December 22, 2022, 4:58 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Not far from Belgium and close to Germany: Roermond scores twice with cross-border commuters. No wonder a huge designer outlet has set up shop here. But that’s really not the highlight of this small town in the Dutch province of Limburg.
While the city of Venlo in the Netherlands attracts students thanks to Fontys University, most people associate the neighboring town of Roermond with one thing: the Designer Outlet Center. Every weekend, numerous bargain hunters flock to the city on the Maas just for this reason. However, it is by no means the city’s top attraction.
The flatlands of Limburg around Roermond are ideal for exploring by bike. Perfect conditions for a nature-oriented family vacation away from the usual hustle and bustle. For a camping vacation to explore the region, about a week is ideal, but Roermond also serves as a great starting point for day or weekend trips.
All tips and inspiration from this article are available in the following podcast episode of In 5 Minutes Around the World, narrated by TRAVELBOOK editor Sabine Winkler:
Also interesting: The best travel tips for the Netherlands
Munsterplein is the top attraction in Roermond
In Dutch, the square is called “Munsterplein.” The late Romanesque church that gives the square its name is a sight in itself, but the real highlight is the square in front of it. Here you can relax and simply enjoy. There is a small music pavilion that the – at least in the Netherlands quite well-known – architect Pierre Cuypers designed for his wife in 1880.
Concerts are still held there regularly, and the old trees around the square provide a brief moment where you feel more like you’re in nature than in the city.
Tips if you want to visit the Designer Outlet
The outlet center in Roermond is generally overrated. You can find the occasional designer bargain in the stores, but especially on weekends and on German or Belgian holidays, so many people shop in the area that it’s just not fun to stay there for long. So if you’re planning a visit, it’s best to go sometime during the week.
The only good thing is that the outlet center in Roermond is not far outside the city limits but leads directly to the downtown area. So you can quickly reach the truly interesting places.
Highlights of Swinoujscie
Baden-Baden: Top Attractions and Travel Tips
Staying in Roermond: This area is best
Holland, pardon, the Netherlands, has to contend with many clichés: Everyone immediately thinks of cheese, tulips, and of course, RVs. The Dutch do indeed love camping. In Roermond, you can also get a taste for it.
There are numerous charming campsites at the Maasplassen. There you will not only find the largest contiguous water sports area in the Netherlands. Maasplassen, a chain of lakes directly on the Maas, also means pure nature. You can rent a boat, among other things, and explore the region from the water. With a bike, you can also get to the city center relatively quickly.
Also interesting:Giethoorn – the romantic “Venice of the Netherlands”
Roermond: Dos and Don’ts
Let’s start with the dos: Just let yourself drift in Roermond. The Dutch are a bit more relaxed than the Germans – and letting that rub off on you won’t hurt anyone!
Now for the don’ts: Many Dutch people in the border area speak German perfectly. But as a guest in another country, you could at least try to use some basic Dutch vocabulary – at least when shopping!