Dordrecht

The English newspaper The Times once referred to the city of Dordrecht as a 'hidden gem' and we totally agree!

Dordrecht received city rights as early as 1220, making it one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. Park your bicycle in the centre, follow the 'Rondje Dordt' walking route and discover all the beautiful places in the city in five kilometres. The charming historical city will surprise you at every corner. You will find special shops, old inner city harbours and more than 1000 monuments. A must is to climb the 275 steps of the Grote Kerk and see Dordrecht at your feet.

The city of Dordrecht was not always on an island. In 1421, the dykes were weakened by the many peat dykes in the polder landscape. The enormous waves of the Sint Elisabethflood caused the dykes to break. The water flowed up to the city walls and Dordrecht became detached from the mainland.

In the past centuries, the hinterland of the city was reclaimed and beautiful nature was created. Deviate a few kilometres from the cycle route and visit National Park De Biesbosch, the unique water-rich natural landscape is more than worth it. Do you prefer to follow the route? The cycle route takes you directly to the Nieuwe Dordtse Biesbosch. What was an agricultural area until a few years ago, is now a Biesbosch-like nature reserve where the island history is clearly reflected. Nature has free rein here and this attracts special birds, which feel very much at home here.

On the island of Dordt, man and nature, rich in water, are inseparable and you can tell!