Hanseatic Cities Kampen & Hasselt

The area around Bed & Wijn at De Kasteelhoeve in IJhorst is rich in Hanseatic cities: historic trading towns that grew large in the late Middle Ages thanks to international trade by water. Anyone who loves monumental facades, old warehouses, atmospheric quaysides and lively old town centres can revel in it here. From the Reest valley, Kampen, Hasselt and nearby Zwolle are all a short drive away, so you can easily fill a day with culture and history and return in the evening to your suite for a good glass of wine.

What is a Hanseatic city?

The Hanse was a late-medieval alliance of trading cities around the North and Baltic Seas. Towns along the IJssel and the Zwarte Water joined it and grew into prosperous trading centres. That wealthy period can still be read in the imposing merchant houses, churches, town gates and warehouses you come across in the old town centres. A walk through a Hanseatic city feels like a journey back in time, with a story about trade, shipping and craftsmanship on every corner.

Kampen on the IJssel

Kampen, on the bank of the IJssel, is one of the best-known Hanseatic cities in the Netherlands. The town boasts an impressive row of historic facades along the water, old town gates and a lively centre full of shops, cafes and museums. The Koornmarktspoort and the Broederpoort recall the days when the town was walled, while the slender towers and the Bovenkerk define the skyline. A walk along the IJssel quay leads you past centuries of trading history, with characteristic warehouses as silent witnesses to a rich past.

Intimate Hasselt

If you prefer something smaller and more intimate, head to Hasselt on the Zwarte Water. This compact little Hanseatic town has a surprisingly well-preserved historic centre with canals, monumental buildings and a quiet, congenial atmosphere. You can walk through it in no time, but it is precisely that small scale that makes Hasselt so charming. Its setting on the water, the old harbour and the atmospheric streets make it a pleasant stop that combines perfectly with a visit to Kampen.

Discover on foot

Both towns are best discovered on foot. Stroll through the old streets, wander along the quays and facades and settle down at a cosy terrace along the way. Their setting on the water gives both Kampen and Hasselt a special atmosphere, especially when the sun shines on the centuries-old facades and the boats glide by. Take your time, because it is in the details — an old gable stone, a narrow alley, a still little canal — that the charm of these towns lies.

Culture and conviviality

Besides their history, the Hanseatic cities offer plenty of room for conviviality. You will find snug specialty shops, atmospheric cafes and restaurants, and regular markets or events that make the old town centres extra lively. A day of Hanseatic culture is therefore a pleasant change from the nature of the Reest valley and the bustle of a historic town, with always plenty to see, taste and experience.

Combine with Zwolle

The largest Hanseatic city nearby is Zwolle, with its famous town moat, the Sassenpoort and a vibrant centre. If you would rather head into nature, then there are other destinations within driving distance, so you can combine water and culture in a single trip. That way you put together your own day, entirely to taste.

A day of Hanseatic culture from IJhorst

From Bed & Wijn you can easily make a day trip along the Hanseatic cities. Start in Kampen, cross over to Hasselt and possibly finish in Zwolle — or take it easy with one town and a long lunch. Take a look at the suites and the Landhuisje and the available dates, and return in the evening to the Reest valley for a relaxed evening with a glass of wine.