Zutphen
The Hanseatic Town on Its River Dunes, Where the Books Are Still Chained
Explore the Town ↓Life in Zutphen
Towers rise above the IJssel, merchant streets lead toward a church with a chained library, and country estates lie nearby. Zutphen is a smaller, quieter version of Dutch town life.
Zutphen is a small, complete Hanseatic town of towers, gates and merchant houses above the IJssel, with a sixteenth-century chained library still in its church, castles and estates all around, and prices far below the west.
Zutphen is one of the value picks of the list and one of its most charming towns, with its old core raised on river dunes above the IJssel. It is small, and its services are small-town services.
- The local hospital’s emergency department is open only from 8:00 to 21:00; the nearest 24-hour ones are in Apeldoorn and Deventer.
- Schiphol is roughly 1 hr 45 min away by train.
- The IJssel narrows to a bottleneck here.
- Trains run to Deventer, Apeldoorn and Arnhem.
- Schiphol is about 1 hr 45 min to 2 hr away by train with a change, or about 1 hr 15 min by road.
- Province
- Gelderland, at the western edge of the Achterhoek · the municipality also includes Warnsveld
- Population
- About 49,300 in the municipality (CBS provisional count, 1 January 2026) · a small town with a complete historic core
- Setting
- On the east bank of the IJssel where the Berkel flows in · the old town on river dunes above the floodplain
- Heritage
- The Librije of the Walburgiskerk, a chained library of 1564 · Drogenapstoren · Berkelpoort · Wijnhuistoren · Museum Henriette Polak
- What Makes It Distinct
- A complete small Hanseatic town among castles and forests, at eastern prices
- Inside the Full Atlas
- 27 pages on Zutphen, within the 233-page Netherlands Atlas.
Zutphen & Its Surroundings
Wander the streets, waterways and neighboring towns before you go.
The pin marks the town center. The live map needs an internet connection.
A Closer Look at Zutphen
Look Beyond the View
Fall for the view, then choose with clear eyes. The full Atlas explains the natural risks checked for this town and where a property deserves a closer look.
- See which natural hazards the research covers
- Tell town-wide conditions apart from one address
- Take the right questions to a local specialist
Picture the Journey
The town you love should be easy to reach, again and again. The full Atlas lays out how you get here, from the arrival point to the final stretch.
- Compare the main ways to get here
- Plan for repeat visits and everyday trips
- Weigh the trade-offs before you pick a base
Find Your Reasons to Stay
The places you remember mix scenery, streets and local life. The town chapter takes you past the first impression to the character underneath.
- Explore the setting, landmarks and local culture
- Discover what makes this town its own
- Picture the pleasures of a longer stay
Renting It While You’re Away
Thinking of renting your home out while you’re away? The Atlas sets the rental questions and local context right beside the place itself.
- Learn which rules and permits to check
- Gauge likely visitors and seasonal demand
- Weigh the practical limits on renting it out
Imagine an Ordinary Week
The view draws you in. Everyday life helps you decide. The full chapter covers the services and practical details of living here beyond a vacation.
- Check healthcare and everyday services
- Picture the shops, connections and daily routines
- See what life is like outside the busy season
Zutphen and Around, in 5 Pictures
Images from the Atlas, each with its own source and edit notes.
Summary of the Netherlands Atlas, edition of 26 September 2026. The town order is our editorial ranking. About the Dossier.