Giving off a truly small town, countryside charm, Wageningen is a little place found in central Netherlands. With a tiny area, the Wageningen thing to do list does not appear large at first glance. But, with the university in the town, it does have more activity than the typical Dutch town, and it can give a fresh experience to anyone new to the Netherlands.

Sightseeing

The Wageningen University is the centrepiece of the town. Regarded as one of Europe’s most beautiful and multicultural universities, the university is open to the public. Walk around the grounds and admire the architecture, or visit one of the two botanical gardens located on the campus. The town is also home to the Hotel de Wereld, where the formal document of surrender was signed by the Germans to the Allies in 1945. The Netherlands would never be the Netherlands without the windmill – the Windkorenmolen De Vlijt is an actual operating windmill that was built in the 19th-century. Also worth a visit is one of the many parks that are scattered around the town, as well as the old city walls that surround the entire town.

Activities

Wageningen is situated strategically by the Rhine River, and evening walks along the river are truly enjoyable. The Rhine is also a good place to fish and swim, and is a popular leisure spot for the locals. The town is also near to the High Veluwe, a nature reserve good for walks and cycling, as a good place for spotting some wildlife. Wageningen can be good for shopping as well, mainly done in the Hoogstraat area – however, don’t be disappointed if the variety is not comparable to the larger cities.

Food

The Open Market on Saturdays is always a good place to start with Dutch food in Wageningen. Dutch pancakes are always popular here, and you can simply buy a plate and eat it as you walk. Fresh Dutch cheeses and wines are available, as are homemade preserves and vinegars. There are also a myriad of restaurants in the inner city, and most serve decent food with a warm Dutch atmosphere. After nightfall, pubs are always popular here, even though there are no clubs around. Coffee clubs are becoming trendy amongst the younger crowd, and generally open late for those looking for a late night coffee and chat.

Wageningen can be interesting with its various activities in the town. To those who wish to relax and enjoy a slice of small town life, Wageningen can truly be a joy to experience.