Heusden Travel Guide: What to See and Do in this Beautiful Dutch Fortified Town

Although Heusden is quite petite, it has rich history and offers visitors a great experience. Heusden is located on the banks of the River Meuse (Maas) in the Province of North-Brabant in the South of the Netherlands and is one of the cutest Dutch fortified towns. Seen from the air, Heusden has the shape of a star.

In the Visitor Centre in Heusden, there is a beautifully executed model of the town, so that you can get an idea of how it looks from above. Heusden makes it a perfect destination for a day trip from Den Bosch or Amsterdam, or another big city, like Utrecht, Eindhoven, or Breda.

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Is Heusden Worth Visiting?

Heusden is everything but not touristy. This little fortified town is more popular among locals as a biking destination or as favorite place for a weekend escape. It is absolutely charming and much worth the visit. The whole town has been completely reconstructed, but unlike an open-air museum, which serves only as a tourist attraction, Heusden is a place where people actually can live and work.

So yeh, the short answer is: Heusden is absolutely worth visiting!

When is the Best Time to Visit Heusden?

Heusden is a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year. If you happen to be in the Netherlands in one of those rare winters when there is snow, Heusden will look like a winter fairy tale. For Christmas the town has a lovely decoration.

If you are visiting the Netherlands in October, Heusden is a hot spot for autumn foliage. The channels get covered with yellow and red leaves and as the waters would not bother to move, they will create a thick carpet of leaves. In spring you can see the sheep grazing on the dikes. In the summer you can take part in a 17 c. traditional market and festival.

Read more: Best things to do in Den Bosch; 4-day Itinerary in North Brabant

Heusden Through the Centuries

For the first time the name of the settlement is mentioned in 722, but it is only in the 12^th century when the town began to form itself around the Castle of Heusden. The first defensive walls around the town were built in the 14^th century. At the end of the 16^th century the fortifications were reinforced and modernized. Through the centuries the town grew and the defensive walls were expanded further.

The Tragic History of Heusden at the End of WWII

Just at the end of the WWII the town suffered one of the biggest tragedies in its history. On the night of 4^th to 5^th November 1944 there was announced an artillery attack. 170 civilians gathered in the cellars of the town hall to seek shelter. In the early morning of 5^th November, the Germans detonated the tower of the town hall which collapsed on the building itself, killing 134 people, a 10% of the town’s population then.

Few hours later the town was liberated by a Scottish Division. The detonation of the town hall was investigated as a war crime as the explosives were put in such a way that the tower would collapse onto the building and not on the street, for example. However, those who executed and led this operation were never charged. There are still stories that go around about those tragic events.

How to Get to Heusden

By car

The best way to get to Heusden from Amsterdam or anywhere in the Netherlands, is by car. Just outside the town walls there are three parking places where you can park your car for free. Within the town walls the service is paid and quite restricted. The streets are tiny and the places are limited. So when coming to Heusden by car, please, park outside as the town is too small.

By public transport

With public transportation it takes less than 2 hours to go to Heusden from Amsterdam. First take the train from the central train station in Amsterdam to ‘s-Hertogenbosch (about an hour) and then bus 135 to Wijk en Aalburg (about 20 min). The bus station in ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) is next to the train station.

What to Do in Heusden?

Despite the small size, Heusden is absolutely adorable. Just stroll around and get lost. Well, you can’t really get lost as you would always reach the town walls in less than 15 minutes, no matter where you are.

1. See the Fortifications

Heusden’s star-shaped fortifications are a highlight for history lovers and walkers alike. Heusden was one of the first fortified towns in the Netherlands. The building of the fortifications began in 1579 and was accomplished in 1597. However, by the 19^th century nothing was left from these once glorious fortifications. Today, the defence works are completely restored according to an old map from 1649.

If you want to learn everything about the fortifications and make sure you don’t miss any sight in the town, you should take this walking tour in Heusden.

The fortifications of Heusden were a complex structure of water, dikes, towers and ramparts and they make a great place for a walk. You can make a complete circle around the town walking on the elevated fortifications. You will have some beautiful views on the surrounding scenery and the town itself.

2. Visit the Town Hall

The old Town Hall was completely destroyed by the explosions on the early morning of 5^th November 1944. It was one of the most beautiful town-hall buildings in the Netherlands, built in 1461. After the war it was rebuilt but not to its previous state. The new building was opened in 1956.

Today, there is a Visitor Centre, which hosts various exhibitions. Here you can see models of the old town hall and the whole town including the fortifications.

3. Check out the Old Gates

In the Middle Ages there were four town gates that would let people in and out of the town walls. Today, there are two gates which are completely reconstructed: The Ferry Gate (de Veerpoort) and The Wijkse Gate (de Wijkse poort) and the third one is only in ruins – The Herptse Gate (de Herptse poort).

4. Walk Around the Remains of the Castle

Today, there is almost nothing left from this once very important castle. It was built in the 12 c. and was one of the biggest castles in Western Europe of its time. On 24 July 1680 a lightning hit the dunjon, where the munitions were stored, and the castle, together with the surrounding buildings and houses, was blown in the air.

The only thing that survived after the explosion were the walls of the old keep and parts of the foundation. The castle has never been completely restored afterwards. Though the castle of Heusden no longer stands in full, the remnants offer a glimpse into the town’s medieval past. Information panels will help you imagine what once stood here.

5. Enjoy a Beer at the Fish Market (Vismarkt)

The Vismarkt is one of Heusden’s liveliest little squares, perfect for grabbing a local Dutch beer at a café terrace. After walking around the town, you can stop for a drink at one of the many cafés at the square. If you want to enjoy your drink watching the yachts and the boats that stop at the marina, take a place at the Havenzicht café.

If you a great fan of the Dutch-style pancakes, you can have one at the Pannekoekenbakker. A local attraction at the square is the House with a Cannonball in the Wall – a proof of the turbulent past of this fortified town.

The Fish Market (Vismarkt) is also the place where locals love to spend their Saturday afternoons. Heusden is also a preferred stop for bikers and motor bikers. If you are sailing a boat, you are also welcome in Heusden.

One of the most famous buildings at Fish Market (Vismarkt) is the House with the Cannonball. Yes, there is a cannonball stuck in the wall! You can spot it to the right of the top window, near the bottom of the reinforcing bar. They call the house the Lost Cannonball (De Verdwaalde Koogel). Do you know that you can stay at that house? It has a restaurant and a hotel.

In den Verdwaalde Koogel

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6. Take Tons of Pictures at the Visbank

The Visbank, a former fish auction house, is one of the most picturesque corners of Heusden. Heusden received its rights to trade with fish in 1357. The Visbank with its 12 Dorian columns is a popular place for taking wedding pictures or just any type of pictures.

Through an arched opening, there is a beautifully framed view to the small harbour, the bridge and one of the windmills. Don’t miss to take a picture there! It’s a postcard-worthy location.

The arched gate at the Visbank is a favourite spot for many locals in Heusden as it offers a beautiful view to the small harbour and the windmills.

7. Count the Windmills

Heusden’s windmills are more than just postcard material — they’re part of the town’s original fortifications. As you stroll the star-shaped walls, you’ll spot three traditional Dutch windmills, positioned like sentinels above the harbor. These windmills are among the top things to see in Heusden and make for fantastic photo spots.

The windmills in Heusden however are not historic. They were built in the 1970s. But hey, who’s complaining. They perfectly complement the skyline of Heusden and make it look very Dutchy.

When it snows in the country of the windmills, Heusden turns into a fairy-tale town. It doesn’t happen often, so if you are in the winter in the Netherlands and it snows, head to Heusden!

8. Take an Art Tour in Heusden

Heusden has several small galleries and artist studios scattered throughout its historic center. You can browse paintings, ceramics, and photography by Dutch artists while walking through town. Some galleries are housed in 17th-century buildings. It is a pure delight to take a tour around the galleries of Heusden. History and modernity at one place.

Modern art is not only in the galleries of Heusden but also on the streets, so watch out and you will be surprised by strange creatures.

9. Take a Boat Trip in Heusden

If you are done with the sightseeing on the ground, you can take a boat trip on the River Meuse (Maas). You can either hire a private boat or you can do one of the organized boat trips. For more information check at the Tourist Office. They operate between April and September.

On the pier, behind the small harbour, to the right of the windmill with the bridge, there’s an information board with the schedule of the boat tours.

Where to stay in Heusden?

f you’d like to spend more than a day in Heusden — and it’s worth it! — there are a few charming local options to consider. The town is small, so accommodation is limited and tends to book out early, especially in spring and summer.

Use the link below to check current availability and find the best deals on hotels and guesthouses in Heusden:

Check here for hotels in Heusden

If you can’t find something in town, don’t worry — nearby cities like Den Bosch (just 25 minutes away) or smaller towns like Wijk en Aalburg or Drunen offer more accommodation and easy access to Heusden by car or bike.