Bredevoort Travel Guide

City Dutch town in Gelderland with historic center

Bredevoort, a compact book town with medieval ramparts: hundreds of secondhand bookshops, antique dealers, weekly markets and riverside cafés make it a slow‑browsing stop.

Main image
Costs
Moderately priced
Typical Dutch small-town prices, $80-120 daily.
Safety
Very safe
Extremely safe, friendly village atmosphere.
Best Time
April-October
Spring to autumn for markets, book events, and festivals.
Time
Weather
Population
1,405
Infrastructure & Convenience
Limited public transit; extremely walkable and cyclist-friendly, English commonly spoken.
Popularity
Popular with book lovers and day-trippers from nearby cities.
Known For
Book town with many second-hand bookstores, medieval town walls and gates, antiques, weekly markets, artists' studios, cosy cafés, fortress history, cultural events
Bredevoort is a designated Dutch "book town" with a surprising concentration of second-hand and specialist bookshops.

Why Visit Bredevoort? #

Known as a Dutch book town, Bredevoort attracts bibliophiles to its narrow streets lined with secondhand bookshops and a lively monthly book market. The town’s medieval fortifications and moat set a romantic scene for antiques dealers and art studios, and local cafés provide relaxed spaces for reading and conversation. Small festivals and historic re-enactments add local color to a visit focused on books and craftsmanship.

Top Things to Do in Bredevoort

All Attractions ›
Don't Miss
  • Bredevoort Book Town - Browse dozens of secondhand bookshops in Bredevoort's compact historic centre.
  • Bredevoort castle tower and ramparts - See the castle tower and remaining fortifications overlooking the town's moat.
  • Saturday antiques and flea market - Visit the Saturday antiques and flea market, a treasure trove for collectors.
Hidden Gems
  • Independent bookbinders and presses - Drop into independent bookbinders and small presses hidden among the town's alleys.
  • Riverside promenades - Walk the quiet towpaths beside the river for peaceful views and birdwatching.
  • Local craft workshops - Find tiny craft studios selling handmade prints, maps and restored books.
Day Trips
  • Doetinchem - Cycle to Doetinchem for museums, cafes and larger shopping within twenty minutes.
  • Winterswijk - Short drive to Winterswijk for nature reserves and pleasant cafes.

Best Time to Visit Bredevoort #

Bredevoort is best from late spring through summer when weather is pleasant and outdoor events bloom. Winters are cool and quiet; shoulder seasons suit cultural visits.

Winter
December - February · 1 to 6°C (34 to 43°F)
Chilly and grey with occasional frost - atmospheric for cozy cafés and quiet historic streets, but damp weather is common.
Spring & Autumn
March - May & September - November · 7 to 15°C (45 to 59°F)
Fresh and lively with markets and festivals in season; ideal for exploring the town and nearby countryside without summer crowds.
Summer
June - August · 16 to 22°C (61 to 72°F)
Pleasantly warm and relaxed - prime time for outdoor terraces, local events and cycling across the flat surrounding landscape.

Best Time to Visit Bredevoort #

Climate

Bredevoort's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (785 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
37°
Warmest Month
-17°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
8.2h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

48 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.8h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
13.7h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
15.4h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with 80 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

80 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
16.3h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

70 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
15.9h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
12° 22°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

60 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
High
14.4h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 18°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
14°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.5h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

70 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.7h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.7h daylight

How to Get to Bredevoort

Bredevoort is directly served by regional trains on the Arnhem-Winterswijk line, making it easy to reach from Arnhem or Winterswijk. Fly into Schiphol and take the train to Arnhem, then an Arriva service to Bredevoort.

By Air

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS): The main international arrival point. From Schiphol take an intercity train to Arnhem or Doetinchem (1-1.5 hours to Arnhem) then a regional train or bus toward Winterswijk/Aalten and transfer to reach Bredevoort.

Eindhoven / Weeze (regional): Regional airports can be used depending on your carrier, but Amsterdam provides the best rail connections to eastern Gelderland.

By Train & Bus

Train: Bredevoort has its own small railway stop (Bredevoort station) on the Arnhem-Winterswijk line (Arriva services). Travel times from Arnhem are roughly 30-45 minutes; check Arriva schedules for exact times and connections.

Bus: Local buses supplement train services for nearby villages. For last-mile travel from larger hubs, buses and on-demand services are available but trains are usually the most convenient option to reach Bredevoort directly.

How to Get Around Bredevoort #

Bredevoort is compact and easy to explore on foot; the historic centre is pedestrian-friendly and cycling is common. Regional buses link Bredevoort with larger towns; travelling by car is straightforward if you want to reach the surrounding countryside.

Where to Stay in Bredevoort #

Budget
Mid-Range
Luxury

Where to Eat in Bredevoort #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Bredevoort's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Soup
Diner
Fries
Pizza
Salad
Burger
German
Chicken
Friture
Pancake
Sausage
Regional
Sandwich
Ice Cream
Fish & Chips

Nightlife in Bredevoort #

Nightlife is modest - a few cafés and local pubs provide evening options, and the town sometimes hosts cultural events. It’s not a late-night destination; most visitors come for the shops and daytime atmosphere.

Shopping in Bredevoort #

Bredevoort is known as a small “book town” with numerous secondhand and antiquarian bookshops clustered around the historic centre. You’ll also find a selection of antique and craft shops; for larger retail needs go to nearby Doetinchem or Winterswijk.

Nearby Cities #