Why go to Arnhem?
Though now known as something of a shopping destination, Arnhem has a rich World War II history to explore
Be cautious of vehicular and bicycle traffic when you're on foot -- pedestrians do not have the right of way
A stop in Arnhem makes for a lovely day of wandering through historic sights, museums and shops
Arnhem Cruise Port Facilities?
All boats dock along the river, within walking distance of the city's main shopping district, as well as the Battle of Arnhem Information Center at the foot of the John Frost Bridge. There are a handful of restaurants in the immediate vicinity and on a sunny day their terraces are a nice place to sip a drink and look out over the water. But for a larger selection of restaurants, bars and shops, you'll need to walk about 10 minutes further into the city.
Good to Know?
In Arnhem, as in the rest of the Netherlands, it is imperative that you watch out for bicyclists and cars when walking around. Pedestrians do not have the right of way in the Netherlands. This is especially true where bicyclists are concerned. They do not slow down and they can come from any direction unexpectedly, so be sure to look every which way before stepping onto a bike lane. Additionally, cars and trucks will drive on many of the narrow streets -- and even in squares -- so always keep an eye and ear open for oncoming traffic.
Getting Around?
Most of Arnhem's main attractions are too far afield to walk; an organized tour is your best bet as most itineraries do not spend a full day in the city and so your time is tight. A short walking tour through the city will take you past the Historic Cellars and St. Eusebius Church.
If your riverboat doesn't have bikes and you're interested in renting one for a few hours, head 10 to 15 minutes into the city to the central rail station and look for the "Fietsenstalling" sign where you can rent a bike for the day.
Currency & Best Way to Get Money?
The Netherlands is part of the European community, and the euro is the official currency. For up-to-the-minute conversions, visit www.xe.com or www.oanda.com.
While credit cards are accepted in many stores, in almost all cases you need a card with a chip and pin, so cash is still the best way to pay. The best way to get money is at an ATM. There are a handful of banks in Arnhem, including two ING banks (just look for the bright orange lions on the sign) with ATMs; the larger of the two is on Willemsplein about two minutes away from the information center.
Language?
Dutch is the official language of Arnhem but almost everyone speaks English. Just say hello first and you'll be greeted in English.
Where You're Docked?
Only riverboats can visit the small city of Arnhem, with all boats mooring along the Lower Rhine (or Nederrijn) between the Nelson Mandela Brug (Bridge) and the John Frost Brug (what was once the "Bridge Too Far").
There are no port facilities and no parking lot. You just walk off the boat, up the stairs and onto Rijnkade, a small street dotted with Turkish and Indian restaurants right along the water. From here you can make your way by foot further into city center. There are no buses in the immediate vicinity.
