Last updated: May 2026
If you’re looking for an easy, rewarding day trip from Amsterdam, Amersfoort should be at the top of your list. Only half an hour by train from Amsterdam, this medieval gem is awaiting its visitors with open gates: there are three city gates that are still standing there for you to admire and make you feel like you went back to medieval times (Koppelpoort, Monnikendam and Kamperbinnenpoort).
Amersfoort was well preserved since the Middle Ages, and, apart from the gates, there are also many old buildings telling stories of times long passed. The city got its name after a ford (“voorde” in Dutch) in the Amer River (currently the Eem river). The river surrounds the city and also enters through the centre, creating the canal network.
Amersfoort is an old city with a young vibe. I visited on a Saturday, so the city was particularly lively, with people going out for shopping on the main shopping streets, at the market, or going for lunch and drinks in the restaurants. I love to see a city on its market day, when everyone goes around with their bike full of bags and the mandatory flower bouquet!
It was a very cold day, and filming and photographing was a bit of a struggle, but I still enjoyed this visit. I think spring would be the best time to visit Amersfoort, because I could see many green areas just waiting to sprout and dress the city walls in shades of greens. This visit to Amersfoort was also my first time going to the museum since the pandemic has started, and I visited not one, but two of them: Museum Flehite and Mondriaanhuis. I’ll tell you more about them in future articles.
✨Day-trip suitability
International visitors: ● ● ● ● ● — A must on a first visit
NL-based day-trippers: ● ● ● ● ● — Worth planning a day/weekend around
● Circles indicate suitability, not quality. Some subjectivity included. How to read these ratings 📜
Why Visit AmersfoortJust 30 minutes from Amsterdam by train, Amersfoort is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the Netherlands. Three original city gates still stand guard, houses built on the ruins of the old city wall line the canals, and the 98-metre Tower of Our Lady anchors the skyline. Add Mondrian’s birthplace, a thriving market square, cosy independent shops, and one of the country’s oldest hofjes, and you’ve got a day trip that feels like stepping back in time, with excellent apple pie waiting when your feet need a break. It’s a great destination for those who want to discover the Netherlands beyond Amsterdam.
Amersfoort history
Amersfoort boasts a rich history that dates back over a thousand years. Established around the 11th century, the city’s name derives from the ford (or “voorde” in Dutch) across the river Amer, now known as the Eem. Amersfoort received city rights in 1259
from the Bishop of Utrecht. The city grew in importance during the Middle Ages, becoming an important centre of trade and pilgrimage. The construction of its iconic Onze-Lieve-Vrouwetoren (The Tower of Our Lady), which began in the 15th century, symbolised the city’s wealth and religious significance. During the 16th century, Amersfoort experienced a period of decline due to wars and economic downturns, but it was revitalised in the 19th century with the advent of the railway – the city has one of the largest railway junctions in the Netherlands. Today, Amersfoort is celebrated for its well-preserved medieval architecture and vibrant cultural scene.
Things to do in Amersfoort
Amersfoort can be explored on foot; there is a 15 minute walk from the train station to the old town, where you can roam the old streets and canals at your own pace. There are many things to do and to see in Amersfoort, and you might need more than one day to explore all of it. But a day trip is still enough to get acquainted with this old city.
● Koppelpoort land and water gate
Since this is the iconic image of Amersfoort, you can’t miss it! You can start your city walk here, taking countless pictures of the amazing gate. Built around 1425, Koppelpoort is the only combined land and water gate in the Netherlands, part of the second city wall, which was built when the growing city required new defence. The water gate controlled access by boat, while the land gate served pedestrians and carriages. Opening the water gate required eight to twelve men walking inside a large treadwheel, an extremely dangerous task.
● Muurhuizen
Leaving Koppelpoort, you can continue your walk on this beautiful street. Muurhuizen means “wall houses“, and that’s literally what these houses are: when the new city wall was built, the old one was demolished and houses were built on top of it. How amazing is that?! There are many charming houses, well preserved, that can be admired on this street which surrounds the eastern part of the city, parallel with the Zuidsingel canal. It’s definitely a must-see, I absolutely loved it for how it looks and the story it tells. It’s a special thing to be walking on a street that once was a wall, imagining how different life must have been back then, and how this wall protected the people of the city from invaders.
● Monnikendam gate
Smaller than Koppelpoort, but still beautiful, Monnikendam is to be found in the south of the city, surrounded by a small park. Built around 1420, the gate takes its name from the Augustinian monks of the nearby Marienhoef monastery. There’s a path going through the gate (or maybe I should say above it?) and a restaurant at the base.
● Kamperbinnenpoort
A medieval gate from the first city wall, and the oldest of the three surviving gates. It’s right on a shopping street, so you can see it while browsing the shops.
● Onze-Lieve-Vrouwetoren (Tower of Our Lady)
This is the third highest church tower in the Netherlands at 98 metres. The church was destroyed by a gunpowder explosion in 1787 (after the Reformation, the building had been used to store munitions), and only the tower survived. The tower is visible from almost every spot in the old town, standing tall over the rest of the buildings. Fun fact: the tower serves as the reference point for the Dutch national grid coordinate system, making it quite literally the centre of the Netherlands on every map.
● De Hof & the Saturday Market
De Hof is the main square and the beating heart of old Amersfoort. On Saturdays, it transforms into a bustling market where locals shop for fresh produce, flowers, and cheese. Restaurants and cafés ring the square, making it the perfect spot to sit down, people-watch, and soak in the atmosphere.
● Hofje De Armen de Poth
Hofje De Armen de Poth is one of the largest hofjes (historic courtyards) in the Netherlands, with 48 houses surrounding a medieval chapel. Founded in the 14th century by the Brotherhood of the Holy Spirit (laypeople, not monks), it served as a place of care for the sick and poor of the city. The complex dates back to around 1450 and is still inhabited today.
● Visit Amersfoort by boat
From April to November, you can take a boat tour and discover Amersfoort from the water. The canals wind past the city walls, gates, and Muurhuizen, giving you a completely different perspective on the medieval centre.
Museums in Amersfoort
- Museum Flehite — is the historical museum of Amersfoort and Eemland. The museum is located in three historic houses built into the city wall during the Late Middle Ages, surrounded by a canal, and offers a wonderful taste of the city’s history. It also hosts regular exhibitions of Dutch and international art.
- Mondriaanhuis – a museum dedicated to the life and work of Piet Mondriaan, one of the most influential figures in modern art. This museum is located in the house where the painter was born, and offers visitors a unique glimpse into the early life and creative evolution of the pioneering abstract painter. The house has been carefully restored to reflect its historical significance while also serving as a contemporary museum space. Inside, visitors can explore Mondriaan’s journey from his early realist works to the geometric abstractions that made him famous worldwide. The museum features a mix of original works, reproductions, and multimedia exhibits.
- Kunsthal KAdE offers exhibitions in the field of contemporary/modern art, architecture, design, and contemporary visual culture.
Shopping & food in Amersfoort
The Amersfoort’s compact centre is full of independent shops and good places to eat. The Krommestraat stands out, with its charming boutiques and several restaurants — it’s the kind of street where you keep stopping to peek inside windows.
For coffee and cake, don’t miss Coffee Corazon and Corazon Bakery (I still dream about their apple pie). Beer lovers should visit De Drie Ringen, a city brewery that has been operating since 1626 — you can taste their beers right by the canal. And if you’re visiting on a Saturday, the market at De Hof is the place to pick up fresh cheese, flowers, and local produce.
For lunch or brunch check out: Centraal Ketelhuis (normally very busy, you’ll be lucky to find a spot), Nul33, Juffrouw Jacoba, BUUF in de Serre.
How to get to Amersfoort
Amersfoort is one of the easiest day trips from Amsterdam. Direct Intercity trains run frequently from Amsterdam Centraal, and the journey takes just 30 minutes. The train station is a 15-minute walk from the old town centre. If you’re driving, the A1 motorway passes right by the city. Check the NS website and 9292 to plan your journey by public transport. If you travel by car, the A1 motorway passes by Amersfoort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amersfoort worth a day trip from Amsterdam?
Absolutely. Amersfoort is only 30 minutes by train and offers one of the best-preserved medieval city centres in the Netherlands: three original city gates, wall houses, Mondrian’s birthplace, and a vibrant market square. It’s an easy, rewarding trip. If you are looking for your next day trip in the Netherlands, put Amersfoort at the top of your list!
How long do you need in Amersfoort?
A full day is enough to see the main sights, visit a museum or two, and enjoy lunch. If you want to explore all three museums and take a boat tour, consider a leisurely weekend.
What is Amersfoort known for?
Amersfoort is known for its medieval gates (especially the Koppelpoort, the only combined land and water gate in the Netherlands), the Muurhuizen (houses built on the old city wall), the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwetoren (98m tower that serves as the Dutch national grid reference point), and as the birthplace of painter Piet Mondrian.
Learn more about Amersfoort on Tijd voor Amersfoort.
This article is part of “Discover the Netherlands” project. You can read all the articles from this project here: The Complete Guide to the Dutch Provinces.
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