Besides Nijmegen being the nearest big city to me, there are more reasons why I chose Nijmegen as the venue for my workshops. The city is diverse, with a rich history, good coffee and much more. On this page, I am happy to tell you more about it.
The architecture of Nijmegen's old town
Nijmegen city centre is a mix of old and new architecture. It is rich in historical buildings such as the Waag, the town hall and the Stevenskerk. Modern buildings can also be found, such as near the railway station and towards the Gelderlander building on the waterfront.
The contrast between old and new creates that unique atmosphere that gives the city its charm. The compact city centre is easy to explore on foot and provides a fascinating backdrop for your street photography.
A car-free centre
Nijmegen city centre has been largely car-free since 1994. This makes it a pleasant place to explore on foot and enjoy the historical buildings, cosy squares and narrow streets.
The car-free area includes the main shopping streets and the area around Grote Markt and Waalkade. It provides a safer and cleaner environment for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. The pedestrian zone also provides space for events and festivals, making the city centre even more vibrant.
The rich history of Nijmegen's Lower Town
Nijmegen's Lower Town is the oldest part of the city and lies on the southern bank of the river Waal. It is an area with a rich history and a charming, picturesque atmosphere. The narrow streets, alleys and steps lead you past old houses and cosy cafés.
In the Lower Town you will also find the historic Waagh, Nijmegen's oldest shopping street, and the much-praised Kronenburgerpark. From the Waalkade you have a beautiful view of the river, access to the Spiegelwaal and of course you will find the old and modern bridges that connect the city to the rest of Gelderland. It is also the location for (part of ) the Vierdaagsefeesten and the Kaaij.
Visit the Marikenstraat
Marikenstraat is a semi-covered shopping street in the centre of Nijmegen, between the Grote Markt and Central Station. The street is named after the medieval story of Mariken van Nieumeghen. In Marikenstraat, you will find a varied range of shops, including bookshop Dekker vd Vegt and Etos, as well as clothing shops such as Sissy Boy and NZA. The shops are spread over two "layers", which offers a variety of possibilities for the photographer. I like to come here in good weather, or just to be able to shoot indoors when it rains - although the street is a lot quieter then, of course!
My favourite spot: The Snelbinder
The Snelbinder is a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the river Waal in Nijmegen. The bridge connects the Nijmegen-West and Nijmegen-North districts. It is named after the fast train connection between Nijmegen and Amsterdam that used to run here.
The Snelbinder is an important link for cyclists and walkers wishing to cross the river and offers great views of the city and its surroundings. The bridge has a striking design with an arch 125 metres long and is illuminated with sustainable LED lighting. The Snelbinder contributes to Nijmegen's sustainable mobility and is an important element of the city's bicycle-friendly character.
Good coffee
After wandering around for hours, I like to plop down for a cup of good coffee. My pitch is The Blonde Padre. At the Blonde Pater you can enjoy, in my opinion, the best coffee in Nijmegen. The coffee is made with care and the baristas are very experienced. The atmosphere in and around Blonde Pater is cosy and relaxed, and I like to take my workshop participants to enjoy a cup and a good (before or after) conversation. Highly recommended, even if you are just visiting Nijmegen for a day!
Houtstraat 62, 6511 JP Nijmegen
It's the tip of the iceberg. There are so many great things about Nijmegen!