09:30 – Arrival at Harderwijk station
You can easily park your car in the centre of this Hanseatic town. But it’s better to come to Harderwijk by train! Get off at the station and hire a public transport bike. After turning right a couple of times and cycling through residential areas, the Wolderwijd suddenly comes into view. This lake on the edge of the Veluwe could just as easily have been called the Swan Lake, as it’s teeming with graceful white birds. If that isn’t a lovely first introduction to the town, what is? By bike, you’ll be on Harderwijk’s boulevard within 10 minutes. Get off here and walk towards the centre for your first stop at Patrijs.
10:00 – Coffee and pastries at Patrijs, a patisserie and ice cream parlour
This colourful café is a hit with both locals and tourists. Owner Hilde van Maanen won the TV show MasterChef in 2016 and can rightly call herself a dessert expert. So here, you won’t be served a simple biscuit with your coffee, but a delicious macaron. Don’t leave without sampling the delicious pastries. Or order a photogenic ice cream in a pink cone in one of the unique flavours such as ‘strawberry-rhubarb-elderflower’ or ‘crunchy coffee’.
11:00 – Visit to a museum
With this lovely base, it’s time for the first activity. There’s so much to discover in the town, and you can choose between cultural and active pursuits. I recommend starting with a visit to a museum.
There are several museums in the town, such as the Eel Museum and the famous Marius van Dokkum Museum. In my opinion, the best museum in Harderwijk is the Town Museum. Here, you can learn more about the town’s history in a fun and interactive way. On the ground floor, you’ll find a temporary exhibition, which changes regularly and is curated by local artists. This exhibition at the Museum of Harderwijk is always free. Currently, there is an exhibition on the restoration of the old city wall. The permanent collection uses 12 characters to tell the story of Harderwijk’s rich history.
A special feature is that you will find 12 bronze statues throughout the town that refer to these characters. For example, there is a bronze statue of a man without a violin. You can see his violin in the museum. Next to the bronze statues, you will find QR codes that you can scan with your smartphone for further information. This route is available from the Harderwijk City Museum.
13:00 – Lunch on the beach promenade in Harderwijk
Then it’s time for lunch. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants in Harderwijk where you can have lunch. The town is even known for its culinary hotspots. On a summer’s day, you’ll naturally want to have lunch on a terrace along Harderwijk’s Strandboulevard. At Bella Ciao, you can enjoy a fresh salad or a delicious (homemade) pasta dish whilst looking out over the town beach and the water. You’ll almost feel as though you’re in Italy. Bella Ciao is also a great choice in bad weather, as the interior is very photogenic.
With a full stomach, you’re ready for a nice walk – let’s get going! There are various walking routes to follow in Harderwijk. At the Harderwijk Tourist Information Office (located in the old town hall), you can buy route maps, such as a city walk. There are also apps that guide you past some of the hidden gems in the historic town centre.
14:30 – Guided walking tour of Harderwijk with a chance to do some shopping along the way
But even better is a walk with a city guide. The city guides here are specially trained and can tell you absolutely everything about the city; where necessary, they’ll tailor the tour to your interests. They’ll cover both the rich history and the future plans of this beautiful Hanseatic city. The guides are very flexible and clearly don’t just reel off a rehearsed script. So be sure to ask them about their own favourite spots in the city. That’s what makes a city walk through Harderwijk a truly unique experience.
A city walk through Harderwijk takes about an hour to an hour and a half. Afterwards, you’ll have a little time to yourself before getting ready to go out for dinner. Spend this time strolling along the boulevard, having a drink on the city beach, or popping into a few shops in the centre of Harderwijk.
The advantage of this town is that almost everything is within walking distance. The town centre is very easy to navigate and you’ll find lots of small, unique shops here. A few favourites are: Blije Meisjes (for vintage lovers), BoekLief (the best children’s books) and Umberto Gastronomia (Italian specialities).
6.30 pm – Culinary delights in the Hanseatic town of Harderwijk
Harderwijk is home to a huge number of excellent restaurants and is already well known among foodies. It’s no easy task to choose just one. The restaurants here range from Michelin-starred establishments such as Ratatouille to ‘t Nonnetje and Restaurant Basiliek, all of which are on foodies’ radar. Fancy a cosy meal out with friends or family in Harderwijk? Then head to Tapasbar Fuego or bistro Vischmarkt 49, both of which have received rave reviews.
More restaurants in Harderwijk
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Hotel, RestaurantHotel Restaurant Monopole
The three-star Hotel Monopole is located at the end of the boulevard. This friendly family hotel has 21 rooms, a restaurant, and a cozy terrace with a view of the Wolderwijd and Strandeiland.
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Restaurantt Nonnetje**
't Nonnetje is a charming and intimate restaurant with two Michelin stars located on the historic Vischmarkt in the old town center of the Hanseatic city of Harderwijk. Less than a 50-minute drive from Amsterdam and nestled in the beautiful Veluwe National Park.
10.00 pm – A spectacular overnight stay at Loft Harderwijk
We were lucky enough to stay in a boathouse decorated entirely in a nautical style. The spacious living room features a large corner sofa, a generous dining table and a TV. The kitchen is fully equipped with every modern convenience and luxury. There’s even salt and pepper, olive oil and tea waiting for you. In the fridge, you’ll find butter, beer, wine and an ice cube tray.
After a busy day in Harderwijk, you can truly relax here. The loft has no fewer than two bathrooms, one of which is fitted with a sun shower, an infrared sauna and a steam sauna. The ideal place, then, to spend the rest of your 24 hours in Harderwijk. Grab a drink from the fridge and watch water-loving Harderwijk pass by from the jetty.
