Westerbork

For the Dutch, the name Westerbork is inseparably linked to the horrors of World War II, as the Germans operated a large transit camp (Kamp Westerbork) just a few kilometres outside the village, near Hooghalen. Some 102,000 Jews and Roma were transported from here to extermination camps; only about 5,000 survived. Today, the Herinneringscentrum Kamp Westerbork (Memorial Centre) stands on the former camp grounds as a powerful museum and memorial, drawing thousands of visitors annually.

The village of Westerbork itself, home to about 4,700 people, is a pleasant and welcoming place with a range of facilities for visitors. It serves as an excellent base for exploring the surrounding Drenthe countryside by bike or on foot, and the Papercutting Museum adds a lighter cultural note. Despite its heavy historical burden, Westerbork manages to balance remembrance with the quiet rhythms of contemporary Drenthe village life.

By Plane

Groningen Airport Eelde (GRQ IATA) is about 35 km north of Westerbork, about a 35-minute drive.

By Train

Westerbork does not have a railway station. The nearest station is Beilen, on the Zwolle–Groningen line (half-hourly Intercity and Sprinter services). From Beilen, bus line 22 connects to Westerbork village (hourly service).

By Car / Road

The village is served by the N374 provincial road, which connects to the N381 expressway and onwards to the A28 motorway. Cycling signs are abundant, making it easy to reach by bike from anywhere in Drenthe.

To reach Kamp Westerbork memorial centre: Do not approach via Westerbork village. From the south, take exit 31 Westerbork from the A28 in the direction of Beilen, turn left onto N381 after 300 m, and follow signs. From the north, take Assen-Zuid exit toward Hooghalen and follow signs.

Westerbork village is small and easily explored on foot or by bike. The camp memorial centre is 10 km north of the village and almost 2 km east of Hooghalen. You must park at the memorial centre and walk the 2.7 km educational path to the actual camp site (wheelchairs available). Special buses run between the memorial centre and the camp site (€1.50/€2 single/return).

• Herinneringscentrum Kamp Westerbork (Oosthalen 8, Hooghalen) — The memorial centre and museum documenting the camp's history as a transit camp from 1942–1945. Features partial reconstructions of the camp layout and powerful monuments. The commander's house is the only original camp building remaining.

• Stefanuskerk (Church of St. Stephen) (Hoofdstraat 10) — Built in the early 15th century, the lower parts of its tower date to the 13th century. Features paintings by local artist Reinhart Dozy.

• Papercutting Museum (Burg. G. van Weezelplein 10) — A small but engaging museum dedicated to the art of papercutting, with displays ranging from centuries-old designs to contemporary work. Visitors can try papercutting themselves. Summer: M 13:30–17:00, Tu–F 10:00–17:00.

• Walking and cycling through the region. The tourist office provides route maps; downloadable options include a tour retracing the footsteps of Anne Frank (53 or 44 km).

• Visit the Kamp Westerbork memorial and walk the educational path from the memorial centre to the camp site.

Several restaurants and cafés are available in the village centre, catering to the steady flow of visitors to the memorial centre.

Westerbork has cafés in the village centre where visitors can relax after visiting the memorial site.

• Several B&Bs and small hotels are available in Westerbork and the surrounding area, popular during the summer season.

The village centre around B.G. van Weezelplein and Hoofdstraat has a useful range of small stores, including a Jumbo supermarket.

• Beilen (10 km) — Nearest railway town with connections to Zwolle and Groningen.
• Assen (25 km) — Drenthe's capital with the Drents Museum and TT Circuit.
• Emmen (30 km) — Home to Wildlands Adventure Zoo.
• Orvelte (15 km) — An open-air museum village with historic houses and traditional crafts.
• Dwingelderveld National Park (20 km) — The largest wet heathland in Western Europe.