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Village in Limburg, Netherlands
Photo: Els Diederen at li.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
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This 1924 church in Neo-Romanesque style was built to replace the older Petruskerk of which now only the tower remains.
The 11th-13th century Roman style tower on the cemetery ground is the only remaining part of the medieval village church. Owing to its thick walls, historians believe it also served as a fortification at the time.
Most visible parts of this castle founded in the 14th century were constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries. Several of the surrounding buildings and the castle are listed as national heritage monuments. The property often changed hands but has mostly been empty since the last owner died in 1992. Plans for renovations have so far not been carried out, due to the high costs. Nevertheless, the castle in its nice green surroundings is a pretty sight and photo opportunity.
This tropical indoor and outdoor swimming pool is considered to be among the best in the country. In summers, during the holidays, it can get crowded here as locals and tourists flock to the pools and slides. Obviously, the outdoor pools are only attractive during the few warm weeks summer. There are plenty of facilities for children.
An indoor climbing wall with some twists.
A 70-km hiking tour in the night, rough the characteristic Hill Country. Start and finish are in Gulpen and come with quite a bit of festivities and attention. A secondary 40-km tour called the Neubourg tour is available for those who aren't up to the full tour. Along the route, volunteers offer points of rest and care. It's one of the main hiking events in the south, and perhaps the main Dutch night time hiking route. About 1000 hikers, including quite a few from across the borders, take part. Note that this distance requires some training, so don't join if you're not a regular hiker. Note that you can register well in advance, usually from the beginning of March, which will give a discount. Registering on the night itself is usually possible from 19:00-22:00 in the Toeristenkerk,Rosstraat 5.
This annual village fair in November is perhaps the largest event in town, attracting up to 25,000 visitors. Originally mostly a cattle market, the fair today is a lively mix of market stalls of all kinds, food stalls and artisans showing their skills. There's a carousel and a petting zoo for the kids, a great range of regional produce and often a falconer. Typically, there are a good number of demonstrations, including by the regional fire department, a black smith, a basket weaver, a sheep's herder, lace makers and other crafstmen.
Just a few steps around the corner from the market square, this casual restaurant in a historic farm house has a pleasant little courtyard. It makes it one of the few outdoor terraces where you're not close to the streets and the traffic. The food is simple but well prepared, with sandwiches and salads for lunch and some excellent classic meats for dinner. There are good spareribs and burgers to be found, but it's the excellent cuts of beef that come most recommended. This place also has 4 pleasant B&B rooms for rent.
Eat authentic pancakes at this restaurant in Gulpen, housed in a still working old water mill. The whole wheat flower they use is home-milled. They also organize tours and biketours to explore the hill-country.
This popular place right on the market square lives up to higher standards than the average grand café, with good quality food. It has an outdoor terrace but also a nicely decorated indoor restaurant with an open kitchen. The set menu is popular with locals, but there's a good à la carte choice too. Their black garlic soup comes highly recommended. Reservations can only be made by phone or in person, not via email.
This upscale restaurant in the middle of Gulpen serves food that tastes good and is also a pleasure to see. One of the best places around, although it doesn't come cheap
Re-opened and expanded under new ownership in 2018, this cosy place serves good, modern food. One of the more romantic places in town, also.
This casual place is part of the adjoining brewery. It's a fairly new eatery with a great outdoor area for summer days, an excellent selection of their own beers and a decent pub-menu based on the 45mile-principle. If you're into beer, they have some nice tasting options too. If you're not, try one of the local wines or juices - coke or other brand sodas are not on the menu. There's a small shop inside for beers and related gifts.
Beer from this local beer brewery might not be as popular as some of the world-famous Dutch beers, but it's known and sold throughout the country. The brewery tries to produce as environmentally-friendly as possible and some of their beers even hold the official "biologisch" (organic) label. Tours are only available for small groups and on reservation, so call in advance.
This place has one of the largest outdoor terraces and although the food gets mixed reviews, it's a popular place for an afternoon drink.
This place is right in the centre of town and has a good selection of models available, including racing bikes and children's models. If you're looking for something in particular, it's best to make reservations in advance.
This speciality food store is the place to go for local delicacies, including meat, cheeses, fruits and vegetables but also regional wines, jams, ready-made soups and more. Also a great place for some edible gifts to take home.
Biking and hiking routes are plentiful, and come in from all directions. The main road connection to Gulpen is however the N278, which runs right through the village halfway on its route from Maastricht to Aachen.
Read in the guideThe small center is best explored on food but to see the surroundings, a bike or car is handy.
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Maastricht · International · MST
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