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City and municipality in Gelderland, Netherlands
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Nijmegen lays claims to the title of oldest city in the Netherlands, and has indeed a long history and still lots of interesting heritage to enjoy today. World-famous among hiking enthusiasts, the city annually hosts the International Four Days Marches Nijmegen. It's the largest multi-day walking event in the world and comes with a range of festivities. Attracting over 42,000 participants and over a million visitors, including many international ones, the event celebrated the 100th edition in 2016. Nijmegen is the largest city in the province of Gelderland and well known for its left-wing politics and its large student population.
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The fine collection of archaeological finds, modern and some old art is well worth spending a few hours on. Artefacts go back to prehistoric times, but also include Roman and Medieval pieces. In addition to the permanent displays, there are temporary exhibitions focussing on specific artists or crafts.
The construction of the church began around the middle of the 13th century. In 1273 the church was consecrated by Albertus Magnus, the auxiliary bishop of Cologne. Of this Romanesque-Gothic church remain the base of the tower and the westernmost bays of the ship. Large-scale construction took place over the course of the 15th century, including the choir and chapels. In the 16th century, the transept and a small part of the ship were built. After about 1560, construction halted and the church remained unfinished. In the bombing of February 22, 1944 the tower collapsed largely in. In addition, the south-western part of the church was heavily damaged. The church also was badly damaged when Nijmegen was a city at the war front. After World War II the church was thoroughly restored in 1969 and was re-opened in the presence of HRH Prince Claus. The inventory of the church - namely pulpit monument to Catherine of Bourbon, baptistery-screen, gentlemen banks, candelabra, organs and some frescoes - are from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.
Bicycle museem
A bicycle museum.
Tante Hannie Kijk Doe Koopwinkel
Minions, Muppets, Marvel, and Marbles... oh my! A gift shop and museum for all kinds of pop media franchises. Browsing around will cast you back to your childhood. Lots of big-name franchises are represented here, along with independents like the popular YouTube channel Jelle's Marble Runs (the creator of which lives in Nijmegen).
Afrika Museum
Indoor as well as open-air display areas covering art, culture, music, photographs, videos and architecture of Africa. Along with the Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam, and National Museum of Ethnology (Museum Volkenkunde) in Leiden, together make up the National Museum of World Cultures.
Medieval music and theatre festival in which around 700 re-enactors roam the streets of the city centre, displaying the daily life in the Duchy of Guelders from 1350-1450. Highlight is the "Blijde Incomste" (Delighted Entrance) on the Sunday afternoon, in which the landvoogd (Advocatus) enters a town or city in a large parade of festivities.
Readers of The Guardian selected Nijmegen's city walks, organized by the tourist office, as one of the top 10 guided city tours in the world. The 90-minute tours indeed give a much deeper insight in the city's history and its heritage. Groups can make private reservations at a requested time (€100 for the guide, up to 25 people can join). Individual travellers should check availability with the tourist office. If there's no tour to join, they also have routes which you follow on your own.
A student eatery.
Political café and organic, vegan eatery. Soup café on Wednesday nights, vegan three-course meals on Saturdays and Sundays from 18:30 (reservation obligatory, by phone or dropping by).
Mexican.
An absolute classic. Not only is it a mainstay of Nijmegen's sizeable alternative scene (don't be surprised to have your meal served by a pierced waitress with dreadlocks or a waiter with a mohawk) it's also famous throughout the Netherlands for its Kaasgehakt - a hearty dish made with cheese and breadcrumbs that's supposed to be a vegetarian version of "gehakt" (minced meat).
Great dining experience in a fantastic historical building in centre. Guests are served 6-8 rounds of small appetizers and bites for dinner. De Hemel serves a great variety of food and on top of that an intimate setting. Also opened for lunch and highly popular High Tea.
Offers tapas from various cooking styles, and more traditional meals, such as salads and spare ribs. In the summer, it is a nice place for a drink, just like cafe Maxim across the street.
Offers traditional French cuisine for a good price, and also has plenty of lunch options. Furthermore, in the summer, you can enjoy your food outside.
Small, cosy, and good value for money.
Portion size and quality is good. Lunch is also possible.
Very good Belgian/Dutch food, such as beef stew, liver and onions and of course fries. Odd concept of shared side salad. Little slow service.
Many vegetarian and vegan options, pies, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails.
It's a bit hidden, don't let the alley-like street scare you away.
Do not expect top quality service, but the food is decently priced and tastes reasonable. You might have to wait long whilst you have already ordered; there is often a table available, but not enough capacity to serve it. Instead of a pizza, you may also choose to order a Greek dish here.
Restaurant at an old factory now used by several local companies. The restaurant has a unique view over the Waal river.
Houtstraat. Old fashioned and classy with service of a high quality. They have more than 100 different beers available.
Australian pub
Roosje
Large music venue. Has a large variety of different parties, ranging from rock to electro and hip hop to techno, so check the schedule.
The smaller venue of the Doornroosje. Has a lot of different music as well. Check the schedule of Doornroosje, it includes the events of Merleyn.
Hosts regular music events, check the schedule on the website.
Has regular punk and hardcore gigs.
Popular-alternative music.
This hostel is one of the best options if you're travelling on a budget. Fun and friendly staff, clean rooms and near the city centre's bars and restaurants.
A well-appointed hotel in the Mercure chain. Some of the bathrooms are a bit outdated but the rooms are nicely restyled and the staff is very helpful. Breakfast comes at an extra cost of €17, but due to this hotel's central location, it's quite possible to take breakfast elsewhere in the city for less. There's parking available for €7.50 per day. Facilities include a sauna and fitness area.
Right on the main square, this place offers some nice views of the liveliness below and has a pleasant grand café/restaurant downstairs. Some of the rooms are a bit outdated and they're fairly simple, but adequate and clean. Parking is in the nearby public garage for €10.75 per day.
This place gets somewhat mixed reviews as some of its designs are a bit outdated and service sometimes lack detail. However, it's a large hotel in a central place with a swimming pool, and at times offers good deals. Parking is tricky, as there are not enough places available when there are many guests. Cheaper rooms come without breakfast, which can be taken for an extra fee of €15.50.
This small, 3-star boutique hotel is a travellers' favourite for its well decorated, clean and modern rooms, friendly staff and excellent breakfast. There's free wifi and the location on the edge of the town centre works well to explore the city. Keep in mind that this is an old building and there's no elevator, while all the rooms are on the first or second floor. It's best to make reservations well in advance, as there are only 5 rooms.
A high-end boutique hotel with ten well-appointed and nicely decorated suites only. Facilities in the rooms include air-conditioning, a rain shower, Apple iMac on the desk and a Nespresso machine. Breakfast is served until noon and there's an excellent in-house restaurant for lunch and dinner. Prices vary per suite, as they vary in size.
A small but excellent beer specialty shop. The friendly owner knows his produce well, and has a preference for punk music.
By train
The Dutch Railways, (Nederlandse Spoorwegen, NS) serve Nijmegen from all parts of the Netherlands non-stop. There are 4 trains an hour to Utrecht, 2 of which continue to Amsterdam and Den Helder.
By bus
Nijmegen is connected to the German cities (and railway stations) of Kleve and Emmerich by the regional bus line SB58. The Deutschlandticket is valid to and from Nijmegen on this bus line.
By car
The A73 connects Nijmegen with Venlo, the A77/A57 leads to the German Rhineland.
By thumb
Nijmegen is probably one of the easiest places in the Netherlands to hitch from. The best spot is just south of the Waal Bridge, on the northbound lane leading to the bridge.
By bike
Nijmegen has exceptionally good cycle links. The RijnWaalpad is a cycle high way connecting Nijmegen and Arnhem.
Nijmegen is very bike-friendly, and the old downtown area is compact (every place in the downtown area can be reached within 20 minutes from the Central Station by foot) Commuter trains serve the neighbourhoods of Lent,…
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