Limburg is a province of immense natural splendor that invites exploration by bike and on foot. It features rivers, lakes, forests, heathland and, uncharacteristically for the Netherlands, hilly regions. Limburg is the Netherlands’ southernmost province, once part of the medieval Duchy of Limburg. Its cities, towns and villages offer ancient castles, breweries, Michelin-starred restaurants and museums.
Cycle through forests, across meadows and alongside streams of North Limburg in De Maasduinen National Park. Learn about provincial history at Limburgs Museum in Venlo. Retrace 100 years of beer brewing at the Hertog Jan brewery in Arcen. Sevenum’s Attractiepark Toverland features family-friendly roller coaster and water rides.
Visit Roermond in Central Limburg for splendid churches, modern discount shopping and an authentic Christmas market. Go sailing and wakeboarding on the Maasplassen, a series of lakes formed by the Meuse River. Enjoy unblemished countryside while spotting myriad wildlife in the wetlands of De Groote Peel National Park. Hike amid the naturally terraced woodland of De Meinweg National Park, filled with birds, amphibians and reptiles. Admire the whitewashed houses of Thorn, a quaint town that operated as an independent state in the era of the Holy Roman Empire.
South Limburg is a place to tour many of the province’s medieval castles. Among these are the 12th-century Valkenburg Castle, 17th-century Eijsden Castle and Jansgeleen Castle. Sample more beer at the Alfa Brewery in Schinnen.
Limburg’s capital, Maastricht, is a onetime Roman town that has become a foodie center. Dine at one of its several Michelin-starred restaurants and sample Dutch wines from local vineyards. Appreciate the city’s mixed Dutch, Belgian, French and Spanish architecture. Don’t miss cultural sites such as the Bonnefantenmuseum and the Museum aan het Vrijthof art gallery.
International airports in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Brussels and Duesseldorf are all are a short drive from Limburg. Use trains to get around the province. After a day of activities, sit down and indulge in bourgondisch, a pleasure-seeking love for eating and drinking as an important part of life.
