What to do in Drenthe
The hunebedden are spread across the Hondsrug, a ridge of higher ground that runs through the eastern part of the province and now carries UNESCO Geopark status. A dedicated cycle route links the sites, making it straightforward to visit several in a day. Beyond the prehistoric monuments, Assen draws visitors for the annual TT motorcycle races, Emmen has one of the larger zoos in the Netherlands, and the open-air village of Orvelte gives a clear picture of what rural Drenthe looked like centuries ago.
The Drents Museum in Assen holds strong collections covering prehistory and regional history, and regularly ranks among the top museums in the country. Dwingelderveld is one of the largest continuous heathland areas in Western Europe, with marked walking and cycling routes through the reserve. The Drentsche Aa valley is among the least altered stream valleys in the Netherlands, and its slow-moving water makes it well suited to canoeing. Families with younger children will find Emmen worth the stop, as Wildlands Adventure Zoo covers a wide range of habitats and animals across its grounds.
Holiday parks in Drenthe with a swimming pool
Many holiday parks in Drenthe include a swimming pool on site, which keeps a stay worthwhile when the weather turns. Larger parks tend to have indoor or subtropical water facilities with slides and bubble baths, while smaller parks often run an outdoor pool through the summer. You can filter the results below to show only parks in Drenthe with a swimming pool.
Popular places in Drenthe
Assen is the provincial capital, known beyond the region for its annual TT motorcycle race. Emmen is the largest town in Drenthe and home to Wildlands Adventure Zoo. Westerbork holds the Kamp Westerbork Memorial Centre, an important site from the Second World War. Diever and Norg are small villages sitting close to heathland and woodland. Havelte is worth a look for one of the better-preserved hunebedden in the province and a quiet village centre nearby.
The dolmens are not in a museum. They sit in the woods beside cycle paths, with no fence around them.
Taking kids to Drenthe
Drenthe works well for families with children. Alongside Wildlands Adventure Zoo in Emmen, you will find petting zoos, climbing forests and canoe trips on the Drentsche Aa river. Wildlife spotting in Dwingelderveld or along the Hondsrug keeps younger visitors occupied without much effort. Many holiday parks in the province run children's programmes that include guided activities, crafts and supervised outdoor play throughout the week.
TipThe largest dolmens are at Borger, which also has the Hunebedcentrum museum. D27 on the road to Bronneger is the best known and stands right beside the route. Take a bike: twelve of them lie within twenty kilometres between Borger and Rolde.
When does Drenthe work best for a visit?
Spring (April to May) brings the streams up to good levels, making it one of the better times to canoe on the Drentsche Aa. April also means quieter paths and fresh colours across the heathlands and forests. Summer (June to August) is the main season, with long days well suited to cycling the Hondsrug route or spending time in Dwingelderveld. The second half of August stands out: the heather comes into full bloom across the province, turning large stretches of the landscape a deep purple, and it is worth timing a visit around this. Autumn (September to November) brings colour to the forests and noticeably fewer visitors, making it a good period for walking and cycling at a relaxed pace. Winter is the quietest and most affordable time to visit. During hard frosts, some of the lakes and ponds freeze over and become suitable for skating.
