Zwolle Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Zwolle
Zwolle
Zwolle
Photo by Sietze Bakker (Pure Pictures)
Photo by Sietze Bakker (Pure Pictures)

This small Hanseatic city has a historic centre full of excellent restaurants, museums and other great sites. There are also a lot of things to do outside of town. 

Zwolle has a very charming city centre and is a great destination for a long or short weekend or even a holiday. There's a lot to do here! Stroll along the canals, take a seat at a sidewalk café, go shopping and take in the culture of this beautiful city in the province of Overijssel.

Zwolle was an important Hanseatic city in the middle ages and you can still find traces of its rich history today such as facings, canals and the old city gate.

If you're interested in finding out more about this Hanseatic city's history the Sassenpoort, which dates from the beginning of the 13th century, is a must. The gate was part of the city's defences and is listed as one of the top 100 Dutch monuments on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. The Stedelijk Museum Zwolle is a great place to learn more about the city's cultural history.

The reward for climbing the 200 steps of the old Peperbus, a striking 75 m tall tower, is a fantastic view of the city and the surrounding countryside!

And if that whets your appetite to go out and spend some time exploring the area, the best way of doing so is by bus or car. Spend a day at theme park Avonturenpark Hellendoorn or visit Giethoorn, a beautiful village which is famous for its waterways and can be easily combined with a trip to Nationaal Park Weerribben-Wieden.

Zwolle is pretty small and easy to get around on foot or by bicycle. A tour around the star-shaped canals will also give you an interesting perspective of the city and take you along historic and listed buildings while you sit back and relax.

Once you’re in the Netherlands, Zwolle can be easily reached by public transport a direct train from Rotterdam, for example, will get you to Zwolle in 90 minutes. Alternatively, if you're travelling by car or the town is in close proximity to the A28 and the A50. You can park your car in the city centre but bear in mind that there are different parking zones with different rates.

Zwolle is a great place for a weekend getaway. If you want to discover more of the surroundings, a longer stay is recommended. Discover this lovely city!

Where to stay in Zwolle

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Zwolle City Centre

You'll enjoy the museums and monuments in Zwolle City Centre. You might want to make time for a stop at Grote Markt or Museum De Fundatie.

Zwolle City Centre
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Pierik

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Pierik and surrounding area, you can visit Grote Markt and IJsselhallen Zwolle.

Pierik
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Holtenbroek

When in Holtenbroek, you can plan a visit to IJsselhallen Zwolle and Grote Markt, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Holtenbroek
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Veerallee

Though Veerallee may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Dinoland and IJsselhallen Zwolle.

Veerallee
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Diezerpoort

Diezerpoort might not have many top sights, but Grote Markt and Museum De Fundatie are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Diezerpoort
Mercure City Zwolle Hotel

Mercure City Zwolle Hotel

4 out of 5
Hertsenbergweg 1, Zwolle
The price is ₹7,966 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹7,966
₹9,901 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Zwolle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions Dinoland and IJsselhallen Zwolle ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (574 reviews)
"Clean, modern, quiet."

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

Mercure City Zwolle Hotel
Bilderberg Grand Hotel Wientjes

Bilderberg Grand Hotel Wientjes

4 out of 5
Stationsweg 7, Zwolle
The price is ₹9,109 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹9,109
₹11,299 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Zwolle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9/10 Wonderful! (408 reviews)
"Great place to stay. Short walk from station and city centre. Highly recommend staying here. Rooms are excellent and breakfast has everything."

Reviewed on 12 Jun 2025

Bilderberg Grand Hotel Wientjes
Van der Valk Hotel Zwolle

Van der Valk Hotel Zwolle

4 out of 5
Nieuwleusenerdijk 1, Zwolle
The price is ₹14,604 per night from 8 Aug to 9 Aug
₹14,604
₹16,527 total
8 Aug - 9 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Zwolle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Anningahof Sculpture Park and Sassenpoort ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (247 reviews)
"This is a very social space but your rooms are quiet and very well kept. The staff, all of them, were amazing!! Fantastic hotel!!"

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

Van der Valk Hotel Zwolle
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Kroondomein Giethoorn

Kroondomein Giethoorn

3.5 out of 5
33a Binnenpad, Giethoorn, Overste
Stay at this 3.5-star chalet in Giethoorn. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, airport drop-off service (surcharge) and a garden. Popular attractions De Oude Aarde and Giethoorn ...
9/10 Wonderful! (51 reviews)
Mysig by
"Jättemysig liten by .. vi hyrdexehen båt och lånade cyklar !! Jättetrevligt"

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Kroondomein Giethoorn
EuroParcs Bad Hoophuizen

EuroParcs Bad Hoophuizen

4 out of 5
Varelseweg 211, Hulshorst
Stay at this 4-star spa residence in Hulshorst. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Walibi Holland and Veluwemeer are ...
7.6/10 Good! (19 reviews)
"It was all good"

Reviewed on 17 Sep 2024

EuroParcs Bad Hoophuizen
Waterpark Giethoorn

Waterpark Giethoorn

3 out of 5
17B Binnenpad, Giethoorn, OV
Stay at this 3-star chalet in Giethoorn. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an airport shuttle (surcharge) and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions De Oude Aarde and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (14 reviews)
"I love Giethoorn, and my dream of a weekend in Giethoorn was fulfilled, with great comfort, convenience and beauty"

Reviewed on 15 Jun 2025

Waterpark Giethoorn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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