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 Dinoland.

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
Mercure City Zwolle Hotel
Mercure City Zwolle Hotel
4 out of 5
Hertsenbergweg 1, Zwolle
The price is £86 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£86
6 Jul - 7 Jul
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! (565 reviews)
"The hotel was just outside of the city. It is too far to walk so you will have to take the car to go into the centre. Rooms are not big."

Reviewed on 7 Jun 2025

Mercure City Zwolle Hotel
Lumen Hotel Zwolle
Lumen Hotel Zwolle
4 out of 5
Stadionplein 20, Zwolle
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Zwolle. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (458 reviews)
"Very nice"

Reviewed on 25 May 2025

Lumen Hotel Zwolle
Bilderberg Grand Hotel Wientjes
Bilderberg Grand Hotel Wientjes
4 out of 5
Stationsweg 7, Zwolle
The price is £102 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£102
6 Jul - 7 Jul
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! (403 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
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! (49 reviews)
"Great location. Comfortable room"

Reviewed on 5 May 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 ...
"It was all good"

Reviewed on 17 Sep 2024

EuroParcs Bad Hoophuizen
A Stunning Contemporary Designed Houseboat.
A Stunning Contemporary Designed Houseboat.
Giethoorn, Overste
Stay at this houseboat in Giethoorn. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Giethoorn 't Olde Maat Uus Museum and De Oude Aarde ...
Very cool experience
"The property is excellent and in a quiet area ideal for taking a break. Giethoorn is a beatifull place and it is higly recommended for a visit. Overall excellent experience and very highly recommended"

Reviewed on 31 Oct 2024

A Stunning Contemporary Designed Houseboat.
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Zwolle

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
5
5 - Excellent 83%
4 - Good
0
4 - Good 0%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 17%
2 - Disappointing
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1 - Terrible
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5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Zwolle is clean, cozy and friendly

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