'''Alphen aan den Rijn''' is a town in the western Netherlands. The city is situated on the banks of the Old Rhine between Utrecht and Leiden. The area around Alphen aan den Rijn is inhabited since 2000 years. During the Roman Empire the Old Rhine has been the head branche of the Rhine. On the nowadays center of the city the Romans build a fortress (Castellum Albanianae). Remainings of the Romans has been found and can be seen in Leiden at the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (National Museum of Antiquities).
Get in
Alphen aan den Rijn is located in the middle of the 4 big cities (Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, the Hague) in the '''Randstad''', the West-Center of the Netherlands, also known as the '''Green Heart'''. In time the large cities are ½ hour by car away.
By train
Alphen aan den Rijn has a railwaystation. Trains arrive coming from Leiden, Utrecht and Gouda.
From Leiden take the train to Utrecht.
From Amsterdam go to Leiden and change over to the train to to Utrecht.
From the Hague go to Leiden and change over to the train to to Utrecht.
From Rotterdam:
*go to Gouda and change over to the train to Leiden.
*go to Leiden and change over to the train to Utrecht.
From Utrecht take the train to Leiden.
By car
From Amsterdam take the A4 to The Hague and Rotterdam. At crossing 4, Nieuw Vennep, take the N207 to Alphen aan den Rijn.
From The Hague take the A4 to Amsterdam and at crossing 6a. Zoeterwoude Rijndijk, take the N11 to Alphen aan den Rijn.
From Rotterdam take the A13 to The Hague, proceed over the A4 to Amsterdam and follow the route given for the Hague.
From Utrecht take the A12 to Rotterdam/the and at crossing 12a Bodegraven take the N11 to Alphen aan den Rijn.
By Bus
See
Attractions
'''Archeon''', a 'theme park' about living history of the Netherlands, containing 43 buildings from the Prehistory, Roman - and Middle Ages, founded in 1994.
'''Avifauna''', a bird park with garden, ponds, restaurant, hotel, playground founded in 1950, May 17.
'''Recreation Park Zegerplas'''' with animal farm for children, stork park, pancake restaurant.
'''Wet 'n Wild''', at the Zegerplas, waterski and wakeboard possibilities.
'''Green heart''', bicycle and walking routes throught typical dutch polders.
'''Het Kasteel''', Pop and Culture stage at the Concertweg. Music concerts.
Monuments
'''Oudhoornse Kerk''' (Oudhoorn Church) is a Protestant church at the border of the Old Rhine founded by Cornelis the Flemish.
'''Remonstrantse Kerk''' (Remonsttant Church) formerly a synagogue.
'''Korenmolen de Eendracht''' (Cornmill ''de Eendracht'') This mill was founded in 1752 and located at the north side of the river ''de Gouwe''. In 1898 the mill has been transferred to Alphen aan den Rijn to replace another mill. Until 1955 the mill has been used commercially. Open every saturday for public viewing.
'''Old city hall'''. Nowadays the music school is located in this building at the Burgemeester Visserpark.
'''Town house'''. In 2003 the new State House has been opened. A revolutionary design with trends of openness accentuated by using glass.
'''Catholic St Bonifatius Church''' founded in 1884.
'''Crypt of the family De Smeth''' is located in the protentant church
'''Advents Church'''. Formerly the first Bonifatius Church, but during the Eighty Years' War destroyed and rebuilded as protestant church.
Buy
Alphen aan den Rijn is a regional town with a lot of shops in the center of the city. The finished Masterplan has created more shopping facilities at the other side of the Old Rhine.
Eat
Most restaurants are located in or near the city center. Advise: Make reservations! The given list is just a small part of all restaurant in Alphen aan den Rijn.
De Gelaarsde Kat (Puss in Boots), Hooftstraat 81, 2496 GE, 0172-491401, French-Dutch, has a veranda at the Old Rhine.
De Monnick, Raadhuisstraat 106, 2406 AH, 0172-495254, French Restaurant, higher prices but also better quality.
El Caballo, Rhenanialaan 1, 2406 GS, 0172-424843, Argentina Meat Restaurant.
Hong Kong City, P. Doelmanstraat 12, 2405 CE, Chinese Restaurant with a view at the Alphense Bridge and the Old Rhine.
Is Morus Pizzeria, Raadhuisstraat 186, 2406 AK, 0172-475606, Not only Italian pizza's, but also meat and fish dishes.
Proto Tapas Restaurant, Rijnkade 5, 0172-476566, Spanish Tapas, but the owners are Greek, situated at the Old Rhine with a view on the new city center.
Although there are very good restaurants in the center it is worthy to look for restaurants outside the center.
Alfred's Diner, C. Geellaan 43, 2406 JE, 0172-425757, French, higher prices but also better quality, situated in a park.
Lubo Steal Grill, van Nesstraat 1a, 0172-499441, Balkan kitchen.
Original Chines Palace, Burg. Bruijn Slotsingel 20, 2406 AE, 0172-436655, Located near the Zegerplas and in a chines pagode.
Sari Djawi, Gouwsluisseweg 48, 2405 XS, 0172-472316, Indonesian kitchen, situated in an old mill at the old Rhine.
Zorba the Greek, van Nesstraat 21, 2404 AV, 0172-493335, Greek kitchen with a very friendly owner.
Drink
La Caleche, Hooftstraat 157, 2496 GG, 0172-492932.
Kwatro, Hooftstraat 126, 2406 GM, 0172-472549
Meeting Point, Thorbeckeplein 2, 2406 CG, 0172-474004
De Natte, Julianastraat 19, 2405 CG, 0172-426193, Special Beer café
Querelle Swing Café, Julianastraat 32, 2405 CH
Under the Bridge, Hooftstraat 165, 2406 GH, Blues Rock Café
Events
'''20 of Alphen''', Athletics run of 20 kilometers, every 2nd Sunday in March. Founded in 1952.
'''Yearmarket''', Every 3rd Wednesday in September. One of the largest Yearmarkets of the Netherlands with a small carnival.
'''Old Timer day''', On a Saturday in September.
'''Taptoe Alphen''', Saturday evening before the Yearmarket at the Thorbeckeplein.
'''2 hours of Alphen''', On Queens day a windsurfing championship around Zegerplas.
Get Out
'''Keukenhof''' - The best way to visit Keukenhof is to go to Leiden which can be used as a base by many to explore the tulip district in April and May. From the Central Station in Leiden there are special busses going directly to Keukenhof. (Bus service 54). If you want to avoid half an hour in a cramped bus for an extra 500 metres walk, just ask which busses go to Lisse (50, 51 and 57 i.a.).
'''Rijksmuseum van Oudheden''', ([http://www.rmo.nl RMO]). (National Museum of Antiquities). Includes an outstanding collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities, and a small temple that was given to the Netherlands by the Egyptians for their help with the Aswan monuments transfer project. It also features an exhibition on the archeological history of the Netherlands including dug-up burial treasures and the like.