Top 15 Exciting Things to See and Do in Valkenburg aan de Geul on a Day Trip | 15 Best Activities and Sightseeing Attractions of Valkenburg, the Netherlands
About Valkenburg
Located in Limburg, the southernmost province of the Netherlands, Valkenburg, a marlstone hamlet nestled amid moss-green hills in the heart of the 'Heuvelland' nature reserve, is the country's oldest tourist destination and one of the few places in the country with actual mountains. It has been a landmark for nearly 130 years with its undulating terrain and picturesque surroundings, 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.
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. 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 ‘Kerststad’ or 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. To know more about the Christmas Markets of Valkenburg, please read our article Valkenburg Christmas Market | Kerststad Valkenburg | Christmas Town Valkenburg | The Unique Christmas Cave Markets of Valkenburg, the Netherlands.
Today, I’m going to take you along with me on a ride across the top 15 exciting things to see and do in Valkenburg. Let the journey begin!
Top 15 Exciting Things to See and Do in Valkenburg
1. Visit the Castle Ruins
The ruins of this formerly formidable fortress still stand as the Netherlands' lone castle built on a hill. The first fortification on this site was constructed in 1075, and the second in the early 12th century. Both fortifications were later captured and destroyed. The fortress, whose ruins can still be seen today, was built at the start of the 13th century. Willem III blew up the fortress in 1672 to prevent it from falling into the hands of French soldiers, and it was never rebuilt. From the broken ramparts of the castle, you can get a panoramic view of the city.
For opening hours and ticket prices, please visit their website kasteelvalkenburg.nl/en
2. Explore the Fluweelengrot (Velvet Cave) under the Castle Ruins
Since around 1050, the Velvet Caves of Valkenburg located under the castle ruins has 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.
The castle ruins and the Velvet cave can be visited all year round but during Christmas, the Christmas Market stalls and decors add to the allure, and hence I recommend visiting it during Christmas. To know more about the opening hours and ticket prices, please visit their website kasteelvalkenburg.nl/en
3. Tour the Gemeentegrot (Municipal Cave)
The Gemeentegrot (or Municipal Cave), a former marl (a loose and crumbling earthy deposit consisting mainly of calcite or dolomite used as a fertilizer for soils deficient in lime) quarry from the Roman times 2000 years ago, a WWII hideaway, and a nuclear fallout shelter, provides a fascinating glimpse into thousands of years of history. The cave can be toured in a variety of ways. You have the option of walking or taking the slow train. There are also guided tours available, which I strongly suggest. As a result, you'll be able to hear all of the stories that this former quarry has to tell.
During Christmas, this turns into 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).
To know more about the opening hours and ticket prices, please visit their website gemeentegrot.nl
4. Experience the Nativity Scene at Wilhelmina Cave and climb the Wilhelmina Tower
When you are in Valkenburg during Christmas, take a thrilling journey of the Nativity of Christ from Nazareth to Bethlehem at the Wilhelmina Cave. A trip on the cable lift to visit the Wilhelminatoren, or the Wilhelmina Tower, one of Valkenburg's symbols, is the ideal follow-up activity to this experience. The 30-meter-high observation tower was constructed in 1906 to draw tourists to the area. The tower has a cafe with a beautiful view of the city and the hills, and is open all year round.
5. Check out the Marl Statue of Rembrandt’s ‘Nightwatch’ and Christmas Show at MergelRijk
Cees Janssen and Jacques van der Velden worked as conductors at the NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen, the passenger railway operator in the Netherlands). The moment Cees wanted to start a restaurant, called the Rembrandhuis (Rembrandt House), the idea arose to place a life-size statue of marl for decoration in the restaurant. He asked Jacques to make this given his experience with sculpting. Jacques initially thought Cees is crazy, but finally, he processed eight cubic meters of marl into a beautiful work of art in two years' time. The Rembrandhuis closed its doors 16 years later, after which MergelRijk was chosen to move the beautiful statue so that we can continue to enjoy it.
During Christmas Mergelrijk is dubbed as the 'The Valkenburg Christmas Cave,' and inside 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.
To know more about the opening hours and ticket prices, please visit their website mergelrijk.nl
6. Walk through the City Gates
Valkenburg sprang up as a fortified settlement at the foot of the hill, with bulwarks, turrets, and other defensive works surrounding the castle. Grendelpoort, Berkelpoort, and Geulpoort are the only three remaining city gates from the original seven. Simply walk around the old town and you will undoubtedly come across them.
7. See the H.H. Nicolaas en Barbara Oude Kerk (Old Church)
Valkenburg's church is first documented in 1228, though only as a chapel of the Schin op Geul parish. Valkenburg itself became a parish in 1281, and the chapel became a church. A tower was built in the mid-13th century, but it was not completed until around 1465. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the church experienced significant renovations.
This church was dedicated solely to St. Nicolaas until before 1600 when St. Barbara was added as a patron. The town was seized by the protestant Republic in 1632, and it became a part of the Republic in 1661. Unlike much of the Republic, the Catholics of Valkenburg were allowed to practice their religion freely. They were, however, compelled to share their church with protestants. Even though they were a small minority, they were powerful enough to prevent Catholics from using an organ. The French takeover of 1794 did not restore religious freedom, and the simultaneum remained until 1808, though it was not officially dissolved until 1819 when the church returned fully to catholic hands.
8. See the City Castle Den Halder
Part of the medieval bulwark is the city castle Den Halder. It was constructed in 1329 and has been expanded several times since then. It was heavily damaged during WWII. In the year 2000, it received a comprehensive makeover. It is now used as an office building. In 2014, a gorgeous park (Halderpark) was built around the castle.
9. Explore the Old Town
When in Valkenburg, a casual stroll around the medieval Old Town at your own pace is a must.
10. Dine in the Old Town Center
The number of restaurants and cafes in Valkenburg will astound you. The variety of cuisines is also incredible. You can sample Mexican cuisine, Italian spaghetti, Spanish tapas, Greek cuisine, and, of course, traditional Limburg delicacies such as zuurvlees (stew) and Limburgse vlaai (a type of pie).
Other Things to See and Do in and around Valkenburg
After visiting the places mentioned above, you can also visit the following places if you have time.
11. Replica of Roman Catacomb - This is actually a recreation of Rome's Christian catacombs. Jan Diepen, a wealthy textile entrepreneur, planned to create his own museum in Valkenburg's underground labyrinth. He was attracted by Roman culture, and after conducting significant research, he collaborated with the renowned Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers (1827-1921) who was the architect of the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam's Central Station, to establish this magnificent museum. In July 1910, the Roman Catacombs Museum opened its doors. The Catacombs of Priscilla (on Via Salaria in Rome) and the Catacombs of Saint Callixtus (on Via Appia in Rome) are two of the most notable catacombs in the museum. For opening hours and ticket prices please visit their website romeinsekatakomben.nl
12. Coal Mine - Another notable attraction is the Coal Mine (Steenkolenmijn), which is just next door to the MergelRijk. Limburg grew wealthy as a result of the province's coal mines. But after they closed permanently in the 1970s, the region became impoverished, and it now relies primarily on tourism. The Coal Mine of Valkenburg is the Netherlands' sole mine that is still available to the public. You can get a sense of what it was like to labor underground and as a miner. For opening hours and ticket prices, please visit their website steenkolenmijn.nl
13. Amusement Parks - Visit the 'Sprookjesbos' or 'Pretpark De Valkenier' amusement parks. The most well-known fairytales can be found at Sprookjesbos. De Valkenier amusement park provides all-around fun for visitors of all ages. This exciting amusement park is the Netherlands' oldest family park and has the best prices in Europe. There are about 25 indoor and outdoor attractions in the amusement park.
14. Activities at the top of Heunsberg - The Netherlands is as flat as a pancake, with no mountains. Valkenburg is the only site where you can take a chairlift! You can take the chairlift to the top of the Heunsberg hill. There are numerous activities available once you reach the top of the hill, not to mention the breathtaking views of Valkenburg and the surrounding area. A toboggan with two tracks is available. Tubing and midget golf are also available. You can slide down a rope from the top of the Wilhelmina Tower if you enjoy adventure sports. A cave also houses a one-of-a-kind laser-game facility.
15. Maastricht - Of course, if you're on vacation in Valkenburg, you should pay at least one visit to the magnificent city of Maastricht. Maastricht has a lot to offer, ranging from culture to shopping to excellent restaurants. When strolling around the historic Old Town of Maastricht, you will quickly realize that it is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. While marveling at the churches, city walls, huge merchant houses, and large squares blended together, you will fail to realize how fast time flew by.
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 the castle ruins. If you visit during Christmas, 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: Apart from the links of the individual venues shared above, there is a central website christmastownvalkenburg.com that provides information on ticket prices and opening hours for all the Christmas Caves during the Christmas season.
Epilogue
So that brings us to the end of our journey across the top 15 exciting things to see and do in Valkenburg. Please let us know in the comments below if you enjoyed reading this article.
And if you want to know more about the Christmas Markets of Valkenburg, please read our article Valkenburg Christmas Market | Kerststad Valkenburg | Christmas Town Valkenburg | The Unique Christmas Cave Markets of Valkenburg, the Netherlands. Until then, merry traveling and happy shooting!
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