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City and municipality in Utrecht, Netherlands
Photo: Niels Elgaard Larsen - User: (WT-shared) Elgaard at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Amersfoort is a medieval city to the east of Amsterdam and Utrecht. It is at the edge of their commuting area. The city centre (the medieval city) is full of historic buildings and streets, and there is accessible forest into the west and south. The city of Amersfoort (municipality) has about 148,000 inhabitants, the urban region about 285,000.
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Situated in the house of birth of the famous artist Piet Mondriaan, this museum is completely dedicated to his work and includes a reconstruction of his 1920s Paris studio. The museum has English descriptions of objects and artefacts, English brochures and guided tours in English. Please make a reservation for a tour in English at least four days in advance.
Housed in buildings dating back to around 1540 the Museum Flehite hosts art exhibitions and artefacts that reflect the history of Amersfoort. English summary of history of Amersfoort available. Guided tours in English possible. Please make a reservation for a tour in English at least four days by telephone.
Organises exhibitions of (modern) art, architecture, design and contemporary culture.
Houses an exhibition relating to early and modern cavalry of the Dutch army, spanning more than 435 years.
Our Lady tower; also "Lange Jan", means Long John
With its 98-meter height, the 'Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren' is the second highest tower in the Netherlands. There are regular tours during the summer months where you can discover everything about the history and legends surrounding the tower. You can climb the 364 steps on a guided tour, from July to mid-September. The climb on the former cathedral spire will reward you with an amazing view.
Probably the best preserved city gate in the Netherlands. It is the northern city gate of the second wall and a dual water and land entrance to the city, built over the river Eem, which begins under the gate.
The southern water gate of the second wall. In the gate there is a restaurant.
This glacial boulder is the symbol for the city. A 17th-century nobleman and poet persuaded 400 inhabitants to drag the 7156 kg stone to Amersfoort, for beer, just to show they would do something useless. The incident made the city the butt of jokes, and it buried the stone for centuries, out of shame. In 1903 the city felt sufficiently rehabilitated to dig it up again, and it became its symbol. In fact, the city started to collect boulders, gifts from other cities: they are displayed on the inner ring road, along the line of the old city wall.
Church of Saint George
The largest church, on the main square, Hof, with the old Town Hall. In 2011 a complete restoration of the interior of the St Joris church was finished.
The only remaining gate of the first medieval city wall.
Wall houses
A common name for all the houses which are built on the foundation of the first medieval city wall.
Parts of the second city wall are still intact on much of the eastern side of the historic city. The Koppelpoort and the Monnickendam are also parts of these remains.
Dierenpark Amersfoort
On the western edge of Amersfoort, in the wooded area Birkhoven and Bokkeduinen, is the zoo of Amersfoort located. Amersfoort Zoo is one of the nicest zoos in the Netherlands. There are around 150 species and thematic areas like the Dinosaur Forest, the Palace of king Darius, the Savannah and the Land of Giants. There are also playgrounds and a restaurant. Between the trees of the forest is the parking places.
You can hire a boat or join one of the tours on the canals, waterways and rivers of Amersfoort.
A boat catering for cyclists, which departs from the Eem harbour to either Spakenburg or Huizen. From April to October, on 5 days each week, there is a boat service along the Eem and out into the former Southern Sea, to Huizen or Spakenburg. It is mainly intended for cyclists, who combine a river and cycle trip by getting on or off the boat, along the riverbank. The round trip takes almost 8 hours. The Fietsboot operates in conjunction with www.fietsen.123.nl where you can find additional cycle routes. Location of boarding the bicycle boat is in the recreational harbour. See Google Maps for the exact location.
Randenbroekerbos
The park has a wide diversity of trees, plants and animals, including a colony of herons.
There is a signposted canoe route around Amersfoort, see map and photos here. Canoes can be rented here.
Tasty food, great value for money. For every dish you can choose to have it as a starter or main.
A small place serving French cuisine in a nice historic house.
Widely considered to have the best sushi in town, all you can eat for under €25.
Home-made burgers in all shapes, sizes and tastes. Also offers a selection of deep fried snacks.
Fresh sushi.
This unique restaurant is situated in a boat moored in Amersfoort's harbour.
A stylish restaurant and wine bar that aims to provide culinary experiences. As the name implies, the restaurant prides itself on its 90 wines a patron can choose from.
Nice Moroccan restaurant with outdoor seating.
The last microbrewery of Amersfoort.
Comfortable rooms and plenty of facilities. There is no private parking.
Fairly new, modernly decorated hotel. Breakfast is slightly overpriced but otherwise this is a fine place with ample facilities. Parking is free.
Hotel in northern Amersfoort.
Hotel in the town of Leusden, directly east of Amersfoort.
A former farmhouse on the Amersfoortse Berg in a wooded area. The city centre is a half an hour walking downwards. You can also walk or cycle in the nearby forest.
In a forest area right outside of Amersfoort. Easily reachable and a nice base when you have a bike or car. Breakfast is somewhat expensive but rooms are nice and clean, with pleasant views.
Located some 7 km away from the city centre, and about 1,5km from the rail station. A convenient place if you have a car, as the high way is close and parking is free.
Hotel-pension, on a 5 minutes walk to the city centre. The hotel provides all the essentials, is very clean and the host is friendly. There are 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-person rooms.
In the town centre on a bustling square and on top of a bar, this cosy place is a real city hotel. It can be a bit noisy, especially when you have a room on the front side. Earplugs are provided. Some rooms in this budget friendly hotel have private toilets, others shared ones. They're not very spacious, but pleasant enough. The staff is very friendly and the breakfast is good.
Shopping area on the eastern side of the centre of the city with a lot of different shops, like department stores, cloth shops and many more. Under the shopping area is a big parking from where you can easily go to the shops.
Shopping area on the south bank of the river Eem and just out of the medieval city. Eemplein has a cinema, a big supermarket, fast food restaurants and it hosts the main library and cultural centre of Amersfoort and the surrounding area.
Shopping area in the northern part of Amersfoort.
By train
Amersfoort station is a rail junction. One line comes from Amsterdam via Hilversum, another from Utrecht. Beyond Amersfoort, they split.
By bus
Amersfoort is served by regional bus lines, some with limited services.
By car
Amersfoort is next to a major intersection between the A1 motorway from Amsterdam to Hengelo and onwards to Germany, and the A28 motorway from Utrecht to Groningen.
Public transport
Amersfoort does have a city bus network with 10 lines, operated by Syntus Utrecht. Services are not as frequent as you would expect, in a city this size.
Carparking
Amersfoort city centre is easily accessible and offers multiple parking facilities, including eight parking garages in and around the city centre.
Rent a bike or scooter
At the Central Train Station and various other locations in and around the city centre you can rent (electric) bicycles which you may then park for free at one of the many cycle racks in the city…
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