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Image from creativebros.nl

24 hours in Castles & Gardens: 19th and 20th-century art

Give yourself a couple of days to discover everything that the Castles & Gardens region has to offer. Admire some impressive modern art in Amstelveen and at the Singer Laren sculpture garden. Stay overnight in a floating lodge, then head to the historic town of Weesp to explore the municipal museum and porcelain collections.

Admire impressive modern art in Amstelveen

Museum JAN exhibition in Amstelveen
Image from Eddy Wenting

Continue your cycle to Amstelveen. The city is the second greenest city in the Netherlands, and there are plenty of places to discover while you’re there. We recommend paying a visit to the famous Cobra Museum - a must-see for lovers of modern art. Here, changing exhibitions feature the great names of the mid-20th-century CoBrA movement, such as Karel Appel, Constant, Corneille and Jan Sierhuis. Likewise, definitely drop by the smaller Museum JAN whilst you're in Amstelveen which specialises in glass art and Dutch design.

Enjoy lunch with views over Fort Uitermeer

Fortress Uitermeer, part of the Defense line of Amsterdam.
Image from Koen Smilde

When you're feeling peckish, head over to Fort Uitermeer, situated between Amsterdam and Gooi. Next to the fort you’ll find a lovely restaurant, Uit & Meer – the perfect stop for a refreshing drink or tasty meal. With lunch and dinner classics like burgers, salads and pastas, it’s a great place to refuel before your next stop.

Check out the Singer Laren Sculpture Garden

People walking in Singer Laren museum sculpture garden with flowers
Image from Singer Laren

Situated in a former villa built in 1911, the Singer Laren Museum houses an impressive art collection of modernist gems. Outside, the sculpture garden offers a tranquil escape. Dotted through the grounds - designed by renowned landscape architect Piet Oudolf — you’ll find pieces by contemporary and modern Dutch artists including Guido Geelen, Maria Roosen and Famke van Wijk.

Rest your head in a floating lodge

Floating lodges, accommodation in Uitermeer
Image from Erik Speckmann

The Castles & Gardens region offers a variety of options for an overnight stay. From unique floating lodges to elegant villas and family-run hotels, you’ll be spoilt for choice with accommodation options.

Stroll through the historic centre of Weesp

Cheese stall at the Weest market.
Image from Koen Smilde

The next day, take time to explore the charming town of Weesp, which with its many canals and waterside terraces looks like a miniature version of Amsterdam. While in the city you can admire more than 200 historic monuments, including two forts, three historical windmills and several buildings that date back to the 17th and 18th centuries including the town hall which houses the lovely Museum Weesp. Here you’ll find the municipal museum, which is largely devoted to 18th-century porcelain crafts.

See how a wealthy family once lived

Image from creativebros.nl

Henri van Sypesteyn (1857-1937) built this magnificent Castle-Museum to preserve his family’s 500-year lineage. Located in the middle of the Vecht region, Kasteel Museum Sypesteyn houses a fascinating art collection and exhibition on the family. Stroll through the stately period rooms before heading out into the the beautiful garden for a tranquil stroll.

Dive into the region’s culinary scene

The Castles & Gardens boasts a range of restaurant options, perfect for a hearty meal after a day of sightseeing. With its soft couches and wooden tables, the cosy De Eendracht in Weesp oozes a living room atmosphere. Meanwhile A-Fusion in Naarden offers mouthwatering small dishes like sticky Korean chicken, Japanese lamp chops and miso butter oysters. Lastly Aan de Poel in Amstelveen raises the culinary game with two Michelin-starred dining and an extensive wine list. 

Pressed for time? Check out these 4 and 12-hour guides to exploring the region.