A historic Dutch city with Gothic cathedrals and the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, drawing 8 million shoppers annually. Located at the meeting of the Meuse and Roer rivers.
Roermond, a city in the Dutch province of Limburg, sits at the meeting point of the Maas and Roer rivers. You can walk through its 13th-century streets, climb the 80-meter St. Christopher's Cathedral tower, browse 200 international fashion brands at the McArthurGlen outlet center, or take boat trips on the Maasplassen lakes. The city center includes the Romanesque Munsterkerk church and the former residence of Pierre Cuypers, the architect behind Amsterdam's Central Station.
Getting Around Roermond
Trains run every 15 minutes between Roermond and major Dutch cities like Maastricht, Eindhoven, and Amsterdam. The A73 highway passes east of the city through tunnels, while the German A52 leads to Düsseldorf. Within Roermond, you'll find bike rental shops near the train station and dedicated bike paths throughout the center, making cycling an efficient way to explore.
Shopping at Designer Outlet Roermond
The McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, a three-minute walk from Market Square, has grown to 200 stores since 2001. You'll find international clothing and accessories brands with prices 30-70% below retail. The center draws visitors from Germany, Belgium, and France, and opens daily from 10:00 to 20:00.
Water Activities at Maasplassen
The Maasplassen lakes cover 3,000 hectares of connected waterways. From March to October, 70-minute boat tours depart from Roerkade in the city center (€15 per adult, €7.50 for children). You can swim, sail, and windsurf at the lakes, with equipment available for rent at water sports centers like Maasplassen Nautische Centrum.
Historic Buildings in the City Center
The Munsterkerk, dating from 1224, represents late Romanesque architecture with its twin towers and central dome. Every first Saturday from April through October, you can climb the St. Christopher's Cathedral tower. The guided tour (€5) takes you up 265 steps, past the concert organ and bell chamber, to a 75-meter viewing platform.
Museums and Architecture
At the Cuypershuis Museum, housed in Pierre Cuypers' former home, you can see the architect's original drawings and furniture designs. The museum explains how Cuypers shaped Dutch architecture through his work on Amsterdam's Central Station and Rijksmuseum. Interactive displays show his restoration work on the Munsterkerk and other Roermond buildings. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 11:00-17:00 (€8.50).
Nature Areas
Meinweg National Park, east of Roermond, spans 1,800 hectares of woods, heath, and meadows. The park contains the Netherlands' only native venomous snake species, the European viper. You can follow marked walking paths through the Swalm and Roer river valleys, with routes ranging from 3 to 15 kilometers.
Restaurants and Cafes
Along Roerkade, restaurants like De Roerganger and Het Arresthuis serve local and international dishes with views of traditional houses in Voorstad St. Jacob. Around Munsterplein square, cafes like Grand Cafe D'n Ingel sit next to the 800-year-old church. Market Square maintains its medieval layout with restaurants housed in 16th and 17th-century buildings.
