The Dutch Hanseatic cities are the best answer to a question most visitors never ask: where did the Netherlands trade its way to wealth before Amsterdam took over? Zwolle, Deventer and Kampen sit along the IJssel river in the east, and each of the three joined the medieval Hanseatic League. Today they keep their gates, towers and merchant streets, and all three connect by train, so you can see them in a single long day or a relaxed weekend. This guide explains what to see in each, how to link them, and where to eat.
Love the Netherlands? Join our free newsletter for hidden Dutch gems → inlovewithnetherlands.com/subscribe
What Are the Dutch Hanseatic Cities?
The Hanseatic League was a network of merchant towns that traded across northern Europe from the Middle Ages. Goods such as grain, timber, cloth and salted fish moved between the Baltic, the North Sea and the river valleys inland. The IJssel gave eastern Dutch towns a direct line to that trade, and Zwolle, Deventer and Kampen grew rich on it.
The wealth shows up in the architecture. You find tall church towers, fortified city gates, weighing houses and long rows of gabled merchant homes. These towns also stayed small after the Golden Age, so the old centres survived without the crowds of Amsterdam. For a wider view of the region, start with our Start Here page.
How to Plan a Trip to the Hanseatic Cities
All three cities are easy to reach by public transport. From Amsterdam, Zwolle takes roughly an hour by direct intercity train, and Deventer is a similar trip. Zwolle and Deventer sit about 25 kilometres apart, a short hop by train. Kampen lies roughly 12 kilometres from Zwolle, and you can reach it by local train, bus or a flat cycle ride along the river.
- One long day: take the train to Deventer in the morning, move on to Zwolle for the afternoon, and finish in Kampen at sunset.
- A weekend: base yourself in Zwolle, which has the best choice of hotels and the most frequent trains, and visit the other two at an easy pace.
- By bike: the IJssel valley is flat, and the Dutch cycle network signposts the route between the towns.
Check train times and any engineering works on the national journey planner before you travel, as timetables change.
Zwolle: The Gate, the Pepper Pot and the Canal Ring
Zwolle is the capital of the province of Overijssel and the easiest base for the trip. Its old centre is ringed by a star-shaped moat, which gives the town an unusually clear medieval outline. Allow half a day for a slow walk.
Sassenpoort
The Sassenpoort is the surviving city gate, built in 1409 as part of the defences. Brick towers flank the entrance, and the gate stands on the edge of the old centre beside the water. It makes the natural start for a walk into town.
The Peperbus tower
Locals call the Church of Our Lady’s tower the Peperbus, or pepper pot, because of its rounded top. At around 75 metres it dominates the skyline, and the narrow streets around it are the best place to browse independent shops.
Where to eat in Zwolle
Squares such as the Grote Markt fill with café terraces in summer. Order a plate of Dutch cheese with local beer, or try a traditional pancake house if you want a hearty lunch. For events and opening times, see the town’s official visitor site, Visit Zwolle.
Deventer: Gingerbread, Books and a Riverfront
Deventer is the oldest of the three in spirit and the most atmospheric. Its long quay along the IJssel looks across wide meadows, and behind it the streets of the old town are packed with timber-framed and brick houses.
The Brink and the Waag
The Brink is the central square, and it holds the Waag, the old weighing house where merchants once checked the weight of their goods. Cafés line the square, which makes it the best place in the city for a coffee stop.
Deventer koek
Deventer koek is a spiced gingerbread cake, and written records of it stretch back to 1417. Bakers still sell it in the old centre. Buy a slice or a whole loaf as a souvenir, because it keeps well and travels easily.
The Deventer Book Market
Every August the town hosts a huge book market that organisers bill as the largest of its kind in Europe. Thousands of visitors fill the streets, so book rooms well ahead if you plan to attend. See the official Deventer Book Market site for dates, and the Deventer visitor site for everything else.
The Lebuïnus church
The tall church tower rises above the river and gives the Deventer skyline its character. Walk the quay for the best view, then climb into the Bergkwartier, the old hillside district, for quiet cobbled lanes.
Kampen: The Quietest of the Three
Kampen sits close to the mouth of the IJssel, and the town feels more tucked away than its neighbours. Its riverfront skyline is the finest of the three, and the lanes behind it stay peaceful even on summer weekends.
The city gates
Kampen kept several medieval gates, including the Koornmarktspoort and the Cellebroederspoort. Walk between them and you trace the outline of the old trading town. Each gate has its own character, and the brickwork details reward a slow look.
Churches and towers
The Bovenkerk and the New Tower are the main landmarks. Kampen’s merchants financed them, and they show how much the Hanseatic trade shaped the town. The town’s official visitor site, Visit Kampen, lists opening times and tours.
Best Time to Visit the Dutch Hanseatic Cities
Late spring and early autumn work best. The weather is mild, terraces are open and the crowds stay light. August suits book lovers because of the Deventer market, although accommodation fills up. Winter is quiet and atmospheric, and the Christmas season brings lights and markets to the old centres. Our Christmas markets guide covers the festive options.
You Might Also Enjoy
- Giethoorn: the village with no roads
- Nijmegen’s two thousand year story
- A day trip to Den Bosch
- Groningen city guide
Plan Your Netherlands Trip
Ready to build the rest of your route? Our Start Here page links every city, region and itinerary in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which are the Hanseatic cities in the Netherlands?
Zwolle, Deventer and Kampen are the best-known Dutch Hanseatic cities, and all three lie on the IJssel river in the east. Several smaller towns in the region also had Hanseatic links.
Can you visit Zwolle, Deventer and Kampen in one day?
Yes, if you start early and use the train between them. Allow about two hours in each town, and keep Kampen for the evening light.
What is the best base for visiting the Hanseatic cities?
Zwolle is the best base because it has the most trains and hotels. Deventer makes a good alternative if you want an atmospheric old centre on your doorstep.
Is Deventer koek worth trying?
Yes, this spiced gingerbread is a local speciality with a history of several centuries. Bakers in the old town sell it fresh.
Join Netherlands Lovers
Every week, discover the Netherlands beyond the tourist trail — hidden villages, local recipes, cycling routes, and travel insights you won’t find in any guidebook.
Subscribe free — enter your email:
Free forever · One email per week · Unsubscribe anytime
Tours & experiences you might love
Powered by Viator. Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.