There will not be many people whose heart will beat faster when they hear the name Assen. And indeed, in terms of urban beauty there is little to discover in the Drenthe capital, but Assen is more versatile than many would think at first glance. And even outside the TT week, there is plenty to do and experience in the capital of Drenthe. Assen has its beautiful sides, the Brink, the Kloosterstraat and the area around the Dr. Nassaulaan are worth a visit. Lovers of architecture from the first half of the 20th century will get their money’s worth in the district south of the center. Many efforts have recently been made to extend the Canal back to the center, where it ends opposite the Market, where many terraces are set up during the season. A stone’s throw from the Market is the Nieuwe Kolk, the brand new theater.
Shop offer
The range of shops in the Drenthe capital is surprisingly versatile. Although Assen has not escaped the national chains, the center has a relatively large number of bookstores, including a more than excellent children’s bookstore, delicatessens, clothing stores and gift shops. This offer, in combination with the compact center and the many parking facilities, make Assen an attractive alternative to the nearby university city of Groningen. The Assen market, which is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, is cozy, complete and versatile.
Food and drink
When the weather is nice, the city center has three places where you can sit outside, enjoying the sun and people watching. There is a large terrace on the Noordersingel, close to the town hall, which also applies to a lesser extent to the Koopmansplein. However, most terraces can be found on the Markt, where many of the restaurants can also be found. The restaurant offering in Assen is worth it. De Gulle Gans on the Markt and Abbarossa on the Groningerstraat are just two recommendations from the extensive range.
Drenthe Museum and Traffic Park
An important crowd puller is the Drents Museum on the Brink. The museum has been in the news several times in recent years with controversial and successful exhibitions. The museum has recently undergone extensive renovations, which, in addition to providing more exhibition space, has given it even more appeal.
For the smaller children, the Assen Traffic Park is located on the south side of the city, where children can playfully become at home in the busy world of traffic that surrounds us on all sides. The park is located near the TT circuit, from which Assen derives its national and international fame.
TT
During the last week of June, Assen changes from a quiet provincial capital into the focal point of the international motorcycle world. Spectators line all access roads to welcome the many motorcyclists who visit the city around this event. Existing campsites are filling up and special TT campsites are being built on fields in the vicinity of the circuit. For a few days, the entire city is captivated by the Dutch TT, which has been held here since 1925 and has always taken place on the Circuit van Drenthe, simply called the TT circuit. Before the competitions, the Assen Night and the TT Night take place in the city center and there are activities throughout the city center related to the Tourist Trophy, of which the TT fair is just one example. In addition to Dutch, you mainly hear German, English and Scandinavian languages in Assen during this period.
Vuelta
Without exaggeration, the TT can be called the largest event held annually in Assen, but the Superbike World Championship, the Icespeedway (and other ice competitions) also attract many visitors to the Drenthe capital. This also applies to the usually more small-scale festivities such as the Blues Night that is held in January. Other activities, which do not necessarily occur annually, often take place on Koopmansplein. In 2009, the (cycling) Tour of Spain, the Vuelta, started in Assen.
Accessibility
As an intercity station, Assen is easily accessible by public transport, but – located along the A28 and N33 – is also easily accessible by car. There is plenty of parking and plenty to do in the area. Assen is an excellent base for lovers of natural beauty, cycling and walking. Groningen is a stone’s throw away and the Camp Westerbork Remembrance Center is 10 kilometers south of the Drenthe capital. Assen, it may not sound exciting, but it can be surprisingly versatile.