Overview of Vaals Attractions:
The small town of Vaals in South Limburg is noteworthy for several significant reasons.
Firstly, it is home to Drielandenpunt, the tripoint where the Dutch, German, and Belgian borders converge.
This landmark is located just five minutes from the town center and has emerged as a popular tourist destination, featuring an observation tower, a maze of hedges, and various cafes serving traditional Dutch delicacies like poffertjes (mini pancakes). The tripoint itself is positioned on the verdant Vaalserberg hill, which is the highest point in mainland Netherlands.
Vaals is also quite picturesque, characterized by a townscape influenced by prosperous Lutherans who migrated from Germany for religious freedom during the 17th and 18th centuries.
1. Drielandenpunt
A key feature that literally positions Vaals on the map is the tripoint where the Dutch, German, and Belgian borders meet.
This geographical junction is near the summit of Vaalserberg hill and is uniquely the only place in the Netherlands where three borders synchronize.
Notably, Belgium contains three additional tripoints, while Germany boasts another seven.
Between 1839 and 1919, this location hosted a quadripoint, as it included a fourth boundary for the small Belgian-Prussian condominium known as Neutral Moresnet.
The marker signifying the intersection of the three lines was established in 1926, accompanied by three other signs representing each respective country.
2. Vaalserberg
The hill that hosts the tripoint also represents the highest elevation in mainland Netherlands, standing at 322.4 meters.
Vaalserberg is situated on the eastern edge of the Vijlenerbos, a serene woodland area we will discuss later.
Visitors can explore various hiking trails that meander through the forest and partake in an assortment of summer attractions, including a large hedge maze, a playground, an observation tower (more details below), and several dining options.
3. Wilhelminatoren
A short distance from Drielandenpunt lies an observation tower that was reconstructed in June 2011, replacing a previous structure that had served for 65 years but had begun to deteriorate.
This tower was preceded by another wooden structure, also named in honor of Queen Wilhelmina, which was damaged by storms and WWII artillery fire.
The newest iteration, equipped with an elevator, rises to 35 meters and offers stunning views of the Ardennes and the Aachen Cathedral.
Additionally, the summit features a glass observation platform known as the Skywalk, providing breathtaking views of the terrace below.
4. Historic Centre
While Drielandenpunt and Vaalserberg attract the most attention, neglecting the historic center of Vaals would be a mistake, as it is filled with beautiful old architecture.
This area boasts over 70 officially recognized Dutch heritage sites within just a few streets.
Located at Von Clermontplein/Julianaplein, where the town hall sits, is a picturesque array of grand 18th and 19th-century residences featuring mansard roofs and whitewashed walls.
Many of these buildings are linked to the Lutheran cloth manufacturer Johann Arnold von Clermont, who established a factory in Vaals to freely practice his religion.
The square features a striking fountain with 44 jets and is adorned with a pathway etched to resemble woven fabric.
The local visitor center has designed a walking route through the historic center, marked with hexagonal signs to guide explorers.
5. Museum Vaals
For those interested in liturgical art, Vaals offers a town museum that features an impressive collection of over 200 images of saints.
The location itself is noteworthy, housed within the chapel of De Esch, a former Camillian monastery established in 1897.
Before its conversion, the site served as an estate featuring a Rococo mansion redesigned in the 1770s by German-Italian architect Joseph Moretti.
Today, the mansion operates as a hotel, while the museum was inaugurated in the chapel in 2009. The craftsmanship and variety within the museum’s collection are astounding, boasting pieces ranging from 1 to 3.5 meters in height, showcased against the backdrop of the chapel’s frescoes and stained glass.
Visitors can relax in the café, enjoying coffee and a piece of Limburgse vlaai fruit pie, while exploring the estate’s garden, home to the town’s oldest tree.
6. Lutherse Kerk
Adjacent to the town hall at Von Clermontplein/Julianaplein is Vaals’ Lutheran church, originally constructed in 1736. The Lutheran congregation in the town was founded in 1669 during a period when Lutheran refugees from Aachen sought to practice their faith under the protection of the Dutch States General.
Designed in the Lutheran architectural style, which emphasizes participation and equality, the church is octagonal in shape and supported by eight tall Doric columns with octagonal bases.
The building ceased to host services in 1955 and has since been repurposed as a cultural center, known as De Kopermolen, which offers concerts, theater performances, and exhibitions.
7. Huis Clermont
The magnificent Rococo complex that accommodates Vaals’ town hall was originally intended to function as a cloth manufacturing facility by Johann Arnold von Clermont.
Established in the 1770s and designed by Joseph Moretti, the complex featured a square courtyard with adjoining wings housing residences, offices, and sections for both the cloth factory and paint shop.
After the factory’s closure in the mid-1920s, one of the main factory wings was demolished, resulting in a U-shaped layout.
Following extensive restoration completed in 1981, the local council relocated here. Visitors should take note of the elegant south wing facade, which features a distinguished pediment intricately carved with the coats of arms of von Clermont and his wife, Maria Elisabeth Emminghaus.
8. Aachen
Crossing the border into Germany, in just ten minutes you will arrive in Aachen, a city of significant historical importance.
Aachen served as Charlemagne’s favored residence and was the site of his death in 814. His remains are enshrined in the stunning Karlsschrein reliquary, located within the impressive and UNESCO-listed Aachen Cathedral, which was constructed under his directive and stands as one of Europe’s oldest cathedrals.
The Palatine Chapel is the last remaining part of Charlemagne’s palace and hosted the coronation ceremonies for every Holy Roman Emperor until 1531. The cathedral treasury houses an extensive collection of historic artifacts, including a silver-gilt bust of Charlemagne, the jewel-encrusted Ottonian Cross of Lothair, and the Roman marble Proserpina sarcophagus where Charlemagne was initially laid to rest in the 9th century.
9. Vijlenerbos
Vaals is located at the eastern edge of a diverse mosaic of forests encompassing approximately 650 hectares.
This picturesque area stretches westward for roughly eight kilometers from Drielandenpunt to the village of Epen.
One remarkable feature of Vijlenerbos is that it is one of the few regions in the Netherlands boasting a microclimate, attributed to the elevated terrain and reminiscent of the neighboring Ardennes to the west.
If you enjoy walking, you can explore these hills, which offer paths through beautiful birch, oak, and pine forests, while discovering Bronze Age burial mounds with three located near Vaals.
10. Zuid-Limburgse Stoomtrein Maatschappij
Following the closure of the passenger railway between nearby Simpelveld and Kerkrade in 1988, a heritage line was established that now traverses South Limburg’s verdant, rolling landscapes for 29 kilometers.
Travelers can experience a vintage carriage from the 1930s, while the trains are powered by historic steam and diesel locomotives, including a Swedish NOHAB steam engine from the 1910s.
For those exploring the countryside around Vaals on bicycles, a special carriage designated for cyclists is available.
The beautiful old station at Simpelveld is a sight to behold, featuring a restaurant and a museum dedicated to the South Limburg Railway.
Outside, preserved steam railway infrastructure, including a water tower, turntable pit, and a locomotive workshop, allows visitors to witness the restoration of these classic machines.
The steam heritage railway primarily operates on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays during summer, along with select weekends throughout the rest of the year and the Christmas season.
11. Cycling
For cycling enthusiasts, the regional tourism board, VVV Zuid Limburg, has developed the 37.7-kilometer Drie Grenzenroute (Three Border Trail), which can be completed in a single afternoon.
This route offers the unique opportunity to traverse three different countries within a span of two to three hours.
While the ride can be somewhat strenuous in sections, it rewards cyclists with views of stunning upland forests and breathtaking scenery.
The trail is integrated into the existing cycling network, relying on knooppunten, or nodes, to navigate through the area.
These designated intersections are marked to provide useful geographical information.
Additionally, the trail is strategically planned to pass by various bars and café terraces where participants can relax and refresh themselves.
12. Wekelijkse Markt
The Von Clermontplein/Julianaplein hosts a market that appears more expansive than one might expect for a town of Vaals’ size.
The Wekelijkse Markt operates on Tuesdays from 08:00 until 13:00 (or 13:30 during summer) and attracts shoppers from across the Belgian and German borders.
For those staying in holiday rentals in Vaals, this market presents an excellent opportunity to procure groceries such as fruits, vegetables, cheeses, charcuterie, fresh bread, and herbs.
Additionally, every second Sunday of the month in summer, there is another market featuring regional specialties, ideal for acquiring artisan preserves and mustards as souvenirs.
