Tolkamer: Historic Buildings and De Bijland

Tolkamer offers several points of interest to help you plan your trip: historic buildings, De Bijland with its water sports opportunities, and the Europakade, where ships pass by. If you’re looking for a hotel in Tolkamer, distinguishing between these can help you decide what to focus on during your trip: local history, activities on the water, or views of river traffic.

Historic Buildings and Local History

A Dutch national monument is located at Hoofdstraat 28. On the same street, at number 2–4, stands the former post office: a partly plastered building dating from 1872 in the Neoclassical style. Its former function, construction date, and architectural classification give the building a distinct historical connection.

The listed apartment block at Tolstraat 39 comprises six apartments built around 1906 for customs officers. Its side facades are clearly visible from the street. Both its original use as housing for customs officers and its clearly recognizable form are among the building’s distinctive features. Geerlingshof offers a different perspective on architectural history: this Dutch national monument is a farm complex situated on a terp (artificial mound).

The former customs office is another place where the past meets present-day use. The building has been preserved and is now used as a hotel; it can be viewed from public areas. De Tribune was erected in 1998 to mark the 200th anniversary of Rijkswaterstaat. The date and occasion give this site a different historical connection from the construction dates and former functions of the buildings mentioned above.

De Bijland and the Europakade

Large Rhine barges and cruise ships pass just a few meters from the terraces along the Europakade. The passing river traffic shapes the atmosphere there. De Bijland adds opportunities for sailing, boating, and water skiing to the range of water-related activities. The Romeinse Baadster, a ten-meter-high artwork made of Corten steel, also stands on the shore of De Bijland in Tolkamer. Water sports, river traffic, and waterside art therefore offer different points of interest for a stay focused on the water.

The Europakade is also home to the Coupure: a lowered break in the flood defense system that can be closed when flooding is imminent. This explains its function as part of flood protection and why it should be considered differently from a monument or a place for water sports.

Orientation and Route Planning

The Toeristisch Informatiecentrum 't Gelders Eiland at Europakade 5 provides tourist information, as well as information on walking and cycling routes and attractions. Walking and cycling maps, regional products, and souvenirs are also available there. If these services are important for your visit, check with the center in advance for its current offerings.

The Rondje Bijland route is marked in yellow. For a different way to continue your journey, a ferry runs from De Bijland near Tolkamer to Millingen aan de Rijn for pedestrians and cyclists. The crossing takes about five minutes. The service may be seasonal, so check the connection before you travel. When planning, it helps to consider the ferry as a separate option from De Bijland and not to confuse it with a departure directly from Tolkamer.

Discover more destinations: Pannerden, Spijk, Herwen, Lobith.

For the broader travel overview: Rijnwaarden.