10 fun things to do in Nijmegen when it’s raining
When the sun decides to hide behind the clouds and it starts raining cats and dogs, you’ll soon get tired of sitting inside. Your kids are flying up the walls and your TV is working overtime. Time to go out and do something! Even when the weather is awful, there are fun things to do in Nijmegen. Read our tips here.
1. Visit museums in Nijmegen
A lot of museums have opened their doors again, and have a lot of fun activities for kids. In the MuZIEum, you can experience what it’s like to be blind or visually impaired. De Bastei tells the story of the Waal river and the city of Nijmegen. Combining fun and learning: that’s what it’s all about. Note that you have to book in advance!
2. Watch a movie in the cinema
There’s no shortage of cinemas in Nijmegen. If you’re looking for fun, exciting or beautiful movies, visit Pathé, Vue or LUX. Get carried away watching the latest movies and forget the world (and rain) around you for a moment.
3. Watch a show
Go to a performance at Lindenberg or Concertgebouw de Vereeniging. You can also watch a performance by Theatergroep Kwatta or De Vereeniging at home on the couch.
4. Online shopping at Nijmegen’s entrepreneurs
You obviously don’t want to go out shopping when it’s raining, and chances are you’ve already visited the well-known online stores or and aren’t a fan of large chains. Fortunately, there are enough online web shops of Nijmegen’s entrepreneurs to still be able to shop. This way you’ll be able to support local entrepreneur and you don’t have to leave the house!
5. Shopping in Dukenburg
Feel like shopping, but it’s raining outside? Or do you just want to go to one place where you can find everything you like? Visit shopping mall winkelcentrum Dukenburg. From candy to household items, from supermarket to authentic pies from Limburg, from shopping for clothes to picking out a new phone: you’ll find it all in Dukenburg. Parking? Just leave your car beneath the mall, because the first 2 hours are free.
6. Forget the world around you
Go to EnjoyVR to literally forget the world around you. Step into a completely different world thanks to the Virtual Reality glasses. How about going on a safari, climbing Mount Everest or walking on a plank, 160 meters high?
7. Do something active indoors
At LaserQuest, you can live it up with laser guns. In the dark mysterious arena, you can play a strategic, but mostly fun game. Prefer a little less action and adrenaline? Then challenge each other on their glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course. Fancy a day of jumping and doing tricks on a trampoline instead? Visit Jumpsquare!
9. Viewing art
Nijmegen is a true city of culture and has a lot of exhibition spaces, art stages, and galleries – you’re guaranteed to find a place where you can experience art. Discover the latest exhibitions and get inspired. These locations are not to be missed!
10. Relax
What could be better than a day of relaxation? Especially when the weather outside is awful! After a day at Sauna & Beauty de Thermen Nijmegen or at Sanadome Hotel & Spa Nijmegen, you can walk out feeling zen.
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Ali, Iran
"My choice for Nijmegen was no coincidence. The program here is known for its quality, and the research facilities, such as the Donders Institute, appealed to me enormously. I also felt a welcoming atmosphere in Nijmegen."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Carl, Wales
"I remember walking around the Grote Markt in the city center and thinking that it was very European. You have a lot of cafés where people are sitting on the terraces, even in the evenings. Seeing that makes you understand the word gezellig."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Daniel, Germany
"I like to cycle, so it’s nice that there is such a biking culture in the Netherlands. In Germany, we’re slowly also getting more biking infrastructure, but it’s simply not comparable."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Lara, South Africa
"I was always passionate about human genetics, so I wanted to do a master’s in that field, and that’s how I found Radboud. I started here with a master’s in medical biology and right now, I’m doing my PhD at the Radboudumc."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Eduardo, Spain
"Before moving to the city, I didn’t know Nijmegen. But I found it to be a nice place. In a way, it reminds me a bit of a city where I used to live in Spain. Nijmegen also has a cozy city center with a lot of traditional buildings."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Ivana, Italy/Serbia
"In some ways, Nijmegen reminds me of Lucca, the Italian town where I grew up. It has a human dimension – you can reach most places by walking, and within ten minutes, you’re in nature, but you’re also close to the German border."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Khaoula, Morocco
"I love it here. The city’s slogan says it best: Nijmegen is an old city with a young vibe. The buildings can tell stories from hundreds of years ago, but the people are young, fresh, and outgoing."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Isabella, Brazil
"I was born and raised in Brazil, but I’m half-Italian from my mom’s side. I was living in Italy right before moving to the Netherlands, so it wasn’t as long of a trip. But the Netherlands is very different from my reality growing up in Brazil."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Sorina, Romania
"The weather, especially in the winter, is sometimes difficult to cope with, but I discovered some places in the city that I really like. One of them is Bhalu. I like that the people there are friendly and I love their homemade pastries."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Giulia, Italy
"After my master’s in Italy, I wanted to leave the country and secure a future somewhere else. Because of that, I was looking into ways to specialize more and found the master’s in Human Geography at Radboud University."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Alex, Romania
"It's quite cliché, but the first thing that really surprised me was how good the bike infrastructure was. I saw people cycle in suits or in dresses – this was really surreal to see, someone so well dressed, but then on a bike."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Elle, United States
"I’m a hairstylist and a fully licensed cosmetologist in America, but it took quite some time to be able to work here. Because I’m from the US, I needed a residence permit to register my business with the KVK."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Stuart, Australia
"Nijmegen is really a great city. Especially on a sports level, there’s an athletics club with world-class athletes, football, rugby, tennis, golf… virtually every sport! And the history of Nijmegen is also incredibly fascinating to me."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Sanchitta, Bangladesh
"One of my favorite places in the city is the Face of Nijmegen statue. In the beginning, when I wasn’t feeling good, my husband and I went there, sat by the river, and drank tea. I still go there to meditate."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Sudipta, Bangladesh
"I’m originally from Bangladesh, but I did my graduate degree in Gothenburg in Sweden, so I had already lived in Europe when I started looking for jobs after my graduation and found a company here in Nijmegen."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Masha, Ukraine
"I moved to the Netherlands on the 12th of May 2017. I remember the day, because it divided my life into a ‘before’ and an ‘after.’ I was born and raised in a small town in Ukraine, with around 30,000 people."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Ken, Belgium
"I moved to Nijmegen in January 2018 and I’m working here as a journalist. Originally, I’m from the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium. But before moving to the Netherlands, I lived in Brussels for seven years."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Kyran, Aruba
"On the other hand, one thing that definitely positively surprised me about Nijmegen was how queer-friendly the city is. You go out and see a lot of gay pride flags. I do like De Regenboog as well."
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Expat life in Nijmegen: Romane, France/Indonesia
"One of the main reasons why I love Nijmegen so much is probably the university. Radboud is amazing. It’s not one of those universities where you are dreading to go back on campus to study – there is so much going on all the time."