South Limburg

The Dutch sometimes call South Limburg a "piece of abroad in the Netherlands". Starting with Sittard in the north and covering the southern tip of the country from there, South Limburg sets itself apart through its un-Dutch hilly landscapes, embracing local culture and dialects.

Essential Destinations

Top destinations include Maastricht and Heerlen.

Maastricht

Photo: Bodoklecksel, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Considered to be one of the most beautiful cities of the country, Maastricht is the southernmost city in the Netherlands. It's the capital of the province of Limburg and famous for what the Dutch call the "Burgundian" way of life.

Heerlen

Photo: Timo Beil, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Heerlen is a city in South Limburg in the southeast of the Netherlands. In Roman times, it was a settlement named Coriovallum, which hosted a bathhouse, now the Thermenmuseum.

Kerkrade

Photo: Romaine, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Kerkrade is a town and a municipality in the southeast of Limburg, the southernmost province of the Netherlands. It forms part of the Parkstad Limburg agglomeration.

Destinations to Discover

Explore places such as Valkenburg aan de Geul and Vaals.

Valkenburg aan de Geul

Photo: Kleon3, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Valkenburg is a city in the south of the Netherlands, usually buzzing with visitors. It has been a major domestic tourist destination for decades and packed with hotels, bars and restaurants.

Vaals

Photo: Romaine, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Vaals is a small city and municipality in the South Limburg region, in the Dutch province Limburg, comprising the very southeasternmost corner of the Netherlands.

Sittard

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Sittard is a city in the Netherlands, situated in the southernmost province of Limburg. The town is part of the municipality of Sittard-Geleen and has almost 37,500 inhabitants in 2016.

Simpelveld

Photo: Romaine, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Known mostly for the Miljoenenlijn steam train, which originates here, Simpelveld is a small city in the South Limburg region, in the Dutch province Limburg. Also, in 1930 the so-called "Sarcophagus of Simpelveld" was discovered here.

Landgraaf

Photo: Maurice van Bruggen, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Landgraaf is a Dutch city in the south of the country, famous for hosting Pinkpop, said to be the longest running pop festival in the world. It's also home to one of the largest indoor ski pistes in Europe.

Geleen

Photo: Jossarisfoto, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Geleen is a city in Limburg. It's one of the major towns in the region, but of limited interest to average travellers as it's mostly an industrial city.

Margraten

Photo: Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Margraten is a village in South Limburg, the southern most region of the Dutch province of Limburg. This town of 3,400 people is on the main road between Maastricht and Aachen.

Hoensbroek

Photo: timo beil, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Hoensbroek is a town in South Limburg, the southernmost region of the Dutch province of Limburg. It's part of the municipality of Heerlen but has a long, separate history and was an independent municipality until 1982.

Gulpen

Photo: LightPhoenix, CC BY-SA 3.0.

The friendly village of Gulpen is considered to be the heart of the Heuvelland, the most beautiful and hilly part of the South Limburg region. Its cosy, small centre is a popular destination for Dutch tourists and is a lively place in summer, when a range of events and small festivals are organised.

Epen

Photo: WiDi, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Epen is a small town in South Limburg, the southern most region of the Netherlands. It's a picturesque little place that features some of the best landscape views in the country and is dotted with the timber framed houses that are so typical for this area.

Wijlre

Photo: Romaine, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Wijlre is a small village in South Limburg, known for its beer and popular with tourists who are looking for a more quiet destination than nearby Maastricht or Valkenburg. It's an excellent base for hikers and bikers.

Partij-Wittem

Photo: Ben Bender, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Partij-Wittem is a village in South Limburg, the southernmost part of the Netherlands. The village comprises the two hamlets of Partij and Wittem. As a whole, it is part of the municipality of Gulpen-Wittem.

Places of Interest

Highlights include Kasteel Hoensbroek and Wijnandsrade Castle.

Kasteel Hoensbroek

Castle

Photo: Sir Gawain, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Hoensbroek Castle or Gebrook Castle is one of the largest castles in the Netherlands. It is situated in Hoensbroek, a town in the province of Limburg. This imposing watercastle is known as 'the most lordly stronghold between Rhine and Meuse'.