Cultural Experiences
Museums, galleries, performing arts, and Arnhem's creative identity
Arnhem's Cultural Life
Arnhem has quietly built one of the most distinctive cultural identities in the Netherlands — from its internationally acclaimed fashion scene to world-class museums and a thriving performing arts programme.
With history now in its own chapter, culture here means the living, breathing creative city: art collections, concert halls, design studios, and the events that fill them.
PopularEusebius Church
Construction began in 1450 when Arnold, Duke of Guelders, laid the first stone; the tower was completed with its distinctive octagonal stone lantern in 1650. At 97 metres it remains the tallest building in Arnhem. The tower was completely destroyed by fire during the 1944 battle, and a full restoration supervised by architect Berend Tobia Boeyinga took until 1964 to complete. Today a glass elevator carries visitors to panoramic viewing platforms near the top. A small entry fee covers the ground floor exhibitions on the city's history; a separate ticket is required for the tower.
PopularRozet Cultural Centre & Bookstore
Designed by Neutelings Riedijk Architecten and opened on 10 December 2013 by Princess Beatrix, Rozet integrates a public library, regional heritage centre, art centre, and community college under one roof. The building won the Best BNA Building of the Year award in 2014. The bookshop is one of the best-stocked in the region. Entry to the building and library is free; exhibition spaces and events may charge separately.
PopularMuseum Arnhem
The original hexagonal, domed neoclassical building was constructed in 1873–74 by Amsterdam architect Cornelis Outshoorn, who also designed the Amstelhotel and the Paleis voor Volksvlijt. The museum was founded on 25 September 1920 when the building was repurposed for art. A major renovation by Benthem Crouwel Architects added a new wing that protrudes 15 metres over the moraine slope, reopening on 13 May 2022 and adding 1,100 m² of new exhibition space. The museum focuses on applied arts, design, and work by female artists. The sculpture garden and grounds are free to enter; the views toward the Rhine are excellent. Closed Mondays.
Airborne Museum Hartenstein
One of Europe's finest WWII museums, housed in the hotel that served as British headquarters during the Battle of Arnhem — opened as a museum in 1978.
Airborne Museum at the Bridge
Opened in 2017, this free museum steps from the John Frost Bridge tells the battle through the personal stories of three men who died here.
Historische Kelders Arnhem
Thirty-six medieval cellars beneath the city centre, built from the 13th to 15th centuries for merchant storage — rediscovered in the 1990s and opened in 2002.
Musis Arnhem
A 19th-century concert hall with an 870-seat main hall — rebuilt in 1889, reopened by Queen Máxima on 12 January 2018 after a €20 million reconstruction.
Nederlands Watermuseum
An interactive water museum in the Bagijnemolen — a corn mill built in 1404, hidden within Park Sonsbeek — with 50+ hands-on exhibits.
JANS' Food & Wine
A wine bar and all-day brasserie inside the Musis concert hall — open from 10:00 daily and the obvious pre-show dining choice on concert evenings.