Apeldoorn

A charming city known as the gateway to the Veluwe region and home to the stunning Palace Het Loo, a royal summer residence with magnificent gardens. Apeldoorn is an excellent base for exploring forests, cycling routes, and natural attractions.

Things to do

• Palace Het Loo — Explore this magnificent 17th-century royal summer residence with ornate gardens, fountains, and a museum showcasing royal history and decorative arts.
• Cycling the Veluwe Routes — Pedal through scenic forest trails and countryside paths that connect Apeldoorn to the broader Veluwe region, with marked routes of varying difficulty.
• Apenheul Primate Park — Visit this unique zoo dedicated to primates where visitors can walk freely among monkeys and apes in large, naturalistic enclosures.
• Veluwe Safari Park — Drive through an open wildlife reserve to observe giraffes, zebras, lions, and other African animals in semi-natural habitat conditions.
• Stelcon Museum — Discover the history of prefabricated concrete construction and its role in post-war Dutch architecture at this specialized industrial museum.
• Hiking in the Natuurmonumenten Forests — Traverse pristine woodland trails through protected nature reserves surrounding Apeldoorn, home to deer, birds, and diverse flora.

Food to try

• Aspergestoverij (Asparagus Stew) — A seasonal springtime specialty featuring white asparagus served with butter, ham, and potatoes in a rich cream sauce, celebrated throughout the Veluwe region.
• Veluwe Smoked Sausage — Traditional smoked pork sausage made locally using regional recipes, often grilled and served with bread and mustard at markets or casual eateries.
• Paling (Smoked Eel) — A Dutch delicacy particularly prized in the Veluwe, featuring smoked freshwater eel served hot or cold, often with lemon and dark bread.
• Veluwe Game Dishes — Seasonal offerings of venison, wild boar, and pheasant prepared in traditional Dutch styles, available at local restaurants especially in autumn.
• Cheese from Local Dairies — Sample artisanal Gouda and other regional cheeses produced by family-run dairies throughout the surrounding Gelderland countryside.

Local customs & good to know

• Cycling is the Primary Transport — Apeldoorn residents and visitors rely heavily on bicycles for daily movement; respect cycling paths, follow traffic rules, and consider renting a bike to integrate seamlessly.
• Royal Heritage Pride — The city takes significant pride in its royal connections through Palace Het Loo; visitors should dress respectfully when visiting palace grounds and museums.
• Dutch Directness in Hospitality — Local restaurant and shop staff are friendly but straightforward; don't expect excessive formality, and speaking English is widely accepted among younger residents.
• Sunday Closure Traditions — Many smaller shops and some attractions may have reduced hours or closures on Sundays; plan major shopping or visits accordingly, as the culture still respects traditional rest days.