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7-day itinerary

Drenthe Highlights Tour

7-day tour of Drenthe's nature, history, and villages

Length
7 days · 14 sights
Pace
Moderate
Estimated cost
€415 per person
Based in
Drenthe

Day by day

  1. Day 1: Arrival in Assen & Urban Nature

    Begin your Drenthe journey in the provincial capital. Explore the city center, visit the historic church, and unwind in the Asserbos forest.

    • 10:00

      Visit Jacobuskerk

      Explore the historic church in Grolloo, a central landmark in the municipality of Aa en Hunze.

      About 60 min

    • 11:30

      Walk in Asserbos

      Enjoy a peaceful walk through the natural forest surrounding Assen. Perfect for a relaxing start.

      About 2 hours

    • 14:00

      TT Circuit Assen Exterior

      View the famous motorcycle racing circuit. Even if no race is happening, the atmosphere and history are palpable.

      About 1.5 hours

    Meals:
    Lunch at Assen City Center; Dinner at Assen Downtown
    Where to stay:
    Stay in Assen for easy access to public transport and city amenities.
    Getting around:
    Walking and local bus within Assen. Car not strictly necessary for Day 1.

  2. Day 2: Prehistoric History & Radio Astronomy

    Travel north to explore ancient dolmens and the unique Dwingeloo Radio Telescope.

    • 09:00

      Drive to Dwingeloo

      Drive from Assen to Dwingeloo (approx. 45 mins).

      About 60 min

    • 10:30

      Dwingeloo Radio Telescope

      Visit the world’s oldest rotating 25m radio telescope. Learn about its history and astronomical significance.

      About 1.5 hours

    • 13:00

      Hunebed D52 in Diever

      See one of the best-preserved dolmens in Drenthe, surrounded by informative signage about prehistoric life.

      About 60 min

    • 15:00

      OERmuseum West-Drenthe

      Explore prehistoric artifacts and natural history exhibits in Diever.

      About 2 hours

    Meals:
    Lunch at Dwingeloo Village; Dinner at Diever or nearby
    Where to stay:
    Stay in Diever or Dwingeloo for a quieter, rural experience.
    Getting around:
    Car is essential for this day due to scattered rural locations.

  3. Day 3: Peat Heritage & Blues Rock

    Discover the history of peat digging and the local music scene in Grolloo and Veenhuizen.

    • 09:30

      Turf Barge and Old Power Station

      Visit Veenhuizen to see historic peat transport vessels and the old power station.

      About 1.5 hours

    • 12:00

      C+B Museum Grolloo

      A unique museum dedicated to the Dutch blues-rock band Cuby + Blizzards.

      About 60 min

    • 14:00

      Joytime Adventure Park

      Enjoy outdoor climbing and zipline activities in Grolloo.

      About 2 hours

    Meals:
    Lunch at Grolloo; Dinner at Emmen
    Where to stay:
    Move to Emmen for the next day's zoo activities.
    Getting around:
    Car recommended for flexibility between Veenhuizen and Grolloo.

  4. Day 4: Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen

    Dedicate the full day to one of Europe's largest indoor jungle zoos.

    • 09:30

      Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen

      Spend the day exploring the world’s largest indoor jungle, safari rides, and Jungola.

      About 8 hours

    • 13:00

      Lunch inside Zoo

      Dine at one of the zoo's restaurants.

      About 60 min

    Meals:
    Lunch at Inside Wildlands Zoo; Dinner at Emmen City Center
    Where to stay:
    Stay in Emmen.
    Getting around:
    Walking within the zoo. Car for getting to/from Emmen center.

  5. Day 5: Emmen Culture & Nature

    Explore Emmen's urban parks, cinema, and scenic rivers.

    • 09:30

      Rensenpark

      Stroll through this urban park that blends nature and culture.

      About 1.5 hours

    • 11:30

      Rimbula River Walk

      Walk along the scenic river near Emmen’s prehistoric hunebedden.

      About 60 min

    • 14:00

      Kinepolis Emmen

      Relax with a movie at this cozy cinema featuring diverse original-language films.

      About 2 hours

    Meals:
    Lunch at Near Rensenpark; Dinner at Emmen
    Where to stay:
    Stay in Emmen.
    Getting around:
    Walking distance between most Emmen attractions.

  6. Day 6: Deep Drenthe & Community Culture

    Visit a local theater group and explore more of Diever's surroundings.

    • 09:00

      Drive to Diever

      Drive from Emmen to Diever.

      About 60 min

    • 10:30

      Toneelvereniging Diever

      If scheduled, attend a performance by this community theater group. Otherwise, visit the local community center.

      About 2 hours

    • 13:00

      Revisit Hunebed D52

      Take a second look at the dolmen or explore the surrounding trails.

      About 1.5 hours

    • 15:00

      Village Stroll in Diever

      Relax and enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the village.

      About 2 hours

    Meals:
    Lunch at Diever; Dinner at Diever
    Where to stay:
    Stay in Diever or return to Assen.
    Getting around:
    Car essential.

  7. Day 7: Departure & Final Souvenirs

    Final morning in Drenthe, last-minute shopping or relaxation before departure.

    • 09:00

      Morning Coffee & Pastries

      Enjoy a final Dutch breakfast in your chosen base town.

      About 2 hours

    • 11:00

      Final Church Visit

      A quiet moment of reflection at Jacobuskerk before leaving.

      About 60 min

    Meals:
    Lunch at Base Town
    Where to stay:
    Check out.
    Getting around:
    Car or public transport to station/airport.

Practical information

The optimal time to visit Drenthe is between May and September, when daylight hours are long and weather conditions are generally mild, though unpredictable. Spring offers blooming landscapes and fewer crowds, while summer provides the best conditions for hiking and cycling through the province’s extensive network of trails. Autumn is ideal for mushroom foraging and enjoying crisp air, though rain becomes more frequent. Winter is quiet and atmospheric, perfect for visiting museums like the Drents Museum in Assen, but some rural attractions may have reduced hours. Accessing Drenthe is straightforward via train from major hubs like Amsterdam, Utrecht, or Groningen, with Assen serving as the primary rail gateway. Once in the province, public transport is limited outside of Assen and Emmen. Renting a car is highly recommended for a 7-day itinerary, as it allows flexible access to remote villages like Borger, the hunebedden (dolmens) in Havelte, and the cycling paths in the Dwingelderveld. Alternatively, visitors staying in Assen can utilize local buses and trains for day trips, though this requires careful scheduling. Accommodation ranges from budget-friendly hostels in Assen to luxury hotels in Emmen and charming B&Bs in rural hamlets. For a comprehensive tour, splitting your stay between Assen for urban amenities and a countryside inn near the Veluwe or Dwingeloo offers a balanced experience. Booking well in advance is crucial during peak summer months and local festivals. Budget-wise, Drenthe is moderately priced. Costs typically exclude entrance fees to specific attractions like the AWD or Hunebedcentrum, which should be factored into daily estimates. Dining out is affordable compared to Amsterdam, with local cafes offering hearty meals at reasonable prices. Self-catering accommodations can further reduce costs. Pack layers suitable for changeable weather, including waterproof jackets and sturdy walking shoes for hiking on sandy or muddy trails. Bring a reusable water bottle, as tap water is safe and abundant. A good map or offline GPS app is essential, as mobile signal can be spotty in remote forest areas. Finally, respect local nature reserves by staying on marked paths and carrying out all waste to preserve Drenthe’s pristine environment.

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