Discover Straelen

Straelen combines a distinctive urban history with routes into the landscape of the Straelener Veen. From the Way of St. James westward from the town centre to the parish church of St. Peter and Paul, there are various ways to get to know the area. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Straelen, the planned mix of exploring the town, walking in the countryside and joining a guided tour can help you choose a starting point.

The Way of St. James and the Straelener Veen

The Straelen section of the Way of St. James heads west from the town centre: the route descends via Grenzweg into the Maas lowlands, the Straelener Veen. The area was once moorland and swamp forest; today its landscape is shaped by grassland, ditches and small woods. The specific route thus connects a starting point in town with a landscape whose present-day features differ markedly from its former character. The Way of St. James to Santiago de Compostela also passes through Straelen.

Another walking option is the Smugglers’ Path in Straelen-Kastanienburg, between Straelen and Velden. The 2.6-kilometre route passes through meadows and fields, follows a ditch and goes through woodland. You can explore it on your own or book a guided tour. The Smugglers’ Path therefore offers two ways to explore, while its length provides a practical guide for planning your day. As trail conditions may change, check them before setting out.

Urban history and notable places

Originally partly Romanesque, the parish church of St. Peter and Paul acquired its form, which still strongly shapes the town’s skyline, in 1498 after being shelled and captured by the troops of the future Emperor Maximilian I. This sequence encompasses several historical layers: a partly Romanesque origin, the upheaval of 1498 and the silhouette that continues to define the town today.

The Green Couch is another distinctive feature of the townscape. It has stood on a plinth in front of Straelen Town Hall since 2001. Compared with the parish church’s long architectural history, it is a more recent, contemporary landmark in the public realm.

The European Translation Centre is also part of Straelen’s cultural profile. It is regarded as the world’s first and largest international working centre for literary translators. Visits are currently not possible due to extensive construction work.

Guided tours and cycling trips

Guided tours offer different ways to discover Straelen: on foot through the town centre, by bicycle through the Lower Rhine countryside or by bus through the horticultural region. All three introduce visitors to the area, but each has a different focus. Check with the town in advance to see whether your preferred tour is currently available.

From April to October, guided GreenCity cycling trips are also available in open groups. They take place on the first Saturday of the month and the following Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; exceptions are possible. The starting point is Straelen’s market square. Check the latest tour information before making plans so you can confirm the dates.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Straelen, your planned destinations can help guide your choice: the market square is the starting point for the GreenCity cycling trips, Kastanienburg is the location given for the Smugglers’ Path, and the described Way of St. James route begins in the town centre. This lets you choose accommodation to suit your itinerary without treating different tours and landscapes as a single focus.

Cycling in the wider destination of Kleve

The wider destination of Kleve offers a cycling perspective at district level: Kleve District has more than 1,500 kilometres of cycling routes and numerous themed trails. The signposted Niers Cycle Route is 128 kilometres long and runs from the source of the Niers in Mönchengladbach through the districts of Viersen and Kleve to the municipality of Gennep in the Netherlands. A pocket planner shows all the junctions in Kleve District when unfolded and includes information about how the district-wide junction network works. These details provide broader guidance for planning cycling trips in the wider destination of Kleve.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Rheurdt, Rees, Wachtendonk, Kerken, Geldern, Kleve, Goch, Issum.

Back to the main travel overview: Kleve.