Zwolle

Zwolle, tourist information

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Coat of arms of Zwolle
Coat of arms of Zwolle

Number of inhabitants: 123.000
Number of national monuments: 484

Zwolle summary

The Peperbus in Zwolle, from Grote Kerkplein
The Peperbus in Zwolle, from Grote Kerkplein

Zwolle is a beautiful historic city and is also a Hanseatic city. Zwolle is the capital of the province of Overijssel and has over 120.000 inhabitants, it is definitely worth a visit. You can enjoy a nice drink on one of the many pleasant terraces.

Interesting history of Zwolle

The Pelsertoren, Zwolle
The Pelsertoren, Zwolle

In the Middle Ages, Zwolle originated on a sand ridge, which was the only habitable place between the swamps on the river Aa. The place used to be called suol, now we know it as Zwolle.

The city of Zwolle did not suffer much from the second world war, there are still some war monuments here and there. Zwolle is worth a visit

Zwolle Landmarks

House with crown in Kamperstraat in Zwolle, formerly the hotel "De Keizerskroon".
House with crown in Kamperstraat in Zwolle, formerly the hotel "De Keizerskroon".

The city has many sights. This is because a lot of the Middle Ages can still be found, there are major attractions; “The Sassenpoort, The old city wall, Saint Michael's Church (Large Church) and Remains of the Steenpoort.

Shopping in Zwolle

The Diezerstraat in Zwolle
The Diezerstraat in Zwolle

For shopping pleasure you can certainly go to Zwolle, it is the largest shopping city in Overijssel. You can choose from hundreds of stores from well-known stores to smaller specialty stores. You can especially find the shops in and around the Diezerstraat, because of a compact star-shaped city center everything is easily and quickly accessible on foot.

Zwolle:
Shopping evening: Thursday

Activities in Zwolle

Cinema in Zwolle on the Pannekoekendijk
Cinema in Zwolle on the Pannekoekendijk

If you want to do something in Zwolle you will succeed, you can choose to go to one or more of the 4 museums, 1 attraction, 2 cinemas or 4 theaters. You can click on a list below to see what there is to do.

The "Rondje Zwolle" is recommended for cycling enthusiasts, for the route you can check the ANWB website, by here to click.


MUSEUMS ZWOLLEATTRACTIONS ZWOLLE
  • Municipal Museum Zwolle, Zwolle confronts past and present in exhibitions. Click here for the website
  • Museum De Fundatie This is a fine art museum. Click here for the website
  • Sinterklaas Museum ZwolleHere you can find everything about the traditional Dutch Sinterklaas feast. Click here for the website
  • Women's House Zwolle Aleida Greve's Women's House is a special museum. Click here for the website
  • Climbing the Peperbus The tower can be climbed during open positions of the basilica. 236 steps lead you to the trans. The Peperbus gives access to the church and is the bell tower of the Onze Lieve Vrouwe basilica. Click here for the website
  • dinoland a nice park for children. Click here for the site.
CINEMAS ZWOLLETHEATERS ZWOLLE
  • Film theater brother house cinema with regular program. Click here for the website
  • Pathe Zwolle, cinema with regular program. click here for the website
  • Odeon the Mirror Theaters. Click here for the website
  • Storytelling theater De Verhalenboot. Click here for the website
  • Theater Gnaffel. Click here for the website
  • hedon. Click here for the website

Nature & Parks in Zwolle

Van Nahuysplein in Zwolle
Van Nahuysplein in Zwolle

If you want to find some peace and quiet, there are a number of parks in the city and a number just outside the city. You can also take a look at the River IJssel.
The popular parks are:
• Potgietersingel, a city park, in the center of Zwolle.
• Stinspark, on the site of Voorst Castle.
• The English Work, large park near the IJssel
• Park de Wezenlanden, a park between the neighborhoods Assendorp and the Wipstrik
• Aa-park, a park located in the Aa-landen district

Towards the southwest of the city, at Hattem you enter the Veluwe, this is a beautiful and very large nature reserve, definitely worth a visit, especially for nature lovers. This is nice to visit by taking the bicycle/foot ferry “Het Kleine Veer”, which sails from the end of April until the autumn holiday towards Hattem.

Steps in Zwolle

Saint Michael's Church, often called the Great Church in Zwolle
Saint Michael's Church, often called the Great Church in Zwolle


Zwolle is a student city, partly because of that there is a lively nightlife. Around the historic squares in the city center you can find discotheques, bars and restaurants to make it a pleasant evening.

More photos from Zwolle