City Walk – Dordrecht, City of Water

We'll kick things off at the Merwekade, where the water bus can take you to Rotterdam, Kinderdijk, or the Biesbosch. This is Dordrecht’s modern gateway by water. Take a moment to look out over the busy Merwede: this isn’t just any river, but part of the busiest river junction in all of Europe. Ships large and small come and go here—just as they did centuries ago. 

Join us on a walk to the Groothoofd, the spot where the Merwede, Noord, and Oude Maas rivers converge. After the St.Elisabeth Flood of 1421, Dordrecht became an island, and thanks to that location, the city grew to become the most important trading center in Holland. This is also where the Groothoofd Gate from 1618: for centuries, it served as the official entrance for visitors arriving by ship. Fun fact: Every year, about 150,000 ships still pass by here. Be sure to take a closer look at the details: on the land side, you’ll see the city coat of arms, and on the waterfront, the Dordrecht city maiden. 

The Damiate Bridge is the link between the riverfront and the city center. Built in 1854, it spans the mouth of the Wolwevershaven. Officially, it’s named after a lumberyard, but the people of Dordrecht prefer to refer to their bridges by nicknames. That’s why it used to be called the Gallows Bridge because from here you could see the gallows on the other side. And anyone who had trouble with the name simply called it the Diamantenbrug . It sounds just a bit fancier, doesn’t it? 

The Wolwevershaven was dug in 1609 and evolved from a place for storage and industry into an upscale residential neighborhood. Living here was a mark of status. Today, the harbor is filled with historic ships from the 19th and early 20th centuries—in other words, floating heritage. Also be sure to check out Pakhuis Stokholm, once used for grain storage. Tip: take your time to look around, because the combination of historic buildings and old ships makes this one of the most beautiful parts of Dordrecht. 

Along the Outside Walevest used to run the city wall. On one side, the water provided protection; on the other, the city. Today, it’s a lovely place to walk, where you can imagine how ships used to sail in, loaded with exotic goods and gossip from faraway places. 

The Nieuwe Haven was dug in the 15th century to make more room for the growing shipping trade. Today, it’s a charming harbor, with stately buildings and classic ships. Standing here, you can almost hear the echoes of merchants touting their wares. 

The Long Iron Bridge , built in 1855, is a typical 19th-century swing bridge. It replaced the wooden bridges and made it easier for ships to pass through. From here, you also have a beautiful view of the Nieuwe Haven—perfect for a photo op! 

The Knolhaven is small, cozy, and was once mainly used by smaller ships carrying wood and other cargo. Today, it’s a quiet spot where you might just have the most beautiful view of Dordrecht: the harbor with the Grote Kerk standing proudly in the background. 

The Nieuwbrug, built in the 19th century, does exactly what its name suggests: it connects the city. From here, you can see the surrounding harbors and the historic facades that give Dordrecht its charm. This was once a bustling thoroughfare for merchants and residents—and honestly, you can still feel a bit of that today. 

We end up at the Taankade. After crossing the Nieuwbrug, take the small staircase down and walk along the quay. Here you’ll pass one of the sixteen docks that were once used for loading and unloading goods. But there’s also a bit of a thrill to it: these are vulnerable spots where water can flood into the city. That’s why, after the flood of 1916, a system of flood barriers was introduced. Hundreds of steel barriers still lie in wait, ready to protect Dordrecht during high water. Centuries old, but still relevant today. 

And with that, we wrap up our water walk. Time to pause for a moment, maybe grab a seat on a terrace—and, above all, realize that Dordrecht isn’t nicknamed “Water City” ."