Wageningen is a lively city in the Netherlands, a cosmopolitan area packed with students and academics from around the world. Wageningen University is undoubtedly the city’s lynchpin, and it drives a thriving economy and cultural scene.

Things to do

Wageningen is on the Nederrijn, a Dutch section of the River Rhine. You will find scenic walks along the riverbank, especially during spring, and you can travel further afield on a day or overnight river cruise. It’s a laid-back but exceptionally majestic way to explore the area.

In Wageningen, you can find the foundations of towers and sections of wall from the original castle. The castle was formerly much larger and included a moat, but this was filled in as the city grew and modernised in the 18th century.

The university’s botanical garden is open to the public and well worth taking the time to explore. It is an important centre for both scientific research and public education, where you can learn about new initiatives in agriculture and take guided tours to identify the various plants.

The Hoge Veluwe National Park is just a short distance outside Wageningen and is one of the largest continuous nature reserves in the Netherlands. The sand dunes and heathlands support populations of red and roe deer, wild boar and mouflon. Within the park, you’ll also find the Kröller-Müller Museum, which has a fabulous art collection and outdoor sculpture garden. There’s a bicycle sharing system within the park, so you can explore otherwise hard to reach areas by bike for free.

Getting around

Wageningen has an excellent public transport system, with public bus routes crisscrossing the city and also linking nearby sites such as the Hoge Veluwe National Park. As in many other Dutch towns, cycling is also popular, safe and highly recommended.