Located in eastern Netherlands, this city is home to Het Loo Palace - a 17th-century royal residence with formal baroque gardens. The surrounding Veluwe forest has cycling paths and hiking trails.
Apeldoorn, a city of 150,000 residents in central Netherlands, sits at the gateway to the eastern region. You can spend your days exploring the 300-year-old Het Loo Palace, watching orangutans swing through trees at the Apenheul Zoo, or cycling through the pine forests of Hoge Veluwe National Park. With hourly train connections to Amsterdam and other major cities, Apeldoorn works well as a base for exploring the eastern Netherlands.
Getting to Apeldoorn
Direct trains run from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Apeldoorn every 30 minutes, with a journey time of 1 hour and 10 minutes. The city lies at the intersection of the A1 and A50 motorways, putting it within a 1-hour drive from Amsterdam or Utrecht. International travelers can take regular train services on the Amsterdam-Berlin line, which stops in Apeldoorn.
Exploring Het Loo Palace
Het Loo Palace dates from 1686 and reflects the power of the Dutch royal family through its symmetrical baroque design. You'll walk through rooms containing original 17th-century furniture, paintings, and personal items from the House of Orange-Nassau. The palace gardens spread across 8 hectares with geometric flower beds, 13-meter-high fountains, and a 250-meter colonnade similar to those at Versailles. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00-17:00. Adult tickets: €19.50.
Meeting Primates at Apenheul
At Apenheul Zoo, monkeys move freely through the trees while you walk below on designated paths. The 12-hectare park houses over 70 species of primates, including a family of gorillas, orangutans, and several species of lemurs. Many smaller monkeys, like squirrel monkeys and capuchins, can come within arm's reach. Open daily April-October, 10:00-17:00. Adult tickets: €25.
Cycling Through the Veluwe
The Veluwe region contains 91,000 hectares of forests, making it the Netherlands' largest continuous woodland area. Rent a bike from Fietspoint at Apeldoorn Central Station (€15 per day) and follow the 44-kilometer Apeldoorn Cycle Route. The path takes you through pine forests, past purple heather fields, and connects the medieval villages of Hoog Soeren and Assel. You'll cycle along the 1829 Apeldoorn Canal and near the 1,000-year-old settlement of Hoog Buurlo.
Local Food Scene
The city center has over 50 restaurants within walking distance. Try traditional Dutch pancakes at 't Pannekoekenhuis (€8-15), taste Afghan specialties like kabuli pulao at Afghaans Eten (€15-25), or enjoy French dishes at De Bon Vivant (€30-45). For quick meals and coffee, visit CODA Café inside the city's art museum or Bagels & Beans on the main square.
Active Adventures
At Berg en Bos park, Klimbos Veluwe has eight climbing routes through the forest canopy. The courses range from 2 to 18 meters high, with 120 different rope bridges, zip lines, and climbing challenges. Prices start at €21 for adults. For swimming, Aquacentrum Malkander has three indoor pools, two water slides, and a children's splash area. Adult admission: €5.50.
