- John Frost Bridge was the "bridge too far" of Operation Market Garden
- The Airborne Museum and war cemetery are at Oosterbeek, a short bus ride west
- The Dutch Open Air Museum and Burgers' Zoo are both on the north edge of town
- Direct trains from Amsterdam take about an hour
- Airports
- Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), Weeze (NRN), Eindhoven (EIN)
- Best time to go
- May-September
- Type
- City
Arnhem, the capital of Gelderland, sits on the Lower Rhine at the southern edge of the Veluwe forest. For many British visitors the name is inseparable from September 1944, when British and Polish airborne troops landed nearby to seize the Rhine bridge during Operation Market Garden. The battle, later told in the film A Bridge Too Far, still shapes the city's identity.
Arnhem itself was badly damaged and rebuilt, so it is less about old streets and more about green space, museums and a relaxed café culture. With the Veluwe and the Kröller-Müller Museum close by, it makes an excellent base for a few days. Read our Netherlands guide for more.
Things to do in Arnhem
- John Frost Bridge – the rebuilt road bridge over the Rhine, named after the British officer whose battalion held its northern end. Information panels and a visitor centre nearby explain the battle.
- Airborne Museum Hartenstein – in Oosterbeek, in the villa that served as the British divisional headquarters. Its immersive Airborne Experience is very well done.
- Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery – the Commonwealth war cemetery where many of those who fell in the battle are buried. It is a moving, beautifully kept place.
- Nederlands Openluchtmuseum – the Dutch Open Air Museum brings together historic farmhouses, windmills, workshops and a vintage tram in a large wooded park, with demonstrations in season.
- Burgers' Zoo – one of the best zoos in the Netherlands, known for its indoor rainforest, desert and ocean habitats.
- Eusebiuskerk – the large church in the centre, rebuilt after the war, has a tower with a glass lift and viewing balconies.
- Sonsbeek Park – a landscaped park of ponds, streams and woodland right beside the centre.
- Klarendal (Modekwartier) – a neighbourhood known for independent fashion designers, small shops and cafés.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| City centre | Shops, restaurants and the Rhine riverside within walking distance |
| Near Sonsbeek and the station | Leafy streets with easy trains to Amsterdam and Nijmegen |
| Oosterbeek | Quiet village setting, ideal if your trip focuses on Market Garden sites |
| Veluwe edge (north of the city) | Countryside hotels and holiday parks close to the national parks |
Getting there
Most UK visitors fly to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) and take the train to Arnhem Centraal, which takes around an hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. Some international trains from Amsterdam to Germany also stop at Arnhem. Weeze (NRN) in Germany and Eindhoven (EIN) are alternatives, each about an hour away by road; check current UK routes.
Rail travellers can take the Eurostar to Amsterdam or Rotterdam and change. Drivers from the Hook of Holland should allow about 1.5-2 hours, or around four hours from Calais.
Best time to visit
May to September is best for the parks, the Open Air Museum and cycling on the Veluwe. Mid-September is the time of the annual Airborne commemorations, including the Airborne March and ceremonies at Oosterbeek, which are moving to attend but book accommodation early. Late August often sees the heather in bloom nearby.
hire a bike for a day. The routes from Arnhem to Oosterbeek and north into the Veluwe are flat-to-gently-rolling and well signposted.
Top attractions in Arnhem
MuseumAnne Frank House
The canal house where Anne Frank hid for two years and wrote her diary, now a moving museum on the Prinsengracht.
MuseumRijksmuseum
The Netherlands' national museum, home to Rembrandt's The Night Watch, Vermeer's The Milkmaid and 800 years of Dutch…
Arnhem on the map
Frequently asked questions
What happened at Arnhem in 1944?
During Operation Market Garden, the British 1st Airborne Division and Polish paratroopers tried to capture and hold the Rhine bridge at Arnhem. Only a small force reached it, and after days of fierce fighting the survivors were forced to withdraw.
How do you get from Arnhem to Oosterbeek?
Local buses run frequently from Arnhem Centraal, taking around 15-20 minutes, and there is also a train station at Oosterbeek. Cycling is easy too.
Is Arnhem a good base for the Hoge Veluwe National Park?
Yes. The Schaarsbergen entrance is just north of the city, and buses run towards the park in season.
How long should you spend in Arnhem?
Two or three days lets you see the war sites, the Open Air Museum and Burgers' Zoo, and spend a day on the Veluwe.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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