Van Gijn House (Huis Van Gijn)
Nieuwe Haven 29–30, Dordrecht, South Holland, 3311 AP
To glimpse life in the Netherlands more than a century ago, head to the Van Gijn House in Dordrecht. This stately home once belonged to banker Simon van Gijn, an active art and interior decor collector, and great efforts have been made to ensure it retains its original beauty and flair.
The basics
Step inside the house to discover room upon room decked out with lush furnishings, golden molding, and elegant wallpaper, not to mention plenty of fine art. You can learn more about the house by taking a guided tour or exploring independently with the help of free pamphlets that detail the rooms and their contents. Special events ranging from family-friendly food workshops to seasonal events are held frequently and detailed on the Van Gijn House website.
Things to know before you go
Admission is free for visitors 18 and under and discounted for students ages 19 and over.
Combination tickets for the Van Gijn House and the Dordrecht Museum or Hof van Nederland are available.
Large bags, umbrellas, and wet coats must be stored in the museum's cloakroom.
The museum is wheelchair accessible, and accessible toilets are available on site.
The Van Gijn House's small on-site café with garden views is open when the museum is open.
How to get there
The museum is located in Dordrecht, about a 25-minute drive from the center of Rotterdam. If you’re coming from Rotterdam by train, take an Intercity or Sprinter train from the central station to Dordrecht's main railway station, and either take a taxi or walk north for about 15 minutes until you reach the house.
When to get there
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and on most public holidays, but it is closed on King's Day (April 27), Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Saturdays attract the most crowds, followed by Sundays. Come on a weekday right when the Van Gijn House opens or an hour before it closes for the fewest people.
The windmills of Kinderdijk
About a 20-minute drive north of Dordrecht, on the way to Rotterdam, you'll find the Windmills of Kinderdijk, which look like they were plucked right from a Netherlands postcard. These 17th-century windmills are a protected UNESCO Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination. They are best viewed on a boat or cycling tour.
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