Heerlen

Aambos

The Aambos is an old hilly forest in the center of Heerlen. There is a small zoo, that has deer and other animals. In the park is the caumer stream which if followed upstream will get you to the '"oliemolen"' (oil mill). At the start of the park you can see the cloister huize berge, just look at the bridge crossing the nearby mijnsteenweg.

Auberge de Rousch

Out of the city center, in a former farm house, this luxurious restaurant offers breakfast, brunch, lunch, diner, wine tasting, high-tea and even cooking with the chef. It's a beloved wedding venue as well. It is surrounded by lush green, ponds and a lot of geese, a lovely view from one of the dining rooms with large open windows. Check the website for special events. Making a reservation upfront is highly recommended.

Prices range from €25 to €35

Beautiful Benzerade

See a source of the Geleenbeek stream in Heerlen and also seeing some of the farms in this old village. And also see some splendid black horses for which this village is famous for. You can also sit and enjoy the scenery accompanied by a drink and something to eat from "het koffiehuisje" in benzerade.

Bowling & Partyhoeve De Aar

Play a game of bowling in hoeve de aar. Making reservations is highly recommended as it is usually packed. The bowling ally has disco lights and music. There is also options to dine here. The building is an old farmhouse.

Brunssummerheide

Nature Reserve

The biggest nature reserve in south Limburg. A few entrances to this heathland from Heerlen, only half of this is within the city boundaries, the otherhalf is in Brunssum. There is plenty of walking paths, simply choose a path at the entrance and follow the signpoles, these are very well marked out through the hilly heathlands and forests. The reserve has a streamlet flowing through it called the 'rode beek' (red stream). There are paths for horse riders, some locations are great for mountain biking, and the paved paths are easily doable with a bike.

Café D'r Klinge

Is an old brown café in Heerlen. They serve over a 100 special beers, and it has a nice cozy atmosphere. They serve flavors Brand beer from a local brewery in Wylre.

Mon-Sun 12:00-0:00

Carpe Diem

A tapas and meze "all you can eat" restaurant. They serve mediterranean dishes and also have a selection of cocktails. The staff is very friendly, and it's usually very buzzing vibe.

Meal price €19.50, exclusive of drinks

Dutch Mine Museum

The Dutch Mine Museum is in the former shaft of the Oranje Nassau I mine. Here you can visit to learn all about the Limburgish mining history. There is a large collection of mining tools. It is possible to do a guided tour of around 2-2½ hours which includes 2 movies.

Tue-Fri 10:30–16:00, Sat Sun 10:30–14:00·Adults €4, kids <12 €1

Heerlen Center

This is the historical shopping district within the old city center. A lot of small and big retail stores as bars, cafes and restaurants can be found here.

Karnevalswierts

A very large store dedicated to party costumes and carnival costumes as well as some other festive seasonal occasions.

Mijn Streek

The highest restaurant in Heerlen, it's very popular, has good views over the city, and a great outdoor terrace for warm days. The menu is varied, including sandwiches, salads and full diner options, and offers a good number of vegetarian choices. The name "mijn streek" literally 'mining area' refers to the old mining history of the region.

Tue-Sun 11:00 - 22:30·€8-20

Mr Wok

A small restaurant but very good wok take-away food, especially the sauces. Ideal for a meal or a quick snack. You can make your own selection of ingredients, select a sauce and either rice, fried rice (nasi) or noodles (bami). It will be prepared fresh and quickly. There is also enough space to sit and consume your meal.

€5-20

Neoliet

The indoor climbing wall is a great experience to have. Climbing up indoor to the top of the building and continue climbing on the roof.

Park Meezenbroek

With many ponds you can find a lot of people fishing around there, though note that you need a permit to fish here.

Poppodium Nieuwe Nor

Usually you will have to get tickets upfront therefor check their website for prices and times.

Rhodos

Traditional Greek-style food. This restaurant has been around since 1987, a staple in the city of Heerlen. It is decorated in typical Greek decor, but has an open vibe. There is a good vegetarian dish with some tasty kritharaki (Greek pasta).

Wed-Fri 16:30–23:00·Around €17.50 for a main course

Schelmentoren

This tower from the 12th century had throughout history several functions, living tower for nobels, a court and prison tower. You can visit the inside on a guided tour from the VVV Heerlen.

Schunk

Housed in the "Glaspaleis", a well-known and modernized glass building on the main market, this cultural institution usually has some exhibitions on display, and often free. As a multi-disciplinary cultural institution, it also hosts the city's main library, concerts, a music school and all kinds of workshops.

Smulbar Expresse

For typical fried snacks, this is a good spot to grab some fries and a sausage.

St. Pancratiuskerk

The main church in Heerlen built in the 12th century out of marlstone. This prominent church is still in use. During the opening times on Saturday guides give tours of the church.

Mon-Fri 08:30-12:00, Sat 13:00-16:00, Sun 09:00-13:00

Sushi Vandaag

An all you can eat sushi on the basis of ordering everything via tablet. A large selection of sushi and other Japanese dishes.

Daily 12:00-15:30·EUR 30

Terworm

Take a walk between Heerlen en Voerendaal and see some of the great nature in Heerlen. In this reserve there are also some architectural buildings at the edge. On the northside of the reserve you can find a lot of school and sports fields. In the center of this lush area you can see the water purifying station. There are old restored historic walking paths, high fruit trees, ravine paths, forests. There is a shepherd, beekeeper and falconer on the landmass.

The Oliemolen

Oil mill

A protected national monument, a water mill dating from 1502, original for pressing oil. These days, there's a bakery and a sewing machine shop in the building, and corn is ground by volunteers.

Thu-Fri 10:00–18:00, Sat 10:00–17:00

Thermenmuseum

This museum is built to encase the ruins of a Roman bathhouse which still is an archaeological dig site. You can learn all about how Romans bathed in their time, and about how the city of Heerlen developed. The museum also shows findings of Roman digsites in and around Heerlen. In front of the museum, there's a monument highlighting the old Roman crossroads.

Tue-Fri 10:00–17:00, Sat Sun & holidays 12:00–17:00·Adult €8.75, 4-12 years €7.50, 0-3 years free

Visser Chocolade & IJs

They make chocolate of the highest quality within the store, a great option to get a gift for family and friends. Fresh made ice cream with only fresh ingredients in the summer. Usually there is a terrace setup to sit, though this might be crowded during a sunny day. You can go for a nice walk to the nearby welter pond and see the historic welten district.

Tue-Sat 09:00-21:00, Sun 11:00-21:00

Woonboulevard

This is the main living and lifestyle shopping center. It is the biggest furniture strip of Europe. You can buy anything from lamps to beds.

Zafran

Indian food from the traditional Moghul cuisine. They cook bread, fish, meat and wild in an authentic tandoori oven. The interior is decorated with a hint of classic Indian decor.

Around €22.50

Cultura Nova

This yearly returning international theater festival in August/September lasting for 10 days, brings theater out of the theater halls and into inventive locations in and around Heerlen.

Bagels & Beans

Bongerd 18

Mon-Sat 09:00–17:30, Sun 11:00–17:00

Beerkompanie

A huge selection of different beers to try out.

Daily 10:00–23:00