Once a prominent trade town, Tiel is one of those largely unknown historic cities in the Eastern Netherlands with a tale of its own. It doesn't see too many visitors today, but the old centre still holds monumental buildings from former glory days and is famous for its fruits production. When you're in the Netherlands in May, Tiel is an excellent base to explore the lovely Betuwe orchards in bloom. In September, the city is the stage for the largest free pop music festival in the country: Appelpop, as well as for a flower parade. Although mid-sized, this is the largest city in the Betuwe area.

Understand

The city's mascot, Flipje was once a famous marketing cartoon for a fruit factory

In the 20th century, Tiel became a major fruit production centre. The city's mascot is still a little boy called Flipje, who looks a whole lot like a raspberry with arms and legs. The figure was used for marketing by a large fruit and jam factory that stopped operations here in the 1990s, but remains the city's mascot. Many locals consider Tiel to be a largely industrial town, but for those prepared to look, there's plenty of older, interesting history around.

Get in

The A15 passes by here, and the main roads into town are the N84 and the N835. The main Tiel train station has direct sprinter train connections to Geldermalsen and Utrecht, as well as a slower "stop train" connection to Elst and Arnhem. On the secondary station, Tiel Passewaaij, only the train to Utrecht stops. Trains run every half hour.

For most travellers, the train is the most convenient form of public transport when coming here. Nonetheless, Tiel is served by a range of buses, operated mainly by Arriva. They run mostly to and from smaller towns in the area, including line 42 to Druten (from where it’s possible to change for Nijmegen), 45 to Rhenen and Wageningen and line 46 to Culemborg and Nieuwegein.

Get around

Walk your way around the centre, as it's the best way to see the monuments up close. For the surroundings however, a bicycle will allow for further explorations of the orchards and pretty, rural landscapes. You can rent one at:

• Gejo-cycleworld, Lutterveldweg 7, ☏ +31 344 61 30 54. closed Su M, Tu W F 09:00-18:00, Th 09:00-21:00, Sa 09:00-17:00. This place rents different kinds of bicycles (e.g. with and without gear). Bikes can be picked up from 08:30 and returned until 17:30. €10 for a day, plus a €50 deposit which will be returned when the bike is back without damage. 

See

Parts of the former city walls remain, such as here, near the Tolhuiswal.

The many orchards in the region provide a most lovely view in May, when the thousands of fruit trees are in bloom. The sight is an attraction on its own, and best appreciated by a hike or bike trip.

The town itself has a number of historic buildings, several dating back to the 17th century when Tiel was a flourishing town surrounded by city walls. Parts of the walls are still intact, and the Tolhuiswal in the west of town is a good place to see them. Other highlights include:

• 1 Waterpoort. The original Water Gate originated in 1647 but was destroyed during the final days of World War II. It was entirely rebuilt in 1979. High on the façade is the city's coat of arms, with the words Asylum gentis Batavorum, or Refuge for the Batavi. The Latin memorial plaque originates in 1528, but was initially placed on another gate, the Brunense Poort, which was demolished in 1853. (updated Jul 2016)
• 2 Grote Kerk (Sint Maartenskerk), Kerkplein 4. This large, Gothic church was built in the 1420s and 1430s. Although repeatedly changed and never entirely finished, it's a large building and used for services until today.  
• 3 Metropole Druten, Meubellaan 1, 6651 KV Druten, ☏ +31 6 50641164, info@metropoledruten.nl. 9AM-3PM. Classic car museum. €12.50. (updated Aug 2022)
• 4 Zinder, Rechtbankstraat 1, ☏ +31 334 636 060. 10:00 - 17:00. A modern cultural center in the city center with space for art, musical shows and a library. (updated Sep 2022)

Do

• Appelpop: September. If you happen to be around in September, you might be able to take in the largest free music festival in the country. The line-up consists mostly of national artists, including many of the most popular ones, but also sees some international artists. (date needs updating)
• Fruitcorso Tiel: September. This September festival sees a parade of colourful, creative cars - decorated from top to bottom with fruits, seeds and flowers. Cars are at least 14 metres long, making for an impressive collection. The parade is usually organized the third weekend of September, and runs through the city centre. (date needs updating)

Buy

The city's compact and car-free shopping area has a decent collection of shops and a nice atmosphere. Saturdays draw in shopping crowds from the Betuwe region, creating a lively buzz and full outdoor terraces in summer. The main area consists of the Waterstraat and surrounding streets. Try the Weerstraat for smaller boutique stores.

At the Plein, the main square where you'll also find cafés, markets are held on Saturdays (09:00-17:00) and Mondays (12:00-17:00).

In terms of local specialities, fruits and jams top the list, as the city is famous for both.

Eat

There are plenty of places to eat. If you have no reservation, try the Plein, where there are a bunch of cafés and restaurants.

• Bij Casper, Korenbeursplein 2a, ☏ +31 344 627959. Nice atmosphere and a good, French and international menu. High quality ingredients and dishes. The staff is helpful and friendly. Starters €9, mains €20. 
• Tokyo Lounge, Kleibergsestraat 6, ☏ +31 344 - 683 777. Daily 17:00-22:00. A modernly decorated restaurant, with coloured led-lightning all around. All-you-can-eat sushi and teppanyaki dishes is what most regular customers come here for. It's the best Japanese place in town and it does take-away too. €25 for all you can eat. 
• Tres, Plein 2 (at the end of the Plein), ☏ +31344229100, info@trestiel.nl. 16:30-23:00. A modernly decorated restaurant. All-you-can-eat tapas as well as a range of different wines. It is mostly popular due to the historical building it's in. €34.50. (updated Sep 2022)

Drink

There's no nightlife scene to speak of, and locals tend to head elsewhere for a proper night out. Of course, cold drinks and chats can be had in one of the town's cafés. The Plein is the place to go, with outdoor terraces in summer and a number of places to choose from.

Sleep

Places to stay in or directly around town are hard to come by, due to the limited number of visitors to this city. If you can't find what you're looking for, consider staying in the countryside (where some charming, small scale bed&breakfast are among the best choices) or sleep in nearby Nijmegen, Utrecht or 's Hertogenbosch, where hotels are plentiful.

• Van der Valk Tiel, Laan van Westroyen 10, ☏ +31 344 62 20 20. One of the few choices within the city, this is a standard and adequate hotel in the Van der Valk chain. Rooms aren't all very up to date but otherwise fine. Some, especially the more expensive rooms as well as the lobby, have been upgraded. Staff is friendly and there's an on-site sushi restaurant. Doubles from €70. 
• Hotel Restaurant 't Veerhuis, Veerweg 2, Wamel, ☏ +31 487501254. This quaint hotel lies just across the river Waal, in the village of Wamel (part of Tiel municipality). A passenger ferry connects the village to the city, making it quite convenient to stay here instead of in the centre, even for those who wish to explore the city. It's also great for trips into the countryside, as they rent out bikes and allow for recharge of electric bicycles. €77.50 for a double. 
• Aan de Linge, Lingeweg 18b, ☏ +31 344 661236. Suited well for outdoor lovers and budget travellers, this place outside town offers camping spots as well as ready to use huts (with private bath and kitchenette) and caravans. It's along the river and rents out bikes and canoes. They only accept cash payments. It's a 5-minute walk from the regional Tiel Passewaai station. Camp spots €12 for 2 people per night, huts €35 per night for 2 people. 

Connect

• Post office inside Bruna bookstore, Waterstraat 10. M 12:00-17:30, Tu-F 09:00-17:30, Sa 09:00-17:00. Close to the Flipje Streekmuseum, this is one of the convenient post offices in the city centre. 

Go next

Head out to the bustling student cities of Utrecht or Nijmegen, where there's plenty of history to be found as well. The lovely city of 's Hertogenbosch is not far away and neither is Arnhem.

For a more natural next stop, Hoge Veluwe National Park or the forests of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug are excellent picks.