Elburg, The Netherlands: The best things to do in one day in this Dutch Hansa town

The fishing village of Elburg, The Netherlands, is one of the most beautiful Hansa towns in The Netherlands. Elburg has plenty of things to do, plus as soon as you enter the city you feel the warmth and welcoming atmosphere of the locals. Elburg is located in the province of Gelderland and visiting this beautiful place in The Netherlands, is one of the best things you can do.

When you’re looking for authentic and beautiful places to visit in The Netherlands, then Elburg definitely won’t disappoint you. Cute alleys, beautiful buildings, great restaurants and great day trips from Elburg to its surroundings. From the top things to see in Elburg, Gelderland, to what to do and the best restaurants. It can be found here.

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What to do and see in 24 hours in Elburg, The Netherlands

Even though Elburg is a small Hansa town in The Netherlands, there are plenty of places to explore. From admiring the beautiful, old buildings, to getting to know the history of Elburg in one of the museums. Don’t forget to bring a visit to the magical courtyard of the abbey complex and after that, sit down at one of the many terraces to enjoy the medieval atmosphere of one of the most beautiful places in The Netherlands and Gelderland, Elburg.

You can spend a full day in Elburg no matter what time of the year it is. During the beautiful spring and summer days Elburg changes into a bustling, little city and the stores and museums are opened for the longest time. However, visiting Elburg in the off- season is also pretty magical.

Stay in the best hotels and B&B’s in Elburg

I have placed some options for the best hotels and B&B’s in the Hansa town of Elburg, The Netherlands, below. I would definitely recommend you to stay at least one night in Elburg and its surroundings. The reason being that while Elburg is very small, it’s wonderful to explore this Dutch, medieval town before the people arrive who are visiting this beautiful place in The Netherlands on a day trip. Enjoy the calm morning, the peaceful streets and the sounds of nature.

Bed and Breakfast de Kleine Vesting, check prices on Booking.com

B&B Het Anker, check prices on Booking.com

Hotel Elburg, check prices on Booking.com

‘t Anker, check prices on Booking.com

Eat a great breakfast in Elburg

If you’re arriving in Elburg in the morning, then it’s time to get some food in your stomach. The best breakfast in Elburg can be found at Brasserie Aan De Gracht. You can get fresh yoghurt and fruits here, nice sandwiches, orange juice and plenty of more. If you need a feeling and tasty breakfast in Elburg, then you can’t go wrong with this restaurant/

Havenstraat 5, 8081 GN Elburg

Discover one of the museums of Elburg

Museum Elburg

Museum Elburg is not only located in the most beautiful building of Elburg, it also will teach you everything you have to know about the history of this medieval Hansa town in The Netherlands. The museum is located in the monastery of Elburg and has a varied collection of objects to show you through the history of Elburg. Elburg has a interesting past. From defending the city to obtaining silverware.

Also part of the Museum Elburg are a bunker (kazemat) and a house in the wall (muurhuisje). The Kazemat or Vischpoort costs 1 euro to enter, but if you have a ticket for the Museum Elburg it’s waived. The bunker is opened during summer. This is also the case for Muurhuisje.

Admission fee Museum Elburg

12+ 7 euros

Museumcard free

Accessability

Unfortunately the museum is not accessible for wheelchair users.

Opening times

Tuesday until Saturday 11.00 – 17.00 uur

Museum Elburg is closed on Mondays, Sundays, King’s Day, first and second Christmas day, 31st of December and 1st of January.

Museumsmederij Elburg

The last blacksmith of Elburg has been turned into a museum since 2005. The business wasn’t profitable anymore, so people decided to turn it into a museum and to preserve its authentic character. You can find the shop on the ground floor. Here you can find all the objects that were used to create the products. It seems like time really stood still in this part of the museum. When you’re in this museum often there will be a blacksmith that gives demonstrations.

You can also find a large leather bellows on the floor before the attic. It’s the original one that once was used in the shop. With the help of the bellows, oxygen is added to the burning blacksmith fire. This increases the temperature of the fire, which makes the iron white hot and malleable.

You can also learn how to forge yourself with the help of the blacksmith. In that case you’d have to make an appointment up front via the VVV office of Elburg. Groups up until 5 people will pay 30 euros a hour and it this activity in Elburg will take you at least one hour.

Opening times

Wednesday, Friday & Saturday from 13:00 – 16:00

Admission fee

Free

Other museums that are great to visit in Elburg are Museum Sjoel Elburg (about 12 Jewish families that lived in Elburg and exhibits + accessible for wheelchair users) and Visafslag Elburg (discover the importance of fishing in Elburg in the past).

Explore Dutch Hansa town of Elburg with a walking tour

What to do and see in Elburg? Well one of the best things to do in Elburg, The Netherlands, is to do a self guided walking tour. There are plenty of things to see in Elburg, Gelderland. We start the walking tour at the Zuiderwalstraat from where we will walk to the Kloostertuin, or garden of the abbey. After you’ve discovered the Kloostertuin you make your way to the Jufferenstraat and then walk to the Ledige Stede and Bloemstraat.

Now you will walk in the direction of Bloemsteeg, Kapelsteeg and Schapesteeg. After that you will walk via the Van Kinsbergenstraat to the Grote Kerk. This is the main church of Elburg and construction was first started in 1396 and finished in 1450. You definitely have to see this church when you are spending one day in Elburg.

After you bring a quick visit to the Grote Kerk you make your way to the Zuiderkerkstraat, Hondegatsteeg and Beekstraat. When you’re done with exploring these cute streets of Elburg you continue your walking route in Elburg to Westerwalstraat, Smedestraat and Smeesteeg. Then you will visit other streets that you cannot miss when your are on a day trip to Elburg, the Vischpoortstraat, Rozemarijnsteeg and Noorderkerkstraat. Elburg and its surroundings are beautiful to explore in 24 hours, which you will discover in the next parts of the walking route.

Then continue your way to the Oosterwalstraat, the Ellestraat and after that the Noorderwalstraat. Now you will make your way to the Vischpoort, which is the last city gate of Elburg. Continue your walk to the Havenstraat and walk to the haven and the Havenkade. Here you will find old, Dutch fishing boats.

The last must do in Elburg is to walk over the rampart of the fortified city of Elburg and discover the Dutch Hansa town from a different point of view. It’s a truly beautiful walk. You will walk around the city of Elburg and discover why this is a must see and one of the best activities to do in Elburg, The Netherlands.

Click here for the full map with monuments and most beautiful streets of Elburg, The Netherlands.

Eat lunch in the fishing town of Elburg, The Netherlands

As I’ve said before, visiting Elburg is one of the things you have to do in the province of Gelderland, The Netherlands. And when you’re traveling to Elburg and exploring this fortified Dutch city for one day, then you’d have to eat lunch somewhere. Elburg is filled with cute, little restaurants and most of them look like they offer really great food. Especially since the town is so small, that whenever there’s a bad restaurant, it cannot continue to exist as everyone knows about that within a day. For the best lunch restaurant of Elburg I would recommend you to visit Galerie Atelier Withaar & Art Cafe. Not only can you get some great sandwiches and cakes here, but while you’re enjoying your food you can look around at the most beautiful art as well. 

Visit Touwslagerij Deetman and see how rope is traditionally made

Near the harbour of Elburg you can find the oldest, still working, ropewalk of The Netherlands. Here you can discover how they make rope in the traditional way that dates back to centuries ago. The history of the Touwslagerij Deetman dates back to 1725 when ancestors moved from the town of Hattem to Elburg. The current location of the ropewalk is in use since 1745. The main customers of the rope were the fishing industry as well as farmers and traders.

There are no guided tours, however when they are working you can ask them questions about the process and they will often happily answer them. But when you’re in Elburg and looking for what to see or activities to do, then you’d have to bring a visit to the Touwslagerij Deetman.

Opening times

Thursday: 08:30 – 12:30 & 13:30 – 18:00

Friday: 08:30 – 12:30 13:30 – 18:00 08:30 – 12:30

Saturday: 13:30 – 17:00

Rent a boat and explore Elburg and its surroundings from the water

Are you thinking of doing something else in Elburg, then yachting or sailing might be a great idea. A great place to rent a boat in Elburg is Bootverhuur Elburg. The prices start at 59 euros for two hours (2019). During the week you can rent a boat all day for two hours or more, during the weekend two hours of rent is only possible in the mornings. If you’d want to rent a boat in Elburg you’d have to call or email them to reserve a boat. A reservation in advance is always needed. If you go to the website of Bootverhuur Elburg and it says ‘momenteel gesloten’, it means that they are currently closed. This happens when it’s the winter season.

From Elburg you can sail through the historic harbour of Elburg, see the Drontenmeer (lake) and even the Veluwemeer (lake). There are endless of possibilities and it’s a great idea to get a different perspective of cities and areas by seeing them from the water.

Or rent a bicycle and discover the area of Elburg

Another great idea is to rent a bicycle and to discover the area of Elburg by bike. You can rent bikes in Elburg at Klompmaker Fietsen that can be found at Robbertsmatenstraat 11B in Elburg. The price for renting a normal city bike for a full day is 9 euros. If you’d prefer an electric bike it will cost you 15 euros. Click here for more information and to reserve a bike in Elburg.

Or go to the spa just outside Elburg, The Netherlands, called Wellnessboerderij Rijsgaardhoeve

This spa just outside Elburg offers a private wellness experience. The facilities are made for 2- 4 people. And they arrange the guests throughout the day in such a way, that you will never be placed in a sauna or treatment room at the same time as other guests. If you’re looking for a private spa experience in the calm surroundings of Elburg, with a breathtaking view on meadows, then you’d love to visit Wellnessboerderij Rijsgaardhoeve.  There are also options if you’d want to spend the night as they have b&b’s.

The website of Wellnessboerderij Rijsgaardhoeve is completely in Dutch, however if you click on the contact item in the menu, then you can sent them a message with questions you might have.

Get the best dinner at great restaurants in Elburg

There are quite a few restaurants to be found in Elburg – and they are generally very good. You need to be a good restaurant in Elburg in order to survive. I can recommend you to visit restaurants such as Restaurant Achter De Poorte and Restaurant ‘t Olde Regthuys.

Take a seat at a great cafe in Elburg to finish your day

Other great things to do and see in Elburg

Visit Het Atelier

In Het Atelier you can find very kind people who are creating art and objects. It’s open from Monday until Friday from 09:00 – 16:00, so if you’re interested in seeing the art they create then you’re in for a treat, because it’s lovely. Don’t forget to buy an art piece as the best souvenir from Elburg. Het Atelier is closed on Saturday and Sunday. It’s found in the basement of the restaurant that I recommend you to have breakfast at and can be found at Havenstraat 5, 8081 GN Elburg 

How to get to Elburg, The Netherlands

From Amsterdam: To get to Elburg from Amsterdam you’d first have to take any train from Amsterdam Centraal train station to Utrecht Centraal. From Utrecht Centraal you’d have to transfer to the sprinter in the direction of Zwolle and get out at train station ‘t Harde.

From train station ‘t Harde you’d have to take bus 514 in the direction of Wezep. Get out at Elburg, Centrum. This will take you you around 1 hour and 50 minutes.

From Utrecht: To get to Elburg from Utrecht you have to take a sprinter train from Utrecht Centraal. Take the sprinter in the direction of Zwolle and get out at train station ‘t Harde.

From train station ‘t Harde you’d have to take bus 514 in the direction of Wezep. Get out at Elburg, Centrum. This will take you you around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

From Zwolle: To visit the Dutch Hansa town of Elburg from Zwolle you’d have to take the sprinter train from Zwolle in the direction of Utrecht Centraal. Get out at ‘t Harde.

From train station ‘t Harde you’d have to take bus 514 in the direction of Wezep. Get out at Elburg, Centrum. This will take you you around 30 minutes.

As I’ve said before, Elburg is definitely worth a visit. This beautiful Dutch city will blow your mind. The cuteness, history and its atmosphere combined makes visiting Elburg in The Netherlands a great idea. Discover more beautiful and offbeat places to visit in The Netherlands here. Share this post!!