Assen: City History, Forests and Holiday Apartments

City History, Museums and Motor Racing

The Drents Museum displays unique archaeological collections from cultures around the world. From there, at the Brink, the “Stad der Paleizen” city walk begins. The 3.2-kilometre route explores Assen’s history, from the Maria in Campis monastery to the arrival of King Lodewijk Napoleon. This allows culture enthusiasts to combine a museum visit with a walk that takes in two distinct historical points of reference in the city.

The Drents Archief also offers a special perspective on history, but with a focus on original sources: groups can take guided tours of the historic building and view documents in the underground depot. These include historical maps, diaries and medieval documents. If you are interested in such sources, this group visit provides a distinct complement to the museum’s archaeological focus.

Assen’s motor-racing history can be dated precisely: in 1955, the 25th Dutch TT was held on a then-new, 7.7-kilometre racetrack located entirely within the municipality of Assen. The TT Circuit Assen hosts numerous motorcycle racing events; their dates vary. If you want to include a race in your travel plans, check the event dates for your stay.

The railway station also provides practical guidance on arrival. It is a ten-minute walk from the station to the city centre. Mannes, a six-metre-tall wooden dog, stands in the station forecourt; the new station building has a striking wooden roof. This stop combines practical arrival planning with two distinctive details to look out for on your way into the city.

Forest Paths, Gardens and Nature Experiences

The Asserbos is one of the oldest forests in the Netherlands. Hiking trails pass the Hertenkamp, two duck ponds and the Stadsboerderij. The forest is also home to the Duurzaamheidscentrum, which has a rotating exhibition on sustainability. Children can enjoy a treasure hunt, a play area and a craft activity there. Themed walks ranging from 1.5 to 15 kilometres start at the centre; individual routes may change. This lets you combine a nature theme with a specific activity without all the walks being the same length.

Landgoed Valkenstijn offers a different landscape: the estate covers almost ten hectares, and walking paths wind beneath old trees, through avenues, along hedgerows and across expansive meadows. Families can also enjoy a pump track and an animal pasture there. This mix of paths and leisure activities gives you a distinct focus for your day alongside the city forest.

The woodland belonging to Landgoed Overcingel is an old Drenthe-type forest with oaks and holly. The Gouverneurstuin lies in the middle of the city centre, where visitors can relax on the lawn. “Het Huisje in de Tuin” adds another historical touch: the tea pavilion dates from 1874 and serves a variety of sweets and other snacks.

Which Tour Suits Your Stay?

Assen offers walks of varying lengths through different landscapes. The route around Baggelhuizerplas runs along the water and through the forest. Another option is the Assen (Baggelhuizen) mountain-bike route: it is just under nine kilometres long, marked with red MTB signs and rated as a blue route of moderate difficulty. Markings and conditions may change, so check the details before setting out. The paths along the water and through the forest suit different preferences, while the MTB information gives you specific guidance on distance and difficulty.

If you would like to combine cycling with other experiences, VVV Assen offers cycling and walking routes, various packages and regional products from Drenthe. One package combines a 40-kilometre cycling route through the Drentsche Aa area with a visit to the Drents Museum and lunch. As package components may change, it is worth checking the current offer if this combination is important to your plans.

When choosing your accommodation, you can start by considering which experiences you want to focus on: city history and museums, forest paths and nature, or an active cycling trip. Assen offers different ways to enjoy these, but every trip does not need to give equal weight to all the themes. Look for a holiday apartment that suits your planned daily rhythm and choose the focus that matters most to your travel group.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Zeijerveen, Loon.

Back to the main travel overview: Assen.