From medieval churches to modern museums and from harbour quays to unspoilt nature: these are the places in Dordrecht you should not miss.
Historic city centre
Grote Kerk
The Church of Our Lady is Dordrecht’s landmark. It was built in Brabantine Gothic style, and you can spot its stubby tower from far away. Inside you will find, among other things, richly carved choir stalls. Climb the tower for a wonderful view over the rivers.
Groothoofdspoort
This city gate stands at the tip of the old town, exactly where the rivers meet. One of the best places to watch the ships sail by, ideally with a drink on a terrace next to it.
Wijnstraat and Voorstraat
The Wijnstraat is lined with crooked merchants’ houses, antiques and art. The Voorstraat winds along the harbour through the entire old town, with little shops, cafés and surprising views.
Het Hof
The First Free States Assembly took place in this former monastery in 1572. Its courtyard is an oasis of calm in the middle of the city.
The harbours
Wolwevershaven, Nieuwe Haven and Kuipershaven: the old harbours are the heart of Dordt. Historic ships are moored along the quays, and they are beautiful at any time of day.
Museums
Dordrechts Museum
One of the oldest museums in the Netherlands, with paintings from the Golden Age to the present day. Including, of course, work by Dordrecht masters such as Aelbert Cuyp and Ary Scheffer.
Het Hof van Nederland
The museum about the place where the Netherlands began. Discover the history of Dordrecht and the States Assembly of 1572.
Huis Van Gijn
A nineteenth-century mansion where you get a glimpse of the life of a wealthy Dordrecht family, with a remarkable collection of antique toys.
Nature
De Biesbosch National Park
Creeks, willow woods and beavers. Rent a silent electric boat or a canoe and lose yourself in one of the largest freshwater tidal areas in Europe. The Biesboschcentrum in Dordrecht is a good starting point.
On the water
Take the waterbus to Rotterdam or to the windmills of Kinderdijk. Or take a boat tour and see Dordrecht from the water, as the merchants saw it centuries ago.
Tip: always check the attraction’s own website for current opening hours and tickets.