Vaals is a small city and municipality in the South Limburg region, in the Dutch province Limburg, comprising the very southeasternmost corner of the Netherlands. It is right on both the Belgian and German borders, with the much larger German city of Aachen just a stone's throw away. A popular holiday destination for Dutch domestic tourists, the town is surrounded by the rolling hills this region is famous for and is known for its beautiful landscapes.

The borders of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands meet here in Vaals, on the Drielandenpunt. The official place of the Drielandenpunt is just a few steps aways from the highest point of the (European) Netherlands, the Vaalserberg. Vaals is a friendly town for tourists, with regular activities and a beautiful natural area surrounding it. The Dutch call it "a piece of abroad in the Netherlands".

The municipality of Vaals comprises the town and a few other villages and hamlets. The main population centres are:

• 50.77226.01721 Vaals proper
• 50.78815.96412 Vijlen and its hamlets, the highest located village in the country and popular with hikers and bikers.
• 50.78595.99213 Lemiers, a small village with a nice, old church.
• 50.7755.9874 Holset, a tiny village with some good options to eat and a medieval church.

A large number of the inhabitants, up to 26%, are Germans. Nowadays, the town's main activity is tourism. Many Dutch, German and Belgian tourists visit this friendly town each year, with the Drielandenpunt as its main attraction but mostly of course for the beautiful scenery and picturesque hamlets around town.

Vijlen

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Vijlen is the second largest town in the municipality. The surrounding hamlets included, some 1500 people live here, although in summer the village also receives a large number of visitors. Mostly Dutch tourists find their way to this friendly village, which serves as a fine base to explore the region. It is known as the highest situated village in the Netherlands and is commended for the beautiful landscapes and forest areas around. It promotes itself as the only "mountain village" in the country, which of course is an exaggeration of its hill-top position, but is the basis for a number of activities for tourists and inhabitants alike.

The village of Vijlen comprises the hamlets Camerig, Harles, Rott, Melleschet and Cottessen. Vijlen as a whole is part of the municipality Vaals. If accommodation gets scarcer during the summer season, or if you like the countryside experience, these hamlets have a number of camp sites and holiday houses to offer. The main village of Vijlen is located on a hill, the Vijlenerberg, and therefore lies up to 200 m above Normaal Amsterdams Peil.

Burial mounds in the nearby Vijlener forest are proof of human settlement in this area at the time of the Linear Pottery Culture, some 3000–5000 years ago. Children's teeth were found in one of the mounds, which is therefore called the "children's grave". Since no valuable items were found at the site, but Roman pottery remains were, the Romans are believed to have plundered the graves long before their excavation in the 1920s and 30s. The modern day village is most likely Roman in origin, and the name Vijlen is presumably derived from "villa" or "villare", which would mean "farm villa" or "belonging to a farm villa" in Latin.

Around 1877, cement industry settled in the small village. A factory was built on top of the Vijlenerberg (the hill on which the village lies) and made a natural cement out of local limestone. A second factory was built in 1899, lower on the hill, but went bankrupt soon after. A new owner was able to get the new factory running again and made good profits during World War I, when cement became scarce. Both factories had underground tunnels, originally for underground mining purposes and later to connect open air quarries to the factory buildings. A long 2-m-high and no more than 1.7-m-wide tunnel under the Vijlenerberg connected the new factory to its quarry. In the 1920s, strong competition in the cement branch and the remote location, far from any railway, eventually caused the factories to close.

• 50.754446.020831 Border tripoint (Drielandenpunt). At this point the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany come together with their respective borders. The exact point is marked by a small, unimpressive stone pilar but is still considered the main must-see in town. Nearby, on the same hill, is also the highest point in the European Netherlands (322.4 m). To entertain the 1 million visitors that find their way here each year, the largest labyrinth in the country was built here, as well as two towers allowing to enjoy to view from the top of the Vaalserberg. There are a few cafés and the forests around it allow for a hike through 3 countries at once.  
• 50.77026.01952 Museum de Kopermolen, Von Clermontplein 11. This small museum is housed in a monumental building, build in 1736 as a Lutheran church. It has changing art expositions and regularly concerts and lectures are organized. €1.50. 
• 50.7692336.0032833 Museum Vaals, Eschberg 5-7, ☏ +31 433 060 080. Tu-Su 10:30-17:30. The collection of this small museum comprises a somewhat odd combination of church statues and modern art. It's in a historic monastery chapel.  
• 50.7703756.0225924 St. Pauluskerk, Kerkstraat 27. This late 19th-century Neo Gothic church listed as a national monument. It was designed by Johannes Kayser to replace an older church, also dedicated to St. Paul, about 150 m to the south. €5/2.5 for adults/children.  
• 50.7865.9965 St. Catharinakapel, Oud-Lemiers 16. This 12th-century chapel is in the oldest part of town. Several historic sources mention the chapel. In 1350, it was dedicated to Saint Catharine of Alexandria. Restorations were carried out in 1896-1897 by Pierre Cuypers but more restorations were needed in 1921. In 1978 the walls on the inside were playfully painted in bright colours by Dutch painter Hans Truijen. The paintings (now in need of restoration) were resented by many of the locals but are considered an important work of art by many art aficionado’s. In any case, it's an interesting combination and well worth a visit. There are regular activities such as concerts or lectures. (updated Feb 2020)
• 50.7865.9926 Sint-Catharina en Luciakerk, Lemiers Rijksweg 83. This much larger church originates in 1895-1896 and sits along the main road. It was designed by Jan Jorna in the style of the Romanesque Revival architecture and is listed as a national monument. It is also the main church in use for the village. 
• 50.7895.9957 Kasteel Lemiers (Kasteel Gen Hoes). Historic documents mention a castle in Lemiers as early as 1219. The oldest parts of the current castle date back to the 16th century, with other parts originating in the 17th and 18th century. The premises consists of a castle mansion and a castle farm, and is now partly in use as a private residence and partly as office spaces and not accessible for public. It's a pretty sight from the outside, however, and located close to the stream. 
• Timber-framed houses. Lemiers has a number of monumental timber-framed houses, characteristic for the region. Good examples are those at Rijksweg 120-122 (along the main road) and several along the Oud Lemiers road (notably number 21, 22 and 23). They are also common in the hamlets around Vijlen. Camerig, Cottesen, Mamelis and Mellechet are dotted with old farms and timber framed, ancient houses. 
• 50.7755.9878 H.H. Lambertus en Genovevakerk, Holset 64. Holset is probably the smallest independent parish in the Netherlands, and it has been independent for centuries already. This small, charming church right in the middle of the hamlet originates in the 12th century. From historic documents it's known that the church was in dire need of restorations around 1667. The tower was fully reconstructed in 1736 and extensive restorations were carried out in 1841/1842. 
• 50.78775.96329 St. Martinus church. The side entrance is usually open during day. The neo-Gothic and Catholic church dedicated to St. Martinus is one of the highest situated churches in the country. Right in the heart of the village, along the main road, its clearly visible from miles away and can't be missed. At this spot, a small church was established as early as the 7th century by St. Clodulfus, and later, medieval church stood here until 1860. In the period directly after, construction of the current church began. It was designed by famous Dutch church architect Carl Weber and as mostly finished around 1862. Likely due to financial issues, it took another 18 years to get it completely finished. It is a so-called hall church and its mostly neo-Gothic interior includes a number of art works and a large pipe organ. There are services on Saturday at 18:00, Sunday at 10:00 (both with the church choir) and Thursday at 19:00). 

• 50.790095.9598510 Cement Factory ruins. Right next to Hotel Vijlenerhof is a small steep down-hill road (Boombergweg), which leads to the hamlets of Mellechet and Rott. It passes the ruins of the large cement factory that was built here at the end of the 19th century. The remains of the factory were further demolished by the Germans in World War II, and just a few small parts of the factory walls are left. 

The main activity in Vaals (as in most villages around), is exploring the surrounding natural areas. Around the village you'll find great landscapes (in part because of the high location of the village), lots of marked routes and a nice forest. Several shorter and longer walks start are colour marked, starting in or around Boscafé 't Hijgend Hert. In the small groceries store you can buy (€4) the "Spatzierkaart", a map with several hiking routes in the area.

Some of the local bars have joined forces to develop a so-called Kroegjesroute, or bar route. It's basically a number of walking routes, leading along some of the best viewpoints around ánd connecting all of the 12 participating establishments, some of which are in surrounding villages. Depending on your wishes, you can opt for a longer or shorter route, or take several in a row. Maps and routes are available in any of the participating cafés, but Fiets en wandelcafé 'A gen Kirk' (across the church) is the designated place to get more information on this or other hiking or biking routes, as it doubles as a tourist office info point.

The Vijlener forest is nice for a walk and the Linear pottery culture burial mounds there are visible. One of the mounds, the "children's grave", has been opened on one side. The information sign next to it is not in English, though.

• 50.77926.01241 Kartingbaan Vaals, Selzerbeeklaan 23, ☏ +31 433 061 866. The only outdoor carting track in the province makes a good option for a small adrenaline rush. 
• Horse carriage tours, ☏ +31 434 502 048, [email protected]. A horse carriage tour through Vaals' beautiful surroundings is a lovely experience. The carriage will take you to some of the nice hamlets and town outskirts. You will have to book some time in advance, as this is a small scale private enterprise. 
• Kunstroute Vaals. For about 3 weeks in July, several historic locations in town host art expositions of various kinds for the annual "Art Route". Walk from one exposition to the next, exploring town as well as the work of various artists. Information is in Dutch, but the collections are usually good and a ticket will buy you entrance to all participating locations, some little snacks served at a few of those places and an art brochure. Tickets are available from several Tourist Information Offices (VVV) in the region, but you might as well buy it at the starting point: the Tourist Information Office in Vaals. You can start the route between 10:00 and 13:00. €14.50. 

• The Koelmarkt is an annual summer fair, held around the end of July. It has a flee market, lots of stalls with all kinds of goods and food, but also music and fireworks at night.
• 50.788635.950152 Vineyard St. Martinus, Rott 21, [email protected]. If you think of a country where wine is produced, the Netherlands is almost certainly not the first country you'll think of - but yes, there is a vineyard outside Vijlen. This family-run vineyard has been producing the village's own wine since the late 1980s. You can take a guided tour or taste the different kinds of wine they produce, but you'll have to book in advance. 

Vaals town has a good range of shops, including clothing, shoes, toy and giftstores as well as many daily grocery options. Most of the stores are along the Maastrichterlaan, the main road through town. Lemiers and Vijlen have a smaller selection of shops such as grocery stores and bakeries.

There's a fairly large weekly market on Tuesday mornings from 8:00 until 13:00, in front of the town hall (Koningin Julianaplein). During the tourist season (roughly from May to October) a regional products market is held every second Saturday (in the evenly numbered weeks). It's small but sells local products like mustard and jams that make good souvenirs. You'll find it on the Prins Willem Alexanderplein, in front of the Albert Heijn Supermarket.

In addition to the ones below, many hotels have restaurants that are frequented by non-guests also.

• 50.77426.01291 Friture Delnoije (Cafetaria Delnoye), Maastrichterlaan 164, ☏ +31 433 080 209. One of the most popular places among locals for fries and a snack. €5. 
• 50.77286.0132 Kasteel Bloemendal, Bloemendalstraat 150, ☏ +31 433 659 800. This beautiful small castle in the middle of town houses not only an upscale hotel, but also a restaurant. Plenty of luxurious dishes to choose from, but menu offers do start from around €30. There's a pretty good wine list. from €30. 
• 50.76685.9843 Brasserie Lodge 7, Epenerbaan 1, ☏ +31 43 306 43 05. The beautiful location of this modern place out of the town center makes it worth a visit. There's a nice terrace in summer and a fire place in winter. The food gets pretty good reviews too. €30.50. 
• 50.77086.0194 De Raadskelder, Koningin Julianaplein 49, ☏ +31 434 073 639. Lovely restaurant setting in the ancient cellars of the town hall. The food is traditional but good and the service adequate. €20. 
• 50.77146.024065 Troje, Kerstraat 68, ☏ +31 433 063 302. Greek restaurant with nice food and large portions. The service is friendly and take away is an option too. €17. 
• 50.76936.02196 Schatull, Akenerstraat 31, ☏ +31 433 061 740. Housed in an old South Limburg building, Schatull serves sunny dishes with a Tuscan origin. Perhaps the best place around for a taste of Italian cuisine. On request, they can organize cooking workshops and demonstrations. 3-course menu from €25. 
• 50.772726.020137 Vols Brasserie, Prins Willem Alexanderplein 1, ☏ +31 433 060 655. Italian and Dutch cuisine. Both main dishes and smaller dishes like sandwiches and salads on the menu. (updated Dec 2024)

• 50.7751195.9880928 't Klukske, Holset 44, ☏ +31 30650525. Tasty regional and international dishes, including some vegetarian options. The 3-course chef's menu is a good deal and the service is overall very friendly. €22.50 for a menu. 
• 50.7750855.9876059 ^{[dead link]} In de oude Stroopkokerij, Holset 48, ☏ +31 433066525. Housed in an old farm which used to be a "syrup cookery", a place where traditional local apple syrup (stroop) was produced. You can still see the big copper kettles. The service is friendly but not super fast. They reward your patience with tasty dishes however, many with a regional touch. Mains from €18.50, 3 course menu from €24.50. 

• 50.79155.96310 Cuba Libre, Mamelisserweg 16-18, ☏ +31 43-30 60 206. The specialty of this Cuban restaurant is sopa de platanos, a banana soup. Not everyone's favourite, but interesting for sure. Opened just a few years ago, the owners have made this restaurant one of the most lively places around, with regular cocktail- and salsa workshops and other activities. They also provide free walking routes of the village. mains from €16. 
• 50.768575.9361611 Buitenlust, Camerig 11. This place lies outside of the village, on the edge of the forest and has a unique view over the countryside. A good place for a lunch break or for diner mains from €16. 

For a real taste of nightlife, follow the locals and head to Aachen, Maastricht or Heerlen. Nonetheless, if you're just looking for a pleasant place to have a drink, there are a few around.

• 50.772816.019181 Café Allure, Maastrichterlaan 81, ☏ +31 433 065 047. Cosy, old-fashioned brown café with a good choice in beers. (updated Dec 2024)
• 50.7847325.9945422 Café Oud Lemiers, Lemiers Rijksweg 20, ☏ +31 43 306 1381. A typical "brown café", and a gathering place for the locals. It's nothing fancy but the beer is cheap and the staff friendly. Once a week the local music group practices here. 
• 50.7830825.9977923 Sixsens, Lemiers Rijksweg 1, ☏ +31 43 306 11 95. Yes, really, there is a modern, exotic and sensual sauna and night club. It's a full-fledged wellness and sexual pleasure place, with anything from saunas and a swimming pool to private rooms, a restaurant and cinema, catering for a large part to customers from Aachen. Entrance per day: €55/25 for men/women. 

• 50.78745.96364 Fiets & Wandelcafé A gen Kirk, Vijlenerberg 115, ☏ +31 43-3061963. This cosy little café opposite the church (hence the name "a gen kirk", "at the church") is decorated from floor to roof with Christian art, statues and bibles. The tourist information office uses the place as a leaflet post and there's a small outdoor terrace next to the main street. You can also eat here, as there is a simple but budget friendly menu for lunch and dinner (mains from €10). There are also 4 bed & breakfast rooms upstairs. 
• 50.771595.964525 Boscafé 't Hijgend Hert, Harles 23, ☏ +31 43 306 24 99, [email protected]. Open every day of the year, 11:00-21:00 in summer, winter time: M-W 11:00-19:00, Th-Su 11:00-21:00. This bar/restaurant and petting zoo promotes itself as the only mountain cabin in the Netherlands, but perhaps you need to be Dutch to find that comparison very valid. It is however a nice and popular establishment in the forest, and (inside) decorated as a mountain cabin bar. It serves a wide selection of beers, including their own brand (Hert). There's also a rather extensive menu, varying from just a piece of apple pie to sandwiches and mains. To get here from Vijlen, drive (or walk) all the way through the village and at the top, turn right towards the forest. Some 800 m into the forest the parking place is indicated on the left. This is also a good spot if you're out for a forest walk. Beers from €2.80, mains from €10. 

There are several lodging options, but many are in the surrounding villages (which belong to the Vaals municipality) Therefore, consider staying in Vijlen or Lemiers as well.

• 50.772856.012921 Bloemendal (Van der Valk Hotel Kasteel Bloemendal), Bloemendalstraat 150, ☏ +31 433 659 800. Located in the heart of town, this is both one of the best hotel and one of the main sights in town. It's a romantic place with lovely gardens and a pleasant outdoor terrace in summer. Facilities include a swimming pool, a whirlpool, a solarium and a sauna. They offer good but general rooms in a side wing of the castle, as well as nicely decorated suites in the old parts. Note that some (more expensive) rooms have nice and spacious bathrooms, while some cheaper ones have fairly small showers. Whichever room you're in, however, this is a beautiful hotel with excellent service and a good restaurant. From €115 for a standard or €150 for a suite. 
• 50.768045.996922 Bilderberg Kasteel Vaalsbroek, Vaalsbroek 1, ☏ +31 433 089 308. The service at this place is excellent and the rooms are good value. There's no common lounge area but the restaurant is one of the best around and this place gets points for its quiet, just out-of-town location and outside looks. You don't sleep or have breakfast in the castle area, but you can dine there. €99 for a double incl. breakfast. 
• 50.781376.001063 Vaalserhof, Lemierserberg 35-37, ☏ +31 433 080 155. Fully equipped apartments with private balcony or terrace on the back side, giving a nice view. 
• 50.780896.007884 Camping Hoeve de Gastmolen, Lemierserberg 23, ☏ +31 433 065 755. Fairly small natural camping on the outskirts of Vaals. It's a former farm, close to the Selzerbeek creek (which is also the border with Germany). It has all the basic facilities, including good sanitary and a small playground for the kids. €12 per night + €3.75 p.p. 

• 50.7928445.9805245 ^{[dead link]} Piethaan Hotel Restaurant, Mamelis 6, ☏ +31 43 - 306 13 56. A fairly large hotel right next the main road. Perhaps not the most picturesque location, but it's easy to find, the service is good and rooms on the backside look out over the countryside. It's a family-run place with friendly service and it has a good value restaurant, with mains from €16. From €45/70 for a single/double. 
• 50.7919245.9825256 Hotel Het Witte Huis, Mamelis 5, ☏ +31 43 - 306 1714. Also next to the main road, more or less across the street from Piethaan hotel. It's a well-maintained, family-run place that offers good, spacious rooms with kitchenettes. Its restaurant only serves to guests. Breakfast is extensive and service nice. €60/75 for a single/double incl. breakfast. 
• 50.7725865.9859147 Hotel Mergelland, Holset 100, ☏ +31 43 3061459. 
• 50.7750565.9874118 Herberg Oud Holset, Holset 54, ☏ +31 43 3066650. This friendly "inn" offers 12 good rooms and a nice restaurant for lunch and dinner. It's also a popular place for hikers and bikers in need of a break, and they serve good local pastry too. Standard singles/doubles for €50/80, breakfast included. 
• 50.785915.9929189 Green House apartments, Rijksweg 69. Kitchen and bathroom in the 4-person apartment are a bit old-fashioned, but they are clean and well-maintained. The 2-person one is more modern. There's free wifi and the owner is helpful. You'll have to book online via a booking agency. €67/85 for a 2/4 person apartment. 

• 50.79135.9619810 Hotel Restaurant Vijlerhof, Hilleshagerweg 2, ☏ +31 43 306 1710. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Friendly, family-run place with small but clean rooms with private bathroom, some with a balcony. Extensive breakfast, central location and lots of walking routes from the hotel. There's a bicycle shed and free parking. The terrace in the front and the garden with a view in the back make the downstairs restaurant a good choice, also if you want to try local specialties. From €36 per person per night. 
• 50.78465.96511 Hotel de Linde (Hills 33), Vijlenberg 33, ☏ +31 43 306 32 45. Rooms are somewhat worn-down and noisy but they have private bathrooms. The service is friendly and there's free Wi-Fi. The modern downstairs restaurant has a very limited menu but offers a 3-course menu for €22.50. The view from the restaurant is great. from €36 per person per night. 
• 50.78775.969712 Landal Reevallis, Oude Akerweg 40, ☏ +31 900-8842 (premium rate call). A chalet village of the Landal chain, not far from the village center. They have 69 chalets, for 2, 4 or 6 people but you'll have to stay at least a weekend. Ask for a renovated chalet as some are a tad worn down. All chalets have private bathrooms, a kitchen and outdoor terrace. Wi-Fi is available but you'll have to pay extra for it. From €200 (2 people, 3 nights). 
• 50.77045.929313 Camping Rozenhof, Camerig 12, ☏ +31 43-455 1611. This large camping has lots of facilities, including a swimming pool and the option of an electric connection at your place. They also have fully equipped caravans and two timber framed chalets for rent, but make sure to book well in advance. from €15 for a place with electricity, 2 persons. 
• 50.76035.941714 Camping Cottesserhoeve, Cottessen 6, ☏ +31 43 455 1352. Check-out: 10:30. Large camping with swimming pool, small groceries store, a play ground, snack bar and other facilities. They also rent out a few caravans and apartments, but you'll need to book those well in advance and in summer, you can only book them for full weeks. €21.40 for a place, 2 pers. 

Several hotels and other accommodations offer wifi for their guests. The public library offers free use of computers with internet access.

As Vaals (particularly the town itself and Lemiers) is right next to the German border, mobile coverage sometimes gets confused by German providers. Your phone may switch to a German telecommunications company, and this may come with additional roaming costs. To prevent it, set your mobile phone to manual provider switching.

• 50.7756.01392 Public Library (Bibliotheek Vaals), St Jozefplein 51, ☏ +31 433 080 110. Tu 10:30-12:30, 14:00-18:00; W 14:00-18:00; F 14:00-20:00; Sa 10:30-12:30; closed on Su M Th. 
• 50.77216.020063 Post Office, Maastrichterlaan 78 (located inside Drogisterij-Parfumerie Ramaekers). Open on weekdays, but they take a lunch break from 13:00-14:00, Sa open from 09:00-13:00. 

The grocery store (buurtwinkel) next to the church of Vijlen sells mobile phone prepaid cards, postcards and stamps. There's an orange mailbox across the road from the store (the church side). Mail has to be separated in 2 categories: postal codes within a local range and those outside of that local range. Sending your mail in the wrong section could get it severely delayed. For packages or other postal services you'll have to head to the more equipped post offices of Mechelen, Vaals town or Gulpen.

As the old German city of Aachen is just a stone's throw away, it makes for a great day trip. You can easily bike there, or take bus line 50 from the bus station in Vaals.

Other nearby travel destinations include:

• Gulpen, take the N278 or bus line 50
• Maastricht, take the N278 or bus line 50
• Simpelveld, take the N287 & N281 or bus line 43

For further destinations you can catch an intercity train in Maastricht, Heerlen or Aachen.

As Vaalserberg is a tri-border point, if you continue along the road southwest from the summit, you'll be in Belgium. The village of Gemmenich is about 1.5 km away, and from there you can take the bus to Kelmis and on to Eupen, from where you can take the train to Liège, Brussels and other major Belgian cities.