Arnhem, located in the eastern Netherlands along the banks of the Rhine, is a city shaped by resilience and reinvention. It is widely known for its role in World War II during Operation Market Garden, a failed Allied attempt to seize bridges across the Rhine in 1944. Visitors can explore this history at the Airborne Museum at Hartenstein in nearby Oosterbeek, which features immersive exhibits and personal accounts from soldiers and civilians. Each September, commemorations and parachute drops are held to honor those who fought in the Battle of Arnhem.

The city also offers a surprising mix of green space and modern design. Sonsbeek Park, once a private estate, stretches across hills, streams, and wooded trails just minutes from the city center. It’s not uncommon to see local art installations within the park, especially during the international Sonsbeek art exhibition held every few years. Arnhem also borders De Hoge Veluwe National Park, home to the Kröller-Müller Museum, which houses the second-largest collection of Van Gogh paintings in the world, along with sculptures scattered throughout forest and heathland.

Arnhem has strong ties to Dutch fashion and design, thanks to ArtEZ University of the Arts. Graduates from its fashion department have gone on to international acclaim, and their influence is visible in boutiques and creative spaces throughout the Modekwartier (Fashion Quarter). This district features workshops, studios, and cafes where visitors can meet designers and even purchase one-of-a-kind pieces made on-site. The area also offers a local look into Arnhem’s efforts to blend entrepreneurship with cultural identity.