Exloo(Netherlands) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Exloo, the top choice for families is De Grote Koe Hotel & Restaurant, a charming countryside inn nestled near the Hoge Veluwe National Park. The hotel offers spacious family rooms, child-safe facilities, and on-site activities like farm visits and nature scavenger hunts. Guests can explore nearby forest trails and enjoy traditional Dutch breakfasts featuring fresh bread, homemade jam, and local cheese. Its rustic wooden architecture reflects authentic Dutch design, while the surrounding green landscape provides a peaceful retreat perfect for children and parents alike.

For hikers, the southern region of Exloo, bordering the Hoge Veluwe National Park, is the prime destination. Stay at Hotel de Loo, which offers direct access to forest paths and dune trails. The hotel provides free rental bikes with GPS maps, enabling guests to reach scenic spots like Sint Jansbrug and Drentse Aarde. Morning or evening walks reveal deer herds, rare birds, and ancient oak trees. The hotel also features an eco-education center, offering insights into local biodiversity, making every hike both adventurous and enriching.

Don’t miss the annual Boerenfeest (Farmers’ Festival) in summer, celebrating traditional Dutch rural life in Exloo. Visitors can wear period costumes, try milking cows, weaving baskets, and grinding grain using old stone mills. The Molen van Exloo windmill museum opens its interior for guided tours, showcasing the history of wind power in the Netherlands. In the evenings, local bands play folk music, accompanied by warm potato soup and Poffertjes—tiny fluffy pancakes served with powdered sugar. It’s a rich immersion into authentic Dutch village culture.

Yes, many hotels in Exloo provide bicycle rentals, especially ideal for exploring the surrounding countryside. De Grote Koe Hotel & Restaurant offers free electric bikes with navigation devices and detailed route maps, leading directly to Hoge Veluwe National Park and the historic town of Buren. Some hotels also supply child seats and folding bikes for families. Riders can follow the Veluweweg Greenway, passing through wetlands, farmland, and centuries-old oak forests—perfect for experiencing the natural heart of the Netherlands.

Hotel de Loo, located in the heart of Exloo, is the most convenient option near key sites. Just a 5-minute walk from the Town Hall Square and St. Nicholas Church, it also offers complimentary shuttle services to Hoge Veluwe National Park and the Kröller-Müller Museum, home to over 90 Van Gogh paintings. The hotel blends classic and modern design, with some rooms overlooking a tranquil garden. Its restaurant serves regional specialties like roasted wild boar with red beets, capturing the essence of northern Dutch cuisine.

Exloo shines in winter with snowshoe hikes and the Winter Light Festival. Each December to February, the Hoge Veluwe National Park unveils illuminated night trails, where light installations blend with snow-covered pines and frozen lakes. Guests can rent snowshoes and trek through serene forest landscapes. The town also hosts a Sinterklaas Market, selling handmade crafts, mulled wine, and Speculaas cookies. Hotels like De Grote Koe offer fireplace suites and private hot-tub sessions, creating cozy, magical moments during the cold season.

For couples seeking romance, De Grote Koe Hotel & Restaurant’s Stargazer Suite is ideal. With a panoramic skylight, guests can gaze at the stars from bed under the clear Dutch night sky. The hotel arranges private dinners with champagne and local chocolates, plus guided twilight walks through quiet forest paths. Some rooms feature private hot tubs. The ambiance is serene and intimate, embodying the understated charm of Dutch romance—a perfect escape from city life.

Yes, all major hotels in Exloo enforce strict no-smoking policies indoors, ensuring a healthy environment for guests. Hotel de Loo and De Grote Koe Hotel & Restaurant designate outdoor smoking areas only, with indoor air quality monitored regularly. Rooms come equipped with air purifiers, and the hotels use advanced ventilation systems. Even dining areas exclude tobacco products, focusing instead on organic meals and natural beverages—reflecting the Netherlands’ commitment to wellness and sustainability.

Breakfast in Exloo features authentic Dutch favorites: freshly baked rye bread (Roggebrood) with homemade jam, butter (Boter), and Gouda cheese. Other staples include pancakes (Pannenkoeken) with maple syrup and a wurst platter with smoked ham and cured beef. Some hotels serve huisstamppot, a hearty dish of mashed potatoes, turnips, and meat, typical of Dutch winter cuisine. All ingredients are sourced locally, ensuring freshness and sustainability—giving visitors a true taste of Dutch countryside tradition from the first bite.

Yes, Exloo is highly accessible for self-drivers. Located just 10 minutes from the A32 motorway, hotels like Hotel de Loo offer free parking. From cities like Nijmegen or Enschede, it’s only about 40 minutes away. The town has well-maintained roads with clear signage to Hoge Veluwe National Park and the Kröller-Müller Museum. Many hotels assist with car rental bookings, including vehicles with child safety seats. With low speed limits and excellent infrastructure, driving through Exloo offers a safe, scenic way to explore the green heart of the Netherlands.