- Home to most of the Netherlands' prehistoric dolmens
- Heathland turns purple in August
- One of the best provinces for cycling
- Popular with Dutch families for camping and cabin holidays
- Airports
- Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), Groningen Eelde (GRQ)
- Best time to go
- May-September; August for flowering heather
- Type
- Province
Drenthe is the Netherlands at its most rural. Instead of canals and cities there are heaths, pine forests, peat bogs and villages of old farmhouses grouped around village greens. It is also home to the country's oldest monuments: the hunebedden, huge stone tombs built more than 5,000 years ago.
The Dutch come here for camping, cycling and walking holidays, and it suits UK visitors looking for a peaceful outdoor break. See our Netherlands guide for more.
Why go to Drenthe
- Hunebedden: most of the Netherlands' prehistoric dolmens are in Drenthe. The Hunebedcentrum in Borger explains them and sits next to the largest one.
- Dwingelderveld National Park: one of the largest wet heathlands in western Europe, glowing purple when the heather flowers in late summer.
- Drentsche Aa: a national landscape of streams, meadows and old villages, lovely for walking.
- Orvelte: a preserved village of thatched farmhouses where traditional crafts are demonstrated.
- Drents Museum: in Assen, known for archaeology and major international exhibitions.
- Wildlands Adventure Zoo: a large modern zoo in Emmen, popular with families.
- Kamp Westerbork: the former transit camp from which Anne Frank and many thousands of others were deported. The memorial centre is a moving visit.
- TT Circuit Assen: the venue for the Dutch TT, the country's MotoGP round, usually held in early summer.
Where to stay
- Assen: the provincial capital, with hotels and rail links.
- Around Dwingeloo and Diever: forest and heath for walkers and cyclists.
- Borger and the Hondsrug: close to the dolmens and the UNESCO Global Geopark.
- Holiday parks and campsites: throughout the province, often with cabins and bike hire.
Getting there
By air: fly to Amsterdam Schiphol and take the train to Assen, which takes about two hours with a change. Groningen Eelde Airport lies on the province's northern edge but has very few international routes.
By ferry: DFDS sails from Newcastle to IJmuiden near Amsterdam, and P&O from Hull to Rotterdam. Allow roughly two to two and a half hours' drive to central Drenthe.
By train: from London, take Eurostar to Amsterdam and continue by train to Assen or Emmen.
A car or bike is the easiest way to explore, and the cycle network is excellent. Groningen is about 20 minutes from Assen by train, and Overijssel borders Drenthe to the south.
Best time to visit
May to September is the main season for cycling, walking and camping. August is when the heathland turns purple. Spring brings fresh green forests and lambs on the heaths, while autumn colours are good in the woods.
Drenthe's cycle routes use numbered junctions (knooppunten), so you can plan a route by simply noting the numbers and following the signs.
Top attractions in Drenthe
MuseumAnne Frank House
The canal house where Anne Frank hid for two years and wrote her diary, now a moving museum on the Prinsengracht.
MuseumRijksmuseum
The Netherlands' national museum, home to Rembrandt's The Night Watch, Vermeer's The Milkmaid and 800 years of Dutch…
Drenthe on the map
Frequently asked questions
What are hunebedden?
They are prehistoric burial monuments made of huge boulders, built by Neolithic farmers more than 5,000 years ago.
Is Drenthe good for a cycling holiday?
Yes. It has quiet roads, good cycle paths and varied scenery, and is one of the most popular cycling provinces in the country.
Is Drenthe good for families?
Yes. Holiday parks, campsites, Wildlands zoo and safe cycle routes make it a popular choice for Dutch families.
How far is Drenthe from Amsterdam?
Assen is about two hours by train or car from Amsterdam.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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