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city and municipality in Overijssel the Netherlands
Europe > Benelux > Netherlands > Eastern Netherlands > Overijssel > Enschede

Enschede is a city in the Netherlands. It is the largest city of the Twente region (a former center of textile industry), and also of the Overijssel province. Enschede was designated the greenest town in the Netherlands in 2003.

Understand

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Oude Markt, Enschede

On May 13, 2000, a fireworks storage in Enschede exploded, destroying an entire neighborhood and killing 23 people, including 4 firemen. This catastrophe is known in the Netherlands as the Vuurwerkramp, Dutch for fireworks disaster. Since this event, the city has undergone a major reconstruction process. After the fall of the textile industry, Enschede strives to become a center of business, innovation and technology through the Business and Science park next to the University of Twente.

As a city famous for being "destroyed and reconstructed" many times, Enschede does not offer much in terms of historical attractions. However, the city has nice displays of contemporary Dutch architecture, particularly in the Roombeek neighborhood and at University of Twente, and its nightlife, cultural vibrancy and shopping options are quite developed for a city of its size.

Talk

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Official language is Dutch. Almost all understand English. Since Enschede is close to Germany, there are more tourist information brochures in German than English.

Get in

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By train

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From elsewhere in the Netherlands, Enschede is easily accessible by train from all major Dutch cities, and can be reached from smaller cities with at most one or two transfers. The journey time from Amsterdam is approximately two hours. An excellent (train only) travel planner is available at Nationale Spoorwegen. Hourly intercity trains from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, The Hague and Zwolle terminate at 1 Enschede railway station. If you need to use a connecting bus or ferry from within the Netherlands, use 9292.

From Germany, direct trains (ending in Enschede railway station) are available from Gronau, Dortmund, and Münster. From Münster, it takes 1 hr 20 min by hourly regional train to Enschede. To reach Enschede from Berlin, a stopover is available in Hengelo (a small city about 10 minutes by train from Enschede). Further guidance is available at Die Bahn.

By bus

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KLM provides free bus transfer for travellers arriving or departing on KLM flights from Amsterdam Schiphol airport. The bus leaves Amsterdam Schiphol twice a day, at 09:05 and 21:00. The entire ride takes 3 hours.

Flixbus provides bus service from major cities Netherlands and Germany to Enschede. Buses stop at Enschede train station and University of Twente.

By car

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There is a large parking lot underneath the market square in the centre of the city, the H.J. van Heekplein, which provides approximately 2000 parking spaces for visitors arriving by car.

There is a cheaper park-and-ride solution available at the expanded P+R Zuiderval. Frequent buses travel from here directly to the city center (approximately 5 minutes by bus). This is especially useful if you are arriving in Enschede via the highway, as the lot is just off the highway exit.

Get around

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Enschede is a city best explored by bicycle, on foot or by public transportation. Parking spaces can be difficult to find and there are often traffic jams, especially during rush hour. The city center is also closed to motorized vehicles.

Buses in Enschede do not accept cash. Payment by debit or credit cards are required.

  • 1 Elderinkshuis, De Klomp 35. The oldest building in the city (other than the Grote Kerk), built in 1783. It doesn't look extraordinary but it has the feat of surviving the city's many disasters. 
  • 2 Grote Kerk, Oude Markt. Enschede's "central church" is also the oldest building of the city, dating from the Middle Ages (1200), although it has undergone several expansions and reforms across the time. It is now mainly used for weddings and concerts. The sundial in the right side of the church (looking at the entrance) was crafted in 1836. 
  • 3 De Museumfabriek (Museum TwentseWelle), Het Rozendaal 11, ☏ +31 53 480-7680. A new museum set in the heart of the modern quarter Roombeek, which was destroyed in the Fireworks Disaster of 2000, Twentse Welle tells the story of mankind in Twente, the region in which Enschede is situated. While there are a number of exhibits that are visually appealing to speakers of any language, the museum, unlike many in the Netherlands, has information about most of its exhibits only in Dutch and German. €12.50. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 4 Rijksmuseum Twenthe, Lasondersingel 129-131, ☏ +31 53 438675, fax: +31 53 4359002, . Tu-Su 11:00-17:00. Large collection of 18th-century art and contemporary art. Adult €15, senior or student €7, child 18 and under free. Rijksmuseum Twenthe (Q1505892) on Wikidata Rijksmuseum Twenthe on Wikipedia (updated Dec 2019)
Roombeek neighborhood
  • 5 Roombeek (10 min walk north from Enschede Centraal station). Roombeek is the neighborhood between Deuningerstraat and Oldenzaalstraat, north of Lasondersingel, which corresponds to the neighborhood rebuilt after the fireworks disaster. It is now the finest neighborhood of Enschede, with all houses and buildings projected by renowned architects, plenty of green areas and exclusive lanes for buses and bicycles, and containing the Twentse Welle museum and the Rijksmuseum. Roombeek (Q2018838) on Wikidata Roombeek on Wikipedia 
  • 6 Stadshaard Enschede, Deurningerstraat, Roombeek. Enschede's heating and power station, which was (perhaps unfairly) elected the "ugliest building of Netherlands" by a poll of the local newspaper TC Tubantia. It looks somewhat like a church covered with Delft-blue tiles. It is richly illustrated as a whole and artist Hugo Kaagman has placed images on the tiles that are associated with the production of electricity and well-known icons from Enschede's history, such as Jan Cremer and the Grolsch swing-top bottle. 
  • 7 Synagogue Enschede, Prinsestraat 14, ☏ +31 53 4324507. Tu-Th, Su 11:00-17:00. Reputedly the most beautiful synagogue of the Netherlands. Tours available on Sunday at 14:00 (in Dutch). English tours are sporadically available. €7.50. 
  • 8 University of Twente (Universiteit Twente), Drienerlolaan 5, ☏ +31 53 489 9111. The university has a number of buildings with interesting architecture, such as the Drienerlo tower (Torentje van Drienerlo), the Cubicus and the student dormitory at the crossing between Campuslaan and Matenweg. University of Twente (Q1547084) on Wikidata University of Twente on Wikipedia 
  • 9 Volkspark (10 min walk from Enschede Centraal station). The Volkspark is a beautiful park close to the city center. It was constructed in 1872 to serve as recreational area for the workers in the textile industry. It also hosts several cultural activities alongside the year, such as the spring and autumn Kermis. 
Grolsch Veste, stadium of FC Twente
  • Enjoy the art in the many galleries in town.
  • Take a guided tour through the nature parks surrounding Enschede or purchase a map with walking/cycling routes
  • Football: 1 FC Twente (next to Enschede Kennispark station). They play football in the Eredivisie, the Dutch top tier, and usually do well and qualify for European tournaments. De Grolsch Veste stadium has a capacity of 30,000. De Grolsch Veste (Q727389) on Wikidata De Grolsch Veste on Wikipedia (updated Jul 2022)
  • Go Planet Parc (next to Grolsch Veste and Enschede Kennispark station). An entertainment park next to the Grolsch Veste football stadium, approximately midway between Enschede and Hengelo. It contains various facilities, including a cinema with 10 rooms, a 400-m-long ice skating track, a bowling, a diving school, a concert hall, a kart track, a couple of restaurants and others. (updated Oct 2024)
  • 2 Het Rutbeek, Blikkersmaatweg 15, ☏ +31 50861050. during the day. A lake and recreational area in the south of Enschede. Contains beaches (including a nudist one), forests and recreational facilities. it is also possible to practise diving here. free. 
  • 3 Wilminktheater (Wenninkgaarde 40-42 7511 PH Enschede), Wenninkgaarde 40-42, Oude Markt, ☏ +31 53 485 8500. M-Sa 12:00-17:00 (ticket counter). Enschede's main theatre and concert hall. Performances are usually in Dutch. 
  • 4 Aquadrome. Swimming pool with two slides, a wave pool and wild water rapids. 
  • 5 Holland Casino Enschede, Boulevard 1945 105, ☏ +31 53 7502750. (updated Jun 2020)

Learn

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International Institute for Geo-Information and Earth Observation (known as ITC) is the most known educational/training center in Geoghraphic Information System and Remote Sensing. Also located here is the University of Twente. Other educational institutes include Saxion Hogeschool and many schools for children. More information at (http://cms3.enschede.nl/)

Dragonheart Medieval Lifestyle

Enschede wishes to profile itself as the place to be in the eastern Netherlands when it concerns shopping. The large square, the Van Heekplein, has been modernised and been made the 'shopping-centre' of the city. Large stores such as V&D and Primark are there, as are many clothing stores such as H&M, WE and C&A. Many other shops can be found throughout the city centre. Every Thursday shops are opened until 21:00 instead of 18:00. All shops are open on Sundays, although they will usually open a few hours later and close a few hours earlier.

On Tuesdays and Saturdays from 08:00 to 17:00, there is a large 1 street market at the Van Heekplein, which attracts quite a lot of Germans, as well as the locals of course. It offers bakeries, seafood, produce, cheese, clothing, takeout and other vendors.

Lots of bars and restaurants are located at the Oude Markt. The first weekend of September this square is the stage of the 'Proefeet', an event on which restaurants sell small samples of their best food in order to win a grand prize.

Budget

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  • 1 burgerme Enschede, Willem Wilminkplein 27, ☏ 0900 8608 (high cost). Su-Th 11:00-23:00, F Sa 11:00-00:00. Burger joint that stays open late and has a fleet of motorcycles and bicycles for delivery. Burgers start at €6.9 and combos start at €8.5. (updated Dec 2019)
  • 2 Happy Italy, Willem Wilminkplein 31, 7511 PP, ☏ +31 53 744 0520. Italian restaurant with a large selection of pasta. Pastas ranging from €5.5 to €11. (updated Dec 2019)

Mid-range

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  • 3 Het Paradijs, Nicolaas Beetsstraat 48 7514 CW, ☏ +31 53 436-7919, . Th F 17:00-22:00, Sa Su noon-22:00. Vegetarian restaurant (updated Jul 2022)
  • 4 Bardot, Langestraat 47c, ☏ +31 53 3034020. French and Mediterranean cuisine. Has seating to accommodate large groups. Entrees start at €15. (updated Jun 2020)
  • 5 Aroy-D, Noorderhagen 20, ☏ +31 53 2302090. Th-Sa 17:00-22:00; Su W 17:00-21:00; closed M Tu. Thai restaurant with traditional southeast Asia dishes. Entrees start at €14.50. (updated Jun 2020)

Splurge

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  • 6 Bagels & Beans, Korte Hengelosestraat 33, 7511 JA, ☏ +31 53 436 4830. A high-end bagel shop and cafe (updated Dec 2019)
  • Yuen's Oriëntal, Noorderhagen 9, ☏ +31 53 434-6042, . Th-Sa 17:00-22:00. Asian fusion restaurant with Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Korean and Vietnamese dishes all mixed up into one delicious treat. Try the surprise menu, it's always something new and always something good. Or the hotpot for a safe choice, with a bottle of wine. €35. 

Drink

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As Enschede has a university and is the second largest town in the eastern Netherlands it has a fair number of bars and cafes. The Oude Markt is the location of many bars and bistros which have large terraces, making it the perfect location for a drink on a warm summer night. The oldest pub in Enschede is Het Bolwerk, in the Bolwerkstraat, where one can drink a wide variety of beers and spirits, with the shocking exception of the Enschede-brewed Grolsch.

While the hipper crowds turn to places like Aspen Valley and Central Park, the alternative scene spends their Saturday night in Atak, where one can see a wide variety of customers from hippies to gothics to hard-core-metal-lovers. The student associations also have their own pub in de Pakkerij, like the largest student association of Enschede, AEGEE-Enschede which is often also open to visits from AEGEE students visiting from other European student cities.

Sleep

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Connect

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As of July 2022, Enschede has 4G from KPN and Vodafone, and 5G from T-Mobile.

The city provides free WiFi network "Enschede_Stad_Van_Nu" at the Oude Markt, the Van Heekplein, the Langestraat and on University of Twente campus.

Go next

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Enschede is a city surrounded by nature. It is a good base for walking, cycling or horse riding trips.

Netherlands

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  • Deventer, a city 62 km from Enschede, has a charming medieval city center
  • Dinkelland is a municipality containing the picturesque town of Ootmarsum and the medieval monastery Het Stift
  • Tubbergen is a municipality that contains the nature reserve Het Springendaal, which is particularly beautiful during the autumn
  • Hof van Twente is a municipality known for its castles and mansions, the most famous being Castle Twickel, in the village of Delden
  • Oldenzaal is a city that annually celebrates most famous Carnival from Twente

Germany

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  • Münster, a city 68 km from Enschede, has various historical buildings and a large student population
  • Bad Bentheim is a town equally famous for its medieval castle and its hot springs
  • Tecklenburg, 78 km from Enschede, is a charming and picturesque town in the hills. Difficult to get in without a car
Routes through Enschede
Amsterdam ← Deventer ←  W  E  → END


This city travel guide to Enschede is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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