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Kleve
ℹ️Practical info — Kleve
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Climb the Swan Tower (Schwanenturm) at Schwanenburg Castle for wide-reaching views all the way to the Netherlands.
- Explore the historic amphitheater in the Baroque gardens, which served as a model for many European park designs.
- Rent a pedal boat on the Kermisdahl to see the city and the castle from a peaceful perspective on the water.
- Visit the Museum Kurhaus Kleve, which showcases contemporary art inside a grand former spa building.
- Look for the Lohengrin statue in the castle courtyard, commemorating the famous legend of the Knight of the Swan.
🍽 Food
Visit this coffee roastery in a former train station, famous for its excellent coffee and inclusive social mission.
A local tradition featuring bread, cheese, ham, and sweet treats, often found in rustic cafés on the outskirts.
Enjoy a cold drink under ancient trees in the beer gardens near the historic parklands during summer.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
The main pedestrian street has a mix of independent boutiques and well-known retail brands.
Visit on Thursdays for organic products direct from the producers in an authentic farm courtyard setting.
Held every Saturday, this is the place for fresh fruit, vegetables, and regional Lower Rhine specialties.
A sprawling spa park with rare tree species and canals, handy for long, peaceful walks.
A more hidden section of the parklands below the castle, offering plenty of tranquility.
The largest contiguous forest in the Lower Rhine region starts right at the city's doorstep.
Water temperature…
The former ducal city of Kleve sits in the far west of North Rhine-Westphalia, right on the edge of the Dutch border, perched elegantly on a wooded ridge. The undeniable symbol of the city is the historic Schwanenburg (Swan Castle), which towers over the landscape and is closely tied to the medieval legend of the Swan Knight, Lohengrin. Today, the prominent Swan Tower houses a geological museum and has visitors sweeping panoramic views across the flat Rhine valley. Another magnificent highlight is the historical Baroque gardens, laid out in the 17th century by Prince John Maurice of Nassau-Siegen. With strict geometric sightlines, a scenic amphitheater, and classical water features, these terraced gardens famously served as an inspiration for the landscape architects of Versailles. Art enthusiasts will find a major draw at the Museum Kurhaus Kleve, presenting contemporary art in the elegant rooms of a former spa building, a space where the famous artist Joseph Beuys once had his studio. The bustling city center invites you for a stroll through its pedestrian zones, filled with boutiques and local eateries. Surrounding the city, the expansive Reichswald forest provides a fantastic playground for hiking and cross-border cycling trips right into neighboring Gelderland.
- Location: North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- Top sights: Schwanenburg · Museum Kurhaus Kleve · Collegiate Church
- Nearby: Emmerich am Rhein (9 km)
- Population: ~53.458
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 6 | 3 |
| Rain mm | 74 | 60 | 55 | 39 | 59 | 59 | 77 | 80 | 58 | 64 | 68 | 76 |
Geography
Facts
- Total area: 97.79 square kilometers.
- Height of the Swan Tower: 55 meters.
- Baroque gardens commissioned: around 1650.
- Establishment of Rhine-Waal University: 2009.
- Distance to the Dutch border: approx. 8 kilometers.
- Famous historical figure: Anne of Cleves, Queen of England.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
The morning begins spiritually at the Collegiate Church before we conquer Kleve's iconic landmark, the majestic Schwanenburg. At noon, we immerse ourselves in romantic landscapes at Haus Koekkoek, followed by modern masterpieces at the Museum Kurhaus. The afternoon ends harmoniously with a relaxing walk beneath the ancient trees of the Forstgarten.
Collegiate Church
Schwanenburg
Haus Koekkoek
Museum Kurhaus Kleve
Forstgarten
Start your morning inside the Stiftskirche, staying dry as the rain begins. At noon, the Schwanenburg castle provides a grand indoor escape with its historical exhibits. Afternoon is perfect for the cozy galleries of Haus Koekkoek and Museum Kurhaus. Finish the day with a brisk walk in Forstgarten; the paved paths help avoid the worst of the mud.
Collegiate Church
Schwanenburg
Haus Koekkoek
Museum Kurhaus Kleve
Forstgarten
Begin your chilly morning in the quiet Stiftskirche. At noon, Schwanenburg provides a welcome break from the winter wind. Spend the afternoon in the warm galleries of Haus Koekkoek and Kurhaus. Sunset arrives early around 17:00, so catch the last light for a crisp walk through the winter scenery of Forstgarten.
Collegiate Church
Schwanenburg
Haus Koekkoek
Museum Kurhaus Kleve
Forstgarten
We start at the XOX-Theater to soak up some industrial culture, then pedal to the towering Schwanenburg and the nearby Collegiate Church. After our historical dose, noon brings art at Haus Koekkoek. In the afternoon, we cycle to Museum Kurhaus to feel Beuys' legacy, finally winding down the day surrounded by animals at the Kleve Zoo.
XOX-Theater
Schwanenburg
Collegiate Church
Haus Koekkoek
Museum Kurhaus Kleve
Kleve Zoo
Be careful on the wet bike paths this morning near XOX-Theater. At noon, Schwanenburg offers a well-deserved break in the dry. Spend the afternoon exploring the city's museums while it rains outside. In the evening, cycle carefully to the Zoo, where paved paths remain rideable despite the puddles.
XOX-Theater
Schwanenburg
Collegiate Church
Haus Koekkoek
Museum Kurhaus Kleve
Kleve Zoo
A crisp winter morning at XOX-Theater requires warm gloves and layers. At noon, warm up inside the historic walls of Schwanenburg. The afternoon leads us through the city's heated museums. Finish your tour at the Zoo before 17:00, as it gets dark and very cold on the bike afterwards.
XOX-Theater
Schwanenburg
Collegiate Church
Haus Koekkoek
Museum Kurhaus Kleve
Kleve Zoo
The car tour starts at the Schuhmuseum before we comfortably drive to the imposing Schwanenburg in the city center. After Haus Koekkoek and the artwork at the Museum Kurhaus, we leave the downtown area. The late afternoon leads us to the Roman-Frankish Museum Forum Arenacum and the picturesque moated castles Rindern and Gnadental.
Shoe Museum
Schwanenburg
Haus Koekkoek
Museum Kurhaus Kleve
Museum Forum Arenacum
Wasserburg Rindern
Schloss Gnadental
A relaxed rainy day starts at the Shoe Museum, easily accessible by car. At noon, explore Schwanenburg while your vehicle is safely parked nearby. Spend the afternoon visiting Haus Koekkoek and Museum Kurhaus. Finish the day at the local moated castles, which look majestic even through the rain-streaked windows.
Shoe Museum
Schwanenburg
Haus Koekkoek
Museum Kurhaus Kleve
Museum Forum Arenacum
Wasserburg Rindern
Schloss Gnadental
A cozy winter day in a heated car starts at the Shoe Museum. At noon, Schwanenburg provides a welcome break from the cold wind. Spend the afternoon in the city's warm museums. Sunset is around 17:00; enjoy the atmospherically lit moated castles and manors to conclude your winter tour.
Shoe Museum
Schwanenburg
Haus Koekkoek
Museum Kurhaus Kleve
Museum Forum Arenacum
Wasserburg Rindern
Schloss Gnadental
Sights in the town Kleve (22)
Frequently asked questions
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