Travel tips: Valkenburg on the river Geul

 Valkenburg is located by the Geul, a small river in the Limburg province, about a 10 minute train ride from the most southern Dutch town, Maastricht.

Valkenburg Station is one of the oldest stations in the Netherlands and really quaint! But People come for the famous caves , the castle ruins plus the lovely restaurants and cafes.  

The village streets are lined with monumental buildings mainly now hotels and restaurants.

Restaurant De Haselderhof offers a marvelous view over the small town. The Museum Valkenburg, housed in the old town hall is at Grotestraat Centrum 31. Cross the little Geul river across a castle drawbridge and there is a large church on the right of this square, then keep heading towards the castle ruins. 

The castle, with a history dating back to the 11th century, only consists of remains today, but opens onto a fantastic panoramic view over the town of Valkenburg.  There is also a spa and wellness Thermae 2000 where the water is over 40,000 years old. A summer toboggan run promises high-speed fun or take the chairlift to the starting point on the hill. 

Castle ruins….

 Below Valkenburg - the 'municipal cave' lets you into a fascinating world. Marl was once mined here, and today, visitors can explore the caves - on foot or by slow train - where the Romans mined marl 2,000 years ago. The Velvet cave, "Fluweelengrot"  lies below the castle ruins. This corridor labyrinth was first discovered in 1937. In the past, it acted as an escape opportunity for riders and castle residents, in case the castle was invaded by enemies. 

 

But the best in Valkenburg is the vibrant, Spanish, Carribean like holiday atmosphere. It’s a holiday fever grab in good weather and the restaurants on every side of the winding allies to the castle ruins are abundant with delicious smells, gay happy people and festive decorations hanging from their sun awnings. Don’t take the bus into town but walk it. It’s short and scenic through the park and a few shopping streets to reach the historic old part. Bon voyage! Happy walking! 

A Lovely wishing well beside the church.