Winterswijk Market Square (Markt)

Winterswijk lies in the Achterhoek, the eastern corner of Gelderland, close to the German border, and its market square is the centre of the town's social life. The Markt is a broad open space with the Jacobskerk, the main church of the town, rising at one side, along with the town hall and a ring of shops, terraces and cafes. The square has been a meeting place for centuries, and its role as a gathering point for farmers, traders and residents is still strong. A visit on market day is the best way to see the town at its liveliest.

The market is held twice a week, on Wednesday mornings and on Saturdays. The Wednesday market is smaller and more practical, serving residents who need daily groceries, while Saturday's is larger, with many more stalls spread across the square and the neighbouring streets. Traders sell fresh vegetables and fruit, fish, cheese, bread, flowers, clothes and household goods, as well as regional specialities. Stalls offering stroopwafels, oliebollen and other traditional snacks are among the favourites, and the aroma of fresh baking drifts over the square. The vendors are known for their friendliness, and a conversation about the best cheese or the ripest strawberries is part of the experience. The market has a reputation as a cosy and welcoming one, and many people from the surrounding villages come in to shop.

The setting adds to the atmosphere. Around the square, terraces serve coffee, cake and light meals, and on a sunny Saturday they fill with people who sit and watch the activity. The church and the historic buildings give the scene a backdrop, and the nearby streets have independent shops. Because the town is small, the market feels like an event for the whole community.

Winterswijk has more to offer, as it lies in some of the most varied landscape in the Netherlands, with woods, meadows, small farms and a quarry that has yielded fossils from an ancient sea. Walking and cycling routes cross the countryside, the Museum Het Hoogeland tells about the region, and the Sint-Stephanuskerk and Kasteel Ruurlo, in a neighbouring municipality, are other places to visit. The countryside is charming in all seasons.

The market suits food lovers, families, couples and anyone who likes local atmosphere. Arrive in the morning for the best choice, bring a bag and some cash, and plan to have a coffee on the square. Parking is available within walking distance in the town.