Roermond, Netherlands day trip: Best things to see and do

Roermond is a city in the province of Limburg in the Southeastern part of the Netherlands, just north of Maastricht and close to the German border.

Roermond has something for everyone. It boasts some quite diverse activities such as a designer shopping outlet, boating and water sports, museums and historical architecture.

I visited Roermond on a sunny day and spent the day solo exploring the historic centre and the designer shopping outlet before taking a boat cruise.

Just a five-minute walk from the city centre, the designer outlet features more than 200 designer shops and 25 restaurants. So, if shopping is your thing, you’ll certainly want to head here! I only took a short stroll around for curiosity’s sake myself, as shopping isn’t necessarily my thing if I’m honest. I was more interested in experiencing the city centre, and also, I had booked a boat tour I needed to head back for. But I could see how people who like shopping could easily spend a day there!

I wasn’t aware of the spas until after my visit. If I’d known, I think I would have stayed a bit longer and perhaps made another day of it! There are about 3+ spas and wellness centres in Roermond, all with some pretty decent reviews. Something that is needed after some busy city sightseeing and shopping! Find the different spas and hotel spas here.

I highly recommend taking a boat tour, especially on a sunny day. You get some really great views of the city from across the water. Everyone was super friendly and happy. People were just relaxing and enjoying the water in the sunshine. The atmosphere and experience was just lovely.

The start and finish point of the boat tour is located by the bridge steps at Roerkade. The boat tours are available from March to November. Tickets are about 12.50 euros, which is paid when boarding the boat in cash.

Tip! If you want a spot on the top deck to get some of the better views, then be sure to be early in the queue, as specific seats can’t be reserved.

I found myself right at the back of the queue as I was strolling around the Markt and centre beforehand. In one way, I was glad, as it was on a really hot day, but on the other hand, I felt like I wasn’t quite getting the best of some of the scenery and views.

You can also hire a boat or jet ski for the day or half-day. Scarily, you don’t need a licence to operate them. But thankfully, I didn’t witness any accidents or near misses. Actually, the water was quite calm and relaxed. Everyone was happy and having fun. It was all nice and chilled.

The Historiehuis museum has a diverse collection of historical and cultural artefacts that represent the city of Roermond from medieval times to the present day.

The Stedelijk museum hosts a variety of history, art and regional heritage. Founded in 1910, it showcases the past and present of the city with different exhibitions.

This museum showcases the life and works of Pierre Cuypers, a renowned architect and designer. The museum highlights aspects of his works, which include the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Worth seeing if you are interested in architectural design and art. Entry is around 6 euros if you don’t have a museumkaart.

This 13th-century church is dedicated to Our Lady. The spectacular 55 metre high towers are examples of Romanesque architecture. In fact, it is the only surviving Romanesque church in the Netherlands. So it is certainly something to see and experience if you like that type of architecture.

The large bronze statue of the Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers stands proud in the city. It is situated in front of the Munsterkerk. The statue is a tribute to his significant contribution to 19th-century architecture, including the construction of the Rijksmuseum and the Central Station in Amsterdam.

Located in the Markt Square and only a 15-minute walk from Roermond train station is the 18th-century building with a glockenspiel clock tower. The glockenspiel activates every hour on the hour with moving figures, such as the pope, Jesus and Satan. It is really interesting to see and watch. And with various restaurants and cafes opposite, the Markt Square makes for the perfect spot to watch and experience this event, or just to watch the world go by for a short while.

Constructed in 1771, the bridge is a national monument. Its purpose is to serve as a vital connection across the river. The Roermond municipal archive calls it the Stenen Brug, but it is also known as the Maria Theresia brug. The bridge is known by both names because the construction of the bridge was funded by the Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. The bridge provides some beautiful views with its four arches that honestly look spectacular in the sunlight and with the surrounding Dutch buildings in the background. A great stopping point for some Insta snaps! And, it also makes for a nice stroll along the river.  

This beautiful 15th-century cathedral is certainly worth seeing. It boasts a 78 metre spire with a golden statue of Saint Christopher on the top. The tower and roof were destroyed during WWII, but were restored post-war. It even survived an earthquake in 1992! The cathedral is located in the middle of the town and is open in the afternoons daily from 2 pm to 5 pm. The architecture and stained glass windows inside are a must-see.

Roermond has its own doggy beach where you can go for a swim with your dog. Open from May to September, the doggy beach is located at the Noorderplas in the Weerd between Beachclub Koers Zuid and the Camper Area. It costs 10 euros for a dog and up to a family of four, with an additional charge of 3 euros per additional dog. Your dog can even have a pamper afterwards at the dog wash! Not sure what the treatments or costs are for this, though.

I made a solo day trip here to explore and experience the history and architecture of the city centre. I also took a boat tour and visited the Cuyperhuis. It was a lovely day, and I got to experience the things I had planned to. I could also see, when the weather is as fantastic as it was, how you could stay for hours, or days even, just relaxing on the waters at Maasplassen. It was an interesting city to experience with lots of different things to see and do and with friendly, helpful locals. 

If you’re planning to explore another Dutch city you may also enjoy a trip to Thorn, or The Hague.