Car Hire Enschede - Mini guide to Enschede
Enschede is a bustling university city located in the Overijssel region of Holland, close to the German border. Partly famous for Grolsch beer, Enschede is an excellent base from which to explore the beautiful countryside. It also sprung sadly to fame on the same night of the Eurovision 2000 contest when a fireworks factory exploded here causing widespread damage and casualties.
As a result of its young population and also because it’s the main city of Twente, the heart of Enschede still beats vividly at the Oude Markt. This square is packed with tables and chairs for the crowds enjoying the warm weather and cold beer during summer; it transforms into a busy nightlife area where there is always a bruin café serving beer and an eetcafé offering a tasty dish of the day.
Branching out from the Oude Markt, there are many shopping streets full of boutiques and specialist shops. Alternatively, for those interested in Dutch paintings, the Rijksmuseum National Gallery has an interesting and elaborate collection of Dutch art, and the Natuur and Jannink museums have temporary year round exhibitions.
Enschede also offers a more cultured nightlife at the Muziekcentrum, featuring the celebrated Orkest van het Oosten symphony orchestra. Just down the road, the Twente Schouwburg Theatre packs in the audiences for performances by the likes of the Nationaal Toneel theatre company and cabaret artist Youp van’t Hek.
If you have a car, the northern part of Overijssel, known as Sagenland, is famous for its fairytale-like atmosphere, featuring old Saxon farmhouses, castles and country estates, as well as unspoilt natural woodlands. Alternatively, the attractive old moated town of Zwolle has some fine medieval buildings reflecting its rich past.
To reach Enschede by car, take the E30 eastbound from Apeldoorn and then head southeast on the A35. There are direct trains from Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague; the train station is walking distance from the town centre. Twente Airport is five kilometres north of the city and taxis are readily available.
