Did you know that Nijmegen was voted Green Capital in 2018? And that The Times ‘Nimma’ or ‘Nyma’, as the city is also called named one of the 12 sustainable cities in the world worth visiting? That prompted Visit Netherlands to thegreenlist.nl to invite us on a press trip, so that we could experience all the fun (and tasty) green activities ourselves and share them with you as a tip. Sas went on the road! With these tips under your arm, you will experience the perfect, sustainable city trip in Nijmegen!
Tips for a sustainable city break in Nijmegen
In cooperation with Visit Netherlands & Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions
Nijmegen has not only been known as the oldest city in the Netherlands since 2018, the city has also been voted European Green Capital of 2018. That is not just any award, only one city a year is allowed to hold this title. And since that crowning, the people of Nijmegen have not been idle, as they also The Times has noticed how hard the city is pushing on green issues. The Times: ‘Nijmegen is doing all it can to increase the happiness and health of residents.’ And I got to experience that myself! In this article, I share the best Nijmegen tips!
Citytrip Nijmegen: photo 1: street art on the Bloemerstraat, photo 2: Kronenburgerpark, photo 3: view of the Waalburg.
Sustainable shopping in Nijmegen: this is the place to be!
If you like (sustainable) shopping, Nijmegen is the place to be. What a relief not to see only the big well-known chains for once. As soon as you walk into the shopping street (Lange Hezelstraat and Stikke Hezelstraat), your green heart will start beating faster. It is clear: in Nijmegen they love sustainable shopping. A second-hand children's shop called Children's Good, a Dille & Kamille, but also a Salvation Army ReShare store immediately caught my eye. During your city walk, don't forget to take the occasional side road or alley. You want the oldest café in the Netherlands (according to the locals, that is) In the Blue Hand and the St Stephen's Church don't miss out, of course.
City walk through Nijmegen
As you stroll through Nijmegen, you can make a few stops at cool sustainable shops. Which ones? Quiet-an, I'll go through them with you!
- Het Duurzame Warenhuis: fair, organic, local and animal-friendly. I have rarely seen such a complete range of sustainable products in one place. Het Duurzame Warenhuis is a bit like a HEMA, but only with sustainable (house) brands. What is extra special: each shop employee is an expert on one product group, helps with purchasing and talks when products do not (or no longer) meet their own sustainability criteria. Nice detail: this department store is located in the NPO documentary REACTION as a sustainable example (this docu is a viewing tip). Address: Burchtstraat 126.
- Make my day: three beautiful shops side by side on Stikke Hezelstraat with stylish, sustainable stuff that will make you very happy: a shop for women and children, a shop for men and a workshop with jewellery.
- 512 Nijmegen: This shop is also not to be missed if you are a fan of sustainable fashion. Owner Jettie Wakker has curated the most beautiful sustainable fashion brands for you. Address: Van Broeckhuysenstraat 20.
- But Nijmegen has much more. With Google Maps in your hand, you will easily find these sustainable and second-hand businesses too: To each his own, Sussies Vintage, Children's Good, Reshare store, Natural Chemist, Apple & Egg, 2ndmas, Habbekrats.
Street art in Nijmegen
Don't forget to look around during this citytrip. In Nijmegen, you will find beautiful street art on facades and corners of buildings. And have you already spotted the cheerful line drawings on many shop windows? This is the result of the annual Big Draw which is held in September. Local artists and children decorate the windows of shops entirely in the style of what the shop sells. From Tessa, our local guide, I understand that many shops enjoy this so much that it remains on display (almost) all year round.
There is plenty of sustainable shopping to do during your city break in Nijmegen. Photo 1: 512 Nijmegen, photo 2: second-hand children's clothes shop Kinder-goed, photo 3: Het Duurzame Warenhuis.
Sustainable restaurant tips in Nijmegen
Oelala! What nice and cosy vegetarian food you can eat in Nijmegen. We started our city trip with a vegan lunch at By Bhalu. You can come here every day for a good lunch or a yoga class. From Thursday to Sunday, the cosy living room restaurant is also open for dinner. When I asked owner Christiaan about his signature dish: rendang with oyster mushrooms. Address: Flower Street 95.
For the second spot we went for a special walk around the block, because Tati would be known for the tastiest vegan cake and high tea. This was the perfect place to warm up at the end of the day. Address: Koolemans Beynenstraat 80.
Exceptionally delicious burgers I ate at Restaurant Wally, their bean burger with wally sauce is highly recommended. The fact that they bake the buns in their own bakery is something you can taste right away! Address: Rue Ducale 47 and 57.
Our local guide still tipped off the Vegan Viking sandwich to try at lunch bar The Viking and also to sample the famous cheesesteak (or vegan cheesesteak) at Café De Plak. Café De Plak is also worth visiting anyway because of its rich history: it is Nijmegen's first LGBTQ+café and Still fighting for equality of opportunity. Address: The Viking = Lange Hezelstraat 104, The Slab = Bloemerstraat 90.
My followers on Instagram are also fans of Nijmegen and have tips they say you should not miss: slurping noodle soup at ToKoro Ramen, vega roti at Eatery Moqui, Cultural terrace De Kaaij (only in summer), sandwich at Bairo Alto, sleep and (vega) eat at Hotel Credible, Asian food at Bistro Bankoh (not necessarily veg or sustainable).
An additional shout-out to The Honig Complex. I have been tipped this at least eight times.
You can read more about the nicest vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Nijmegen in this article.
Vegetarian star lunch at The New Shop
The highlight of the city trip is the star-studded lunch at The New Shop. This restaurant has not one Michelin star, but two! They have also been awarded a second green star for their sustainability. Chef Emile cooks vegetarian (vegan is possible) and only with local seasonal produce given to him by the area's food forests. He himself calls this ‘botanical gastronomy’ and for To him, then, only plant-based does not go far enough. He prefers to cook with perennial plant species from local food forests. Wow, I have never eaten so extraordinary before. I must go back once for the full nine-course menu.
If you also want to have this special experience or have something to celebrate and are looking for a special restaurant, there is no better place than this one. You do need to book in time (there is a long waiting list). If you are flexible, it may help to call on the day to check if there are any cancellations. Address: Gebroeders van Limburgplein 7.
Lunch at the sustainable starred restaurant De Nieuwe Winkel, which cooks with produce from food forest Ketelbroek not much further away (photo 1).
Fun & educational during your city break Nijmegen: food forest Ketelbroek
Wouter van Eck's food forest should not be missing from your sustainable-in-Nijmegen list. During a walk through his food forest, Wouter teaches you all about what is wrong with our food system, but at the same time shows you that things can be done differently. A food forest! By appointment, he leads you around the forest. This is also one of the food forests where chef Emile from De Nieuwe Winkel picks ingredients every week. We also interviewed Wouter about his food forest.
Cycling through Nijmegen
By bike, you can see much more of a city and get around faster and further. Venture into Nijmegen with a local guide, cycling and walking, and learn all about the Netherlands' oldest city. Stroll through the famous Kronenburgerpark and see Roman and medieval buildings in Valkhofpark. Hire bikes to explore the area and finish with a visit to the Bastei, the museum of nature and cultural history, where you can see Roman excavations and learn all about its rich history, the World War II bombings and the role of De Waal.
Walk or cycle along the snelbinder and see the city from the other side, don't forget to visit the Face of Nijmegen (and take a photo) and don't skip the city beach when the weather is nice. There is regularly something going on there. Into Nijmegen has a number of bike rental options listed for you. And if you are looking for a suitable tour to suit your taste: Then be sure to check out these tips from Visit Nijmegen.
Nijmegen: Walk of the town
In Nijmegen, they have come up with a brilliant solution so visitors don't have to miss a thing. An eight-kilometre-long green line runs through Nijmegen. Just follow it and you will pass all the hotspots. At places you will also find QR codes that allow you to start an audio tour on your smartphone. See more on Walk of the town.
Citytrip Nijmegen: Valkhofpark, Walk of the Town and Guesthouse Vertoef.
Citytrip Nijmegen: sleeping in a sustainable design hotel
I can always completely lose myself in the online search for the nicest hotel. Recognisable? Then stop searching now and book a room at Guesthouse Vertoef. A tastefully decorated hotel in a perfect location ánd sustainable. The hotel is almost entirely self-sufficient: off gas, with solar panels on the roof and buying as much as possible from local entrepreneurs and local farmers. The beds are from Auping, the circular rental bikes are from Roetz and they buy breakfast as locally as possible. The spacious affordable rooms are equipped with a kitchen and there are flexi-working spaces in the basement. The location is also perfect less than five minutes from central station and the city centre.
More city trips at home
- Also see: 24 hours in Tilburg!
- Also see: seeing and doing in sustainable Breda!
- Also see: City trip Eindhoven, a surprising destination!
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl.
