Weert, the Netherlands

Why?

Situated in the southeast corner of the Netherlands, in the southern province of Limburg, you will find the town of Weert. Known as the gateway to Limburg, it was named the greenest region in the world in 2014 and awarded second place in the cultural heritage category.

With a rich history dating back to 1062, the city received market rights in 1404 and experienced the golden age in 1500. Following, it was destroyed by the 80 Year War, and was relegated to a country town. The town recovered after the construction of Zuid-Willemsvaart in 1825 and is today one of the largest towns in the southern province of Limburg.

A weekly Saturday market, the annual Weert Fair and Bospop, a rock and pop festival , shopping, pavement cafes, bustling squares, hotels and restaurants, will leave you giddy with choices of what to see in this city.

Weetervlaai, which is the local version of the better known dessert vlaai from Maastricht, is commemorated by a bronze statue outside the railway station.

So whether you are looking for an energetic outdoor or cultural weekend away, Weert has something to suit all levels of activity and taste.

When?

Due to its location in the southeast of the Netherlands, the best time to visit is June through September when temperatures can be between 19°C and 24°C and rainfall is moderate. Pack a jumper as the evening temperatures can cool down to 12°C.

How?

Weert has good transport links, as it’s one of the larger towns in Limburg. It is serviced by the NS railway, Amsterdam to Maastricht via Eindhoven, two trains an hour. The Schiphol to Heerlen line also via Eindhoven has two trains an hour in each direction. The railway station is situated south of the centre which can be reached in a ten-minute walk.

The nearest airport is Eindhoven (EIN), which is 43 km from Weert. Eindhoven has International and European flights. Other major airports within easy reach of Weert are Maastricht (MST), Dusseldorf (DUS) and Liege (LGG).

If you arrive by car there are three main parking garages. Q-Park, Parralellweg, near the station, also offers a park and ride into the city centre. Otherwise there is parking north of the city centre at Patronaatsplein or Hoge Kei/Kasteelplein. Charges are €1.30 per hour or €5 for 24 hours. Colour coded car parks are subject to special conditions, such as a maximum two-hour stay or permit holders only, so check carefully before leaving your car.

See?

Withs so many things to choose from I have split this into two sections, depending on what you are looking for . . .

Culture

[callout]At the top of the list is St Martins Kerk/St Martins Church (Markt 8, 6001 EK), the showpiece of the city and, one of the only two gothic hall vaulted churches remaining in the Netherlands. If you visit in summer you can climb the tower, which will provide you with stunning views across the city.[/callout]

[callout]Fatima House (Coenraad Abel 31, 6001 VL), a former church, used now as a centre for social and cultural meetings. Consecrated in 1955, the church was taken from worship in 2011.[/callout]

[callout]The British Military Cemetery (Monsignor Kreyelmansstraat 16, 6031 BP), is monument to 363 fallen soldiers, each grave stone is identical with an embossed logo on each one.[/callout]

[callout]The Lichtenberg/Open Air Theatre (IJzerenmanweg 15, 6006 TA) is one of Weert’s green pearls. It is an important part of Weert’s cultural heritage and holds 2,300 spectators.[/callout]

Activity

If you are looking for something a bit faster paced, or want to enjoy some of the greener parts of the region then check out some of these places. They are a bit farther afield, so transport will need to be considered; all attractions mentioned below are within a 20 minute drive.

[callout]‘T Huys Snails/The House of Snails (Meijelse Dijk 57, 6035 RJ Ospel). There is no mystery behind the name unfortunately, it’s a facility that farms snails for consumption. Eager to see it all, you can even book a snail tour![/callout]

[callout]Alpaca Farm (Lillerbaan 104 3950 Bocholt, Belgium), go and learn more about these cuddly cousins of the llama. Guided tours are available.[/callout]

[callout]Enough wildlife and insects, how about some waterside time? De IJzeren Man/The Iron Man is a large recreational area situated 10 mins north east from the centre of Weert. Various activities include the Natuurbad/Open Air Pool, Zwembad De IJzeren Man/Public Swimming Pool, Waterskibaan/Waterski Track, the track is over 800 metres long and is an official racetrack that has been piloted by champions. The track is suitable for all levels and ages.[/callout]

[callout]Klimbos/Climbing Forest,(Geurtsvenweg 2, 6006). Built in a sustainable forest, offers four different climbing experiences, Discover, Explore, Adventure and Adrenaline. The tours take about two and a half hours, bookable online.[/callout]

[callout]There are many cycling trails, one of which will take you on a tour of the local castles in the neighbouring villages. Pushbikes can be hired from Huren.nl, per hour, part of or a whole day. Helmets and GPS devices are also available to hire, so no need to get lost. Expect to pay €5 per day for a standard city bike, anything fancier will cost more.[/callout]

Eat and Drink

As is the case in any major town, the choice of cuisine is international and plentiful. You may find it hard to choose, should you decide not to dine in your hotel of choice. Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Greek, Asian and of course typical Dutch cuisine can all be found in the centre of the town. Some to worthy of a try are:

[callout]Restaurant Flavours (Hoogstraat 28, 6001 EV), meals are prepared using seasonal fresh ingredients.[/callout]

[callout]Restaurant en Tapaslounge De Liefhebber (Beekstraat), offers tapas or à la carte dining. There is a trendy lounge where you can relax and enjoy a cocktail before dining, or visit for high tea.[/callout]

[callout]Restaurant De Griek Keuken (Langstraat 48, 6001 CW), as the name suggests, offers traditional Greek cuisine. If you have a big group and are celebrating something, then organise a typical Greek evening and get smashing those plates. If you can’t decide what to eat, or are unsure, then take the ‘all you can Greek’ menu. It’s an all you can eat option, providing you with the opportunity to taste everything from the Greek kitchen.[/callout]

Sleep

[callout]The aptly named trendy boutique hotel, Brasserie-Hotel Antje van de Statie, (Stationsplein 1, 6001 CH), situated right beside the station is a great location for anyone arriving by public transport. The hotel has been renovated and used to be the entrance to the city. Rooms are comfortable and with an onsite restaurant serving high quality cuisine at affordable prices. You can also try the weertervlaai here.[/callout]

[callout]Also centrally located The Golden Tulip (Driesveldlaan 99, 6001 KC) offers comfortable accommodation, on site restaurant, roof terrace and bar, within a three minute walk from the station with free wifi access.[/callout]

[callout]Zusters Birgittnessen Guesthouse (Maasstraat 17, 6001 EB) offers accommodation in a former convent. All rooms have private bathrooms. A TV room and cloister gardens offer some respite and tranquility away from the busy town. Dinner is available in the evenings, but reservations are required. Ingredients are grown in the cloister gardens so you can expect fresh seasonal produce.[/callout]

[callout]Looking for something more budget-friendly? Then B&B Halte (Maasstraat 46, 6001 ED Weert) is also centrally located. There are two spacious rooms, with shared bathroom, lounge and kitchen. It is possible to hire the entire apartment for a large family.[/callout]

[callout]Hostelerie Munten (Wilhelminasingel 276, 6001 GV) offers accommodation in a former monastery. Now a stylish hotel with onsite restaurant and cafe and if weather permits you can eat outside in the garden. Single or double rooms, suites with a terrace or even a cosy honeymoon suite.[/callout]

Travel Tips and Local Blogs

For further information on things to do and see contact the VVV/Tourist Office (Stationsplein 2, 6001 CH) which has a wealth of information about the city and surrounding area.

Trip Advisor is a useful travel resource and includes reviews on attractions, accommodation and restaurants. The reviews are written by independant travellers so provides some first hand on location information.

Last Updated On: November 22nd 2016

  City Travel Guide, Holland, the Netherlands, Weert, What to Do, Where to Eat, Where to Stay