Assen

Assen serves as the provincial capital of Drenthe in the northeastern Netherlands, with a population of approximately 69,000. The city grew around the 13th-century Cistercian convent of Maria in Campis, eventually receiving city rights from King Louis Bonaparte in 1809. While it long operated as a quiet regional administrative centre, post-war industrial development and the headquarters of the Dutch Oil Company (NAM) expanded the town into a modern municipality.

Today, Assen is internationally recognized as the venue of the TT Circuit Assen, the racetrack that has hosted the Dutch TT MotoGP grand prix every year since the championship's inception in 1949. During race week in late June, over 100,000 motorsport spectators arrive in town, filling campgrounds and local venues. Throughout the rest of the year, the city functions at a calm pace, featuring national archaeological treasures at the Drents Museum, historic brick manors around the Brink, and direct connections to regional cycling networks.

The regional climate is oceanic (Köppen Cfb), characterized by mild summers, cool winters, and consistent rainfall throughout the year. Temperatures average 21°C to 23°C in midsummer and 2°C to 6°C in winter.

By Air

The closest commercial airfield is Groningen Airport Eelde (IATA: GRQ), located 18 km north of Assen. The airport handles seasonal charter and holiday flights to destinations across the Mediterranean and Southern Europe on carriers like Corendon and TUI (flight times 2 to 3.5 hours). From GRQ, Qbuzz bus 9 connects to Groningen station, or local bus routes connect via De Punt to Assen in approximately 40 minutes.

For long-haul international flights, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (IATA: AMS) sits 180 km southwest. Direct Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) Intercity trains run from Schiphol Airport station to Assen every 30 minutes, taking approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes.

By Train

Assen railway station is on the main national rail trunk between Zwolle and Groningen. Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) operates all passenger services:

• Intercity Trains: Run twice per hour in each direction. Direct services reach Groningen in 17 minutes, Zwolle in 40 minutes, Utrecht Centraal in 1 hour 35 minutes, Amsterdam Centraal in 1 hour 50 minutes, and Rotterdam Centraal / The Hague in 2 hours 15 minutes. Both First Class and Second Class seating are available.
• Sprinter Trains: Run twice per hour, stopping at local stations including Beilen, Hoogeveen, Meppel, Haren, and Groningen Europapark.

Tickets can be purchased via contactless card check-in (OVpay), ticket machines at the station, or the NS app.

By Bus

Regional bus operator Qbuzz operates an extensive route network originating from the central bus station next to the railway terminal:

• Qliner 309: Fast express coach connecting Assen directly to Groningen bus station every 15 to 30 minutes (journey time 28 minutes; €6.50 / $7.15 USD).
• Qliner 310: Connects Assen to Veendam every 30 minutes (journey time 35 minutes; €6.00 / $6.60 USD).
• Bus 50 & 51: Regular regional lines running between Assen and Groningen via Gieten, Vries, and Haren (frequency every 30 minutes; €4.00–€6.00 / $4.40–$6.60 USD).
• Bus 84 & 114: Connect west to Drachten (journey time 50 minutes; €7.20 / $7.90 USD).

Fares are paid via OVpay (contactless debit or credit card tapped at the validator upon boarding and exiting).

By Car

Assen sits directly on the A28 motorway, the major north-south transit corridor connecting Utrecht and Zwolle to Groningen.

• From Groningen: 30 km south via the A28 (25 minutes).
• From Zwolle: 75 km northeast via the A28 (50 minutes).
• From Amsterdam: 180 km northeast via the A1/A28 (2 hours).

The N33 expressway links Assen eastward to Gieten, Veendam, and the seaport at Eemshaven. Underground parking is available at Q-Park Drents Museum, Parking De Nieuwe Kolk, and Parking Citadel, with rates averaging €2.00 to €2.50 per hour or €14.00 to €18.00 per day.

• On Foot: The historic center, the Brink, museums, and commercial retail corridors are situated within a 15-minute walk of the railway station.
• Bicycle: Cycling is the most efficient method for traveling around Assen and into surrounding provincial nature reserves. The national long-distance cycle routes LF9 and LF14 run through the municipality. NS OV-fiets rentals are available at Assen station (€4.55 per 24 hours with an OV account), and traditional day rentals are available at Fietspoint Grootjans (Stationsplein 1; €10.00 to €15.00 per day).
• City Buses: Qbuzz operates local city lines (such as lines 1, 2, and 12) connecting outer neighbourhoods, De Bonte Wever, and shopping districts to the central station. Fares range from €1.50 to €3.00 per ride.
• Taxis: Local cab companies including Taxi Assen (+31 592 342222) and Taxi Dorenbos (+31 592 355555) operate from the station rank and on dispatch. Rides within the urban area cost between €10.00 and €20.00. Public transit planning is supported nationwide by the 9292 app and NS app.

• Drents Museum (Brink 1) — Housed in a former 18th-century provincial government building and monastery complex with a modern subterranean wing. The museum contains renowned archaeological discoveries from northern Dutch peat bogs, including the 2,000-year-old Yde Girl, the Weerdinge Men, and the Pesse Canoe (carbon-dated to approximately 8000 BC, recognized as the world's oldest surviving boat). It also houses an extensive collection of 19th- and 20th-century realism and paintings from Vincent van Gogh's stay in Drenthe in 1883. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00–17:00. Admission is €15.00 for adults, free for visitors under 18.

• Landgoed Overcingel (Oostersingel 27) — An intact 18th-century country estate established in 1778, situated opposite the train station. The property includes a neoclassical manor house and a five-hectare English landscape park with historic trees, water features, and walking paths. The grounds are open daily during daylight hours; admission is €1.50 (automated token machine at the entrance gate).

• Bartje Statue (Brink) — A small bronze monument depicting Bartje Bartels, the rebellious fictional protagonist from the novel by local author Anne de Vries who famously refused to say grace over a bowl of brown beans. The figure serves as the unofficial mascot of the province of Drenthe.

• Asserbos (Bosrand / Stadsbroek) — One of the oldest planted woodlands in the Netherlands, spanning 100 hectares on the southwestern edge of the urban area. It features centuries-old oak and beech stands, ponds, walking circuits, and deer enclosures. Free entry daily.

• Duurzaamheidscentrum Assen (Bosrand 1) — Located at the northern entrance of the Asserbos, this eco-center houses educational exhibits on local biodiversity, a children's farm (stadsboerderij), and a 20-meter timber observation tower with panoramic views over the forest canopy. Open daily 09:00–17:00; admission is free.

• Jozefkerk (Kerkplein 1) — A neoclassical hall church built in 1848, featuring a distinctive wooden dome tower and a historic 19th-century Van Oeckelen pipe organ. Open for Sunday services and select cultural concerts.

• De Nieuwe Kolk (Weiersstraat 1) — The city's main modern cultural hub, containing a theatre, a multi-screen cinema, exhibition spaces, and the municipal public library. Ticket prices vary by performance and screening.

• Attend TT Circuit Assen Events (De Haar 9) — Experience motorcycle and auto races at the 4.555-kilometer track located 5 km south of the center. Major events include the Dutch TT MotoGP round in late June, the Superbike World Championship in April, the British Superbike round, and the annual TT Festival in the city center. General event tickets start from €15.00; MotoGP grandstand weekend tickets range from €75.00 to €160.00.

• Circuit Driving Experiences & Track Days (De Haar 9) — Outside competitive race weekends, the TT Circuit hosts motorcycle track days, track experience packages, and driving courses operated by CRT and Trackdays4all. Full-day track registrations start around €180.00 to €250.00.

• Cycle the Drenthe Heath and Megalith Routes — Follow the provincial knooppunten (numbered cycle node system) out from the Brink along the Drentsche Aa river valley or southwest toward the hunebedden (prehistoric dolmen tombs) around Rolde and Balloo. Route maps are available at the VVV Tourist Office (Marktstraat 8).

• Canoeing on the Peizerdiep and Drentsche Aa — Rent canoes and kayaks in nearby villages such as Loon or Vries to paddle through meandering lowland stream valleys. Rentals average €15.00 to €25.00 for a half-day.

• Restaurant New Delhi (Brink 23) — Popular restaurant overlooking the Brink serving North Indian specialties including chicken tikka masala, lamb rogan josh, tandoori grills, dal makhani, and vegetarian thalis. Price tier: Mid-range (€16.00–€24.00 per main).
• Touché Lunch en Diner (Markt 20) — French-European bistro facing the market square offering fresh seafood, beef tenderloin, seasonal asparagus, and multi-course chef's surprise menus. Price tier: Mid-range (€28.00–€42.00 for set menus).
• De Gulle Gans (Markt 18) — Classic Dutch and continental dining room known for seasonal Zeeland mussels, wild game, steaks, and regional beers. Price tier: Mid-range (€22.00–€35.00 per person).
• Bella Italia (Markt 4-6) — Casual Italian trattoria serving wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta dishes, calzones, and antipasti. Price tier: Budget to Mid-range (€12.00–€20.00 per main).
• Restaurant Bij Jaap (Markt 17) — Upscale culinary venue offering multi-course French-Dutch tasting menus paired with curated international wines. Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner. Price tier: Upscale (€48.00–€75.00 for 3- to 5-course menus).

• Café De Amer (Amen 20, 9 km south) — Iconic regional music pub and café known for live folk, blues, and acoustic concerts, along with an extensive Dutch and Belgian specialty beer list.
• De Hete Brij (Kerkplein 7) — Traditional Dutch brown café (bruin café) offering over 50 craft and abbey beers, local genever, and outdoor terrace seating.
• Grand Café De Brink (Brink 25) — Spacious café and terrace on the historic green, serving specialty coffees, draft pilsner, bitterballen, and lunchtime sandwiches.

• De Bonte Wever (Stadsbroek 17) — Large sports and leisure resort situated beside the Asserbos. Facilities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools with water slides, a bowling alley, fitness center, and multiple dining buffets. Nightly rates: €90.00–€140.00 (Budget to Mid-range).
• Van der Valk Hotel Assen (Balkenweg 1) — Modern hotel located adjacent to the A28 motorway exit and convenient for visitors traveling to the TT Circuit. Features air-conditioned rooms, an on-site brasserie, gym, and electric vehicle charging stations. Nightly rates: €95.00–€150.00 (Mid-range).
• Best Western Plus Hotel De Jonge (Brinkstraat 85) — Historic city-center hotel situated in the pedestrian shopping district, featuring updated executive rooms, a cocktail bar, and an on-site restaurant. Nightly rates: €110.00–€170.00 (Upscale).

• Groningen (30 km north; 17 minutes by NS train) — The vibrant cultural capital of the northern Netherlands, featuring the Groninger Museum of art, the historic Martinitoren bell tower, canal-side warehouses, and late-night university bars.
• Herinneringscentrum Kamp Westerbork (15 km south; 20 minutes by car or bus 22) — A sobering World War II memorial museum and preserved camp grounds commemorating the deportation of more than 100,000 Dutch Jews, Sinti, and Roma.
• Veenhuizen (15 km west; 20 minutes by car or bus 84) — A UNESCO World Heritage site and former 19th-century penal reform colony, home to the National Prison Museum (Het Nationaal Gevangenismuseum) and the Maallust craft brewery.
• Dwingelderveld National Park (25 km southwest; 25 minutes by car) — The largest wet heathland nature reserve in Western Europe, offering walking tracks, birdwatching hides, cycle paths, and two traditional sheep folds (schaapskudden).
• Bourtange (50 km east; 45 minutes by car) — A fortified star-shaped garrison village built in 1593 during the Eighty Years' War, featuring restored moats, ramparts, bastions, and military museums.