Wageningen

The City of Life Sciences

About the city

Nestled in the heart of the Netherlands, Wageningen is a vibrant city situated within the province of Gelderland. Renowned for its pivotal role in the field of life sciences, Wageningen stands as a beacon of innovation and progress, tirelessly working towards enhancing the quality of life for all. With its dynamic research institutes, renowned university, and bustling community of scholars and professionals, Wageningen has earned its title as the "The City of Life Sciences". This moniker encapsulates not only its dedication to the study of life sciences in its myriad forms but also its commitment to fostering sustainable practices and nurturing environments.

Wageningen's rich historical significance, and particularly its ties to the Second World War, is evident throughout the city. Both in 1940 and 1944/1945, Wageningen faced significant wartime challenges, leading to the evacuation of its entire population. Namely, in the days leading up to May 5, 1945, the capitulation negotiations took place at Hotel de Wereld, earning Wageningen the name "stad der bevrijding" (city of liberation). Today, this historic site stands as a hotel and restaurant complex, serving as a poignant reminder of the war's impact. Visitors can explore further historical insights at Museum Casteelse Poort, located within an imposing villa built upon the foundations of a 16th-century castle. The museum showcases Wageningen's extensive history, with temporary exhibitions offering additional perspectives. Additionally, The Depot sculpture gallery and the World Soil Museum provide unique cultural experiences, with exhibitions focusing on contemporary sculpture and soil profiles from various climates worldwide, respectively. These sites offer visitors an opportunity to delve into Wageningen's diverse heritage and cultural significance.

Explore the city

North of Rivierenland, an area with rivers and floodplains. South of the Veluwe, the Netherlands' largest forest area, and the Foodvalley, the knowledge-intensive agrifood ecosystem of the Netherlands. Wageningen is characterized by a diversity of landscapes and environments. Nature enthusiasts are in for a treat as the city seamlessly integrates urban life with natural surroundings.

Even from the city center, Torckpark offers a serene retreat for picnics or leisurely walks, surrounded by lush greenery.
Wageningse Berg and Arboretum Belmonte present panoramic views of flood plains, accompanied by the largest rhododendron collection in the Benelux.
Wageningse Eng offers picturesque trails through forests, moraines, and fields, revealing the area's rich cultural and historical heritage.
Meanwhile, the flood plains along the River Rhine (de uiterwaarden) provide a haven for diverse flora and fauna, perfect for leisurely picnics while admiring Wageningen's industrial heritage.
Further afield, De Blauwe Kamer Nature Reserve offers an ever-changing landscape, attracting birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
Not far from Wageningen, the Binnenveldse Hooilanden project is transforming into a vast natural sanctuary, promising unique flora and fauna as part of the Natura-2000 network.

With its abundance of natural wonders, Wageningen truly offers a paradise for nature lovers of all kinds.

Food and Drink

Columbus koffie/thee/kookwinkel; Go-to place for coffee & tea. Junusstraat 27A.
Caffè Tola; Lovely easygoing café for a coffee or lunch break. Vegan cakes. Kapelstraat 2A.
Imagine; For art, books and coffee in their secret garden. Bergstraat 26.
Ivo’s Bread & Pizza; Artisanal bakery in Wageningen. Open Wed-Sat for sourdough breads and Thursday evenings for pizza al taglio. Hoogstraat 5.
Kruimig Frietmakerij; Best specialty fries in Wageningen. Stationsstraat 13
Xin Chao; Vietnamese street food. Open Tue-Sun 12h00-19h30. Hoogstraat 18.
Souk Damascus; Syrian restaurant, open 6 days a week until 21h00. Hoogstraat 20.
Sa Lolla; Household name in Wageningen for authentic Italian cuisine. Molenstraat 6a
Colors World Food; International cuisine, shared dining concept. Well catered vegetarians/vegans. Markt 15.
Stadsbrouwerij / Café Rad van Wageningen; For local artisanal beers. 1e Kloostersteeg 3
Café Loburg; Grand café which hosts live music nights and salsa parties. Molenstraat 6
Proost!; For drinks & bites. 5 mei plein 13.

For information on the venue and accommodation, please refer to the Venue and Logistics page

Getting to Wageningen

By public transport; Take a train from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) in the direction of Nijmegen, to train station Ede-Wageningen. From Ede-Wageningen you can take a bus to the centre of Wageningen (bus line 303 or 86). Alternatively, you can take a taxi (around €30). A train ticket will cost you approximately €18 for a second-class trip or €30 for a first-class trip. Train tickets can be paid for at the NS Ticket Machines, or by checking in and out with a OV-chipcard, which you can use in any type of public transport.

By taxi; There are some taxi companies that will take you from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to Wageningen. However, this will be quite expensive in comparison to public transport (€75-100)

By car; At Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) there are possibilities to rent a car. Wageningen can be reached by using the highway A9 and A2 towards Utrecht and then following onto the highway A12 from Utrecht towards Arnhem. From here, take the ‘Ede, Bennekom, Wageningen’ exit and follow signposts to Wageningen.

Drone video by Drone Wageningen

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