Valkenburg Christmas Market | Kerststad Valkenburg | Christmas Town Valkenburg | The Unique Christmas Cave Markets of Valkenburg, the Netherlands
Kerststad Valkenburg (Christmas Town Valkenburg)
If you plan to stroll incessantly through gorgeous winter landscapes and enchanting Christmas decors, you need to be at Kerststad Valkenburg. Having seen a lot of Christmas Markets around the globe, I can safely proclaim that Valkenburg Christmas Market is hands down the best Christmas Market in the Netherlands and one of the most unique Christmas Markets on the planet. After all, it's not every day that you get to a Christmas Market within a marlstone cave!
During the Christmas season, Valkenburg’s amazing caves are transformed into stunning Christmas Markets. More than 50 stores inside the Velvet and Municipal Caves sell Christmas decorations and presents. The caves' darkest corners are illuminated by bright lights and Christmas trees with lovely ornaments. Along with that, in most places, there is only one Christmas market, but in Valkenburg, the entire city is engulfed in a Christmassy ambiance with a dazzling Christmas parade, gorgeous music, and dance festival in traditional costumes, earning it the name of 'The Christmas Town.'
Kerststad Valkenburg won the title of 'European City of Christmas' in 2018, and in 2020 it ranked 9th in the 'European Best Christmas Market 2020' competition, beating out places like Trier, Prague, Amiens, and Cologne. Today, I’m going to take you along with me on a ride across the best Christmas Markets to visit in Kerststad Valkenburg. Let the journey begin!
Where is Valkenburg?
Located in Limburg, the southernmost province of the Netherlands, Valkenburg is the country's oldest tourist destination and one of the few places in the country with actual mountains. It is recognized for its undulating terrain and charming villages, as well as its two major attractions - the famed castle ruins and marlstone caves. Even though just the remains of Castle Valkenburg exist, it is nonetheless worth a visit because it is the country's only castle built on a hill and therefore offers a panoramic view of the city from its broken ramparts.
History of the Caves of Valkenburg
Since around 1050, the caves of Valkenburg have been used for a variety of purposes, including storing commodities, transferring troops for surprise attacks, and even hiding people fleeing religious persecution. During the French occupation of Valkenburg (Franco-Batavian time), these caves were used as a location for religious ceremonies. The altar is still visible!
To know more about the French settlement period in the Netherlands, please read our article Monument De Pyramide van Austerlitz | The Dutch Pyramid of Austerlitz located in Woudenberg (Utrecht), the Netherlands.
During World War II, villagers used these tunnels to hide from German armies, while American soldiers used them to slip inside the castle ruins to obtain a better look at Nazi positions in the region. Soldiers were invited to write their names on the walls once the town was freed by the Americans. Several portraits of them can be found in the cave. This mountain was quarried until the 1950s, and the corridors are littered with historic relics as a result of its use over the years.
Best Christmas Markets in Kerststad Valkenburg
1. Christmas Market at Gemeentegrot (Municipal Cave)
This is Europe's largest underground Christmas market, with innumerable Christmas items for sale. However, the caves' magnificent structures have made the event so popular, not the souvenirs. Visit more than fifty stalls within the labyrinth decked with countless Christmas trees and Christmassy decorations while roaming through the Gemeentegrot Christmas Market. You can easily spend hours exploring the caves' nooks and crannies while shopping for winter apparel and accessories, jewelry, antiques, desserts, cooking utensils, hand-blown glass ornaments, and Belgian chocolates. You can also buy food and drinks to eat, such as the decadent Grotbol and Gluhwein (mulled wine), as well as Chocomel (chocolate milk).
2. Christmas Market at Fluweelengrot (Velvet Cave)
Underneath Valkenburg's destroyed castle, centuries-old passages wind their way through the golden marlstone. The Christmas Market stalls add to the allure of a visit to the Velvet Cave (Fluweelengrot).
3. Nativity Scene at Wilhelmina Cave (Winter Wonderland)
Take a thrilling journey of Nativity of Christ from Nazareth to Bethlehem. A trip on the cable lift to visit the Wilhelminatoren, or the Wilhelmina Tower is the ideal follow-up activity to this experience.
4. Christmas Show at MergelRijk
Dubbed as the 'The Valkenburg Christmas Cave,' here the Biblical Christmas tale is depicted in a 30-meter long diorama of miniatures. Allow yourself to be taken away by the several Christmas villages with miniature residents set in winter landscapes, and marvel at the magnificent marl sculptures.
5. Other Places to Visit during Christmas in Valkenburg
After visiting the places mentioned above, you can also visit the following places if you have time.
Sprookjesbos Valkenburg - When the sun sets early, the gnomes draw their pointed caps deep over their ears, and Red Riding Hood brings a jug to her grandma, it is winter in Sprookjesbos Valkenburg. Magical moments abound in Frosty Fairy Tale, with glittering lights and Christmas wreaths adorning the themepark. The Magical Cave Christmas Tour in the caves beneath Sprookjebos is a new addition where a Christmas Elf will lead you through this interactive tour. A memorable event for both youngsters and adults!
Santa's Village - Santa's Village is located in the centre of Valkenburg, on the 'Theodoor Dorrenplein' plaza. A warm and inviting Christmas village with authentic wooden chalets. The best Christmas accessories and gifts can be found at the Christmas market, as well as tasty Christmas treats. If you're hungry, stop by and try the authentic German bratwurst straight from the Santa’s grill. You can also unwind for a while at Santa's Bar while sipping hot chocolate or mulled wine.
Visiting Valkenburg
Public Transport: Valkenburg is located between Heerlen and Maastricht on the train route. So to reach Valkenburg, you first need to take a train to either Heerlen or Maastricht. Then you need to board one of the Stoptrains RE18 or RS18 from Heerlen towards Maastricht or from Maastricht towards Heerlen, and get down at Valkenburg, which comes midway in both the directions.
Car Parking: Though there is a parking route across the town of Valkenburg, all parking spots can be pretty much full during the busy season. So I would suggest parking at the big parking lot named Odapark at 10 minutes walking distance from Gemeentegrot (Municipal Cave). You will see signs showing ‘Kerststad Parking’ (Odapark is labeled as ‘Kerstad Parking’ during Christmas) as you enter Valkenburg. However, I’m still sharing the address and the GPS coordinates of Odapark with you, just to be sure. Better safe than sorry!
Odapark Address: Parking Odapark Prins Bernardstraat, Prinses Margrietlaan, 6301 WH Valkenburg
Odaprk GPS Coordinates: 50.8666° N, 5.8268° E
Opening Hours and Ticket Prices: For information on ticket prices and opening hours for each of the Christmas Caves, please visit their website mentioned below.
Website: christmastownvalkenburg.com
Epilogue
So that brings us to the end of our journey across the best Christmas Markets in Kerststad Valkenburg. Please let us know in the comments below if you enjoyed reading this article.
And if you want to know about the best Christmas Markets in the Netherlands, please read our article The Dutch Christmas Markets | 9 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in the Netherlands | Top Things to See and Do in the Netherlands during Christmas. Until then, merry traveling and happy shooting!
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