Escape to Apeldoorn: An Adventure on a Budget

Experience the charm of Apeldoorn without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

Apeldoorn is a delightful city to visit in the Netherlands on a budget. The city offers free entry to top attractions like the Palace Park, CODA Museum, and Veluwe National Park. Affordable accommodation options like Airbnb and hostels are plentiful, and delicious food can easily be found in local markets and street food vendors.

Travel plan

Getting latest place information
Day 1

Arrival & City Tour

  • Check into Hotel et le Café de Paris, a charming budget hotel in the city center.
  • Start the day with a traditional Dutch breakfast at Bakker Bart.
  • Take a relaxing stroll through the beautiful palace gardens of Het Loo.
  • Visit the CODA Museum to learn about Apeldoorn's history and see local art exhibits.
  • Satisfy your hunger with some delicious Indonesian food at Warung Saung Indonesia.
  • End the day enjoying a pint at Café Jansen & Jansen, a cozy bar with a great atmosphere.
Day 2

Nature & Adventure

  • Wake up early and grab breakfast at Bagels & Beans before heading out to Radio Kootwijk, a stunning 1920s radio station in the middle of a forest.
  • Take a leisurely bike ride through the National Park De Hoge Veluwe, keeping an eye out for the wildlife.
  • Get your adrenaline pumping at Klimbos Veluwe, an adventure park with high ropes courses.
  • Re-energize with a snack and a drink at a waterfront café in the charming village of Hoenderloo.
  • Head back to the hotel for a well-deserved rest.
  • Enjoy a hearty dinner at De Pastazaak, a cozy restaurant that serves tasty pasta dishes.
Day 3

Shopping & Culture

  • Start your day at the weekly market in the city center, where locals come to buy fresh produce and unique souvenirs.
  • Visit one of Apeldoorn's most famous attractions: Apenheul Primate Park, where you can interact with monkeys in their natural habitat.
  • Explore the impressive transportation collection at the Veluwsche Stoomtrein Maatschappij.
  • Refuel your energy with a slice of traditional Dutch apple pie at De Kakelhof.
  • Take a guided tour of the stunning CODA Library and admire its impressive architecture.
  • End the trip with a delicious Italian dinner at L'Italiano.

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Apeldoorn by plane is to fly into Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and then take a train to Apeldoorn. There are several train services available, including the NS Intercity which runs regularly from the airport to Apeldoorn. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Car

The best way to get to Apeldoorn by car is to take the A1 highway from Amsterdam. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Train

The best way to get to Apeldoorn by train is to take the NS Intercity from Amsterdam Central Station. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a train from Rotterdam Central Station or Utrecht Centraal Station. Both journeys take approximately 1 hour.

Boat

There is no direct way to get to Apeldoorn by boat. However, you can take a boat from Amsterdam to the nearby town of Harderwijk and then take a train or bus to Apeldoorn. The boat journey takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and the train or bus journey takes approximately 30 minutes.

Bus

The best way to get to Apeldoorn by bus is to take the Flixbus from Amsterdam Sloterdijk Bus Station. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

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