18 best things to do in Drenthe, the Netherlands

Things to do in Drenthe include nature, history and culture. Find tips for scenic spots to explore during your visit to this Dutch province.

Discover Drenthe!

To get right to the point: Drenthe is the most beautiful province in the Netherlands as far as I’m concerned. I’ve never lived there (only in Groningen, Friesland and North Holland), but I wouldn’t rule out moving here someday, as it’s such a wonderful place. This is mainly because of the peace and quiet, and as a hiker, I really enjoy that.

I visit Drenthe several times a year, partly because I have family there, but also to enjoy nature. The province has three national parks, each with its own character: Drents-Friese Wold, Dwingelderveld and Drentsche Aa. Here you can still walk for hours without seeing a trace of buildings.

But Drenthe is more than just nature. It’s also a province where history is everywhere. Think of the dolmens that have been standing for thousands of years, or the Hondsrug, which is a UNESCO Global Geopark shaped by glaciers during the Ice Age. Throughout the province you’ll come across traditional farming villages with central greens, where people have lived in harmony with the landscape for centuries. And the stories from World War II, such as those told at Camp Westerbork, leave a deep impression.

This mix of nature, history and culture makes Drenthe a unique place to visit. In this article, I’ll take you through some of the highlights that show what makes the province so special.

The best things to do in Drenthe

Are you curious about the best places to visit in Drenthe? Here are some highlights.

The Drents-Friese Wold

I’ll start this list with the most recent place I visited: the Drents-Friese Wold. I stayed in a small house in the middle of the forest while cat-sitting, which was such a great experience. The Drents-Friese Wold is one of three national parks in Drenthe and one of the largest nature reserves in the Netherlands. Part of the park extends into Friesland.

Although the area consists mainly of forest, you’ll also find shifting sands and heathlands that turn beautifully purple in August. It’s an excellent place for both hikers and cyclists, with dozens of routes that guide you along the most scenic spots. Because the park is so large and varied, you can return several times and still discover new trails without repeating the same route.

Diever

A great base to explore the Drents-Friese Wold is the village of Diever, also known as the Shakespeare village. Since 1946, Shakespeare plays have been performed every summer in the open-air theater located in the forest.

I enjoy wandering through the village itself, with its charming green and old farmhouses typical of Drenthe. If you’d like to go hiking, several circular walking routes start at the “Duck Pond” parking area.

Camp Westerbork

One place you won’t soon forget is Camp Westerbork. During World War II, this was the transit camp from which tens of thousands of Jews, Sinti and Roma were deported. At the memorial center, you’ll encounter personal stories and powerful exhibits that give the numbers a human face.

The camp itself was largely demolished, but the site is still deeply moving. You’ll find monuments such as the 102,000 stones and the symbolic railroad track. It’s not an easy place to visit, but it’s one of the most significant sights in Drenthe.

Dolmens (hunebedden)

When you think of Drenthe, you think of dolmens, locally known as hunebedden. These prehistoric burial monuments are scattered throughout the province and are the oldest archaeological sites in the Netherlands. The largest dolmen, D27, is located in Borger and is almost 23 meters long. At the nearby Hunebedcentrum, you can learn more about how these stones ended up here and what they meant to the people who built them thousands of years ago.

You’ll find these impressive stone structures all over Drenthe. Personally, I found dolmen D53 near Havelte particularly special, as it lies right in the middle of the heathlands. In summer, when the heather is in full bloom, it’s an unforgettable sight.

The Dwingelderveld

The second national park on this list is Dwingelderveld, a place I love to hike. The park is home to the largest wet heathland in Western Europe. You’ll find vast open plains where the wind has free rein, as well as several sheepfolds. With a bit of luck, you might even come across a shepherd with his flock.

Each season gives the area a different character: purple heather in summer, misty mornings in autumn, and frozen pools in winter. There are visitor centers and observation towers where you can get a sweeping view of the landscape. One hike I can highly recommend: near the Forest Lounge in Spier begins one of the most scenic boardwalk trails in the Netherlands.

Radio telescope Dwingeloo

If you take a walk through Dwingelderveld, you can hardly miss the large circular structure on the edge of the forest. This is the Dwingeloo Radio Telescope, one of the oldest steerable radio telescopes in the world. It was commissioned in 1956 and played a key role in the early years of radio astronomy.

Today, the telescope is no longer used for major research, but it is operated by amateur astronomers and students. The striking structure in the middle of the landscape is free to visit, and guided tours and activities are regularly organized.

Geopark the Hondsrug

The Hondsrug is a unique area that was formed during the Ice Age and is now recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark. It stretches roughly from the city of Groningen in the north to Coevorden and the Bargerveen near Emmen in the south.

The landscape is characterized by elongated ridges and valleys, where traces of prehistory are still clearly visible. You’ll come across glacial boulders, dolmens, burial mounds and ancient cart tracks. Few places in the world bring together so many prehistoric features in such a small area. On the official Geopark website you can find a detailed map with all major attractions.

Blue Lake

I recently visited Blue Lake for the first time because I wanted to see whether the color was really as special as people say. During my visit, the water had a turquoise tint, and it was definitely striking. The bright blue stood out against the more brownish pools that are common in the Netherlands.

Blue Lake is located near Hoogersmilde and was created by sand excavations. Today it is a recreational area where you can go walking, cycling and swimming. It’s a lovely place for a short outing, especially on a sunny day.

Orvelte

Orvelte is one of the most charming villages in Drenthe and feels almost like an open-air museum. The old farmhouses, cobbled streets and artisan shops give the impression that time has stood still. You can visit a monumental farmhouse and see demonstrations of traditional crafts, which give you a vivid idea of rural life in the past. In summer, regular markets and events bring even more atmosphere to the village. Orvelte is the kind of place where history and everyday life merge naturally.

The Fochteloërveen

One of the quietest and most beautiful nature reserves in Drenthe is the Fochteloërveen. It is one of the last remaining raised bog areas in the Netherlands, located on the border with Friesland. The landscape is a mix of moorland, fens and wet heath, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere. In many places, the Fochteloërveen still feels rugged and untouched, which makes hiking here very special. From the watchtower De Zeven you have a spectacular panoramic view across the reserve.

The Drents Museum in Assen

In Assen you’ll find the Drents Museum, one of the best-known museums in the north of the Netherlands. The museum houses an impressive collection of archaeological finds, including bog bodies that are thousands of years old. You’ll also see paintings by Dutch masters, including an early work by Vincent van Gogh.

In addition to its permanent collection, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions of international standing. It has made headlines several times with high-profile shows, and even once with an art theft, which only underlines the value of the collection. The combination of archaeology, art and history makes the Drents Museum a must-visit for anyone interested in culture.

Veenhuizen and the Prison Museum

Another unique historical site in Drenthe is Veenhuizen. In the 19th century, this was one of the so-called “Colonies of Benevolence,” where poor families and orphans were sent to build a new life through farming.

Later, Veenhuizen became known as a penal colony, and several prisons were established here. These imposing buildings still dominate the village and give it a very distinctive atmosphere. At the Prison Museum you can learn more about this history, from the early experiments with social reform to the modern prison system.

I found it fascinating to explore, and I recommend walking through the village after your museum visit. Along the way, you’ll see monumental buildings with information panels that explain their original use, making the past come alive as you go.

The Veenpark

If you’d like to dive even deeper into the history of Drenthe, head to the Veenpark in Barger-Compascuum. This large open-air museum tells the story of the peat bogs and the people who lived and worked here. You can see how peat was traditionally cut and how communities in this region developed.

There are reconstructed houses, a school and even a peat barge harbor. You can also travel through the landscape yourself on a narrow-gauge railway or by boat. The Veenpark combines history with hands-on experiences, making it both educational and fun for visitors of all ages.

The Drentsche Aa National Park

Drenthe has a third national park: the Drentsche Aa. This is one of the most scenic stream valleys in the Netherlands, where the water still meanders through the landscape much as it did centuries ago. Around the stream you’ll find traditional farming villages (esdorpen), fields and ancient woodlands.

Hikers are spoiled for choice here, as several long-distance trails run through the park, including the famous Pieterpad. If you prefer a shorter route, there’s a marked circular trail starting right at Assen train station. It takes you through Drentsche Aa National Park and passes dolmens and burial mounds along the way.

Havelterberg

I once hiked across the Havelterberg at seven in the morning, and it was truly magical. This nature reserve consists of heathlands, forests and dolmens. In summer, the heather blooms in vibrant purple, making it a wonderful place for long walks.

During World War II, this area was used as an airfield, and bomb craters from that time are still visible in the landscape. The Havelterberg is a place where natural beauty and history are closely intertwined, offering a unique atmosphere.

The Balloër Field

If someone asked me about the most beautiful heathland in the Netherlands, I would probably say the Balloërveld. I’ve visited several times in August, and each time I was impressed by the endless purple sea of blooming heather. The area is fairly large: the section of the Pieterpad that crosses it stretches for about five kilometers.

Besides the heathlands, you’ll find burial mounds here, reminders of the area’s long history. And with a bit of luck, you might spot one of the local sheep flocks grazing across the fields, which adds to the charm of the landscape.

Zuidlaren

Zuidlaren is a village in the north of Drenthe, set in a green landscape with village greens and centuries-old oaks. The center is lively, with plenty of cafés and restaurants. A local children’s song tells the story of “Berend Botje” who supposedly sailed to Zuidlaren, today you’ll even find a small statue of him in the village.

Zuidlaren is also well known for its large annual horse market, which attracts thousands of visitors. Around the village there are several walking and cycling routes, including those along the Zuidlaardermeer, a scenic lake just outside town. It’s a great base if you want to combine nature with a bit of village culture.

Drenthe Path

If you really want to get to know Drenthe, I recommend walking the Drenthe Path (Drenthepad). This long-distance regional trail makes a large loop through the province, covering more than 300 kilometers in total. It is divided into stages that you can hike separately or consecutively, depending on the time you have.

Along the way you’ll pass dolmens, heathlands, national parks and characteristic villages. In fact, many of the sights mentioned in this article are located directly along the route. The trail is the perfect way to experience just how diverse Drenthe is, from quiet natural areas to places rich in history.

Book your trip to the Netherlands

Ready to explore Drenthe and other beautiful places in the Netherlands? Here are some practical tips to help you plan your trip.

✈️ Flights – Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is the main international airport in the Netherlands. From Schiphol you can reach Drenthe in about two hours by train (via Zwolle or Assen) or you can rent a car directly at the airport for more flexibility. Check WayAway for the best flight deals and cashback on tickets.

🚗 Car rental – A car gives you the freedom to explore Drenthe’s national parks and villages at your own pace. Compare prices and book your rental via Rentalcars.

💊 Travel insurance – It’s always smart to travel with insurance. Use Insubuy to find the right coverage for your trip.

🎟️ Tours & activities – Want to make the most of your visit? Check GetYourGuide for fun tours and day trips in the Netherlands.