Zutphen

Zutphen is located in a river valley at the river IJssel, a sidebranch from the branch of the Rhine known as the Nederrijn. The small river Berkel (no shipping possible) as well as the major Twentekanaal (canal) flow into the IJssel near Zutphen. The city lies at the border of the hilly forested Veluwe region and the more flat and agricultural Achterhoek. The language spoken is Dutch; nearly everyone speaks English, and German is widely understood. By public transit

By Train

Zutphen is connected to the Dutch railway network, with regular train services from major cities including Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam. The station is typically within cycling distance or a short walk from the town center.

By Car / Road

Zutphen is well-connected by Dutch highways and regional roads. Ample parking is available on the outskirts of the town center. Regular bus services connect Zutphen to neighboring towns and cities.

Inside the city center, everything is within walking distance. The railway station is located 200 meters away from the edge of the old city center. Walking from one side of the city center to the other side takes about 20 to 30 minutes. For the rest of the city, and for the surrounding area, the best way to get around is definitely . You can rent bicycles at the railway station's bicycle depot , which is not very expensive and offers excellent bicycles. You can find it by turning left when you leave the station; the bicycle depot is located in a space under the railway station, next to the ING Bank. Most bicycle shops in town will also rent bicycles. Parking a car in Zutphen is possible, but may be difficult on some days (such as Saturdays and market days). In the city center, expect to have to pay for your parking spot. Your best chance for a parking spot is at the parking lot in front of the Albert Heijn XL supermarket, at the edge of the city center. Directly north of the railway station, close to the river IJssel, there is a free parking lot with 80 spots from which it is a 10 to 15-minute walk to the city center. This parking lot is accessible via the rear entrance of the train station.

for times and prices.

Visit the weekly markets. A large market is held on Thursday morning, breaking up at around 13:00 (1 PM); a smaller market is held on Saturday throughout the day. The Thursday morning market is one of the biggest in the country. Hire a bike (railway station), head out over the old bridge, turn right, and pushbike along the most beautiful riverdike, an oasis of quiet and nature. A gem mainly the locals know and really worth it.

There are many restaurants in Zutphen in all price classes, ranging from fast-food restaurants (McDonalds) to expensive Italian restaurants. There are also Turkish, Italian, Egyptian, Chinese and Greek restaurants in the city. Many restaurants are located on the market square. Restaurant "'t Schulten Hues" situated at 's Gravenhof 5-7 is awarded a Michelin star of excellence. Close to the Wijnhuistoren (Whine house tower) lies the 'Volkshuis' (People's House), a small cafe ran by mentally handicapped people who work there in a specially guided environment. Their apple pies are world-famous, and the Queen highly recommended it as well.

The city is full of small cafes and bars, some of them open until the early morning hours. The atmosphere is usually friendly and relaxed. Many cafes can be found in the Nieuwstad quarter, in the small streets of the old city center and on the market square. that opened in 2007, (and a McDonald's) on the De Mars industrial area, north-west of the city center. It can be reached on foot easily by crossing the major rail-road crossing opposite the large lake north of the city center and just below the Hanzehof theater, or from the northern (back) exit of the railway station.

There are several hotels in Zutphen, mainly multiple star graded (*** and ****). Hampshire Hotel - 's Gravenhof Zutphen [... truncated ...]

The town center features a selection of Dutch high-street retailers and independent boutiques. A weekly market is typically held in the central square, offering fresh produce, cheese, flowers, and regional specialties. Look for local delicacies such as artisan cheese, stroopwafels, and traditional baked goods.

• Nearby towns in Gelderland — Explore neighboring communities and their unique character
• Amsterdam — The capital city is within easy reach by train for a day trip
• Other Dutch cities — The excellent rail network connects Zutphen to cities across the Netherlands