For the next charming Dutch town in our mini-series, it’s time for a day trip to Amersfoort. First off, we adore Amersfoort. It’s cute as a button, historic, walkable, and very laid-back — all in all, an ideal break from busy Amsterdam and one of our most recommended Dutch day trip options.
Amersfoort is located about 45 minutes from Amsterdam by train, and there are many direct trains that depart from Sloterdijk or Amsterdam Centraal daily.
The city has a lovely and well-preserved medieval center, picturesque canals, and a vibrant and friendly atmosphere. Whether you’re exploring the iconic Koppelpoort, strolling through the charming streets, or enjoying the lush parks and cool museums, a day here will absolutely fly by. Pack a lunch or check out one of the city’s many cute places to grab a bite, and enjoy!
Amersfoort, situated in the province of Utrecht (not to be confused with the city of Utrecht! Day trip guide coming soon…), has a history that spans over eight centuries, making it one of the country’s oldest cities.
The city’s origins can be traced back to the 11th century when it was a small settlement known as “Amesforde” along the Eem River. Its strategic location at the intersection of important trade routes allowed Amersfoort to grow in significance, and by the 13th century, it had become a bustling center of commerce, similar to other Dutch cities of that era.
In 1259, Amersfoort was granted municipal rights by the Bishop of Utrecht, which further accelerated its development. The city’s fortifications, including the iconic Koppelpoort—a land and water gate built around 1425—and the Muurhuizen (which translates to “wall houses”), were constructed to protect its inhabitants from external threats. These defenses proved crucial during the tumultuous medieval period, as Amersfoort faced numerous sieges and conflicts. And today, when we are thankfully way less worried about sieges, they are absolutely charming to look at and a really neat reminder of times gone by.
During the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, Amersfoort also experienced a period of prosperity and a cultural flourishing. The city’s textile industry thrived, and its merchants played a significant role in the broader economic success of the Dutch Republic during this time. This era also saw the construction of many of Amersfoort’s most notable architectural landmarks, including the Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren (Our Lady’s Tower), another must-see on a visit today.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Amersfoort became an important railway hub, connecting it to other major Dutch cities. Like many Dutch cities, Amersfoort experienced significant hardship and occupation during World War II. The city was occupied by German forces in May 1940, shortly after the Netherlands was invaded. Amersfoort was also sadly the site of a transit camp, Kamp Amersfoort, which was established by the Nazis in 1941. Initially used as a police camp, it later became a transit point for political prisoners, resistance fighters, and Jews who were eventually sent to larger concentration camps. Amersfoort was finally liberated by Canadian forces in April 1945. We really recommend the photo exhibition at the Museum Flehite to learn more about this period.
Today, Amersfoort is a vibrant blend of “old meets new”. Its well-preserved medieval center coexists harmoniously with contemporary developments near the central train station. In 2023, the city was named the European City of the Year by the Academy of Urbanism, highlighting the city’s exceptional urban development, sustainability efforts, and innovative management practices, particularly one enhancing the well-being of residents through initiatives like limiting car use. Indeed, something we really noticed as we strolled around was the lack of cars! This truly makes any visit so much more pleasant, and we wish more cities would undertake similar initiatives.
Amersfoort is one of our favorite Dutch towns, and a day trip we wholeheartedly recommend from Amsterdam. It’s close by and not nearly as touristy as other day trip options, with ample museums, parks, and things to do.
There are loads of NS “sprinter” and “intercity” trains departing from Amsterdam Centraal or Amsterdam Sloterdijk that stop in Amersfoort. The journey takes about 45-55 minutes, and the trains are super regular, once every 15-20 minutes or so. Once you arrive at the Amersfoort central train station, it’s a quick 15-ish minute walk to the city center.
Recommended Reading
Top Things to Do in Amersfoort
Check out a few museums:
For such a small city, Amersfoort is not lacking in the museum department. All located within easy walking distance of each other, we really enjoyed meandering around town and popping into each one. A few museums to visit while you’re here include:
- Museum Flehite: This museum is dedicated to the history and art of Amersfoort and its surrounding region, including the photographic exhibition about Amersfoort in World War II that we mentioned earlier. It houses a diverse collection of artifacts, paintings, and documents that provide a neat overview of the city’s heritage, and the building it’s housed in is absolutely lovely.
- Kunsthal KAdE: A contemporary art museum that features a variety of modern and contemporary art exhibitions. It’s a great place to explore innovative and thought-provoking works by both local and international artists, and be sure to check out what traveling exhibit is there before you visit!
- Mondriaanhuis: This was definitely a highlight of our day– Dedicated to the life and work of the famous Dutch artist Piet Mondrian, this museum provides insight into his early years and his artistic development and is housed in his birthplace! We didn’t know that Mondrian was from Amersfoort prior to visiting, and the museum is superb– packed with information about his family, his life, his love of music, and the shifts in his art over time. They even recreated his Paris studio! Truly this museum is a must-see, we really enjoyed it.
- Cavaleriemuseum: This museum is housed in a former cavalry barracks and offers a glimpse into the history of the Dutch cavalry. It features a variety of exhibits, including uniforms, weapons, and historical artifacts. Unfortunately it was closed the day that we visited, but we figured we’d mention it anyway for military history fans.
Explore the city center
Amersfoort is definitely in top contention for being one of our favorite cities in the Netherlands, competing with a few other favorites like Den Bosch and Haarlem. Especially on a sunny day, the city feels so open and quaint, and the lack of cars in the city center felt like walking around a movie set of the perfect little town. We really recommend just meandering around the city center, but here are some must-sees to make sure you keep an eye out for as well:
- Koppelpoort: This iconic medieval gate is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Amersfoort (and arguably in the Netherlands as well). Built in the 14th century, it served as part of the city’s defensive walls and is a really cool example of surviving medieval architecture. To our knowledge, there isn’t really anything super similar to this that we’ve seen in the Netherlands (please please tell us if we’re wrong here!), and we found it super cool!
- Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren: This towering church tower, known locally as the “Lange Jan,” offers panoramic views of the city. You can climb the 346 steps to the top for vistas of the city and its surroundings if you’d like, but the view from the ground is quite imposing as well.
- Muurhuizen: These unique houses are built into the old city walls and offer a charming glimpse into the city’s past, complete with individual house numbers and quaint doors.
- Sint-Joriskerk: AKA St. George’s Church, this church was originally constructed in the 14th century and is a beautiful example of late Gothic architecture– in fact, its striking exterior is a reflection of the prosperity and importance of Amersfoort during the period it was built.
- Hof: This picturesque square is surrounded by historic buildings and is a great place to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. There are loads of little cafés and restaurants here as well, but we thought they looked a bit touristy.
If you have a bit more time or brought a little picnic lunch with you, Amersfoort has several beautiful parks and gardens to enjoy. The Stadspark and the Bisschopswetering are particularly popular spots.
Amersfoort is currently vying for the top spot for places to visit for the day when you’re in the Netherlands in our book. It’s a truly ideal day trip from Amsterdam if you have some time to explore the region while you’re here, and a great option for those seeking something a bit less touristy than places like Haarlem or Utrecht.
Keep an eye out for the next few Amsterdam day trips coming your way soon– we’ve got Delft, Gouda, Utrecht, and more queued up! In the meantime, you can pin this guide for later on Pinterest here or by clicking on the photos below.
Don’t miss our other day trip guides to cute-as-a-button Zaanse Schans and sophisticated Den Haag (the Hague.) Speaking of tulips… our guide to Keukenhof will give you all the best tips for a stress-free visit to the world capital of tulips.
