Visitors' information

Your visit starts here

Park your car for free in the parking lot at Willem Lodewijkstraat 33. The information center, the entrance to the Fortress, is also located here. Here you'll find information about the Fortress and purchase tickets for the museums inside. Coming with the whole family? Choose our affordable family card.

Bourtange Information Centre

The information center with reception is the place for:

  • General information about the Fortress
  • Entrance tickets to the museums within the Fortress
  • Group visits
  • Fortress lodgings
  • Regional information (including cycling and walking routes)
  • Wheelchair rental
  • Toilets
  • Stamps and mailbox (at the counter)
  • Souvenirs
  • Soft drink

Opening hours

Information Center

March 28 to November 1, 2026
Mon to Fri: 10.00am – 16.30pm
Sat and Sun: 10.00am – 16.30pm

November 2 to November 29, 2026
Mon to Fri: 13.00am – 16.00pm
Sat and Sun: 10.30am – 16.30pm

November 30, 2026 to March 5, 2027
Mon to Fri: 13.00am – 16.00pm
Sat and Sun: closed

Please note: the information centre will be closed from 21 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.

Museums

March 28 to November 1, 2026
Mon to Fri: 11.00am – 16.30pm
Sat and Sun: 11.00am – 16.30pm

November 2 to November 29, 2026
Mon to Fri: closed
Sat and Sun: 11.00am – 16.30pm

November 30, 2026 to March 5, 2027
Closed

During events, we may have different opening hours; please check the “ events ” section for details.

Parking at Fortress Bourtange

Parking is free, so feel free to bring your car, motorcycle, or campervan. There's plenty of space! Charging stations for electric vehicles are also available. Overnight stays in the Vesting Bourtange parking lot are not permitted. There's plenty of room for your bike.

Within the Fortress, parking is only permitted for local traffic, such as residents and suppliers.

Museum Annual Card & Friends Lottery

Fortress Bourtange is not affiliated with the Museum Annual Card and/or the Friends Lottery.

Tours, vintage cars and classic motorcycles

Touring rides, groups of vintage cars, and classic motorcycles are not permitted within the Fortress. However, it is possible to reserve a parking space for these groups at the information center. You can do this by emailing us or calling us at 0599 – 35 46 00.

House rules in Fortress Bourtange

Our Fortress is beautiful, and we want to keep it that way. The residents of the Fortress also find this very important. They love living there and are proud of their Fortress. Therefore, we have established house rules for visitors. This is in the best interest of the Fortress and its residents. The house rules are as follows:

  • Leashed dogs are welcome in the Fortress. Please note that the cannon fire and the crack of muskets might not be pleasant for your dog! In the summer, there's a water trough in the information center. Dogs are not allowed in museums, except for certified assistance dogs.
  • Flying drones over the Fortress is not permitted.
  • The use of a metal detector is not permitted in the Fortress.
  • Owners of (domestic) animals are obliged to clean up after their animals themselves.
  • The ramparts may only be entered via the stairs.
  • Please throw rubbish in the bins provided or take it home with you.
  • Avoid unnecessary noise, such as honking.
  • Please park your bicycle in the bicycle shed next to Restaurant 's Lands Huys.
  • The privacy of the residents must always be respected.
  • Fishing is only allowed if permission has been granted.

Wheelchair users

Many of the historic buildings and the city walls are wheelchair accessible. There are also three accessible restrooms, and you can rent a wheelchair or walker at the Information Center.

Electric van

Currently, there is no shuttle bus running between the parking lot and the fortress.

We are looking at a possible alternative.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Cannon shooting

The Bourtange Drill Platoon gives a cannon shooting demonstration every Sunday at 3:00 PM during the season (April to the end of September). An additional cannon shot is fired on Ascension Day, Easter Monday, and Whit Monday.

Lost and found

We store lost and found items for two weeks at the Fortress information center. We accept no liability for this.

Public transport

Accessibility by public transport

Bourtange Fortress is easily accessible by public transport. Travel by train or bus to Winschoten or Emmen station. From there, in many cases, take bus line 72. This line runs from Winschoten via Bourtange to Emmen.

At certain times, line 72 only runs between Vlagtwedde and Ter Apel: in that case, you first travel by another bus to Vlagtwedde or Ter Apel and transfer to line 72 there. Plan your trip easily via BUSgd.nl.

 

Traveling with OVpay

You no longer need to buy a single ticket or have an OV-chipkaart. On the bus and train, you can easily pay with your debit card, credit card, or mobile via OVpay. You can find more information on OVpay.

 

Hubtaxi

Is line 72 not running? Then Bourtange Fortress can be reached from Ter Apel or Vlagtwedde by hub taxi. This taxi will take you to the entrance of the fortress at Willem Lodewijkstraat 33. The hub taxi must be reserved by phone at least 1 to 2 hours in advance via 0800 – 402 01 02 (free). More information can be found at Hubtaxi.