We haven’t really had a chance to explore Amersfoort in the Netherlands till just recently. Located just 30 minutes away from Amsterdam (and a whopping 1.5 hours from Groningen), we found this fort city incredibly fascinating. There are loads of things to do in Amersfoort Netherlands which also makes it a great reason to head out on the weekend.
One of the most amazing things about the Netherlands is how each city has subtle differences in style and architecture from each other. That is precisely one of the reasons why I keep insisting that people should move away from the crowded streets of the capital city and take day trips from Amsterdam.
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What Makes Amersfoort In The Netherlands So Special?
Amersfoort is a medieval city that feels like it has been preserved in time. It is so different from Groningen where we currently live. Groningen is a university town. It is upbeat and bubbling with life and parties because… Hey… Young blood!
Amersfoort on the other hand is pretty active but in a different sort of way. It isn’t university centric for one. It is teaming with families wandering around. Young children enjoying themselves and plenty of activities for the young and the old.
That is exactly what I mean about the Netherlands. There is a subtle vibe change in each city and it is pretty easy to spot if you are paying attention.
When compared to Amsterdam, you will find that the pace of Amersfoort is so much slower. The city center is pretty active but if you really want to slow the pace even further then I recommend heading to the parks. Anyway, I’m going to tell you all about the things to do in Amersfoort Netherlands in just a bit
Things To Do In Amersfoort Netherlands
As I mentioned before, there are loads of things to do in Amersfoort Netherlands. We chose this city because it was a perfect sport to meet our friends. We traveled in from Groningen and they took the train from Amsterdam to Amersfoort. Did I mention that we had two toddlers in tow? So yes… The group was pretty diverse and everyone had a fun time.
1. Head To Koppelpoort
Koppelpoort is one the top things to do in Amersfoort Netherlands.
Our first stop during our day in Amersfoort Netherlands was Koppelpoort. We walked to this from the Amersfoort Centraal station and it was an easy journey. We were pushing our trusty double stroller with the kids in it so that should give you an idea of just how easy it was.
Koppelpoort is one of the iconic monuments in the city. It is a medieval gate that is incredibly well preserved. You can catch sight of it from both inside and outside the city BUT the view from outside the city is pretty much unparalleled.
Unfortunately for me, the sun was in the wrong direction and I couldn’t take one of those epic pics but honestly, I didn’t care too much because just standing and taking in the view was pretty cool.
2. Learn About Amersfoort At Museum Flehite
If you love history, then Museum Flehite is one of the best things to do in Amersfoort Netherlands.
Very close to the Koppelpoort lies the Museum Flehite. This museum is dedicated to the history of both Amersfoort and Eemland. It is pretty old and was established way back in 1880. There are some interesting displays inside.
I highly recommend visiting the museum if you are looking for things to do in Amersfoort on rainy or winter days.
Address: Westsingel 50, 3811 BC Amersfoort
Hours: Open everyday from 10am to 5pm except on Mondays when it is closed.
Entrance Fees: Adults: 16 euros, Kids below 18 years: Free, Museum Card: 3 euros
3. Enjoy The Ambiance Hof Square
Hof Square is one of the busiest parts of the city.
We then headed out to Hof Square. This is one of the most iconic squares in the city. In a way, I found that it had a similar ambiance to the Vismarkt in Groningen. This could be largely because we visited on a Saturday and the farmers market was in full swing.
Speaking of which, if you are visiting the city on a Saturday, spending time at the farmers market is definitely one of the epic things to do in Amersfoort. You can buy fresh fruits and baked goodies to take to the park and enjoy a picnic lunch later in the day.
Or you could choose to sit at one of the pop up coffee stalls and enjoy a hot/iced coffee depending on the weather.
4. Marvel At Sint Joriskerk
You have to visit Sint Joriskerk. It is one of the most beautiful things to do in Amersfoort Netherlands.
Right next to the Hof Square is the iconic Sint Joriskerk or Saint George’s church. It is an impressive monument and you can enter inside for free unless there is an event planned. Unfortunately for us, we couldn’t enter on the day that we visited.
The structure is pretty impressive from the outside though and well worth a visit because it is one of the oldest buildings in the city.
5. Onze-Lieve Vrouwetoren
One of the most interesting things to do Amersfoort is to stand at the center of the Netherlands.
If you have made your way to Hof Square like we did, your attention will definitely be drawn towards the Onze-Lieve Vrouwetoren just like ours was. This iconic tower stands at the very center of the Netherlands. You can enter the tower and see the marking on the floor which depicts the exact spot! Pretty cool right?
You can also scale the tower should you like to. Unfortunately it isn’t something that you can do at a moment’s notice. Make sure to book your guided tour in advance.
6. Wander Through Muurhuizen
One of the most appealing things to do in Amersfoort Netherlands is to wander through Muurhuizen.
In our typical style, we just walked around the city and found ourselves walking through some really pretty old streets. Here you will see some of the classic old Dutch architecture, cobbled streets and a lovely vibe.
Did I mention that it is also one of the most instagrammable places in Amersfoort?
7. Go Shopping At Winkelcentrum St Jorisplein
Winkelcentrum in St Jorisplein will call to the inner shopaholic in you. The area was bustling when we visited. Mind you, there was a music festival in town and it was a Saturday. The locals however have repeatedly told us that there is always something going on in the city every weekend and when you combine it with the numerous things to do in Amersfoort, you will find that this city holds an appeal for repeat visits too!
Anyways, back to Winkelcentrum. This area hosts some really quaint shops. From clothes to food, home decor to garden accessories, this is a shoppers paradise.
8. Eat An Ice Cream At IJssalon San Marco
One of the best things to do in Amersfoort on a hot summer’s day is to catch a nice ice cream!
While you are in the area, you will see a lot of people walking around with ice cream cones. It was uber hot and we kept wondering where everyone was getting their ice cream so we scouted a bit and found one of the local gems. IJssalon San Marco is the perfect spot if you want a scoop.
There are two ways to enjoy this. Either get a scoop and go or sit on the bench and eat. If you really want to indulge, then head behind the crowds. There is a small sitting area with ice cream stools. Super cute and the kids loved them! Anyways, this is the area where they sell ice cream sundaes.
Fair warning… The sundaes are huge so make sure you have an appetite!
9. Take In The Views At Monnikendam
As you can see the view from here is epic!
Another one of the popular things to do in Amersfoort is to head to Monnikendam. I had not marked this as a place to visit but we luckily stumbled across it while the kids and adults were canoeing.
Monnikendam is an old watergate in the city. You can walk up and catch a view from the top or you could just gaze at it from the outside of the city. The canoe gave everyone a very cool view of the gate from the waterway.
There is also a restaurant here that you can try out should you wish to.
10. Take In The Beauty Of The Amersfoort Canals
You can’t help but fall in love with the canals in Amersfoort.
When it comes to things to do in Amersfoort in the Netherlands, nothing can compare to taking in the beautiful canals and waterways. During summer, these canals are bustling with activity. You will find people paddle boating, canoeing, swimming and just enjoying the water.
My recommendation is to stroll along the canals. They are usually flanked by trees which means plenty of shade and it is a scenic route. Plus it is by far one of the most instagrammable places in Amersfoort.
Oh and in case you are interested, those epic captions about the canals in Amsterdam could be applicable here too!
11. Enjoy The Park
One of the best things to do in Amersfoort is to head to the park. Now the park is a bit of a walk away from the city but it is really worth it. We followed the canal to the park so we had a great view throughout.
Our first stop in the park was the Speeltuin park Randenbroek. This is a kids playground which was a great spot to let the little ones run wild while the adults chatted. If you don’t mind walking a bit further there is another playground called Natuurspeeltuin which is also highly recommended by the locals
12. Go Paddle Boating Or Rent A Canoe
If you have headed out to the park, you should also consider spending some time on the water. You could rent a paddleboard (or take some classes) or just rent a canoe. We rented a canoe and it cost us 20 euros for an hour and a half.
If this is something you would like to do just look up Kantje Boord Verhuur. It is a lot of fun and even the toddlers had a lot of fun.
There you have it! These are some of the fun things to do in Amersfoort. Trust me… This place has some really nice place to chill and relax. It also has a few great adventure activities. Have we listed your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
