This small Dutch town has medieval castle ruins and underground limestone caves with Roman carvings. Its narrow streets lead to cafes and Christmas markets in winter.
Valkenburg stands out as the only hilly town in the Netherlands, located in the southern province of Limburg. You can climb through medieval castle ruins, walk through limestone caves, or relax in thermal pools. During winter, the underground caves transform into Christmas markets, while a chairlift takes you to panoramic views of the Limburg countryside year-round.
Getting to Valkenburg
You can reach Valkenburg in 2.5 hours from Amsterdam by car or 3 hours by train. The town's railway station - the oldest operating station in the Netherlands - runs trains every 15 minutes to Maastricht, which is 15 kilometers away.
Underground Cave System
Walk through the Municipal Cave's (Gemeentegrot) marlstone passages on guided tours or take an underground train through the tunnels. The Velvet Cave (Fluweelengrot) runs for 5 kilometers underground, where medieval workers once cut blocks from its walls. You'll see intricate wall murals and sculptures carved into the soft marlstone. Local residents and American troops used these caves as shelters during World War II.
Medieval Fortifications
A castle from 1075 overlooks the town from its hilltop position. Three of the original seven city gates still stand: the Grendelpoort, Berkelpoort, and the rebuilt Geulpoort. Den Halder city castle, built in 1329, remains part of the old defense system, though it underwent repairs after World War II damage.
Christmas Experience
From mid-November to early January, the caves beneath Valkenburg become Christmas markets. The Municipal Cave hosts Europe's oldest and largest underground Christmas market, while the town center turns into Santa's Village with market stalls and food vendors. In 2024, the town won awards for Best Christmas Parade in Europe and Best Christmas Market in the Netherlands.
Things to Do
Take the chairlift to the Wilhelmina Tower, built in 1906, which rises 30 meters above ground. Swim and soak in the pools at Thermae 2000, which uses natural thermal water. Cyclists often tackle the Cauberg hill, a challenging climb that has appeared in the UCI Road Cycling World Championships and Tour de France.
Day Trips
Maastricht's old town and basilicas are 15 kilometers away. The region sits where three countries meet - you can drive to Aachen, Germany (27 km) or Liège, Belgium (40 km) to see their medieval churches, squares, and local food markets.
