Discover Bad Bentheim from several perspectives: its historic stairs tell the story of local routes, hiking options vary considerably in length, and the Bentheim Mineral Spa offers year-round outdoor swimming. There are also museums and pottery courses. If you are looking for a hotel in Bad Bentheim, you can start planning your trip by asking yourself what you would like to focus on: history, hiking or swimming?
Historic Stairs and Hiking Routes of Different Lengths
The historic stairs are a hallmark of Bad Bentheim’s old town. Their origins are linked to the settlement’s expansion along the Bentheim ridge: paths were cut into the rock to reach neighbours, the nearest well, and the meadows, fields and gardens at the foot of the hill. The stairs therefore tell the story of everyday routes and connections between different elevations in the town. The “Through Bentheim’s Stairs” hiking route explores this theme and is 3.07 kilometres long.
The Sandstone Trail covers a different scale. It consists of two longer sections: the western section is about 18.2 kilometres long and the eastern section about 17.3 kilometres. The lengths of the two sections can be compared directly with that of the “Through Bentheim’s Stairs” route, helping you choose the distance you want to cover. This gives you a shorter route and two considerably longer sections to choose from.
Museums and Pottery Courses
The Bad Bentheim Sandstone Museum is generally open year-round from Wednesday to Sunday, 2 pm to 5 pm. It is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, as well as throughout January. Opening hours may change, so please check them before your visit.
In Gildehaus, the Otto Pankok Museum presents three to four exhibitions each year. If a particular exhibition is important to your plans, check the latest dates in advance. This lets you plan your museum visit as part of your stay without relying on a specific exhibition date.
The Tonfuchs pottery studio offers another way to explore a subject through hands-on activities. Kathi Bosink, a ceramic artist and coach, has been offering a range of pottery courses since 2018; all courses are suitable for beginners. The course program may change, so check in advance which dates are currently available.
Walks and Outdoor Swimming
The Bentheim Forest, north of Bad Bentheim, is an inviting place for longer walks. It extends from around the spa centre to the open-air theatre area. You can choose between a forest outing and longer hiking routes, depending on the kind of exercise you are looking for.
If you would rather spend time in the water than go for a walk, the Bentheim Mineral Spa offers another option: its thermal brine comes from a depth of 1,200 metres, allowing you to swim outdoors year-round in water heated to 29°C. Forest walks and swimming thus offer different ways to enjoy your stay in Bad Bentheim.
Discover more destinations: Itterbeck, Hoogstede, Engden, SchĂĽttorf, Lage, Getelo, Neuenhaus, Nordhorn
Return to the broader travel overview: Grafschaft Bentheim.
