9 things to do in the Achterhoek: the Netherlands’ most underrated region

Most people visiting the Netherlands make a beeline for Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or the tulip fields, completely missing one of the country’s best-kept secrets.

The Achterhoek (literally “back corner”) sits in the eastern province of Gelderland, wedged between the German border to the east and the river IJssel to the west. 

It’s a region of wooded estates, medieval castles, vineyard-dotted hillsides, and some adorable towns: from Doetinchem to Vorden, Zutphen to Ruurlo, and many more. 

Not to mention, these hidden gems are just about an hour from Utrecht or Amsterdam by car. Once you’re there, you’ll wonder why you didn’t come sooner.

Here are the top 9 things you can do in the Achterhoek. 

1. Cycle the Eight Castles Route 🏰

Officially the oldest signposted cycling route in the Netherlands, the Achtkasteelenroute (Eight Castles Route) has been drawing cyclists since 1913, when the mayor of Vorden led the first ride. 

The circular, approximately 30-kilometre route winds through forests, meadows, and the kind of quiet countryside that makes you forget the A1 exists. 

It passes eight castles and estates: Hackfort, Den Bramel, De Wildenborch, De Wiersse, Het Onstein, De Kieftkamp, Vorden, and Suideras.

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Start from Vorden’s market square and follow the yellow hexagonal signs. It’s free to cycle, though some estates charge an entry fee. Check individual castle websites for opening hours and pricing before you go, as they vary seasonally. 

It’s also possible to do the route with a guided tour. Outside the season, the tour is organised on request. 

2. Visit Museum MORE in Gorssel 🎨

One of two locations in the region, Museum MORE in Gorssel, holds the title for the largest museum for modern realism in Europe. 

The collection spans more than a century of Dutch figurative art, from Carel Willink to Pyke Koch, Jan Mankes, and Charley Toorop.

The village of Gorssel is a darn pleasant place to spend a few hours, too. It’s small and unhurried, with good walking routes starting from the museum door.

3. Visit Kasteel Huis Bergh in ‘s-Heerenberg 🛡️

Dating back to around 1240, Kasteel Huis Bergh is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval castles in the Netherlands. 

It also holds the largest private collection of early Italian art in the country, including a panel from Duccio’s “Maestà”, which you wouldn’t expect to find in a small Gelderse town.

Guided tours run regularly and take you through rooms that feel lived-in rather than museum-sterile. For those who want to feel like royalty for longer, it’s also possible to stay overnight in the castle tower.

4. Discover Museum MORE at Kasteel Ruurlo 🖼️

Museum MORE has a second location — and it’s worth the trip on its own. 

Kasteel Ruurlo is a moated 14th-century castle set in a landscaped park, and it houses a dedicated collection of works by the magisch realist (magic realist) Carel Willink. The museum’s temporary exhibitions are also carefully curated (yet daring).

The combination of historic architecture, surrounding greenery, and boundary-pushing art programme makes this feel like so much more than a standard museum visit. 

Plus, after you’re done inside, the gorgeous castle garden is free to walk around.

5. Conquer the climbing forest in Ruurlo 🌳

Klimbos Achterhoek is an outdoor climbing park in the woods near Ruurlo, with six routes ranging from three to twelve metres above ground. 

It’s suitable from age seven, making it a solid option if you’ve got hyperactive kids who need to burn off energy. 

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Routes are graded for difficulty, and options include a zip line, bungee jump, and free fall. Book ahead in summer — it fills up quickly on sunny weekends.

6. Tour a vineyard (yes, really) 🍷

Most people don’t associate the Netherlands with wine. Then again, most people haven’t been to the Achterhoek. The region actually has around 20 vineyards scattered across the countryside. 

The Dutch wine industry has grown significantly over recent decades, from just seven sizable producers in 1997 to over 40 by 2005, and has continued to expand since. 

The Achterhoek has led much of that growth thanks to its suitable soil and microclimate to produce both red and white wines of real quality. 

A vineyard worth checking out is Wijngaard Montferland, which offers guided tours and tastings. It’s a winery that proves you don’t need to go all the way to Bordeaux for a nice glass of Cabernet. Call or email ahead, as tasting sessions typically run on set days.

7. Wander the Hanseatic towns ⚓

Zutphen and Doesburg are two of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Netherlands, and they don’t get nearly enough attention. 

Both were members of the Hanseatic League, the powerful trading network that once stretched from England to Russia.

Zutphen’s Wijnhuistoren (wine house tower) is a standout, as are its Librije (chained library) and medieval city walls. 

Doesburg is smaller and quieter — the kind of town where you can walk the whole centre in an hour and still feel you haven’t finished. A stop at a riverside terrace is non-negotiable.

8. Spend a day at the DRU Industriepark in Ulft 🏭

The DRU Industriepark is the Achterhoek’s exemplary version of repurposed industrial heritage. The iron foundry (which dates back to 1754 and was once the largest employer in the region) closed its doors in 1999. 

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The seven factory buildings have since been transformed into a cultural hub with a theatre, a pop venue, galleries, a cinema, and Het Schaftlokaal, the on-site grand café.

9. Explore the book town of Bredevoort 📚

Bredevoort is a small fortified village near Winterswijk with one unusually literary claim to fame: it’s the Netherlands’ official boekenstad (book town), lined with second-hand bookshops and antique stores. 

Around a dozen specialist shops are crammed into a village that takes about twenty minutes to walk from end to end.

If that sounds like your idea of a good afternoon, it almost certainly will be. If you’re travelling with someone who doesn’t share your enthusiasm for old books (how dare they), the village itself, with its moat, its towers, and its café terraces, is worth the detour anyway.

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Exploring the Netherlands outside the Randstad feels like finding a second country inside the first. The Achterhoek moves at its own pace: it’s slower, greener, and full of things you won’t find anywhere near Amsterdam.

Whether you’re after scenic cycling routes, a castle or two, a glass of local wine, or just a weekend away from the crowds, this region delivers. 

Have you been to the Achterhoek, or is it on your list? Drop your recommendations in the comments — we’d love to know what we missed.