Emmen

Emmen lies in the southeast of Drenthe, close to the German border, on the sandy ridge of the Hondsrug. For most of its history it was a rural village and part of a landscape of peat bogs, and the peat industry shaped the land and the economy of the region for centuries. A large-scale expansion in the 20th century, when new housing and industry arrived, turned Emmen into the largest town in the province. Today it is best known for its family attractions and green spaces, and as a gateway to the natural and cultural treasures of Drenthe.

The standout attraction is Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen, a large wildlife park that combines naturalistic animal habitats with adventure-themed zones. It started in 1935 as a modest regional animal park and was rebuilt and renamed Wildlands in the 2010s. Visitors can travel through the jungle of Jungola, the savannah of Serenga and the polar landscape of Nortica, meeting elephants, lions, penguins and many other animals, and there are boat rides, interactive exhibits and play areas such as the Rimbula River that make it popular with families and animal lovers.

Emmen’s cultural heritage is shown at the Veenpark in Barger-Compascuum, an open-air museum that recreates the life of Drenthe’s peat workers with historic buildings, working windmills and demonstrations of traditional crafts. The Emmerdennen forest, on the edge of town, is a green area with walking and cycling trails and playgrounds, and it holds Hunebed D45, one of the largest megalithic tombs in the region. These tombs, built by farming communities about 5,000 years ago, are the oldest monuments in the Netherlands, and the Hondsrug area has been recognised as a geopark because of them. The town centre offers modern shopping, dining and entertainment, with the Raadhuisplein as a hub for markets, festivals and community events, and a Kinepolis cinema for rainy evenings.

Outdoor activities are easy to find in and around Emmen. The countryside is crisscrossed with cycling and hiking routes that lead to nature reserves, quiet villages and other hunebedden. The Barger-Compascuum area is a good place to see what remains of the peat landscape, and the Drentsche Aa National Park, a stream valley further north in Drenthe, is a popular area for birdwatching and canoeing within a longer day trip. Emmen’s parks and gardens, among them Rensenpark, offer places for picnics and relaxation.

The events calendar includes festivals, concerts and cultural celebrations, among them an annual Butterfly Festival and the Emmen Culinair food event. The mixed population and welcoming atmosphere make it easy for visitors to feel at home, whether they are exploring museums, enjoying local food or strolling the leafy streets.

Getting to Emmen is straightforward. Direct trains run from Zwolle, and visitors coming from Groningen usually change on the way, while good roads link Emmen with the rest of Drenthe and the Netherlands. The town is compact and easy to navigate on foot or by bike, and rentals are widely available. Parking is ample for visitors arriving by car.

The best time to visit Emmen is from May to September, when the weather is mild and the outdoor attractions, parks and festivals are at their best. Spring brings blossom and lively markets, while summer and early autumn offer long days and a festive atmosphere. Winter is quiet, but the forest paths and hunebedden are atmospheric in frost.

Whether the interest is wildlife, prehistory or the green landscapes of Drenthe, Emmen is a varied and family-friendly Dutch destination.