Audrey Hepburn Walking Route Arnhem: Self-guided tour

Audrey Hepburn's Arnhem unfolds on foot, from her grandfather's estate to the bridge that shaped her city.

This self-guided walking route through Arnhem follows Audrey Hepburn's connection to the city during her childhood, covering 7.5 kilometers through Burgemeesterswijk, two major parks, and the historic centre over 2.5 hours. You receive a PDF with the route and information sent via WhatsApp after payment, and walk at your own pace without a guide. The route weaves together Audrey's personal history (including her performance as a young ballet dancer at Musis Sacrum in 1941) with the city's World War II story, including the Battle of Arnhem and the iconic John Frost Bridge.

Step-by-step itinerary

Audrey Hepburn walking route in Arnhem

• Start at Arnhem Central railway station
• Visit Huis Zypendaal historic house
• Walk through Sonsbeek Park
• See Musis Sacrum cultural venue
• View John Frost Bridge landmark
• Explore Airborne at the Bridge museum
• End at Audrey Hepburnplein square

The experience

Arnhem Central railway station, at the Sonsbeekpark exit, is where the route begins. From there, the walk takes you through Burgemeesterswijk toward Huis Zypendaal, the historic country house built in the 1760s where Audrey's grandfather, Baron Aarnoud van Heemstra, lived and served as mayor. This is where Audrey and her family stayed when they first arrived in Arnhem during the war years. The route then moves through Sonsbeek Park, one of the city's oldest green spaces, which became public in 1899 and formed part of the landscape of her childhood.

The walk passes Musis Sacrum, the cultural venue where the twelve-year-old Audrey performed as a ballet dancer in 1941, before moving toward the John Frost Bridge: Arnhem's most recognizable landmark and the site of the brutal September 1944 battle during Operation Market Garden. The Airborne at the Bridge museum sits nearby, telling the story of the British paratroopers who fought there and the impact the battle had on residents like Audrey's family, who had moved to nearby Velp. The route ends at Audrey Hepburnplein, a fitting conclusion to a walk that connects her extraordinary life to the city's wartime history.

You navigate entirely on your own. No guide accompanies you. After you book and pay, a PDF with the complete route map and information about each stop arrives via WhatsApp, so you can start whenever suits your schedule. The walk suits all fitness levels and works with a pram or stroller if you're traveling with infants or small children. Public transportation options are nearby if you need them.

What’s included

• The route and detailed information about each stop on a PDF sent via WhatsApp after payment.
• stories about Audrey Hepburn's childhood in Arnhem and her connection to places along the walk.
• information about the Battle of Arnhem and World War II history that shaped the city and her life.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by ArnhemLife

Is this one for you?Walk this route on your own schedule if you prefer to explore at your own pace without a guide. The self-guided format works well for solo travelers, couples, or small groups who want to linger at stops that interest them most and move quickly through others.

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Top questions

What is Huis Zypendaal and why does it matter to Audrey's story?

Huis Zypendaal is a country house built between 1762 and 1764 where Audrey's grandfather, Baron Aarnoud van Heemstra, lived as the former mayor of Arnhem. Audrey and her family stayed there when they first moved to the city during the war.

Does the route include the John Frost Bridge and what happened there?

Yes. The John Frost Bridge is one of Arnhem's most iconic landmarks and marks the site of the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944, when British paratroopers under Lieutenant Colonel John Frost fought to hold it during Operation Market Garden. The battle devastated the city and affected Audrey's family, who had moved to nearby Velp.

Where did Audrey Hepburn perform as a young dancer in Arnhem?

Audrey performed at Musis Sacrum, one of Arnhem's oldest cultural venues, in 1941 when she was just 12 years old. The building also served as a venue during the German occupation in World War II and remains an important concert hall today.

How do I get the route information and when can I start walking?

After you complete payment, a PDF with the route map and information about each stop is sent to you via WhatsApp. You can start the walk whenever you choose. There's no fixed departure time or meeting point.

Is this walk suitable if I'm traveling with young children?

Yes. The route is suitable for all fitness levels, and infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need a break or alternative transport during the walk.