A unique overnight stay in Kerkrade means waking up in the very southernmost part of the Netherlands, right on the German border. Here, in just one weekend, you can visit the centuries-old Rolduc Abbey, spot animals at GaiaZOO, explore the region’s mining history, and hike through the lush Anstel Valley. And Germany is literally just across the street. On Vipio, you’ll find unique accommodations in and around Kerkrade for a weekend getaway in South Limburg where nature, history, and the border region come together.
Unique Places to Stay in Kerkrade
A Unique Overnight Stay on the Border Between the Netherlands and Germany
Kerkrade isn’t just close to Germany—the Netherlands and Germany are so deeply intertwined here that the border has become part of the city’s history.
Kerkrade borders the German town of Herzogenrath directly. Centuries ago, the two towns together formed the Land van Rode, but they were officially separated in 1816 when the border between the Netherlands and Prussia was established.
That border ran through the Nieuwstraat, among other places. In the twentieth century, there was even a physical barrier separating the two countries here. Today, virtually nothing remains of it, and Kerkrade and Herzogenrath blend into one another almost imperceptibly.
Today, the two towns collaborate under the name Eurode. This makes a stay in Kerkrade an interesting option if, during a short getaway, you want to experience not only South Limburg but also the border region.
A street with the Netherlands on one side and Germany on the other
Nieuwstraat in Kerkrade is called Neustraße on the German side. The national border runs along this street for about two kilometers.
The history of this street beautifully illustrates just how unique the border situation is. Around the time of World War I, there was a wire fence several meters high. Later, it was replaced by a much lower barrier, and eventually the physical border disappeared almost entirely.
Today, you can walk from Kerkrade to Herzogenrath without the landscape suddenly changing.
Even more remarkable is the Eurode Business Center. The Dutch-German border runs right through the building. It’s a tangible example of how closely the two towns are collaborating again today.
For a weekend getaway, this gives Kerkrade a character you’ll find in few other places in the Netherlands.
Staying at an abbey over 900 years old
One of Kerkrade’s most remarkable sites is Rolduc Abbey. The large abbey complex is located near the German border and has a history dating back to the early twelfth century.
Inside, you’ll find, among other things, the abbey church with its crypt and a historical Rococo library. This makes Rolduc much more than just a beautiful building to admire from the outside during a walk.
At the same time, the complex tells the story of Kerkrade’s development. The abbey also played a role in the area’s early coal mining history.
Thus, religious history, architecture, and Kerkrade’s mining past all converge in one place.
Kerkrade was already a mining town before the large mines were established
The mining history of South Limburg is often associated primarily with the twentieth century, but coal was being mined in Kerkrade much earlier.
According to the municipality of Kerkrade, the city was the oldest mining town in the Netherlands. Coal was mined here as early as the Middle Ages. Starting in the seventeenth century, Kloosterrade Abbey—now known as Rolduc—became involved in more professional mining operations.
Later, the mining industry grew to become one of the region’s most important economic pillars.
Anyone wishing to see traces of this history during their stay can visit Schacht Nulland, among other places. The Hopel mining colony also serves as a reminder of the time when daily life in Kerkrade was strongly shaped by mining.
This makes Kerkrade an interesting complement to Heerlen: both cities tell part of the same Limburg mining story, but from a different perspective.
From Black to Surprisingly Green
Anyone who associates Kerkrade solely with mining and the urban Parkstad area is missing out on a large part of the surrounding region. In fact, the city is surrounded by strikingly green areas.
One of the most beautiful examples is the Anstel Valley. Here you can walk among wooded slopes, grasslands, streams, and water.
This area is also home to the Cranenweyer, the only reservoir in the Netherlands. You can take various walks around the water and the surrounding estates.
A beautiful route stretches for about 9 kilometers, passing Hoeve Nieuw-Ehrenstein and Strijthagen Castle, among other sites. This allows you to combine nature, water, and historical heritage in a single walk.
For a unique overnight stay, it might therefore be appealing to look for accommodations on the greener side of Kerkrade.
GaiaZOO makes Kerkrade the perfect destination for a completely different kind of weekend
With GaiaZOO, Kerkrade is home to one of South Limburg’s most famous zoos right within its city limits.
The zoo is organized around different habitats and, in addition to animals, offers plenty of play areas for children. For example, you’ll find the large indoor DinoDome and various outdoor climbing routes.
As a result, a unique place to stay near Kerkrade can also be a great choice for a weekend with kids.
Plus, you don’t have to plan your entire stay around the zoo. For example, combine a visit to GaiaZOO with a day in nature or a tour of one of Kerkrade’s historical sites.
A museum where you get hands-on
Another standout spot in Kerkrade is the Discovery Museum. This isn’t a museum where you just walk past display cases.
Science, technology, and the future take center stage, and visitors can experiment and discover for themselves in various interactive exhibits. In the Science Labs, for example, you can work on projects yourself.
This makes the Discovery Museum especially interesting if you’re visiting South Limburg with children or teens, but adults interested in science and technology will also enjoy it.
The museum is also located near the Kerkrade Centrum train station, making it easy to combine with other activities in the city.
Take a literal step into Germany
Given its location on the border, it would be a shame to stay only on the Dutch side during a visit to Kerkrade.
Herzogenrath is right next to Kerkrade. Further south lies Aachen, so you can also combine a weekend in Kerkrade with a city trip to Germany.
This creates a completely different kind of weekend than if you were to stay exclusively in the South Limburg Heuvelland region. You can go for a walk in Limburg in the morning and have lunch or go shopping in Germany later in the day.
Even when it comes to nature, the border doesn’t stop everything. Around Kerkrade and the neighboring German municipalities, there are landscapes that stretch across both sides of the border.
A unique place to stay here doesn’t have to be right in the city center
When choosing accommodations near Kerkrade, it’s best to focus on what you want to do during your stay.
Do you want to do a lot of hiking? Then a unique cottage near the Anstel Valley or the surrounding greenery might be appealing. If you’re mainly coming for GaiaZOO and other activities in Parkstad, a central location might be more practical.
For a romantic getaway in Limburg, you can look for small-scale accommodations that offer plenty of privacy. Think of a tiny house, a nature cabin, or a cottage with a hot tub, sauna, or jacuzzi.
Of course, the current stays on Vipio determine which accommodations are actually available, but especially around Kerkrade, you don’t automatically have to choose a traditional city hotel.
Kerkrade as a starting point for Parkstad and South Limburg
A few nights in Kerkrade also give you plenty of opportunities to explore further afield.
Heerlen is nearby and is worth visiting for its street art, mining history, and culture. Heading toward Landgraaf, you’ll find other recreational options, and the Brunssummerheide is also easily accessible from this region.
If you want to discover the classic South Limburg landscape, you can head further toward the Heuvelland, Valkenburg, and Maastricht.
This makes Kerkrade an especially good choice for travelers who want to see different sides of South Limburg. You won’t be right in the middle of the most touristy area, but from here you can combine nature, mining history, attractions, and even Germany.
Kerkrade or Heerlen?
Kerkrade and Heerlen are right next to each other and share a mining history, but for a weekend getaway, they don’t offer exactly the same experience.
Heerlen has a more urban character, featuring street art, shops, culture, and the Dutch Mining Museum. In Kerkrade, on the other hand, the border with Germany, Rolduc Abbey, GaiaZOO, and the green landscape around the Anstel Valley are standout features.
You don’t really have to choose, though. The cities are close enough together to explore both during a single stay.
For example, in Heerlen you can learn more about the development of the Mining Region, and in Kerkrade you can see how mining history, centuries-old heritage, and the Dutch-German border come together.
Discover more unique places to stay in South Limburg
See also:
- Holiday Home in Heerlen
- Unique places to stay in Valkenburg
- Unique places to stay in Maastricht
- Unique accommodations in Limburg
- Romantic stays in Limburg
- Accommodations in South Limburg
- Tiny house with wellness facilities
- Holiday home with a jacuzzi in Limburg
- Holiday home with a sauna in the Netherlands
- Unique Accommodations in Germany
Rent out your own unique accommodation in Kerkrade
Do you own a unique holiday home, tiny house, B&B, or other one-of-a-kind accommodation in Kerkrade or the surrounding area? Through Vipio, you can reach travelers who are specifically looking for unique accommodations in South Limburg and the border region. List your accommodation at vipio.com/nl/aanbieden or contact us at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
What makes Kerkrade a special destination for a weekend getaway?
Kerkrade combineert de Nederlands-Duitse grens met mijnhistorie, eeuwenoud erfgoed en natuur. Je kunt Abdij Rolduc bezoeken, wandelen in de Anstelvallei, naar GaiaZOO en tijdens hetzelfde weekend gemakkelijk de grens naar Duitsland oversteken.
Can you walk to Germany from Kerkrade?
Yes. Kerkrade borders the German town of Herzogenrath. At the intersection of Nieuwstraat and Neustraße, the Netherlands and Germany are literally right next to each other. The physical border that used to stand here has disappeared, so these days you can walk from one country to the other almost without noticing.
Where are some nice places to go for a walk in Kerkrade?
The Anstel Valley is one of Kerkrade’s most striking hiking areas. There you’ll find wooded slopes, grasslands, historical estates, and the Cranenweyer. A hiking trail of about 9 kilometers takes you past Hoeve Nieuw-Ehrenstein and Strijthagen Castle, among other sites.
Is a unique overnight stay in Kerkrade fun with kids?
Yes. GaiaZOO is one of the most popular family destinations in Kerkrade and, in addition to animals, offers extensive play areas. Children can also conduct their own experiments and make discoveries at the Discovery Museum. This makes it easy to alternate outdoor activities with a day at the museum during your visit.
What remains of Kerkrade's mining history?
Kerkrade is considered the oldest mining town in the Netherlands, and coal was mined there as early as the Middle Ages. Today, sites such as the Nulland Shaft and the Hopel mining colony serve as reminders of this history. Rolduc Abbey also played a role in the development of coal mining.