A day in Nijmegen for nature lovers
One moment you’re standing eye to eye with Koniks, the next you’re leaning back on an outdoor seating area on the Grote Markt. Nijmegen is a very versatile city, so there’s a lot to discover. One day out in Nijmegen and you'll experience the beauty of nature, get a glimpse of history, eat at the best restaurants, and discover theatres.
9.00: breakfast & coffee
Have a nice and quiet start of the day at Café de Blonde Pater, where you can come by early in the morning for delicious breakfasts and coffee. Nothing’s better than a good start of your day!
10.00: discover Nijmegen’s nature
There is much to discover in the Ooijpolder nature reserve – not just various animal and plant species, but also dikes and hills where people used to live. Take a walk through the Ooijpolder and come face-to-face with Koniks, Galloway cattle, big geese, beavers, and otters. Walking across the Ooypoort Walking Bridge takes you directly into the Ooijpolder. One side of the bridge is surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the city, while the other side is in the middle of this peaceful nature reserve. This is what makes Nijmegen so special: nature and city are so closely related.
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18 tips for a sustainable trip to Nijmegen
18 tips for a sustainable trip to Nijmegen
Making your city trip sustainable is key if you care a lot about the environment. There are plenty of locations in Nijmegen that’ll take this into account. We’ve highlighted a couple of them for you.
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8x best places to stroll through the forest in Fall
8x best places to stroll through the forest in Fall
Look outside: is the weather cloudy with a chance of falling fall leaves? Perfect time to take a walk in the woods. Put on a warm coat and get some fresh air while walking through the beautiful forest surrounding Nijmegen.
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7x parks outside of the city centre
7x parks outside of the city centre
There’s no better place to take a walk than one of the beautiful parks in Nijmegen; there are a couple well-known parks in the city centre, but nature isn’t limited to the boundaries of the city centre.
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3x parks in Nijmegen’s city centre
3x parks in Nijmegen’s city centre
Did you know that in addition to shopping, eating, and soaking up art and culture, you can also relax in one of the beautiful city parks in Nijmegen’s city centre?
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6x great biking routes across Nijmegen
6x great biking routes across Nijmegen
Across rolling hills, along vineyards and with views of rivers: while biking you can see so much beauty across Nijmegen. Hop on your bike and enjoy nature, or travel along the water and see pieces of modern art.
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9x nature in Nijmegen, discover the prettiest green spots
9x nature in Nijmegen, discover the prettiest green spots
Feel like taking a walk and taking in Nijmegen’s natural landscape? Or are you done with your walks around the block and looking for inspiration? We’ve listed some of our favourite green spots in Nijmegen. Enjoy!
12:30: lunch on the Waalkade
After a brisk walk in the Ooijpolder, it's time for lunch. Pick a nice spot at Grand Café Waterwolf’s outdoor seating area, where you can overlook the Waal river. They have a wide selection of sandwiches and salads at lunchtime.
14.30: art route through Nijmegen
The art route Wederopbouwroute is a walk through Nijmegen where you will encounter works of art from the post-war period (1945-1965). This period is also known as the reconstruction period. Discover reliefs, mosaics, wall sculptures, and plastics, all with special cultural value. This 2 km route goes via the train station to the Kronenburgerpark and then through the city centre.
15.30: sitting in the sun
There are plenty of nice places to sit in the sun with a drink and some bitterballen in Nijmegen. Relax on De Waagh’s outdoor seating area, overlooking the Grote Markt. De Waagh is a historic building, built in 1612, and a real eye-catcher on the Grote Markt.
More great outdoor seating areas in Nijmegen
17.30: a great dinner
After a long day of getting to know Nijmegen, you’re probably ready to eat some dinner. De Hemel is located in the Commanderie van St. Jan, a medieval monastery building in the centre of Nijmegen. Enjoy Burgundian cuisine in this restaurant’s unique setting.
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20.00: see the best performances
LUX is the largest arthouse in the Netherlands with daily film, theatre, dance and music performances, debates, festivals and a delicious café and restaurant. Get inspired, be entertained, enjoy yourself, and go to one of the performances in LUX. There’s something for everyone: decide for yourself what you feel like!
More venues in Nijmegen
10:30 p.m.: staying overnight in Nijmegen
Would you like to book a hotel? Or a Bed & Breakfast? In Nijmegen you can do both! Spend the evening under the sheets at Hotel Blue, Manna or Guesthouse Vertoef. Or crawl under the sheets at B&B WestZijde or Opoe Sintje.
More accommodation tips
10:30: breakfast
Didn’t include breakfast when you booked your overnight stay? No problem! There are so many nice places in Nijmegen where you can have a delicious breakfast. Sit down at Yoghurt Barn Nijmegen, chat about your day, and order some tasty yoghurt.