We all the time prefer to journey for as lengthy and as distant as doable, for some purpose we expect the very best issues are all the time discovered overseas. And naturally we now have discovered many stunning spots throughout our world throughout our travels the previous few years. However with the present restrictions we felt extra snug wanting a bit nearer to house to spend our vacation.
And typically meaning you actually don’t even should go that far. Who knew that Heerlen, solely a brief 5 minute drive from our place, is the Mural capital of the Netherlands?
Clearly I seen some fairly cool murals up to now, however I by no means knew that Heerlen really was the road artwork capital of the Netherlands.
Associated: Record of 24 cool and distinctive locations to go to in Netherlands!
So please let me take you on a tour by means of Heerlen. I do know individuals prefer to dismiss Heerlen, however Heerlen is underrated. With its avenue artwork it provides one thing most cities in The Netherlands don’t.
This Heerlen journey weblog was written by journey author and Traveltomtom workforce member Ashley. She explored Heerlen and its murals on behalf of Traveltomtom, and wrote this weblog about her adventures within the metropolis of Heerlen. Look her up on Instagram!
Historical past of Heerlen
The historical past of Heerlen dates again to the Roman time. The Romans have been the primary to ascertain settlement in Heerlen. The Romans constructed a bathhouse right here, of which the stays might be seen within the Thermenmuseum. Within the Center Ages it was a reasonably insignificant settlement. Issues began to alter with the coal mining, which made the little city of Heerlen develop explosively into the second metropolis in Limburg. There’s not a lot left to remind us of the mining historical past of town. The shaft constructing of the Oranje Nassau I is essentially the most placing and direct remnant, and these days used as Dutch Mining Museum.
Location of Heerlen
Heerlen is situated within the very South of the Netherlands, near each the German and the Belgium borders. Which makes it straightforward to mix visiting Heerlen with a visit throughout the border to Aachen or Liege for instance.
Heerlen can also be situated very near the well-known Heuvelland area, the place you’ll be able to spend a number of days exploring, biking and climbing by means of essentially the most stunning nature we now have right here within the Netherlands. That is the view from my suite in Resort Heerlen.
Greatest Journey Vacation spot within the World Title
Welcome to Parkstad Limburg. Parkstad Limburg is the quickest rising vacationer vacation spot of the Netherlands. Parkstad has the biggest indoor ski park in Europe, the longest staircase within the Netherlands, the biggest home-improvement boulevard in Europe, essentially the most fashionable and modern zoo in Europe and the biggest world-themed gardens park within the Netherlands. If this isn’t sufficient purpose to go to Parkstad Limburg, then what’s?
Heerlen is a part of the Parkstad Limburg area. This area was introduced the winner of the Tourism for Tomorrow Award within the class ‘Greatest Journey Vacation spot within the World’ in 2016.
WTTC is a world authority on Journey and Tourism situated in London. Annually they acknowledge locations which present dedication to supporting and delivering sustainable tourism practices.
Earlier than 2016, the Netherlands had by no means been nominated for a WTTC Award earlier than, not to mention a area within the Netherlands as finest journey vacation spot.
Parkstad Limburg and Heerlen have a number of the reason why it is best to go to sooner relatively than later and listed here are the very best issues to do in and round Heerlen.
Greatest issues to do in Heerlen
1. Kasteel Hoensbroek
The citadel of Hoensbroek is likely one of the largest castles within the Netherlands. It’s situated within the metropolis district of Hoensbroek. Very effectively accessible by automobile, with adequate parking areas, or by public transport from town heart of Heerlen.
The oldest a part of the citadel dates again to 1360. Due to its very strategic location for the province of Limburg, alongside the necessary commerce routes to Maastricht, Aachen and Cologne, the citadel was expanded in a number of phases into the biggest citadel between the Maas and the Rhine rivers.
These days you’ll be able to tour the citadel and see the spectacular inside, visiting with children you can even go on a scavenger hunt, or when you fancy, it’s even an official wedding ceremony location!
2. Kasteel Terworm
The citadel of Terworm is situated on the outskirts of Heerlen, on the Terworm property. A big nature property and reserve. The citadel is situated on a very moated web site.
This citadel has some very beautiful and spectacular citadel gardens. This backyard is a reconstruction based mostly on excavations and analysis into the French rocco backyard, which was created in 1787. Roses, lavender, boxwood and genuine planting point out the construction. These gardens are public and freed from cost. These are additionally a favourite wedding ceremony location.
You wouldn’t say this visiting the Terworm citadel these days, however within the final many years of the 20 th century the citadel fell into main disrepair. This was till it was purchased by the Van der Valk Resort group. They restored the citadel to what it’s now, internet hosting a resort and a restaurant.
3. Thermenmuseum
The thermenmuseum is house to the very best preserved Roman tub constructing within the Netherlands! It’s in truth the oldest stone constructing within the Netherlands. It was constructed between 63 and 73 AD. The museum is house to all types of exhibitions, together with a everlasting exhibition with a various assortment of utensils from the Roman period. Uncover how the life in Zuid Limburg modified fully by the arrival of the Romans, 2000 years in the past.
4. Nederlands Mijnmuseum
Heerlen can also be house to the Dutch Mining Museum. This museum is definitely situated within the authentic shaft constructing of ‘Shaft II’ of the Oranje Nassau Mine I.
Limburg was all about mining within the 1950’s. Actually every part revolved across the mining trade. A world with out mines was nearly unimaginable within the Limburg mining area these years. However the closure of the coal mines was introduced in 1965. This museum was opened to maintain the deep-nested Mining historical past alive and to proceed to convey collectively tales of the previous.
Enjoyable Reality: The inside and ornament of the rollercoaster Baron 1898 within the Efteling themepark are based mostly on this museum!
5. Murals of Heerlen
Think about Heerlen as one giant open-air museum. As avenue artwork capital of the Netherlands, that’s what Heerlen is. Each nationwide and worldwide prime artists have created artwork in dozens of locations over the previous few years, all all through town. Many of those murals might be seen by simply strolling by means of Heerlen. Hold a watch out, they is likely to be large, on facades of buildings, however there are some very small ones too.
You possibly can go on a guided tour if you need. There’s a tour each first Sunday of the month, which takes about 90 minutes and takes you previous a few of the finest and most spectacular murals and avenue artwork. These excursions are organized by Heerlen Mijn Stad and the native vacationer workplace.
After all you can even go by yourself journey of discovery by means of the concrete jungle of Heerlen. Heerlen Mijn Stad provides a metropolis map with a really useful mural route. You will get this map free of charge on the vacationer workplace.
In addition they supply a metropolis information and mural information known as ENNE, the place you’ll discover a avenue artwork map and background data on a few of these artwork objects.
Additionally very straightforward is the Avenue Artwork Cities app. You possibly can obtain it free of charge within the App Retailer or the Play Retailer. Seek for Heerlen and begin exploring! I used the app and the ENNE metropolis information to discover the murals I wished to see. There are approach too many to discover all of them in sooner or later. By doing them by foot, you get to see an entire lot of what Heerlen has to supply, passing the Mine Museum, town heart and the brand new Maankwartier, see the image beneath.
Insiders Tip for Heerlen: searching for one thing distinctive, a cool bar in Heerlen?
Heerlen really has a rooftop bar, Ibiza fashion! This hidden gem is situated on the rooftop of the Bufkes Restaurant on the ‘woonboulevard’.
Extra issues to do round Heerlen: Parkstad Limburg & Heuvelland Area
6. Drielandenpunt in Vaals
Heerlen is situated near some very fascinating highlights of South Limburg. Fancy visiting Belgium and Germany on the similar time? Go to the Three International locations Level (drielandenpunt), the place the borders of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany meet, accessible free of charge, all 12 months spherical.
7. American Struggle Cemetery in Margraten
Additionally lower than half an hour away from Heerlen is the American Struggle Cemetery in Margraten. The one American cemetery within the Netherlands, the place 8291 People discovered their final resting place. This spectacular web site has been visited by a number of American Presidents up to now.
8. Gaia Zoo in Kerkrade
Simply across the nook from Heerlen is essentially the most stunning zoo of the Netherlands; GaiaZoo. This Dutch zoo was elected ‘Greatest Journey of the Netherlands’ in 2013, 2018 and 2020. And with only a 10 minute drive you’re in the midst of the Zoo surrounded by the animals.
9. Valkenburg
Undoubtedly value a go to when you have the time is the extraordinary metropolis of Valkenburg aan de Geul. Situated within the coronary heart of the Heuvelland nature reserve, nestled between mossy inexperienced hills, this marlstone metropolis is really a novel place.
10. Snowworld Landgraaf
Fancy one thing sporty and snowy? How concerning the largest indoor ski village of Europe? Situated in Landgraaf, neighbour city of Heerlen. Snowworld provides 5 slopes, 4 eating places, a resort and an journey valley with a climbing park and an Alpine Coaster. The climbing park is one in all Europe’s largest climbing parks, with over 1000 meter ziplines and two climbing routes.
Searching for some first time ski or snowboard classes, or are you that skilled that desires to go for a go? You’re all welcome at Snowworld. All gear might be rented from Snowworld.
11. Longest stairs within the Netherlands in Landgraaf
Proper subsequent to Snowworld you’ll discover the sooner talked about highest and longest staircase, 508 steps in whole, within the Netherlands. A highly regarded spot for locals for strolling, climbing, operating and understanding on these staircases. From the highest of those steps you’ve very good views overlooking the area, even into Germany.
Van der Valk Heerlen Resort – Metropolis Break Bundle
Cease looking, as a result of we discovered you the very best place to remain in your metropolis break within the Avenue Artwork capital of the Netherlands: Heerlen! Situated alongside the N281, this Heerlen resort may be very simply accessible.
Over the previous few years Van der Valk Heerlen has been by means of some large renovations and new constructions. The truth is, again in 2016 they have been proper in the midst of all these new constructions and renovations works, when a devastating fireplace brought on a variety of injury. Because of the fireplace they instantly renovated the principle constructing. Heerlen now has a model new Van der Valk resort prepared for the longer term.
Situated within the southernmost a part of the southernmost province of the Netherlands. Van der Valk Heerlen welcomes you to the South of Limburg, to expertise its heat hospitality, its tradition and the wonderful pure magnificence. An unforgettable expertise is assured.
Situated very near town centre of Heerlen, the place you’ll be able to search, discover and discover all of the wonderful murals Heerlen is legendary for. You possibly can depart your automobile on the resort, freed from cost, and begin strolling from the resort. Not into strolling? You can even lease bikes and scooters from the reception. Be sure that to e-book these in time, so that you don’t miss out.
Van der Valk Resort Heerlen is a part of the property of Terworm. Property Terworm is a nature reserve providing numerous potentialities for rest. Very appropriate for jogging, strolling, biking, with routes from 4 to 7 kilometers.
Additionally on the property one can find the 14th century Terworm citadel. This wonderful citadel is a part of the Van der Valk lodges, which suggests you can even keep right here when you fancy.
Take house a few of the property, resort Heerlen provides domestically, on the property, made apple juice, honey and apple syrup.
Should you rise up early, and go for a stroll on the property, you would possibly even be fortunate to see some wildlife, foxes and deer are sometimes noticed right here. I acquired up early to strive my luck. Midway between the resort and the citadel you’ll see some cherry bushes in your left hand facet. And I used to be so fortunate, a fox was having fun with the cherries fallen to the bottom. It didn’t even discover me, so I used to be capable of get some good pictures.
Responding to the present scenario Van der Valk Heerlen has give you some beautiful packages for the summer season. One in every of these packages is the Metropolis Break Bundle. Good for the Heerlen metropolis break we had, discovering the murals, the castles and the historical past of Heerlen and its environment. They provide a relaxed metropolis break bundle with breakfast and a 3-course dinner included, what extra would you like?
Extra Netherlands journey inspiration? Verify this record of the finest issues to do within the Netherlands.
We stayed right here ourselves as a part of our metropolis break in Heerlen, and might solely suggest staying at this van der Valk resort. The right gateway to your metropolis break!
Hope all my Heerlen Netherlands suggestions have been useful in your subsequent journey. Take pleasure in and secure travels!
