5x best picnic spots near campus
Summer is coming to an end, but if you have a waterproof picnic blanket, you won’t have to stop picnicking! That is why we have made a list of the nicest places to have a picnic on and around campus: great if you want to have lunch outside, if you have some spare time until your next lecture or if you just feel like having a picnic. Because let's be honest – we all do that from time to time!
1. In front of the Berchmanianum monastery
Fortunately, you don’t have to go far for a nice picnic spot: you can drop your blanket in front of the Berchmanianum. This former monastery boasts a sprawling lawn next to a pond, where groups of students and staff regularly drop by. Complete with a beautiful view of the former monastery and sheltered by greenery, this spot is one of our favourites!
Directions
The Berchmanianum convent is located at Houtlaan 4. Walk south around the Erasmus building and cross the small park behind it. You can find this picnic spot on the Heyendaalseweg (opposite the sports fields).
2. Park Brakkestein
A stone's throw from the campus, you can find Park Brakkenstein, located behind the sports fields of the Radboud Sports Centre. Whether you’re a first-year student or have been at the university for years, this gem is a must in your picnic repertoire.
Directions
Head south on Heyendaalseweg, starting at the Erasmus building. Turn left twice after which you will find Park Brakkenstein on your right. Enjoy!
3. Julianapark
You might know of this one already, but the Julianapark is an often overlooked picnic spot. It shouldn’t be! As one of the first parks you come across when you travel from the campus to the city, you can get here after just 6 minutes cycling. And what could be better after a long day than sitting down in a nice park with some drinks and snacks? Not bad for a meeting outside, if we do say so ourselves.
Directions
Head north on Heyendaalseweg, starting at the Erasmus building. After about 6 minutes you can find the Julianapark on your left. Can't miss it! Oh and another perk of this location: you can easily park your car here.
4. Thiemepark
If you’re cycling towards the city centre on the Sint Annastraat, this hidden gem is one of the first things you’ll see. Concealed between houses of the Bottendaal district (behind the Campusbaan), you can find the Thiemeloods with the Thiemepark right next to it. This enclosed park is often wonderfully quiet and great for enjoying the sunshine and a good book. Good to know: the park boasts an evening pop-up bar where you can buy refreshments!
Directions
Head north on Sint Annastraat until you see Café St. Anneke. Cross the road here and turn into the Van Goorstraat. Follow this road until you see Thiemepark approaching.
5. The Rosarium in the Goffertpark
You probably know of the Goffertpark, but have you ever been to its rose garden? This hidden spot is located near the Goffertbad and is an oasis of green and peace in the middle of this huge park. Feast your eyes while sitting on one of the many benches or bring your own picnic blanket. Your choice!
Directions
Head west on the Slotemaker de Bruineweg, starting at the Grotius building. Keep going until you see the Siertuin on your left. Park your car or drop your bike here and walk through the park until you reach the Rosarium.
Discover more - Hotspots & things to explore
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Sorina, Romania
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."
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Giulia, Italy
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."
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Alex, Romania
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."
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Elle, United States
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."
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Stuart, Australia
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."
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Sanchitta, Bangladesh
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."
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Sudipta, Bangladesh
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."
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Masha, Ukraine
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."
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Ken, Belgium
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."
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Kyran, Aruba
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."
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Romane, France/Indonesia
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."
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Rahmi, Indonesia
Expat life in Nijmegen: Rahmi, Indonesia
"I discovered some Dutch food as well. Poffertjes, for example. They are just great. They also remind me of a similar type of food we have in Indonesia – just that we have them with different flavors, like matcha or strawberry."
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Emilios, Cyprus
Expat life in Nijmegen: Emilios, Cyprus
"What I like most about the Netherlands is the Dutch. Sometimes, Dutch people can get a bad rep for being a bit stingy or cold, but I find people to be quite welcoming."
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Marta, Croatia
Expat life in Nijmegen: Marta, Croatia
"I’m in my third year now and both the study and the city topped all my expectations. When I decided where to study, I wasn’t paying a lot of attention to the city I was choosing, so Nijmegen was a pleasant surprise."
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Janek Peters, Germany
Expat life in Nijmegen: Janek Peters, Germany
"Comparing Nijmegen to Düsseldorf, I don’t miss living in a big city. It’s more anonymous and people don’t put in as much effort into being nice to each other. Here, you are more likely to run into people you know and it's way less grey and loud."
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Hanna-Rea, Estonia
Expat life in Nijmegen: Hanna-Rea, Estonia
"Culturally, I think Estonians and the Dutch are quite similar. I didn’t have a huge culture shock moving to the Netherlands. I had to get used to biking under any weather conditions, though, and the sirens at the beginning of the month."
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Pablo, Mexico
Expat life in Nijmegen: Pablo, Mexico
"For me, the greatest treasure of Nijmegen is its people. I've had the privilege of meeting some of the most welcoming and fun individuals here. Friends that I call family now."
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Dagmara, Poland
Expat life in Nijmegen: Dagmara, Poland
"I came here initially for one semester but liked it so much that I requested the exchange to be prolonged for another one. During that time, I met my partner, who is German but has done his whole studies here."
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Hannah, United Kingdom
Expat life in Nijmegen: Hannah, United Kingdom
"Despite Nijmegen being quite a small city, there is loads of stuff going on. I couldn’t believe that I saw the Red Hot Chili Peppers in Goffertpark. You almost feel like you’re living in a capital city but you don’t have the craziness of a capital city."
-
Expat life in Nijmegen: Dim, Romania
Expat life in Nijmegen: Dim, Romania
"I’m originally from Bucharest, so Nijmegen is a small town by comparison. But it’s very concentrated with things to do. I like that about the city. You will have an Irish Pub, a vintage store, and a community-run venue on the same street."