Welcome to Dordrecht
A City of Historic Beauty and Riverside Charm!
Nestled in the province of South Holland, Dordrecht is not only one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, it's also a hidden gem brimming with history, art, and character – and the perfect backdrop for our Fronteers event!
Surrounded by rivers and lush greenery, Dordrecht enchants with its historic harbors, beautifully preserved merchant houses, and the iconic Grote Kerk. Its scenic waterfront and winding streets create a relaxed yet inspiring atmosphere.
The city is a treasure trove for art and architecture lovers, home to charming museums, galleries, and centuries-old buildings. Dordrecht’s compact center is perfect for wandering, and its blend of quiet elegance and cultural vibrancy makes it an ideal place to connect and recharge.
Its location just south of Rotterdam means it's easily accessible while offering a more intimate and authentic Dutch city experience. Whether you’re arriving by train or ferry, Dordrecht welcomes you with open arms and riverside beauty.
Explore Dordrecht
Dordrecht is the oldest city in the region Holland (North- and South-Holland). Due to various policies and preservation acts, it holds more than 2000 monuments, and with access to multiple iconic cities in The Netherlands, this is the perfect location for conference attendees looking to extend their stay.
We would love to list all that there is to do in Dordrecht and its surroundings, but the city of Dordrecht and the VVV Dordrecht (“Vereeniging voor VreemdelingenVerkeer”, translated: association for tourism) have collected almost all that there is todo in both English and Dutch on their website indordrecht.nl.
That said, should you find the self-guided tour “Rondje Dordt” too short, or want to make sure you get to see as much as possible within the city center, we have composed a walk and sightseeing tour that tries to touch even more historic (and less historic) highlights:
Exploring Beyond Dordrecht
The Drechtsteden, called that way because many of the associated towns and cities end in the suffix -drecht (place where ships are pulled or carried across the land), are all bordering each other in the delta area of two rivers. Abundance of walking, cycling, water, and public transportation routes make those towns and cities opportune for a visit if you have a bit more time to spare.
The associated towns and cities are (alphabetically):
- Alblasserdam
- Dordrecht
- Hardinxveld-Giessendam
- Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht
- Papendrecht
- Sliedrecht
- Zwijndrecht
The connectivity over the water gives a unique opportunity not seen often: there is a public transportation line between these cities over the water.
The waterbus line 20 and line 22 can take you across most of the area, or all the way to Rotterdam.
Please note: The above picture is of 2026 - we will update this as 2027 rolls around.
Whilst you can buy tickets online, because this is part of our public transportation network, you can also use the regular OVPay system to pay for your fare. And the best thing: you can bring a bike for free! This should greatly increase the range you are able to and willing to explore. Noe that the Waterbus is not the only provider operating on the waters between the drechtsteden, for example riveer connects Papendrecht to Dordrecht, perfect for substitute travel across the bridge.
With all that said, your possibilities are endless, with many suggestions listed on the indordrecht.nl website. If you cannot pick what to do, VVV Dordrecht at Spuiboulevard 99 is a great choice as they can tailor the response of your inquiry.
Our suggestion? Dordrecht is served by various bike sharing programs, such as the OV-bicycle by NS (available at the train station) and Donkey Republic in corporation with QBuzz, the bus provider of the region. Get yourself one of these for the day, and then visit Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, experiencing the classic Dutch Windmill on a tranquil background of polders. You don't need a ticket if you're walking or cycling through the area (and don't want to look inside).
We've made you a route that you can follow, with both a water bus (line 22) crossing (daily 7.30 to 21.30 at time of writing), and the R1 ferry by the city government (24/7, at least once every 30 minutes at time of writing). It will take you through Alblasserdam and Papendrecht, and straight through Kinderdijk. You'll cycle through the polders, part of the harbour business area, and connecting roads through Dordrecht, looping from and to the conference venue.
…and further
Check out this live train map.
That's right. You can basically go everywhere from anywhere. The VVV Dordrecht at Spuiboulevard 99 can help you plan a day trip away, even if it's not to one of the Drechtsteden. Feel free to ask us about our favourite places to visit! Go out and explore…