Wageningen
Discover Wageningen
Wageningen is a town along the Rhine river within the province of Gelderland in the Netherlands. Because of its famous agricultural university, it is more lively than one would expect from a Dutch town with 39,000 inhabitants (2019). In 2007 it had residents from 152 different countries, mainly being students at the university. Wageningen was the site of the formal surrender of the Germans to the Allies in the Netherlands on May 5, 1945, a day that is a public holiday in the Netherlands. Wageningen hosts a military veterans parade and this is followed by great alcohol consumption in the town. Wageningen lies close to the right bank of the branch of the Rhine estuary known in the Netherlands as the Nederrijn. Excavations date a settlement at this site back to the Stone Age. The hills to the east of the town provided protection for a Bronze Age tribe from flooding of the Rhine and from enemies and the earliest record of the name (in 838AD) is from the same hilly area. The town has had a chequered history, being occupied or destroyed on several occasions. Also, in 1421 the Rhine changed course, moving further south and, in the process, having a detrimental effect on Wageningen's trade. In the 17th century the town started tobacco cultivation and there were several cigar manufacturers. The floodplain of the Rhine to the south also had several brick factories, one of which can still be seen.
What to Experience in Wageningen
Taste of Wageningen...
There are many cafes located around the church in the centre with good selection of beers. Most student residences (triangular-looking buildings) also have their own bar downstairs. Wageningen does not have a particularly thriving nightlife, but still there are a few nice cafes and pubs to hang around, drink beers and listen to live music. The main hangout places in Wageningen are: There are also a few "coffee shops" in town for those who are looking for 'alternative entertainment'. On Saturday and Sunday, the town is quite empty since Dutch students go back to their hometowns to spend their weekend with friends and family. If you are looking for some Dutch nightlife try Arnhem, Utrecht or Rotterdam!
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe story goes that Wageningen was given the choice of getting a university or a train station. It chose the university, and still doesn't have a station. There is a station called Ede-Wageningen but it is close to Ede and 8 km from Wageningen. The Ede-Wageningen station is about an hour from Amsterdam or from Schiphol airport. From these stations look for trains headed to Arnhem and Nijmegen. There is a train every half an hour from Amsterdam and every half an hour from Schiphol. If you miss the direct train you can take a train to Utrecht and change there. Arriving at Ede-Wageningen, take Bus No. 88 to downtown Wageningen (turn left at bottom of stairs leading down from the platforms). This stops at many of the student residences en route. By taxi (turn right at bottom of stairs) the journey will cost €25. From Arnhem, take Bus No. 51 or 52 from Arnhem station to Wageningen bus station....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Cycling is the best mode of transport and there are several stores downtown that can provide bike rentals. For those staying longer it is possible to buy second-hand bikes. A stall in the main square on Saturdays has good bargains. New bikes range from around €200 for a Chinese-made one (looked upon contemptuously by the Dutch) to up to €1000 for a real Dutch bike. All of the main roads have separate cycling lanes. These have their own traffic signals and you are expected to obey them. At roundabouts and other junctions cyclists usually have the right of way but this cannot be guaranteed so be careful. You have to give way if there are white triangles on the track that point towards you. Bus No.88 also takes you around most of Wageningen but it really doesn't make much sense to ride the bus here. Detailed information in English can be found at . There is a Tourist Office in the Kniphorst Bookshop in Hoogstraat 49.
Where to Stay
On Saturday and Sunday, the town is quite empty since Dutch students go back to their hometowns to spend their weekend with friends and family. If you are looking for some Dutch nightlife try Arnhem, Utrecht or Rotterdam!
Money & Budget
The main shopping street in Wageningen is the Hoogstraat although selection is limited. Apart from a shop selling wooden clogs, there are no obvious souvenirs to purchase. For visiting students setting up home for a time, inexpensive household items are available at HEMA and BLOKKER on Hoogstraat. Shopping hours are limited. Most shops close around 18:00 during the week and at 17:00 on Saturdays, except on Friday evening when they are open until 21.00. Supermarkets stay open until 20:00 most evenings and are also open on Sunday afternoons. There are many cafes located around the church in the centre with good selection of beers. Most student residences (triangular-looking buildings) also have their own bar downstairs.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Wageningen
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A white swan standing on top of a lush green field
A close up of a flower on a plant
A close up of a bunch of purple flowers
A green field with trees in the background
A black swan
A close up of a red and yellow flower
A white and red flower with green leaves
A yellow pumpkin sitting on top of a black cloth
A purple and white flower with green leaves
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A white swan standing on top of a lush green field
A close up of a flower on a plant