This small town probably wouldn’t get too much attention were it not for the ruins of a 14th-century castle, one with the distinction of being the sole hilltop castle in the Netherlands. That’s no surprise given that the surrounding province of Limburg is the only one in the country with hills to speak of. The castle itself isn’t that impressive, but the views from the top help to make it a worthwhile visit. Apparently everyone else thought so too. Parking lots were full and the streets were crowded with (mostly Dutch) visitors. Exceptionally clear skies on a Sunday, and being just a 15-minute drive from the provincial capital, Maastricht, were likely also factors.

To place it on a map, here’s Valkenburg, located between Belgium and Germany, connected to the rest of the Netherlands by a narrow strip of land to the north.

Photo Tour