Activities and outings in Limburg

Celebrating the summer vacations in Limburg? Then at least you don’t have to be bored! There is plenty to do, for young and old. Whether you want to take it easy, go shopping, enjoy the Burgundian lifestyle, soak up culture or test your limits, everything is possible!

Hiking and biking

Always when I’m in South Limburg, I feel like I’m abroad. It’s hilly, the houses look different and the people are super friendly. You can enjoy hiking and biking. As a hiker, you can indulge in one of the many hiking trails. We found the Groeve Route St. Pietersberg in Maastricht very nice to do. You can then also immediately visit Fort Maastricht. Look here for more great hiking routes. Cycling in South Limburg is a bit more challenging if you are used to always cycling flat. Rent an electric bike for example. You can cycle through the woods, along the water or explore the many charming towns and villages by bike. Look here for tips!

Eating out

Limburgers are real bourgondians so you can eat delicious food. Even An and Piet’ s snack bar in Gulpen was more than fine and not expensive! What is really nice to do is to buy your “groceries” at one of the many farm shops. For example, when we were there you could buy asparagus, strawberries and eggs everywhere. Just along the road! Whether you go for a tasty pizza from Pizzabakkers Maastricht, go for regional dishes from De Oude Brouwerij in Mechelen, or go for a star-worthy restaurant like Les Salons at Château St. Gerlach in Valkenbrug. Or you just pick one of the cozy terraces in the center of this city. The Gelato Farm, just across the border in Belgium (Teuven) was our favorite ice cream store. Not to mention Limburg flans….

Endless shopping in southern Limburg

A day of shopping? That too is possible in South Limburg! Maastricht is of course a shopping mecca. Here you will find stores from large and small chains, nice boutiques and the most beautiful bookstore in the Netherlands: Dominican bookshop. You can relax at one of the many cozy terraces. In Valkenburg you will find many nice clothing stores and designer clothes can be bought for next to nothing at Designer Outlet Roermond. Rather go home shopping? In Heerlen you will find the largest home furnishing boulevard in Europe! And also in Sittard you can succeed well. But you can also find nice stores in smaller places like Gulpen and Meerssen.

Sniffing up culture

Limburg has a rich history and this can be seen everywhere. There are many beautiful castles to see and visit such as Kasteel Hoensbroek and Kasteel Schaloen in Oud-Valkenburg. Around these castles you can make fantastic walks. A visit to the caves in Valkenburg or Maastricht is also definitely a must-do. A visit to the castle ruins of Valkenburg is also definitely worthwhile and visiting the Drielandenpunt is also always fun. Also, don’t forget the maze although I can’t guarantee your feet will stay dry. Maastricht, besides having a beautiful center, also has a lot of culture. For example, we happened to end up in the Basilica of Our Lady. That was a special experience because it is just as dark inside as it was in the 14th century.

Exciting trips in South Limburg

There are also lots of exciting things to do in South Limburg. In fact, the three-country point used to be a four-country point: the fourth country was a piece of no man’s land used by smugglers. The smuggling trail is a fun walk, also for children. And exciting because of all the stories. But also a visit to the caves where it is pitch dark is nice and exciting. Go next level by going cave biking in Valkenburg! This exciting bike ride is 40 meters underground. Cave climbing in the Velvet Cave is also super exciting. You can even abseil underground there! Look for even more tips in this blog.

Photos: OpstapmetLisa (Sonja Koene)