Zutphen sits in the middle of a cluster of excellent day-trip destinations. The Achterhoek region has a distinct character from the rest of the Netherlands — less busy, greener, with a concentration of historic Hanseatic towns along the IJssel river.
Deventer is the nearest sizeable Hanseatic city, 15 minutes by train, with a well-preserved medieval centre and an excellent Saturday book market (the largest in Europe, held in August). Arnhem is 30 minutes south by train — a larger city that serves as the gateway to the Hoge Veluwe national park and the Kröller-Müller Museum, which holds the world's second-largest Van Gogh collection.
Bronkhorst, about 10km south by bike along the IJssel levees, claims to be the smallest city in the Netherlands (under 200 inhabitants) and has retained its medieval street plan and toll house virtually untouched. The 45-minute cycle ride along the river is as good as the destination.
