Built: 1998
Capacity: 30,000

Arnhem is one of the more unheralded host cities of Euro 2000, but visitors will find that there is a treasure trove of sites to explore this summer.

The capital city of the Dutch province of Gelderland, Arnhem's hottest nightlife centres around the Korenmarkt, packed with cafes and bars with a relaxed and friendly feel.

The pavement cafes are certain to be busy during Euro 2000, with thousands of supporters from Turkey, Italy, Romania, Portugal, Slovenia and Norway expected.

Most of Arnhem's stock of historic buildings were destroyed during a Second World War Allied bombing campaign which claimed the lives of thousands of British troops.

But the city still boasts a multitude of tourist attractions, not least the site of the river crossing made famous in the film 'A Bridge Too Far'.

And art lovers will adore the Kroller Muller Museum in the Hoge Veluwe National Park - home to the world's biggest collection of Van Gogh pieces.

The Gelredome Stadium is a tidy 30,000 capacity venue that still looks like something in a design book. With innovative ideas, such as solar-powering, a removable pitch and retractable roof, it is a multi-purpose arena that will enjoy its finest hour this summer.

Host club Vitesse have begun to establish themselves as one of the most ambitious outfits in Holland, though breaking into the dominance of PSV and Ajax has so far proved just beyond them. This is not the ground that saw Norwich City come away with a memorable win on their first night of European football - that ground now lies barren on the other side of town.

Dutch legend Ronald Koeman is honing his coaching skills as boss with Vitesse at the Gelredome and his mere presence in Arnhem highlights the fact that the club are looking to make a break into the big time sooner rather than later.

Getting there

Arnhem is an hour by train from Amsterdam, or to get there by road from the south, take the N325 leading to the N225; from the west, use the E35; from the north, take the E35, E232 and N325; and use the A50 and A165 from the east.