This is Zuid-Limburg

At the southernmost tip of Zuid-Limburg, nestled between the mossy green hills, lies the extraordinary city of Valkenburg aan de Geul. Located in the heart of the Heuvelland nature reserve, this marlstone city boasts a rich touristic tradition and a lush Tuscanesque landscape that has drawn visitors from home and abroad for more than 125 years. Valkenburg aan de Geul, just a stone’s throw from the major cities of Maastricht, Aachen, Liège, Hasselt and Tongeren, truly is the beating heart of the Euregion.  

Parkstad Limburg currently is the fastest growing tourist destination in the Netherlands. It is a region full of contrasts and extremes. Parkstad Limburg has some of the finest Roman archaeological sites in the Netherlands, the largest indoor ski centre in the world, the largest furniture retail park in Europe, the most innovative and most modern zoo in Europe, one of the largest castles in the Netherlands which is open to the public, the largest themed gardens in the Netherlands, and so much more!

In the rolling hills of Zuid-Limburg, there are a myriad of nostalgic towns and villages hidden away between meadows, woodland and colourful orchards, waiting for you to be discovered. In 2005, the Heuvelland (literally, ‘hill country’) was declared one of the most beautiful areas in the Netherlands. It is the perfect backdrop for hiking and cycling.

Here, there are vineyards, breweries, a climbing and adventure centre, a sub-tropical swimming pool, a glass works, Drielandenpunt (where the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium meet) the highest point in the Netherlands (Vaalserberg, at 322.5 metres), the most expansive maze in the Netherlands, various golf courses, outdoor go-kart tracks, a steam railway, museums and galleries, shops selling regional products, cosy pubs and intimate restaurants.

In the gently rolling and nearly flat northern part of Zuid-Limburg, in the narrowest part of the Netherlands, one finds a unique region: the river forelands of the Maas River. This is also where the foothills of the Ardennes start, a gently rolling landscape, perfectly suited to fantastic cross-border cycle tours. Visitors to this area will find very old churches and basilicas, sheltered views of villages, museums, a zoo, a family park, shops, shopping centres and charming restaurants.

Due to its long, rich and above all eventful history, we also call our region ‘the Source of Europe’. For thousands of years Zuid-Limburg
and its surroundings have been the source and core of this continent’s history.

Prehistoric farmers and band-ceramists settled down in this area some 7,000 years ago, heralding Zuid-Limburg’s rich history. Due to its rich, long and above all eventful history, we also refer to our region as ‘Source of Europe’. After all, Zuid-Limburg and its surroundings have been the source and core of this continent’s history. Discover it for yourself and make an exciting journey  through time to the first farmers, Romans, knights and miners through our unique Virtual Reality film (in Dutch) at the Visit Zuid-Limburg Experience in Valkenburg.