Deventer is a beautiful Dutch town located on the east bank of the river Ijssel. With a population of just over 100 000, the charm and personality in this quaint little place has been preserved for over hundreds of years. Home to some of the countries oldest brick houses, parks and academic libraries, the heritage here is strong. There are trains to Deventer from major cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, Zwolle, Arnhem, The Hague, Berlin and Hamburg, so getting here is fairly easy.
Here are five things to do things when in Deventer.
- WANDER THE STREETS AND ALLEYWAYS
There’s something magical about wandering through little Dutch towns. You never know what you might find – little craft and book stores, local delicatessens and even a French cafe. Take some time out and just stroll through the alleyways and back streets of Deventer. It’s especially magical after dark.
- EXPLORE THE BRINK
The Brink is the central square of Deventer where a great amount of bars and cafes can be found lining the streets. There is also an open air market on weekends where locals can buy their fresh produce.
- FIND THE DEVENTER KOEKWINKEL (CAKE SHOP)
Deventer cake is made from a secret old recipe that dates back to the 15th century. Visit the Deventer Cake Shop near Grote Overstraat to taste some of this delicious cake.
- STICK AROUND FOR SEASONAL EVENTS
The weekend before Christmas is a special time in this little town as more than 350 characters from famous books of Charles Dickens come to life. The entire town is transformed into a 19th century novel complete with Scrooge, Mr Pickwick and Oliver Twist walking around (read more here).
- TAKE IN THE BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURE
One of the most beautiful things about Deventer is the ancient architecture. From monuments, to churches and museums, there are tons of beautiful buildings to photograph at all hours of the day or night. Here you will find the oldest stone house in Holland, the oldest library as well as the oldest park.