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- Heksenwaag (Witch Weighing House) — The one thing most people come for: the original weigh house where “witches” were publicly weighed, now a small museum and interactive spot where you can get a modern certificate and hear the surprisingly sane local story behind the legend.
- Grote of Sint-Michaëlskerk — The big medieval church in the centre with Gothic bones and an atmospheric churchyard; worth popping in for its architecture, old tombstones and the calm inside compared with the busy streets outside.
- Waagplein and the canal quays — The compact market square right by the water is the town’s social heart: canal-side cafés, photo-ready gables, and the place where the weigh house fronts onto actual life instead of a museum case.
- Stadhuis (Town Hall) and the Markt — The historic town hall
- Heksenwaag (Witch Weighing House) — The one thing most people come for: the original weigh house where “witches” were publicly weighed, now a small museum and interactive spot where you can get a modern certificate and hear the surprisingly sane local story behind the legend.
- Grote of Sint-Michaëlskerk — The big medieval church in the centre with Gothic bones and an atmospheric churchyard; worth popping in for its architecture, old tombstones and the calm inside compared with the busy streets outside.
- Waagplein and the canal quays — The compact market square right by the water is the town’s social heart: canal-side cafés, photo-ready gables, and the place where the weigh house fronts onto actual life instead of a museum case.
- Stadhuis (Town Hall) and the Markt — The historic town hall faces the market; the whole square still reads like a provincial Renaissance centre where trade and town business happened for centuries.
- Historic canal houses along the Hollandse IJssel — Walk the quays and you’ll see narrow merchant facades, stepped gables and original doorways from the 16th-17th centuries that tell the story of Oudewater’s river trade.
- Oudewater harbour and riverside walks — The small working harbour on the IJssel is perfect for a short riverside walk, watching barges, or sitting with a beer while boats pass — a very Dutch, very local vibe.
- Remnants of the city walls, moats and ramparts — Scattered stretches of moat and green rampart paths remain around the old core; they’re low-key, walkable and give a neat sense of the town’s medieval footprint.
- The town’s bridges and locks — The little movable bridges and locks that thread the canals are satisfying to watch and photograph; they’re small-scale engineering with immediate everyday function, not just ornament.
- Local markets and weekly street life — When a market’s on you get local cheese, produce and a lively crowd — a great way to sample daily Oudewater rhythms and chat to residents or stallholders.
- Small local history displays and craft shops — Outside the big museum there are tiny exhibits, independent galleries and craft shops tucked into side streets; they’re where you’ll pick up a quirky souvenir and overhear real local stories.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.