No Flights, Just Sunshine: Summer in Wageningen
By Devi Muralee Krishna
When most people think of summer, they picture plane tickets, beach getaways, or long stretches of holiday. But my summer in Wageningen wasn’t built around vacations. It was made up of ordinary days that felt a little more alive, warmer, brighter, and often unexpectedly joyful. Between classes, projects, and grocery runs, something about the season made every small moment feel a little bigger.
Here’s how summer in Wageningen made even the most regular days feel unforgettable.
Starting Off with the Summervibes Festival
Summer on campus kicked off with the Summervibes Festival, an event that turned a normal afternoon into a mini celebration. I had just stepped out of a class when I found myself in the middle of what looked like a spontaneous street fair between Orion and Forum.
Food stalls had replaced the usual cafés, serving everything from wraps and waffles to bubble tea and iced coffee. There were live bands, students lounging on the grass, and even a science tent you could wander into between bites. As a student assistant, I had my camera ready, capturing moments for work and also for myself.
It was one of those afternoons where the boundaries between studying and relaxing blurred beautifully. Wageningen’s diversity and spontaneity came alive, and it was the perfect way to welcome summer.
Riverside Picnics on the Rhine
Although I haven’t done this one myself (yet), picnicking by the Rhine is practically a Wageningen summer tradition. A short 10 minute bike ride from the center brings you to a stretch of riverbank where students gather with snacks, drinks, and blankets.
From what I’ve seen and heard, it’s blissfully simple: music playing softly, friends chatting in the grass, swimmers cooling off in the water while kayakers pass by. No filters, no staging, just real moments. And on the way back? A stop at Cicuto for hazelnut ice cream is apparently nonnegotiable.
It’s definitely at the top of my list for next summer, the kind of low effort, high reward break that makes a weekday feel like a mini vacation.
International Potlucks in Student Housing
Some of the most memorable summer evenings happened right at home. One night, our corridor hosted an international potluck in the backyard of our student housing. Fairy lights were strung between trees, foldable tables were set up, and each of us brought a dish from our home country.
Later, I helped organize a larger potluck just for MFQ students in our building, a global feast with everything from Indian pulav to Korean kimbap, Dutch salads to Italian tiramisu. After dinner, we played cards, board games, and shared stories that took us across continents.
It wasn’t just about the food. It was about home, or at least, creating the feeling of home with people who were all far from theirs. And that’s what made those nights so special.
Biking Up to Belmonte Arboretum
When I needed a moment to myself, I’d bike up the hill to Belmonte Arboretum, which is one of the most popular outdoor spots in the city. The ride is short but steep, classic Wageningen, and the reward at the top is worth every pedal.
Belmonte is a peaceful botanical garden that overlooks the Rhine valley. I’d bring a book or journal, settle onto a quiet bench, and let the world slow down. No music, no distractions. Just flowers, trees, and the occasional rustle of squirrels in the undergrowth.
The view reminded me of the hills near Baden Baden, gentle, green, and timeless. It wasn’t an escape from student life. It was how I recharged, reconnected, and remembered why I chose to study here.
BBQs by Student Association
Nothing says summer quite like the smell of grilled veggies and skewers in the air. One of my favorite surprises was a Nicholas Appert barbecue at Park Noordwest. Plates full, music on, and students gathered in circles, it was easy to strike up a conversation with someone new over a shared love of food.
What I loved most? You didn’t have to be a member, although there are plenty of exciting associations to join. I met students from different backgrounds, shared recipes, and even signed up for a cooking workshop on the spot. It felt like more than a meal. It was community, connection, and celebration rolled into one.
Late Night Parties at De Bunker
Summer doesn’t always mean slowing down, sometimes it means staying out later than ever. And in Wageningen, that means De Bunker.
This student party venue was alive with energy throughout the term. Themed nights, spontaneous dance offs, international DJs, Dutch singalongs, De Bunker had it all. One Tuesday night, we danced until 2 a.m., then biked home under a sky still warm from the day.
It wasn’t glamorous. But it was perfect. The kind of carefree chaos you can only find in a place where no one takes themselves too seriously.
Still on My Bucket List: A Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Wageningen
Maybe the most whimsical idea of all? A hot air balloon ride over Wageningen at sunrise or sunset. I’ve seen them floating in the sky above the valley, tiny dots drifting in silence, and every time, I pause.
Friends say it’s unreal. You float above the Rhine, above the buildings, above the forest, watching the world unfold like a miniature map. I haven’t done it yet, but I’m saving it. Some moments are meant to be once in a lifetime.
Final Thoughts on Spending the Summer in Wageningen
If you’re wondering whether to spend your summer in Wageningen, do it.
It won’t be packed with tourist attractions or buzzing with city crowds. But what you’ll find here is space. Nature. A slow rhythm that lets you breathe. Moments that sneak up on you: a deep conversation over dinner, the quiet hum of bikes on the street, the way the sunset lingers just a little longer.
Wageningen in summer isn’t about doing more. It’s about noticing more. And if you let it, it might just become the most memorable part of your year.
Lots of sunshine,
Devi
