Deventer: 5x our favorite hotspots

Streets to wander through, specialty shops that nudge you into losing track of time and churches, buildings and squares where history is still vivid. Deventer is a city that whispers its charms to you in every possible way. These are our favorite hotspots when visiting this Hanseatic city.

Brink

One of the largest market squares in the Netherlands during the Middle Ages. As the oldest trading square of the city, you will find various buildings through almost all centuries, even from before 1600. A large part has been listed as a national monument. Prominently on the south side you can see the oldest weighing house in the Netherlands, 'de Waag', where the Historical Museum Deventer is housed.

Walstraat

As one of the oldest streets in Deventer, the Walstraat is a place that you simply have to wander through. Admire authentic houses and visit the countless specialty shops for chocolate, antiques, living and coffee. For the latter, you should definitely pay a visit the Blue Room. A small-scale coffee roasting company called Roemar is located in this historic building. Enjoy a hot cup of coffee, while the history and process of coffee is explained to you with lots of passion and enthusiasm.

Deventer Koekwinkel Bussink

Deventer Koekwinkel is a famous name. Not only in Deventer, but also in the rest of the Netherlands and beyond. An authentic place that you should definitely go to when visiting this Hanseatic city. This Charles Dickens-like store full of delicacies from grandmother's time makes your mouth water.

De Borstelwinkel (brush shop)

De Borstelwinkel has been around since 1860 and the fourth generation is now continuing the store. Hair brushes, shaving brushes, laptop brushes: with more than 150 different types of brushes and brooms, there is always a brush you never knew you needed. You will find the Borstelwinkel just behind the Brink in the Mensstraat. For those who have little time, looking through the shop window is an experience in itself.

Engestraat & Broederenstraat

Don't worry, because Engestraat is named after the old-fashioned word "eng" (nowadays meaning scary in Dutch), which means narrow or small. In these narrow streets hip shops, concept stores and classic boutique stores. You can make a coffee stop by Sync Ok. A vegan and gluten-free bakery café and completely smartphone-free!

Inspired to visit Deventer? With a stay at Pillows Hotels in Deventer you have a fantastic view of this city. You can easily visit them with the ferry that takes you from the hotel across the IJssel River to the center.