Meppel

Meppel canal view

Meppel - Meppel Deep Happiness

Welcome to Meppel, a cosy city where water, history and liveliness come together. Wander through the atmospheric city centre with canals, bridges and monumental buildings, discover nice shops and take a seat at one of the many terraces.

There is something to experience all year round: from markets and events to culture and cosy catering. Thanks to its location between Drenthe and National Park Weerribben-Wieden, Meppel is also a perfect base to explore the area.

Don't miss this

  • Meppel Tower

    For centuries, the Meppel Tower has been the proud centrepiece of the city and an eye-catcher for anyone visiting Meppel. Climb the 147 steps and be rewarded with stunning views of the city and surroundings. Tip: come on Thursday morning and combine it with the cosy market

    Meppel Tower Meppel Tower

  • Main street and squares

    The Hoofdstraat is the heart of Meppel: shop among beautiful facades and various architectural styles, and stop off at one of the cosy squares along the way.

    Terrace Kerkplein with people in Meppel

  • Steamboat quay and canals

    The Stoombootkade shows Meppel's sailing past, with canals like those in Amsterdam. Discover why Meppel is called 'the Mokum of the North'.

    Canals Meppel

  • The Reest valley

    From Meppel, you step right into the beautiful Reestdal, with its meandering river and varied landscape of nature and agriculture. Don't forget to climb the watchtower; you can also see Meppel from 7 metres up.

    The Reest valley Lookout tower Reestdal

  • The Havixhorst and sculpture park

    The Havixhorst is a beautiful manor house on the edge of the Reest and nowadays an atmospheric château hotel. Stroll through the gardens and discover the sculpture park with works by well-known artists and changing exhibitions.

    The Havixhorst and sculpture park The Havixhorst.

  • Thursday Meppel Days

    On six Thursdays in July and August, Meppel city centre turns into one big party. Street theatre, live music, stalls and surprising performances create a vibrant atmosphere for young and old to enjoy.

    Thursday Meppel Days Thursday Meppel Day

  • Canal Festival

    In the second weekend of June, Meppel's canals burst into life during the Grachtenfestiv.Stroll along the characteristic quays, discover historic ships, browse at cosy stalls or take part in sporting activities

    Canal Festival Canal festival Meppel

Want to discover more? - All addresses in Meppel at a glance

Routes in Meppel

Discover all the cultural pearls

  • Museum Impression

    Museum Impression Printing Museum Meppel - Museum Impression.

    Step inside Museum Impression and experience the world of lead, ink and stamping printing presses. Write your own text with lead letters, print your page and scoop your own paper in the old paper barrel.

    Fun for children and adults alike: from a scavenger hunt to children's printers and demonstrations of real printing techniques.

  • Municipal Museum Meppel

    Municipal Museum Meppel Municipal Museum Meppel

    The Stedelijk Museum Meppel is a real treasure trove full of regional art and special objects. Discover paintings by Meppel artists, antique silver and the enchanting Triangle Cabinet with puppets and hand puppets.

    In addition, the exhibitions change quarterly, always something new to admire.

  • Ogterop theatre

    Ogterop theatre Ogterop theatre

    Schouwburg Ogterop is Meppel's cultural heart with theatre, music, dance and youth performances. The historical bonbonnière hall is the oldest in Drenthe. The theatre is currently being renovated.

  • The Vegafactory

    The Vegafactory The Vegafabriek Kolderveen

    The Vegafabriek in Kolderveen combines food and music into unforgettable evenings. In the Cheese Hall of the former dairy factory, enjoy intimate concerts and a delicious pop-up dinner beforehand.

  • The Havixhorst and sculpture garden

    The Havixhorst and sculpture garden Entrance to the Havixhorst

    Landgoed De Havixhorst is beautifully located in the Reest valley between Meppel and De Wijk. Stroll through the baroque garden, discover the hotel-restaurant in the historic manor house or visit the stork information centre De Lokkerij on the edge of the estate.

  • Puppet International

    Puppet International Puppet International

    Meppel hosts Puppet International, the festival for puppet and object theatre in the Netherlands and Flanders. Be surprised by creativity, imagination and unique performances.

Discover the city's past

Meppel is more than a cosy town; it is also a place full of history and stories dating back to the Middle Ages. As early as 1422, Meppel became ecclesiastically independent, and due to its location on waterways, the town grew into an important trading centre. Merchants from far and wide came here for the annual markets, while ships from the Zuiderzee brought their cargoes. You can still see that past in the canals and the historic warehouses along the Stoombootkade.

But Meppel also has a more probing history. During World War II, the Jewish community was hit hard. At several places in the city, Stolpersteine and memorials remind residents who were deported and lost their lives.

Today, you can discover Meppel's rich past for yourself. Together with a city guide, you walk through the historic city centre and hear stories about trade, culture, architecture and Jewish history. This way, history becomes tangible and alive, and you see Meppel through the eyes of the people who once made it the city it is today.

Old black and white photo of Meppel's canals.

Events in Meppel

Meppel on the map

Click on the interactive map and discover Meppel: all accommodation, cosy places to eat, fun activities and the most beautiful cycling and walking routes through the city and its surroundings.

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