Arnhem Local Customs

One thing which can be said about all of the Netherlands is that bikes take preference over people. By this I mean that it is often quite difficult, as I tried, to get around purely on foot. Where cycle paths are everywhere, footpaths are not. I encountered, while walking from Oosterbeek to Kasteel Doorwerth, people will often stop and ask if you are alright if they see you on foot, as walking is clearly an alien concept! Though this did result in our being offered a lift, it is well worth renting a bike, as can be done in all national parks and cities.

Everybody is going out for shopping on Thursday evening.
The shops are open until 21:00 and the ambience is completely changed. On the shopping day will be more difficult to find a table in the good restaurants/pubs/bars and so on... As you all know shopping is increasing the appetite:)
They have also special offers on that day. The only things you can get for free are the hugs :):)

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As everybody knows, the most common mean of transportation in Holland is the bicycle. If you haven't been in Holland you do not have the exact measure of this fact. They are everywhere and you cannot miss them so easy when you will come here. Take care when you cross the streets...the bicycles are more dangerous than the cars.

Arnhem is the only city in the Netherlands where you can find trolleybusses. For those who don't know the concept. A trolleybus is a combination of a tram and a bus. Basically it's just an electric bus, getting its power from powerlines above the road. Making them not very flexible but environmental friendly as there is no diesel exhaust.

So far I’ve seen street organs only in the Netherlands. This one we saw in Arnhem. Children seem to enjoy these things a lot, as well as tourists.
I was surprised to discovered that, what we usee to call the Dutch Organ is not Dutch at all. Read more interesting info here

Markets are in my opinion the most cosy ways of shopping (for groceries). Every town has one in The Netherlands and the products sold are always fresh and deliscious. Historically seen, the markets make up the city, as one of the most important priviliges within the cityrights was the allowance to have a market. Products from the surrounding area's were brought here to be sold to the public and still it's like this within many towns in The Netherlands. The prices are also a lot lower then in shops, so why not get a taste of the market in Arnhem.
Tuesday morning in Presikhaaf
Wednesday morning in Arnhem South (Drieslag)
Thursday morning i citycentre (Jansplaats)
Friday morning in citycentre (Church quare)
and Saturday again in citycentre

If possible, I would be glad to guide any VT-visitor to Arnhem around. Of course I have my daytime job, but planned in advance I will always try my best to make your visiti to my hometown a complete and pleasant one. Arnhem is for sure worth visiting and deserves to have some embassadors that love the town as much as me. So, give me a mail and ... we'll look into the possibilities of "the full centre tour".

Within the Eusebius- churchtower in Arnhem, we present proudly one of the largest clocks in Europe to our visitors. Sliding along it by glass elevator, most non-residents are alllowed to ring the 10.000 kilograms clock. Not too loud of course, otherwise the rest of the trip will be rather silent (as for deafness). In the bell there is a inscription telling a poem commemorating the battle of Arnhem in which the old large clock was falling down in the collapsing churchtower and brooke in two.