Going to Amersfoort but not sure what to do? Here are four things to do in Amersfoort you don’t want to miss when visiting this fair Dutch town.
This city, just slightly east of Utrecht, makes for a great day trip. It is only a measly 30 minutes away by train from Amsterdam and the central point of the Netherlands.
This Dutch town has some picturesque canals, old Dutch homes, delicious hot spots and grand historic sites. So get on board that train/car/fiets to Amersfoort, and let’s look at some things that must be on your things-to-do-in-Amersfoort bucket list. 📝
Pssst! We made a video showing you seven spots in Amersfoort you don’t want to miss!
1. Take in the sights
Since it’s not part of the west of the Netherlands (where all the tourists clog things up anyway), Amersfoort is a little bit less well-known as a place to visit. A true hidden gem!
Especially since Amersfoort has some amazing classic canals, Dutch houses, and historic sites which are seriously impressive.
There’s more than just the Koppelpoort
The ‘Koppelpoort‘, a land- and watergate built in 1425, is the iconic and lovely postcard image of Amersfoort. 💌
And rightly so! It’s a cool visit, but there’s so much more to see!
Although the city centre is compact (which makes for great strolling around), you can enjoy many places to stop and gaze at marvellous street scenes or pieces of historic architecture. 🏛
READ MORE | 21 beautiful towns in the Netherlands that aren’t Amsterdam
Amersfoort has a rich history, and walking through the cute little streets is one of the best ways to discover its hidden beauty.
If you want to see all those sweet spots in Amersfoort and get the most out of your visit, then look up this very thought-out walking route through Amersfoort!
2. Get cultural
The amount and quality of modern art displayed in Amersfoort contrast nicely with its rich history.
Right next to the Koppelpoort, there’s the Eemhuis, the ultimate spot to satisfy your modern art and design cravings.
The headliner in the Eemhuis is the KAdE museum, which always has a temporary exhibition going on about art, architecture or design.
Besides KAdE, the library and bar are also places you can check out.
The modern library reading room truly made me question why I haven’t visited Amersfoort sooner!
READ MORE | 16 superb things to do in Amersfoort in 2022
Another thing to do in Amersfoort is visit the Mondriaanhuis. It’s a museum dedicated to its most famous citizen, the Dutch painter Piet Mondriaan (and not a total coincidence, but it’s his birth house as well!) 🎨
The man led a really interesting life, and the Mondriaanhuis does a great job of telling you his story.
More into urban art and such? Hit up the ‘Nieuwe Stad‘, where they transformed a few industrial buildings into an art hub with cool industrial design and good food.
Speaking of food…
3. Eat lekker food at a hotspot
There are plenty of places to enjoy a proper drink and some good food in Amersfoort, with more and more creative entrepreneurs opening up places packed with delicious food and great drinks for you to enjoy amongst trendy decor.
The Nieuwe Stad has great options for lunch; we enjoyed a delicious sandwich at ‘Het Lokaal‘!
Everything at Het Lokaal is sourced locally, right from the region of Amersfoort.
They also bake their own bread, brew their own beer and roast their own coffee – geweldig!
You can also see and taste all the effort in this delicious salmon sandwich I had for lunch. 🥪
Eat your locally produced meal at their living room-like seating area or gorgeous urban garden. 😋
If you’re craving a fresh drink when the sun is out (or when it’s raining and you think, ‘fudge it, I want the beach’), there’s Zandfoort aan de Eem.
This urban beach has been around for 20 years already, way before this whole concept got trendy.
It has a nice funky vibe (and cocktails, which always makes for a good time). 🍹
Getting a drink at Zandfoort aan de Eem is a must-visit in Amersfoort.
For dinner in Amersfoort, we went to Dara.
Once again, this is one of those cosmopolitan surprises I didn’t see coming in a town like Amersfoort (I should have known better by now).
Right across from the Eemhuis is the Mediterranean/Eastern restaurant Dara.
It has a lovely terrace for you to watch the liveliness of the city, as well as a whimsical interior, which makes it an easy choice for any day of the year. ✅
But of course, the main reason you would want to come here is the incredibly appetizing food. 🤤
Dara specializes in Mediterranean-style dishes (think meze!) to enjoy together. After all, shared dining is the best new food trend since pulled pork!
And believe me, it tasted as good as it looks!
Since you select an array of dishes (you must try the Borek and Mussels!), you can also stop by for a little bite and a cheeky drink.
4. Climb the ‘Onze-Lieve-Vrouwetoren’
This Gothic church tower in Amersfoort is 98 meters tall and is one of the highest medieval towers in the Netherlands.
The Our Lady square at the tower’s base is also a buzzing spot in Amersfoort and a must-visit.
There used to be a church attached to the tower as well, but an accident involving a somewhat unlucky soldier and gunpowder blew it up to smithereens in the 18th century.
You can buy tickets to go up the tower at the nearby tourist office (they have free maps and general tips!).
It’s a little bit of a hike, but the accompanying guide tells a good story, and the views are totally worth it, as you can see:
Looking for more inspiration on things to do in Amersfoort? Check out the city of Amersfoort website!
What is your favourite thing to see or do in Amersfoort? Tell us in the comments below!
Abuzer, Thank you for your informative article on Amersfoort. My wife and I may be going there this Saturday. Although we have been there before, you have shared some places we still need to visit.
Amersfoort is a little bit of heaven. And it’s people are wonderful.