"What's so great about Enschede?" - "What are you even doing in Enschede?" These are just a few comments you might regularly encounter when you mention that you live in Enschede, especially if, like me, you moved to Enschede from the central Netherlands and have never left. Enschede is fantastic, vibrant, and incredibly surprising. With 160,000 residents, Enschede is the largest city in Eastern Netherlands and Overijssel.
A city that buzzes 365 days a year, but what makes Enschede unique?
Different from the rest
True beauty lies within. This is certainly true for Enschede. We don’t have a beautifully preserved city centre or dozens of centuries-old buildings, but Enschede is undoubtedly a highly historical city built on steam and struggle. When you describe Enschede, you describe the resilience of the city: in Enschede, significant setbacks are overcome, and crises are transformed into opportunities. The city survived the rise and fall of the textile industry between the 18th and 20th centuries, three city fires, the global economic crisis, numerous devastations and bombings during the Eighty Years' War and World War II, and the most recent and sensitive disaster in its history: the fireworks disaster on May 13, 2000. Enschede is a city that always rises again; its boundless resilience has shaped Enschede into the city it is today.
Technological, Innovative, and Creative City
Enschede is a city known for technology, innovation and creativity in every imaginable way, where remarkable inventions, exciting projects and groundbreaking research are part of everyday life. Its central location in Europe gives it strategic advantages, and the city is full of technical talent and bright minds working to create the future. Over recent decades, more than 700 companies and hundreds of startups have emerged here, with early roots for successful names like Thuisbezorgd and Booking.com on the innovation campus now known as Kennispark Twente. At Kennispark, you’ll find world‑class organisations such as Demcon, Micronit and LioniX International. A key part of Enschede’s innovation ecosystem is the TechMed Centre at the University of Twente, a leading hub where healthcare technology, research, education and industry collaborate to develop personalised medical solutions of tomorrow’s healthcare. Together, these elements make Enschede a lively and forward‑looking place to explore the future of technology and innovation.
A Unique and Cosy (Indoor) City
Enschede thrives 365 days a year. Whether it's bustling with Dutch and Germans or filled with lively terraces at the cosiest hospitality square in East Netherlands, the Oude Markt, this city is always alive. The Oude Markt may well be the epicentre of the city. As soon as the weather is nice, everyone in Enschede gathers here at the terraces—a great place to enjoy delicious snacks and drinks while people-watching without inhibition. Want to shop? That's possible too! Enschede boasts hundreds of local shops and retail chains where you can shop endlessly. Need a break? The city is filled with hospitality hotspots where you can relax at any time of day. Culture lovers can also indulge in what the city has to offer. Immerse yourself in music and theatre, enjoy the rich collections of museums, catch a movie, or find inspiration at various incubators. Outside the Randstad, Enschede is even the only city with such a wide range of cultural amenities. This is due in part to six nationally-funded institutions, including an orchestra, touring opera, youth theatre, museum, art gallery, and artists' initiative. Wherever you are in the city, there is always a wide array of dining options, events, culture, and shops within reach.
Plenty of Peace and Space in the Greenest City in the Netherlands
Did you know that Enschede is the greenest city in the Netherlands? A remarkable 51 per cent of the city consists of green spaces, amounting to over 221 square meters of greenery per resident. Enschede ranks 19th worldwide among the greenest cities! You are never more than fifteen minutes away from nature when in the city. Nature is always just around the corner in Enschede. Throughout the city, you will find ten city parks, each a green oasis with its own charm. Leaving the city centre, you will discover beautiful estates and rural areas on the city’s outskirts. Enjoy the lovely cycling routes through the Twente forests or relish the tranquillity during a walk and clear your mind. Wherever you go, you are surrounded by greenery. The Twente landscape is surprisingly beautiful and diverse. Step outside and be amazed. Here you will find all the walking and cycling routes, nature areas, parks, and green activities compiled for you.
