automatic legal obligation; rounding up or leaving a modest amount for good service is customary. In shops and cafés, a friendly greeting is appreciated, while direct communication is normal and not intended to be rude. Do not climb on monuments, feed wildlife in parks without permission or assume that cycling rules are informal.
Local Tips
Use the centre as a base but allow time beyond the main shopping streets: Park Sonsbeek leads towards wooded northern Arnhem, while the south side of the river gives a different perspective on the city and bridge. The Seven Streets suit independent browsing, and the weekly market schedule can add a local dimension to a central visit, though dates and locations should be checked locally. For wartime history, combine Arnhem’s city sites with Oosterbeek rather than treating the bridge as the entire battlefield. A bicycle is especially useful for the Veluwe, but pedestrians should use marked paths and check route maps before entering the larger forest and heathland areas.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHallo[hah-loh]
GoodbyeTot ziens[toht zeeynz]
YesJa[yah]
NoNee[nee]
Please/You're welcomeAlsjeblieft[ahls-yuh-bleeft]
Thank youDank je wel[dahnk yuh vell]
Excuse me/SorrySorry[soh-ree]
How are you?Hoe gaat het met je?[hoo gahht het met ye?]
Fine. And you?Goed. En met jou?[khoot. en met yow?]
Do you speak English?Spreek je Engels?[sprayk ye en-khels?]
I don't understandIk begrijp het niet[ik buh-khreyp het neet]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIk wil graag de menukaart zien, alstublieft[ik vil khrahkh duh meh-noo-kahrt seen, ahl-stoo-bleeft]
I don't eat meatIk eet geen vlees[ik ayt khayn flays]
Cheers!Proost![prohst]
I would like to pay, pleaseIk wil graag betalen, alstublieft[ik vil khrahkh buh-tah-luhn, ahl-stoo-bleeft]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![help]
Go away!Ga weg![gah vekh]
Call the Police!Bel de politie![bel duh poh-lee-see]
Call a doctor!Bel een dokter![bel ayn dohk-tuhr]
I'm lostIk ben verdwaald[ik ben vuhr-dwahlt]
I'm illIk ben ziek[ik ben zik]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ik wil graag kopen...[ik vil khrahkh koh-puhn...]
I'm just lookingIk kijk alleen maar[ik kaiyk ahl-uhn mahr]
How much is it?Hoeveel kost het?[hoo-vale kost het?]
That's too expensiveDat is te duur[daht is tuh dyoor]
Can you lower the price?Kunt u de prijs verlagen?[kunt oo duh prays vuh-rahkh-uhn?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Hoe laat is het?[hoo laht is het?]
It's one o'clockHet is een uur[het is ayn oor]
Half past (10)Half elf[hahlf elf]
MorningOchtend[ohk-tuhnt]
AfternoonMiddag[mih-dahkh]
EveningAvond[ah-vohnt]
YesterdayGisteren[khis-tuh-run]
TodayVandaag[fahn-dahkh]
TomorrowMorgen[mohr-ghun]
1Een[ayn]
2Twee[tvay]
3Drie[dree]
4Vier[veer]
5Vijf[vayf]
6Zes[zehs]
7Zeven[zay-vuhn]
8Acht[ahkht]
9Negen[nay-khuhn]
10Tien[teen]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Waar is een/de...?[vahr is ayn/de...]
What's the address?Wat is het adres?[vaht is het ah-drehs?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Kunt u me laten zien (op de kaart)?[kunt oo meh lah-tuhn seen (op duh kart)?]
When's the next (bus)?Wanneer is de volgende (bus)?[vahn-ehr is duh fohl-ghuhn-duh (bus)?]
A ticket (to ....)Een kaartje (naar ....)[ayn kahrt-yuh (nahr ....)]

History of Arnhem

Early Settlement and the Medieval Town

Arnhem developed near an older settlement on the Sint-Jansbeek stream, close to the meeting point of the Veluwe’s higher ground and the Rhine plain. The town received city rights in 1233 from Otto II, Count of Guelders, and its position on regional routes encouraged trade and administration. Medieval Arnhem grew around churches, markets and defensive works, although much of the visible historic fabric was altered by later expansion and wartime destruction. The Sint-Eusebius Church, begun in the fifteenth century, reflects the prosperity and urban ambition of the late medieval town. Its tower became the city’s defining vertical landmark, while the river continued to connect Arnhem with settlements and commercial centres farther along the Rhine.

Guelders, Trade and Urban Growth

Arnhem became an important centre within the Duchy of Guelders, a territory whose political influence extended across parts of the eastern Netherlands and neighbouring regions. The town’s civic role grew as Guelders was incorporated into the Burgundian Netherlands in the sixteenth century and later into the Habsburg realms. Arnhem’s markets and river connections supported commerce, while its position near the Veluwe linked urban life with woodland, estates and agricultural communities. Religious change during the Reformation altered the use of churches and institutions, and the town was drawn into the political and military upheavals of the Dutch Revolt. These developments helped establish Arnhem as a regional administrative centre rather than merely a river settlement.

From Provincial Capital to Modern City

After the formation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the nineteenth century, Arnhem expanded beyond its medieval core and became the capital of Gelderland province. New roads, rail connections and affluent residential districts connected the centre with the wooded north, where estates and landscaped parks shaped the city’s reputation as a green place to live. Arnhem also developed civic institutions, schools and cultural organisations, while industry and administrative work changed the social balance of the town. The arrival of the railway strengthened links with other Dutch cities and made the surrounding countryside more accessible. Many of the avenues and villas around the centre and Sonsbeek reflect this period of nineteenth-century and early twentieth-century growth.

The Battle of Arnhem, 1944

In September 1944, Arnhem became the northern objective of Operation Market Garden, the Allied attempt to secure a corridor through the Netherlands and cross the Rhine. British airborne forces landed around Arnhem and Oosterbeek, aiming to hold the bridge over the river while ground troops advanced from the south. German resistance prevented the planned link-up, and the battle developed into intense fighting across the city and surrounding villages. The bridge was held for several days before the remaining British forces withdrew. Civilian suffering was severe, and the German-ordered evacuation left Arnhem largely deserted. The event is remembered through memorials, museums, cemeteries and annual commemorations across the region.

Destruction, Reconstruction and Remembrance

Arnhem emerged from the Second World War with extensive damage in the centre and river districts, and reconstruction reshaped the city’s appearance. Some historic buildings were restored, while new post-war streets, housing and civic structures answered the needs of a growing provincial capital. The John Frost Bridge, rebuilt after the war, became both a functional crossing and an enduring symbol of the 1944 battle. Arnhem’s memory culture developed through institutions such as the Airborne at the Bridge information centre and the nearby Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek. In later decades, investment in museums, parks, shopping areas and public transport accompanied the city’s growth, while wartime remembrance remained central to its identity.

Arnhem in Photos

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