Urban exploring Netherlands, these are the best locations!

🏙️ Urban exploring, also known as urbex, is the discovery of abandoned or hidden places. The Netherlands has a long history of industry, trade and infrastructure. This means there are many urbex locations to be found throughout the Netherlands. From abandoned factories to old bunkers and deserted train stations. Are you looking for the best locations for urban exploring in the Netherlands? In this blog we'll take you to eight places you shouldn't miss!

Former Soesterberg air base – Soest

🛫 The former Soesterberg air base was closed in 2008 and since then it has been the perfect place for urban explorers. This site has old military buildings, abandoned hangars and a runway that is now part of the surrounding nature area. Many buildings have been taken over by nature, but the military elements are still clearly visible. Some parts are accessible via walking routes, but there are also places off these paths to discover.

• Address: Verlengde Paltzerweg 1

• Type of building: former military air base

• How to get there: car or bicycle, parking at National Military Museum

The dome prison – Breda

🏰 The Dome Prison in Breda is an iconic building that served as a prison for years. The distinctive dome shape makes this location definitely worth visiting. After closing in 2016, the building remained largely empty, but nowadays tours and events are organized. This location is therefore not accessible just like that, but it still remains a good location to get an impression of an abandoned prison.

• Address: Nassausingel 26

• Type of building: former prison

• How to get there: car or train, within walking distance of Breda station

Land van Ooit – Drunen

🎢 The former theme park Land van Ooit was once a popular destination for families, but was closed in 2007 and has stood empty since then. Paths taken over by nature, old attractions and the remains of the medieval decor make this place perfect for urban exploring. The park has now been partly redeveloped as a nature area, but there are still traces of the past to be found.

• Address: Oude Heusdenseweg 10

• Type of building: abandoned theme park

• How to get there: car, parking at Land van Ooit nature area

The bunkers of the Atlantic Wall – The Hague & Wassenaar

🪖 Along the Dutch coast there are still many remains of the Atlantic Wall to be found, a defense line from World War II. Especially in The Hague and Wassenaar there are hidden bunkers that once formed part of this military structure. Some bunkers are open to the public during special days, while others are well hidden in dunes and forests.

• Address: multiple locations along the coast, including Clingendael and Scheveningen

• Type of building: old bunkers from World War II

• How to get there: car or bike, parking at nearby nature areas

The ENKA factory – Ede

🏭 The ENKA factory in Ede was for years an important location for synthetic fiber production. After its closure in 2002, a large part of the site remained abandoned, which immediately attracted urban explorers. Meanwhile, many buildings have been demolished or redeveloped, but there are still parts where time has stood still. If you're quick, you can still take a look at what was once one of the largest factories in the Netherlands.

• Address: Dr. Hartogsweg

• Type of building: former synthetic fiber factory

• How to get there: car, parking nearby

The abandoned station of Veenhuizen – Drenthe

🚂 Veenhuizen is known for its past as a prison village, but also has an abandoned train station that's an amazing urbex location. This station was once used for transporting prisoners and goods, but has been out of use for years. The building and tracks have largely been taken over by nature. This creates an abandoned and mysterious atmosphere.

• Address: Veenhuizen

• Type of building: abandoned train station

• How to get there: car or bike, accessible via local roads

The IJsselcentrale – Zwolle

⚡ The old IJsselcentrale in Zwolle was once an important power plant, but was decommissioned in 2015. Since then, it's been an abandoned complex with large turbines, control rooms and other industrial outbuildings. You don't see this type of industrial location much in the Netherlands, making it a popular spot among urban explorers and photographers.

• Address: IJsselcentraleweg

• Type of building: former power plant

• How to get there: car, parking near the site

The abandoned hospital – Delft

🏥 In Delft stands an old hospital that was empty for years and was known as one of the most mysterious urbex locations in the Netherlands. The operating rooms, abandoned corridors and old equipment give the building a spooky atmosphere. Unfortunately, parts of the complex have now been demolished, yet this remains one of the most iconic locations in the Netherlands.

• Address: Delft (exact address varies per location)

• Type of building: former hospital

• How to get there: car or public transport, parking in the surrounding area

Discover urban exploring in the Netherlands!

🥾 The Netherlands has a surprisingly large selection of abandoned and hidden places for urban exploring. Whether you want to discover an old factory, abandoned bunker or forgotten theme park, there are plenty of places in the Netherlands. Grab your camera, put on sturdy shoes and go on an adventure, but always with respect for the places you visit.

🔍 Want to discover more about urban exploring in the Netherlands? Then take a look at our blogs about urban exploring places in Amsterdam or Groningen.