Arnhem is where the phrase ‘a bridge too far’ was tragically immortalised. This city was the ultimate objective for the British 1st Airborne during Operation Market Garden. Our tour delves into the story of their heroic but doomed defence of the city’s main bridge, providing essential context for the immense scale and ambition of the Allied landings.
There’s much more to Arnhem than its battle scars from the Second World War though. Believed to have been first settled in the Stone Age, the capital of the beautiful Gelderland province boasts a rich and eventful history stretching back way beyond 1944. This is reflected by a number of impressive structures, monuments and attractions dotted around the city’s various districts, including the striking, gothic-style St Eusebius Church and it’s imposing 93 metre-high tower; Bronbeek Museum; the 12th century Doorwerth Castle; and much more.
Just outside of the city, there’s much to discover too. Within easy reach are the Netherlands Open Air Museum, which is beautifully situated within a wooded park and displays exhibits from various eras in the region’s history; the National Heritage Museum; and the 17th century Paleis Het Loo, the Dutch Royal Family’s spectacular summer residence. Lovers of fauna and flora won’t want to miss the leafy landscapes of Sonsbeek Park and Burger’s Zoo and Safari Park, located just north of the city centre.