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Municipality in Gelderland, Netherlands
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Guldekar at wts wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Wageningen is a town along the Rhine river within the province of Gelderland in the Netherlands. Because of its famous agricultural university, it is more lively than one would expect from a Dutch town with 39,000 inhabitants (2019). In 2007 it had residents from 152 different countries, mainly being students at the university. Wageningen was the site of the formal surrender of the Germans to the Allies in the Netherlands on May 5, 1945, a day that is a public holiday in the Netherlands. Wageningen hosts a military veterans parade and this is followed by great alcohol consumption in the town.
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What began as an agricultural university, Wageningen University and Research Centre (known as WUR) is a renowned international university famous for its agricultural sciences. It has a large community of international students making it one of the most multicultural universities in the Netherlands. The university arboretum along Generaal Foulkesweg is quite beautiful in the summer.
Translates to 'Hotel of the World'. Site of the formal surrender of the Germans to the Allies in the Netherlands on May 5th, 1945. Wageningen is the place to be on 5th of May as celebrations in the Netherlands are centred around the town.
A 19th-century wind-powered flour mill. Upper floors of the mill, where the actual milling process can be observed, are open to the public every Saturday for free. The store downtairs sells a range of both organic and non-organic baking supplies.
There is a local winery that produces biological wine close to the Wageningse Berg Hotel. Worth a visit as it is one of the few wineries in the Netherlands.
The Casteelse Poort Museum showcases the history of Wageningen as well as the Wageningen Castle ruins over which the museum was built. The house was the property of a wealthy 19th-century family until it was converted to the current museum. Highlight of the museum is the archeological dig on display in the basement of the museum, which uncovers part of the foundation of the old Wageningen castle that had been discovered. Behind the museum is a preserved section of the wall and watch tower foundations of the said castle.
First release films in original language with Dutch subtitles, which is fine for English speakers until they show a Japanese film.
Soups, salads and sandwiches in a glass building. Outside tables, too, for the rare occasions it is not raining in Wageningen.
Tanzanian lady dispenses soups and curries from a small kitchen. Eat at a couple of tables or take away.
Good quality restaurant with regularly changing "Board" menu. Comfortable chairs outside for a drink while watching the world go by.
Nice location on a summer's evening, sitting outside on the main square. Food OK but the service here is woefully slow.
Grilled meats, including kangaroo, with a variety of sauces. Enormous calorie-filled desserts.
The interior lighting seems more appropriate for Amsterdam's red-light district but if you can put up with that the food is good. Popular with locals as well as hotel guests.
Serving reasonably authentic Thai food.
Italian restaurant run by Italians, with reasonably authentic pizzas. Somewhat expensive but always full.
Excellent Spanish restaurant and tapas bar.
Italian-style ice cream that is very popular with the locals. On a sunny day be prepared for a long queue.
An ice cream shop open from March to September, which sells a wide and varying range of ice cream throughout the season.
Popular bar in main square with over 120 beers on offer.
Atop the Wageningse Berg hill. Very nice vantage point looking out at the Rhine river and plains.
A conference hotel much used by the local university. Very small but comfortable rooms. Short walk to the town centre. Elevators hopelessly inadequate so ask for a low floor.
Historic hotel. Look for its history at its "See" listing above.
A cheap second-hand shop that is very popular with students and other short-term visitors to Wageningen who are shocked to find that furnished apartments are rarely available. Furniture, electrical items and all sorts of stuff. They deliver.
Good second-hand and antiquarian bookshop. Good paperback selections in English, French and German as well as Dutch.
Really nice cafe with lots of books and other nice gifts. Has a very beautiful back terrace you can sit on.
The story goes that Wageningen was given the choice of getting a university or a train station. It chose the university, and still doesn't have a station.
Read in the guideCycling is the best mode of transport and there are several stores downtown that can provide bike rentals. For those staying longer it is possible to buy second-hand bikes.
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