Vaals Travel Guide

Explore the culturally significant museums and historical places, scenic views, hiking/biking routes, local cuisine, and customs of Vaals. Find the best transport options, accommodation, and safety tips on your next trip.


Vaals Travel Guide - Discover the Gem of South Limburg

Vaals is a beautiful municipality located in South Limburg, which is a province in the southeastern part of the Netherlands. It is known for its hilly landscape, charming villages, idyllic countryside scenery, and captivating culture. There’s something for everyone in Vaals, from the culturally significant museums and historical places to the breathtaking natural landscapes and outdoor adventures. In this comprehensive travel guide to Vaals, we’ll take you through everything you need to know to plan your next trip to this picturesque destination.

List of Places to Visit in Vaals

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

Vaals has a rich cultural heritage and is home to many museums and historical places that give insights into its intriguing past. Here are a few of them:

  • Vaals Labyrinth: This is an exciting adventure maze located on the Vaalsberg hill. It’s a perfect place for a family outing with exciting games, puzzles, and mazes.
  • Three-Country Point: This point is a tripoint where the borders of the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium meet. It’s a popular spot for tourists and offers a unique experience like no other.
  • Drielandenpunt Monument: This is an impressive monument at the tripoint of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. It’s a perfect spot to click some memorable pictures.
  • Gulperberg Observation Tower: This 34-meter tower offers stunning views of the surrounding hilly landscape, forests, and pastures.
  • Zonneberg Caves: The south of Vaals has a vast underground labyrinth of numerous caves. These caves have a fascinating geological and anthropological history.

Natural Attractions of Vaals: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

Vaals is also known for its breath-taking natural landscapes, famous for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, camping and many more. Here are some of the intriguing attractions you must add to your bucket list:

  • Maze of Vaals: This is the largest maze in Europe, and it attracts tourists from all over the world. It’s a particular maze in the shape of a puzzle that requires your attention and intellect.
  • Vaals Hilly Landscape: This area is famous for its rolling hills and idyllic countryside views. It’s a perfect place to take a leisurely stroll on the hiking/biking routes or enjoy a picnic with family and friends.
  • Drielandenpunt Chair Lift: For all the snow enthusiasts, this chairlift takes you on an exciting journey, hovering over the beautiful snow-clad mountains with stunning views that will take your breath away.

Hiking/Biking Routes of Vaals

Vaals is a place of immense beauty that attracts hikers and bikers from all over the world. For outdoor enthusiasts, here are some of the most picturesque hiking/biking trails in Vaals:

  • From Vaals across the Dutch-German Border: This is a seven-kilometer trail that takes you along the impressive Dutch-German border path passing through the Vaalserberg Hill.
  • Zuid-Limburg Route: This route starts from Aken, Germany, and takes you through the quaint little village of Wahlwiller along the way to Vaals. You can enjoy the beautiful countryside of Vaals and explore the most picturesque parts of the region.
  • Vijlenerbos Trail: This trail is ideal for recreational hiking. It is a 4-kilometer trail that passes through the woods and stunning views of Vijlenerbos.

Best Things to Do in Vaals: Activities and Tours

Vaals has something to offer for everyone, whether you’re on a family vacation or a solo traveler. Here are some of the best things to do in Vaals:

  • Take a horse riding lesson in Vaals: Take a ride over the hilly landscape of Vaals on a horse and enjoy nature at its best.
  • Visit the black-tailed deer enclosures: Deers are a common sight in Vaals, and you can encounter them everywhere. The Black-tailed deer enclosures offer a fantastic chance to get up close with these majestic creatures.
  • Visit the city of Maastricht: Maastricht is a stunning city near Vaals that’s worth visiting. It is known for its historical buildings, unique culture, and the picturesque River Meuse.
  • Go on a brewery tour: Vaals is an ideal place to enjoy beer, and a brewery tour will take you on an exciting journey, teaching you everything about the brewing process while tasting the most delicious beers.

Week-Long Itinerary for Vaals

Are you planning to spend a week in Vaals? Here’s our perfect itinerary:

Day Plan
1 Visit Three-Country Point
2 Visit Vaals Labyrinth
3 Go on a Brewery Tour
4 Enjoy a horse riding lesson
5 Visit the Zonneberg Caves
6 Hike the beautiful Vaals Hill Landscape
7 Visit historical Maastricht

Food and Drink Scene of Vaals

Must-Try Dishes

Apart from being famous for its scenic views, the food and drink culture of Vaals is also worth exploring. Here are some Netherlands famous dishes worth trying:

  • Dutch Pancakes: The Dutch pancake is the epitome of Netherlands’ deliciousness. It’s a large, thin pancake served with fruits or savory toppings of your choice.
  • Limburgse Vlaai: It’s a traditional pie famous in Limburg, and you can find it in almost every pastry shop in Vaals.
  • Asparagus: The white asparagus of Vaals is a delicacy and is only available during April and May. It is served with melted butter and potatoes, and it tastes divine.

Local Beverages

  • Heimwee: A traditional local wine that you must try when visiting Vaals.
  • Dutch Beer: Dutch beer is an excellent beer known for its refreshing taste and smoothness. You can try the most famous Dutch breweries in Vaals.

Where to Stay in Vaals: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

Vaals offers diverse accommodation options that will suit your budget and preferences. Here are some recommendations based on your preferences:

  • For luxury: Kasteel Bloemendal is an exclusive stay at an impressive castle with modern amenities and picturesque views of the countryside.
  • For budget: Apollo Hotel is an affordable option ideal for family vacationers. It’s best suited for those who want basic amenities without breaking the bank.
  • For family: Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant is excellent for family vacations. You can enjoy the countryside view from the terrace while your kids have fun in the play area.

What to Buy in Vaals: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

If you’re looking for souvenirs to bring back home, here are some of the best things you can buy in Vaals:

  • Limburgse Vlaai: This traditional pie is an excellent gift for those with a sweet tooth. You can purchase it from any of the pastry shops in Vaals.
  • Stone Glasses: You can buy these traditional stone glasses that come in various sizes and designs. They are a perfect addition to your glassware collection at home.

Local Culture and Customs of Vaals

The people in Vaals are friendly and welcoming. They are proud of their history and culture, and you can experience something new every day. The local dialect in Vaals is a bit different from the Dutch language spoken elsewhere, and it’s fascinating to hear.

Best Time to Visit Vaals

The best time to visit Vaals is from April to September when the climate is mild, and the sun is shining. It’s an excellent time to enjoy outdoor activities and the majestic beauty of the hilly landscapes.

Do’s and Don’ts of Vaals

Do:

  • Try to communicate with the locals in Dutch, but in case you’re unable to learn, they’re fairly fluent in English.
  • Sample the local cuisine and drinks.

Don’t:

  • Litter in public places, it’s strictly forbidden.
  • Walk on the cycle paths or block them with your vehicle, as they are for the exclusively designated cycle lanes.

Safety and Health

Safety in Vaals:

Vaals is a safe and friendly place to visit, but it’s always a good precautionary measure to be careful of your surroundings, and avoid carrying valuable items in crowded areas.

Health in Vaals:

The Netherlands is known for providing excellent healthcare facilities, and the same goes for Vaals. In case of a medical emergency, you can visit the nearest hospital, and they’ll ensure that you receive proper treatment.

Getting to Vaals: Transportation Options and Logistics

Vaals is well-connected via every mode of transportation, be it air, road, or train.

Airports Near Vaals:

  • Maastricht Aachen Airport - 33km
  • Dusseldorf Airport - 93 km
  • Amsterdam Airport - 227 km

Bus Stations Near Vaals:

  • Heerlen Bus Station - 11 km
  • Maastricht Bus Station - 15 km
  • Geleen Bus Station - 30 km

Other Options:

Vaals is only 14 km from Aachen, which is a famous student city in Germany, and you can also board local trains to approach Germany and Belgium.

How to Get Around in Vaals

Vaals is a small, walkable town so there’s no need for public transportation if you’re staying in the heart of the city. You can rent a bike from the side streets of Vaals if you prefer to go deeper into town or take in the nearby hilly landscape.

Where to Go Next from Vaals: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

  • Aachen (14.1 km)
  • Maastricht (20 km)
  • Cologne (100 km)

Conclusion

Vaals is a picturesque destination that’s perfect for those who are looking for a break from the busy city life. Immerse yourself in the serene countryside, experience the culture, and explore the outdoors, and make memories that you will cherish forever. We hope this travel guide has been helpful in planning your next trip to Vaals. With its rich cultural heritage, stunning natural landscapes, and breathtaking views, Vaals is a must-visit destination in the Netherlands.

Huize Bloemendaal, now a hotel, is an impressive sight in the heart of town. Huize Bloemendaal, now a hotel, is an impressive sight in the heart of town. The Drielandenpunt marks the spot where the German, Belgian and Dutch borders meet The Drielandenpunt marks the spot where the German, Belgian and Dutch borders meet Labyrinth at the border triangle point Labyrinth at the border triangle point The Eschberg mansion is one of the registered monuments in town. The Eschberg mansion is one of the registered monuments in town.