Dordrecht

1280px

Dordrecht is an historic city in South Holland, Netherlands that was, at the end of the Middle Ages, one of the six important trade cities of the County of Holland. Its centre still shows off the rich history of the city.

Dordrecht Halal Travel Guide

Dordrecht is a really old city that grew wealthy on its position at a river confluence with important commercial, military and private boat building. It held significant regional and international importance, hosting the 'Synod of Dordrecht' and other important religious meetings.

Thankfully, it escaped much of the widespread destruction of the second world war. Consequently, it is brimming with interesting old architecture and displays an old-time sense of wealth that belies the peaceful and laid back character of its modern-day economic relaxation. The local residents are educated and generally proud of their city, which is the sort of place to wander around and explore leisurely, rather than rushing in and out.

VVV Dordrecht - Tourist information | Spuiboulevard 99 - GPS: 51.811862, 4.66703 ☎ +31 900 4636888 Opening Hours: Monday 12:00-18:00, Tuesday to Friday 09:00-18:00, Saturday 10:00-18:00

Muslim Friendly Travel TO Dordrecht

By rail

Direct rail service from Rotterdam Centraal and Rotterdam Blaak takes about 15 minutes. There is a direct service from Amsterdam Centraal via The Hague and Rotterdam Centraal with the terminus in Dordrecht.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Dordrecht

There is a fast ferry (waterbus) from Rotterdam, which is part of the public transport system and costs the same as the train.

By car

There are two important highways that goes to and through Dordrecht. A16 from Rotterdam to Belgium border and N3 from Papendrecht to the A16 in Dordrecht self.

How to get around in Dordrecht

While the city is small enough to walk around, if you are in a hurry or have a lot of bags, consider the frequent buses which serve the city and nearby areas. Also, bicycles can be rented from a bike shop next to the train station. (€50 deposit).

What to see in Dordrecht

Postcard - 1901 - Merivepark, Dordrecht, Netherlands - Park Merwestein in 1901, with the original villa still standing.}}

There are nearly 900 listed buildings in the city. There are also a few other museums about town, plus some interesting shops, parks, an old windmill, and a few boat harbours (havens in Dutch). There's a huge supply of ancient architecture which you will see everywhere with years and Dutch language explanations. (If interested in specifics, get a local to translate for you.)

Highlights

Grote Kerk - Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk | Lange Geldersekade 2 51.814167, 4.66 - Opening Hours: April - Oct Tuesday - Saturday 10:30-16:30, Sunday 12:00-16:00; November - Dec: Tuesday Thursday Saturday 14:00-16:00 Church: Admission free; tower: €1 Grote Kerk, Dordrecht A church in the Brabantine Gothic style with an unfinished tower. Also known as the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe-Kerk ('Our Dear Lady Church') or simply the Grote Kerk ('Great Church') was built between 1285 and 1470. The 65 m tower contains a carillon with 67 bells including one weighing 9.83 tonnes, making it the heaviest bell in the Netherlands. Be sure you're in shape to climb the tower and not afraid of close spaces. The steps are steep and there is only one way up... or down. You can see the medieval clock in operation. In the church, see the brilliant stained glass windows and especially the modern window dedicated to the guilds of Dordrecht.

Grote Markt Northeastern end of Varkenmarkt. 51.816369, 4.666529 - The larger synagogue of the city used to stand here, which presumably formed the centre of the local Yahudi population (apparently over 300 people prior to the war), but it was heavily damaged by the Nazis, sold in 1947 and razed in 1965. Nothing at all now remains except out of character new buildings... quite distinct from the surrounding old architecture.

Dordrechts Museum Museumstraat 40 51.813889, 4.671944 ☎ +31 78 7708708 Opening Hours: Tu–Su 11:00–17:00 €12; + Het Hof van Nederland and Huis Van Gijn €15 Dordrechts Museum Loads of locally affiliated oil paintings, mostly pre-modern and of impressive quality. These are interspersed with occasional bits of decorative metalwork, furniture and such. A dedicated gallery houses temporary exhibitions which are often very well presented. The impressive garden outside offers a cafe/restaurant with an extensive menu.

Het Hof van Nederland Hof 6 51.815583, 4.670252 - Opening Hours: Tu–Su 11:00–17:00 €10; also see Dordrechts Museum - A852145 Het Hof was a former Augustinian monastery where in 1572 a notable meeting was held of representatives of the "Free States" which were revolting against King Philip II of Spain. From 2015 it's a museum.

Augustijnenkerk - Church of the Augustins | 51.81556, 4.66944 Built around 1293, and is owned by the Dutch Reformed Church. The church was part of the Augustinian Monastery Het Hof (see above).

Huis Van Gijn Nieuwe Haven 29 51.816428, 4.663635 - Opening Hours: Tu–Su 11:00–17:00 €10; also see Dordrechts Museum The former house of a banker and collector Simon van Gijn.

Museum 1940 - 1945 Nieuwe Haven 27-28 51.816569, 4.663869 ☎ +31 78-6130172 Opening Hours: Tuesday Wednesday to Friday-Su 10:00-17:00 €3 Everything you ever wanted to know about the Second World War in or around Dordrecht, plus a large display of items such as weapons, improvised mills and cooking equipment, and variously sourced period products and ration packs. A whole section is devoted to the history of Merwestein Park (then Merwepark), which was used as a regional Nazi communications bunker. A group of older local residents act as volunteer guides. Some speak English.

Other sites

Stadhuis - Town Hall | 51.813925, 4.664359 - City Hall, Dordrecht
Groothoofdspoort 51.81959, 4.670292 - Groothoofdspoort A former city gate located at the confluence of the 3 rivers: Merwede, Oude Maas and Noord.

Almshouses - hofjes | 51.812266, 4.669447 Between Bagijnhof and Vriesestraat - Almshouses were built in 17 and 18th centuries for poor women.

Arend Maartenszhof - Arend Maartensz Court | 51.813437, 4.670949 - Another almshouse.

Nieuwbrug 51.817097, 4.668835 A cast-iron bridge over the Wijnhaven/Voorstraatshaven built in 1851.

Dordts Patriciërshuis Wolwevershaven 9 51.819053, 4.667277 - Opening Hours: May-September: Tuesday - Sunday 13:00-17:00; October - Apr: W-Su 13:00-17:00 €7.50 The late 18th-century rich residence with many original period features.

Munt van Hollant 51.816365, 4.670058 - Between 14th and early 19th centuries, it was a mint court of Holland and Zeeland

't Zeepaert Wijnstraat 113 - GPS: 51.818199, 4.668500 - Built around 1495, it is one of the oldest houses in the county. Now it's a conferences venue.

Kyck over den Dyck - View over the Dike | 51.815699, 4.67891 It is the only remaining mill in the city

Parks

Merwesteinpark - Park Merwestein | 51.8119, 4.67804 - A9749734 19th-century park in which a building stood until its eventual destruction by allied bombardment in 1944. The bombing was due to the Nazis developing a significant bunker system throughout the park (apparently using Yahudi slaves) which they then used as an important regional military communications hub during the war. Many local citizens lost their lives in the bombing, which also killed children when an adjacent school was accidentally bombed. This history can be explored in more detail at the 1944-1945 museum: nothing of significance is displayed in the park, which today features many large trees, some sculpture (including a tall column at the former location of the building pictured), a children's play area, significant stock of waterbirds, and a reindeer enclosure.

Wantijpark 51.813477, 4.695228 - Park and summertime music venue slightly out of town. Worth a wander.

De Biesbosch - National Park De Biesbosch | 51.807222, 4.764204 take bus #10 from Dordrecht Central Station to Merwedekade and then take an hourly water bus: from Merwekade (in Dordrecht) or from Middeldiep (in Sliedrecht) to the Biesbosch - The Sliedrechtse Biesbosch, east of Dordrecht, and the Dordtse Biesbosch, south of Dordrecht, together form the Hollandse Biesbosch which is a part of the national park the Biesbosch, one of the largest national parks in the Netherlands and one of the last freshwater tide areas in Europe. The Dordtse Biesbosch has several recreational areas that are used for walking, rowing and swimming.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Dordrecht

You can walk trough the downtown and you can cycle in the nature park Hollandse Biesbos or even as far as Kinderdijk.

Bike Totaal Zwaan Dordrecht Stationsplein 6 51.807723, 4.666647 ☎ +31 78 63 56 830 Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 04:30-02:00, Friday 04:30-01:30, Saturday 05:30-01:30, Sunday 06:30-01:30
Bike Store Dordrecht BV Achterhakkers 73 51.811480, 4.655977 ☎ +31 78 737-03-38 Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 08:45-18:00, Saturday 08:45-17:00 from €9.50 per day (€13.50 with gears)

There are also many sportclubs and soccer fields you can visit. Dordrecht is a green city that has many parks and recreation areas in the suburbs.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Dordrecht

Shopping in the centre of Dordrecht is centred around the Voorstraat and the Sarisgang and the Statenplein (Staten square). The Voorstraat is 1200 m long, making it the longest shopping street in the Netherlands. Markets are held every Friday and Saturday on the Statenplein and in the Sarisgang and on Tuesday in the Dubbeldam quarter.

Halal Restaurants

You can find a lot of foreign food, albeit with varying levels of authenticity, spread about the town: Chinese, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, (Thai), Turkish and Vietnamese, at least.

Many nice restaurants are around the Statenplein and outdoor tables abound in good weather.
Scheffersplein off Wijnstraat (Wine Street) is also ringed with some Halal restaurants and outdoor tables. Eetcafé Baloe Fruit Juices is reasonably priced and tasty.
Broodje van Willem is a small reasonably priced sandwiches shop at 433 West Voorstraat in the shadow of the Grote Kerk.
Restaurant Centre Ville offers a huge menu with some confirmed yummy options: the goat's Cheese salad, and the carrot cake. Opens 10:00, kitchen starts 11:00.
The Bellevue Groothoofd (Bellevue Hotel) has an extensive menu and a strong list, with special all you can eat deals on Sunday. The restaurant at the Dordrechts Museum is of a similar standard but with trees instead of water for scenery (same management).
In the Sterrenburg quarter is also a Snackbar called Family, which has chips and frikandel.

Other than a range of Halal restaurants serving alcohol, and a few other bars apparently chiefly peopled by older local alcoholics, nightlife seems to be mainly centered around the Scheffersplein bridge/square. The Hide Away is a charismatic bar run by a Dutch/Scottish traveller couple with a dedicated band of regular clients. Stylistically informed by the British Isles and the proprietors wish the location to remain unpublished.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Dordrecht

Dordrecht - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Dordrecht, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Dordrecht. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Dordrecht and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Dordrecht. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Dordrecht. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Dordrecht: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Dordrecht.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Dordrecht: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Dordrecht, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Dordrecht.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Dordrecht, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Dordrecht, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Dordrecht and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Dordrecht, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Dordrecht, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Dordrecht without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Dordrecht is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Dordrecht.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Dordrecht is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Dordrecht, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Dordrecht Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Dordrecht

eHalal Group Dordrecht is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Dordrecht. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Dordrecht.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Dordrecht ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Dordrecht. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Dordrecht, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Dordrecht are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

In town

There is a relative shortage of hotels in the city. Judging from old maps of the town and there used to be more, but they have faded with the regional economy.

There are no real budget options in Dordrecht proper. There are two bed and breakfasts near the central bridge over the harbour behind the big church that are potentially cheaper than the hotels. One reported budget option, unconfirmed, is a Luthier's shop around the junction to the south-east of the Bellevue Hotel.

Bellevue Goothoofd - Bellevue Hotel | Boomstraat 37 at the waterfront and end of the harbour, in the north-eastern corner of the old city. ☎ +31 78 633-2500 €140 (double room; tax and breakfast included), though cheaper rooms are probably available (July 2013) - This historic hotel was active in the 19th century but descended to bankruptcy in the early 21st. Acquired by a new owner, it was remodelled circa 2010 in a sort of funky modern style. In addition to the main building and the hotel can also provide short to long stay apartments next door. Perhaps the greatest draw is the breakfast lounge which looks out over the confluence of the rivers that brought Dordrecht its historic wealth and remains one of the busiest freshwater shipping points in Europe. In summer and the large terrace between the hotel and the water is a great venue for meals. The hotel offers Sunday specials where a couple gets a night in the hotel, plus dinner for two, for €168. They also offer various package deals related to the Dordrechts Museum, whose café is under the same management (and shares some of the same staff!). Accessible by city bus. Free Wi-Fi.

Innercity Hotel Johan de Wittstraat 35-37 Walk a few hundred metres down the road that runs from directly outside the train station, and it's on the left. ☎ +31 78 611-9933 €100 (single room) - Modern. The biggest drawback of this hotel is relative expense and lack of audio privacy. With only 17 rooms and the architects evidently decided to "pack 'em in", and it shows. Still, probably the best option for those minding the budget a little bit but unwilling to sleep out of town. All floors lift accessible. Free Wi-Fi.

Villa Augustus @stus.nl Oranjelaan ☎ +31 78 639 3111 From €165/night - Slightly outside of town, this designer-hotel is something of an icon for the city. A sort of walled garden complex with a thoroughly post-modern castle tower, visitors are rewarded with views, an excellent garden restaurant, and a quaint theme of dancing rabbits presumably inspired by the neighbouring Energiehaus theatre. Accessible by city bus.

Outside town

Stayokay Dordrecht Baanhoekweg 25 Located at the edge of the national park 'De Hollandse Biesbosch' ☎ +31 78 621 2167 From €20 a night in a dorm room - Better than standard hostel fare. Clean and modern. Conexxion bus 4 from the central station. About 8 km.

News & References Dordrecht

More Muslim Friendly Destinations from Dordrecht

The historical and picturesque city of Gorinchem is nearby. See the intact bastions.
Dordrecht is also within cycling distance of the Kinderdijk. Route maps are available at the VVV visitor information bureau.