We were introduced to the town of Nijmegan today, a picturesque city nestled on the banks of the Waal River in the Netherlands. I had literally never heard of this town before seeing it on our river cruise itinerary, so I was very excited to visit.

We ended up skipping all offered tours, and instead spent the day exploring the city by foot on our own, which ended up being a great plan. We loved all of the narrow paths, steep stairs, and cobblestoned walkways.

Nijmegan is a attractive town, filled with cafés, cheese shops, stores, and historical sites.

One of the most enjoyable parts of visiting Nijmegen for us was wandering through its charming streets.

We lost ourselves in the vibrant energy of the city center, where we encountered bustling restaurants with outdoor terraces overflowing with cheerful customers – locals and tourists alike, chattering away with friends and family, cozy cafes, and boutique shops.

We took a leisurely stroll along the oldest shopping street in the Netherlands, and admired the quaint facades of centuries-old buildings. They were aged and enchanting at the same time. So lovely.

This archway below is much more magnificent that my photo can capture.

There were so many impressive details. Even the windows and doors in the city were striking.

Nijmegan has a pretty park like setting just steps away from its main street. We stopped at a beautiful cheese shop to pick up some delicious creamy Gorgonzola along with freshly baked bread from a bakery, and made our way to a bench with this pretty view. It was a gorgeous sunny day, and we enjoyed a picnic along with a few moments of relaxation before continuing our exploration.

Nijmegan also boasts a fascinating past, claiming to be one of the oldest cities in all of Europe, dating back to 5 AD, when the Romans ruled. We continued our exploration at Valkhof Park, featuring remnants of ancient Roman ruins and the iconic Valkhof Castle with scenic river views. This area was home to a Roman Military camp at one point.

You see a lot of churches and cathedrals when traveling in Europe. This one was significant because, as we found out later, a trusted guide in Amsterdam I have worked with for two years now grew up going to this church in Nijmegan. It was beautiful.

And no visit to Nijmegen would be complete without indulging in its culinary delights.

We were craving traditional Dutch cuisine so we stopped at a cute café to sample our first Dutch Mini Pancakes, called Poffertjes.

They were a lot smaller than we thought – slightly bigger than the size of a quarter, very soft, fluffy, airy, and bordering on being uncooked in the center – but in a great way!

They were served with a generous amount of Confectioner’s Sugar and Butter, and we added a bit of maple syrup as well. Along with the Poffertjes, we ordered an authentic hot chocolate, served with milk and real chocolate chips we had to stir in, then top with delicious freshly whipped cream. Amazing…seriously! But you already know how seriously I take my sweets and chocolates. (Hint for true chocolate lovers: Ask for half the amount of milk if you want your hot chocolate to be super creamy and thick!)

Last but not least, a beautiful monument just before entering the park.

Nijmegan truly is a hidden gem in the Netherlands and for us, it shined very brightly! For more information on our itineraries, feel free to email us at dtgainor@gmail.com or visit Global Getaways to learn more about who we are and how we work.