Valkenburg was actually a place I wanted to visit for few years now. But every time I went abroad instead because of a great bargain, a friend or the nice weather. But Valkenburg remained in the back of my mind. I only visited once as a child. So when Corona made traveling abroad almost impossible last October, I went with a friend to Valkenburg, finally, in beautiful South of Limburg.
Strolling and walking
Strolling through Valkenburg itself is great fun. It is a small place with many (heated) terraces. And the water that runs through the village, the city walls and the narrow car-free streets will make it a lovely walk.
But there are also all kinds of nice routes around Valkenburg.
We ourselves walked past Castle Oost, the Kluis on the Schaelsberg, de drie beeldjes Castle Schaloen and Castle Genhoes.
If you start and end in Valkenburg itself, this is a walk of about 6 km.
The Kluis on the Schaelsberg has long been a place where hermits lived, mainly brothers and monks. You can now visit the house there. Unfortunately it was closed due to Corona when we were there, but the view from the hill was worth it anyway. You can also view the buildings around the house, when the house is closed. Did you know that open-air masses are still often held here?
Unfortunately, the castles you will walk by cannot be seen from the inside, but especially Schaloen Castle is also vert beautiful from the outside. There is a brasserie and restaurant here also, which you probably want to visit after having walked for a while now?
The caves
In Valkenburg itself there are several caves, a castle ruin and a coal mine that you can visit. During our visit to the tourist office, we were told that the caves look a bit like each other and that you do not have to visit all caves, but can choose one. There is not much difference between them.
We therefore decided to go for a combination ticket for the Velvet Cave and the Castle Ruin. Unfortunately Corona was not our friend again, all tickets were already sold out. We eventually went to the coal mine instead and had a really nice tour there. Unfortunately yes, again because of Corona, without working devices, but still very nice and informative. This is the only (reconstructed) mine in the Netherlands and it is reconstructed in a cave. So been in a cave actually also 😉
By the way, if you like something more active? You can also mountain bike through the caves! I didn’t do it, but it seems really cool. So that’s why I mention it here anyway…..
Food
Food, who doesn’t like it?
After we checked in at our hotel we immediately went to a terrace. Of course we started our weekend with Limburg pie!
In the evening we had a really delicious Mexican dinner at El Rancho at the Theodoor Dorrenplein. If you are with two or more people, you can take the Platos Combinados and you will really get to taste a bit of everything!
But of course we also had to taste some real Limburgish dish this weekend and that became the Limburg Zoervleisj. Sour Meat in English. Did you know this doesn’t taste sour at all? It only has its name because the meat is marinated in vinegar. But once served, it isn’t sour anymore. I think it most resembles Hachee (Do you know that dish? Or is it typical Dutch?).
Maastricht
Did you know Valkenburg is very close to Maastricht? Maastricht is the capital of Limburg. It’s about 10km away. So a great idea to combine a visit to Valkenburg with a visit to Maasstricht (or vice versa). We went by train and this was only a fifteen minute ride.
In Maastricht we strolled through nice streets and along the city wall, looked at churches, shopped and again had delicious food and drinks. It’s fine to go just one day.
The Heunsberg of Valkenburg
We walked up the Heunsberg. And especially if you are with children, this is probably the hotspot of Valkenburg. However with kids, you will probably not walk up the mountain, but let the cable car take you up.
On the top there is lookout tower (the Wilhelminatoren) and you can play mini golf, sledding, tubing (if you are not too old) and there is a place to eat and drink.
What else?
Of course there is much more to do in Valkenburg. But since I haven’t explored anything else, I won’t write about it in detail. But here are three more options for you, but without any guarantee!
Do you want to try to go home richer than you arrived? Then take a gamble in one of the many casinos.
And do you want to experience a relaxing day? Then go for a wellness day at Thermae 2000.
Valkenburg is also a great place for cyclists. There are various routes and cycling hotels in Valkenburg and the surrounding area.
Do you have any tips for Valkenburg and the surrounding area? Leave them below!