Top Things to do in Valkenburg
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What to do and see in Valkenburg, The Netherlands: The Best Places and Tips
At Christmastime, the entire city of Valkenburg seems to sparkle with festive light. The annual underground Christmas market is a hallmark of the city, lasting from mid-November through December 23. It’s held in the Velvet Caves, a maze of 12th-century passageways that lies beneath the remains of Valkenburg’s hilltop castle. The caves and castle draw visitors year-round. Valkenburg is a biking city. It's a great base for cycling tours and is a two-time stage finish site for the Tour de France.
Restaurants in Valkenburg
1. Coalmine Valkenburg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 238 reviews
The Netherlands' last coal mineUnique in EuropeDiscover the world of mining in a mysterious underground environment. Begin your introduction to the world of the miners in our subterranean cinema, designed to look like a mine. Here you will see a unique promotional film by the Dutch State Mines (now the chemical company DSM) from the mid-1960s. This film will tell you all about the mining industry.FascinatingAfter the film, a former miner will lead you through the world of coal mining. Experience the excitement of the difficult work of the miners. Take a journey through time past the machines which were used to extract coal.Each visit is uniqueOur fourteen guides are all former coal miners with a wealth of experience working underground. Each guide has a unique presentation full of humour and personal anecdotes which make the past come alive. Demonstrations of mining machines add to the mood. These machines work by means of a specially-installed compressed air system, just like they used to use in the mines.Visitors with disabilitiesThe Steenkolenmijn and the Jan Kruysen Gallery are easily accessible to visitors with disabilities and wheelchair users.
Reviewed By Hanneke J - Leiden, The Netherlands
First of all! The guide was funny and amazing! An 81 year old volounteer who used to work in the actual mines for 20 years. There is nothing better then learning from first hand stories. So impressive! Also the fact they are working with volounteers is a great thing. Very educational.
But there was a big minus about this visit, which I believe can be fixed by the organisation, and this is the size of the group! Because we were being shown around in a mine, with some slightly claustrophobic spaces, a smaller group would have been a MUST! The size of our group was between 40 and 50(!) people. WAY TOO MANY! half of them could not hear anything because they were si far back, and on many occasions instead of the impressive machinery, I only saw the backs of people. I understand it is tourist season but this is just a shame. And a bit of a waste of money. Safety wise this cannot be the most optimal either. Working as a host in a museum myself this was a big no no.
2. Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial
Overall Ratings
5 based on 330 reviews
Reviewed By Colin M - Perth, United Kingdom
Because this was an American cemetery and not a British one I was not sure what I would see in it, however, it turned out to be quite interesting, apart from all the graves, which you might expect, the tour guide told us about one or two of the soldiers who were of interest, I also found the chapel to be of interest, as was the wall which featured the battles over Europe from France up to Holland and beyond, although my special point of interest was the sculpture of the Mourning Lady and the Lily Pond.
3. Kasteeltuin Oud-Valkenburg
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Pannekoek77 - Breda, The Netherlands
A hidden gem located close to the entrance of Kasteel Schaloen, this botanical garden introduces the visitor to the native plants, flowers, herbs and field crops in the region. We were greeted at the entrance by a friendly, helpful couple. It is a beautiful garden, well-maintained. The entrance fee was 4 euros per person. There is a map of the castle garden at the entrance. We bought a small guidebook (in Dutch) but the owners took the time to give a short introduction at the start. It was interesting to learn that some of the plants there had edible stems and leaves (not the normal vegetables you can find in the supermarket). There is a Notarisappel tree as well, a well-known Dutch apple variety in the 20th century. Along the garden route, you will find orchards, vegetable Gardens, a stone hut with marlstone/limestone, weather station, herb Gardens, water mill, birdhouses, apiary (bee yard), meadows, farmyard, observation post, water cultures, ''ínsect hotel'' and more. The castle garden is a wonderful place to explore, relax and enjoy the sights, smells and sounds.
For those who want to learn how to identify plants, the plants are labelled (plant names are in Dutch with the scientific name/Latin name below). There are signboards with interesting facts on the local flora and fauna as well as historical information in Dutch.
We had a great time there. At the end of the visit, I gained a better appreciation for nature, a deeper understanding of those who work hard to maintain farms, orchards and tend to Gardens.
4. Maastricht Underground
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By SandieFossen - Den Bosch, The Netherlands
We bought the combination visit pass for the St Pieter Fort and the underground caves. The guide was very funny and knowledgeable. It was a different experience walking through the dark tunnels and learning about the history of Maastricht. Highly recommended for couples and family outings.
5. Kasteel Hoensbroek
Overall Ratings
4 based on 179 reviews
Hoensbroek Castle is one of the largest and most beautiful Castles in the Netherlands. The oldest section of the castle structure dates from 1250. The 40 different beautiful halls and rooms in the castle will take you on a fantastic journey through time. Discover the gorgeous ballroom, let the shivers run down your spine in the dungeon, and climb the 60 m high medieval look-out/defensive tower.
Reviewed By Todd B
Beautifully restored and lovely Gardens. You have access to most of the places of interest in the kasteel. Interesting history that was well presented. Food was very good and very good service.
6. Theatre Heerlen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 109 reviews
Reviewed By Daryl S - London
I was here for IBE several different times and this great venue hosted several different events including large main stage events and smaller areas with a great space outside as well for a bbq style eating area. Really great place to see an event.
7. American Cemetery Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Visit the Netherlands American Cemetery & Memorial at Margraten with a specialised guide.See my website for further details.
Reviewed By wanda060 - Washington DC, District of Columbia
My uncle was killed in WWII a and is buried at Margraten. I have visited the gravesite. The cemetery is beautiful and very well kept. The Dutch community adopt our soldiers Gravesites and visit them on a regular basis with flags, flowers and honor. They are beautiful people. A must see!
8. Boekhandel Dominicanen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Katrien S - Ghent, Belgium
There are still frescoes on the ceiling of the church, and in the choir there is a popular cafe. Inside, there is a steel construction allowing for more floorspace. The whole concept is very well executed, and well worth a visit. It is not the largest bookshop, and the selection is somewhat limited, at least for books. They do sell a lot of knick knacks and small "hebbedingetjes".
9. Museum Romeinse Katakomben
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Museum Romeinse Katakomben brengt de kleurrijke catacomben van het Rome uit de derde en vierde eeuw in beeld, samengebracht in een mystiek ondergronds labyrint. Het museum is aan het begin van de 20e eeuw gerealiseerd in opdracht van de familie Diepen, onder leiding van de architect Pierre Cuypers. In de aan het gangenstelsel grenzende expositieruimtes wordt een actueel programma gepresenteerd waarbij de verbinding tussen verleden en heden centraal staat.
Reviewed By gooreind - wuustwezel
The Roman Catacombs Valkenburg are an exact copy of the Catacombs of Rome, nowadays some archeologists from Italy come here so the lost Rome catacomb paintings . The guide gives every one on this walk through the Catacombs a candle, you take pictures but without flash, we started here at 11 am and ended our journey at 12 : 30. with the vouchers from our hotel we payed 6 € pp .
10. Cauberg Cavern - Gemeentegrot
Overall Ratings
4 based on 431 reviews
Reviewed By Captain_J_Spaulding - Miami, Florida
Stayed overnight in Maastricht and took a day trip here to see the Christmas Market (one of two that are in the city’s caves). In a word: Underwhelming.
On the positive side, there was a great atmosphere as it had been snowing earlier so the streets and exterior of the caverns was covered, lending an appropriately atmospheric holiday air. Inside the caverns were festooned with holiday lights/decorations and lined with real Christmas trees. And then… and then…
If I guess a number at the amount of vendors at, say, 200, I would estimate that less than 10-20 are offering what would be considered “real” Christmas market items (handmade toys, ornaments, foods, etc.). The majority of vendors are selling schlocky, kitschy items that would bring a bad name to late-night TV infomercials: Ointments, makeup, cheap belts/purses, security cameras(!), smoking inhalers, etc. You’d find higher quality items next to the cash registers at “Bed, Bath and Beyond” and probably get a better guarantee as well. There were things there that would make flea market material look like they were from Harrods by comparison. How many different ways can I say this? It was also very crowded and there seemed no letup at the ticket counters which were constantly letting in suckers… I mean… customers.
I’ve been to the Christmas markets in Germany so I have some points I can reference. The sorry thing is that there is potential here, given the unique venue, to be just as good or better. But for now, unless you really want to see the inside of a cave or just happen to be in the area or just lost a bet, I’d advise skipping this altogether.
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