Bezoek Apeldoorn in 2 dags

Where to Stay in Apeldoorn

Choosing where to stay in Apeldoorn really shapes your short trip: if you want easy mornings in the green and long, quiet afternoons after visiting sights, location matters more than frills. Pick a base that cuts travel time to the things you’ll do most often—this saves you stress and gives you more time to enjoy walks, cafés and the light in the parks. For a two-day visit, proximity is the simplest way to relax into the rhythm of the town.

Apeldoorn is compact and easy to read: a lively Centrum with shops and restaurants, broad residential avenues, and generous green belts and estates around the edges. The layout means you can combine urban convenience with nature without long transfers. Streets tend to be bike- and pedestrian-friendly, and many cultural highlights are within short cycles or steady walks, so think in terms of a small network rather than a sprawling city.

If your visit focuses on Oranjepark, consider staying in neighborhoods that make the park a short walk or cycle away. Nearby residential pockets offer calm evenings and quick access to green trails. Alternatively, choosing a place in the Centrum gives you dinner and nightlife options within easy reach while still being just a pleasant bike ride from the park. For the quietest, most nature-focused stay, look toward areas adjacent to Berg en Bos and other wooded fringes.

Transport is simple: Apeldoorn is well served by trains at Apeldoorn Central Station, and local buses link neighborhoods to parks and attractions. Renting a bike is often the fastest, most pleasant option for short hops—cycling here is safe and scenic—while a short taxi trip can bridge any inconvenient gap. Plan morning or late-afternoon journeys to avoid the small rushes and enjoy the city to yourself.

When choosing accommodation, prioritize location and a calm atmosphere over elaborate extras for a two-day stay. Aim for a place that feels safe, within easy reach of Oranjepark or the Centrum depending on your priorities, and with straightforward arrival from the station. That way you’ll spend less time worrying about logistics and more time exploring, strolling and relaxing in Apeldoorn’s welcoming green spaces.

Getting Around Apeldoorn

Apeldoorn is one of those Dutch cities that feels instantly navigable: punctual trains, frequent buses and compact streets make getting from A to B refreshingly simple 🚇. The city center is friendly to visitors and many timetables, signs and ticket machines offer English, so you won’t be left guessing. Trains here are run by NS and local buses by operators like Keolis, and both networks are designed to connect the station, the shopping streets and green spaces without complicated transfers.

A practical tip: bring or buy an OV-chipkaart if you’ll be taking more than one trip. It works on both trains and buses—tap in and out—and often gives a better per-trip price than single paper tickets 🎫. If you prefer not to carry a card, contactless bank cards and mobile wallets are increasingly accepted, and many operators offer single-use e-tickets in their apps. For short stays, consider renting an OV-fiets at the station for a very affordable and flexible way to explore parks and neighborhoods.

Plan with Google Maps—it’s reliable here for real-time departures, platform info and walking directions. I use it to check whether a bus is on time, which platform my intercity leaves from at Apeldoorn Station, and to get door-to-door instructions that include the short walk after you hop off. When the app shows a few minutes until departure, you can watch the display boards at the station and relax: Dutch punctuality usually means you’ll be on the move right on schedule.

If you’re watching your budget, mix walking and public transport. Apeldoorn is compact, so many sights are a pleasant walk; biking is cheap with OV-fiets or local rentals, and day passes or topping up an OV-chipkaart tends to be cheaper than buying multiple single tickets. Also, avoid buying paper tickets at the last minute—using the card or app streamlines boarding and can shave euros off several short trips.

One warm afternoon we arrived by train and wanted to reach Oranjepark. We checked Google Maps at the station, tapped our OV-chipkaart as we boarded a short local bus, watched for the announced stop and then enjoyed a five-minute walk down a tree-lined lane into the park. The whole trip took under 20 minutes, cost next to nothing with the card, and felt utterly straightforward—if we managed it jet-lagged, you will too 💡.

What to Pack for Apeldoorn

Apeldoorn is relaxed, green and easy to walk—think palace gardens, tidy parks and charming streets rather than hiking or long wilderness trips. I write from experience: one day I wandered Paleis Het Loo grounds, Stadspark and the city center and was out for 10+ hours, so these items kept me comfortable, powered and relaxed. Below are the essentials I always pack and why each one matters.

1. Comfortable walking shoes (REQUIRED — e.g., Ecco Soft 7, New Balance 574): Cobblestones, tree-lined park paths and gravel routes around the palace add up quickly. I once walked 10+ miles (16+ km) in Apeldoorn in a day; with supportive sneakers my feet felt fine the second day. Good soles and arch support prevent sore feet and blisters—simple as that.

2. Cross-body bag (anti-theft style like Pacsafe): Apeldoorn isn’t dangerous, but busy spots and markets attract opportunists. I use a zip-and-sling cross-body bag and once avoided fumbling at a kiosk by keeping my wallet and phone secure. It keeps essentials reachable while I photograph a garden or sip coffee.

3. Weather-appropriate layers (light waterproof + sweater): Dutch weather changes fast—sunny one hour, breezy and wet the next. A thin waterproof shell and a mid-layer saved me during a windy palace-grounds stroll when temperatures dropped. Layers mean you’re comfy whether you’re seated in a café or wandering a park.

4. Power adapter (Type C/E/F, 230V) and multi-USB travel charger: Netherlands outlets are Type C/F (230V). I forgot mine once and had to buy an adapter at the station—annoying and avoidable. A small adapter with 2 USB ports means you can charge phone and camera without hunting sockets in cafés.

5. Power bank (10,000 mAh recommended): Mapping, photos and Google Translate eat battery fast. My 10,000 mAh power bank kept my phone alive through a 12-hour outing to Paleis Het Loo and the surrounding parks—no frantic battery searching, just easy snapshots and directions all day.

6. Optional: compact umbrella and reusable water bottle: I always tuck a packable umbrella into my bag for surprise showers, and a reusable bottle is great for long strolls through parks (many refill stations or cafés will top you up). They’re small additions that save money and hassle on the go.