A Visitors' Guide to historical Arnhem
Any visit to Arnhem will focus on the events of 1944 – plan a visit to the John Frost bridge, named after the commander of the 2nd Parachute Battalion who held the bridge at Arnhem for four days, against overwhelming odds.
Arnhem also boasts a couple of airborne museums, charting the battle of Arnhem and telling the stories of the men who fought in the desperate battle – one in Arnhem itself, and one in Oosterbeek.
You may also wish to visit St. Eusebius’ Church. The original church was built during the 15th century but suffered significant damage during the battle of Arnhem and eventually collapsed. The church was rebuilt after the end of the war and was completed in 1964. Today its tower remains the tallest point in Arnhem and visitors can climb the tower and take in the spectacular views over the city.
All photos: Visit Arnhem
Getting there
Arnhem is roughly an hour’s journey via a direct train from Amsterdam-Centraal and Amsterdam Schipol Airport.
You can also get to Arnhem from west Germany from Duisburg, close to Essen, Dortmund and Düsseldorf.
If travelling from France and Belgium, most train routes, from Lille and Brussels for example, take you via Amsterdam or Utrecht.
When driving from the South, head to Antwerp, take the A27 north and then the A15 east, or the E34 and A67 to Eindhoven, and then the A50 north to Arnhem. Both of these journeys will take a little over two hours in good conditions.
Driving from Amsterdam takes a little over and hour, via the A1, A30 and A12. It is also possible to drive from west Germany – the most direct route is the A3.
Where to stay in Arnhem
There are a number of hotels, Airbnbs and bed and breakfasts throughout the region. Many can be found in the town centre – or Binnenstad – but for those who want to avoid the hustle and bustle, there are many locations in the villages around Arnhem.
For those interested in visiting the sites of the Second World War, booking a hotel in Oosterbeek will give easy access to our Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery and the nearby airborne museum.