Roermond

Roermond receives a large number of visitors every year, and is a rather well known destination for Dutch, German and to a lesser degree Belgian tourists. Apart from the water sports facilities and historic centre, this is also due to successful efforts to turn Roermond into a prime shopping centre for the larger region. The large Designer Outlet Centre, opened by McArthurGlen in 2001, alone draws in some 3.75 million visitors per year. The city centre has also been praised for its ample shopping facilities, and as shops are open on Sunday, Roermond draws in plenty of daytrip visitors from all directions, including many Germans.

• Tourist Information Office (VVV), Markt 17 (on the market square), ☏ +31 475-335847. The VVV office provides information, can assist in booking of hotels or activities and sells or distributes a collections of maps and informative publications. This is also the place to book boat trips or guided tours. 

Much of the old town is car-free. Here, it's easy to navigate on foot. There are a few parking garages, but alternatively, plenty of parking is available at the Designer Outlet Centre. From here, special buses run to and from the city centre, as well as to other shopping centres in and around Roermond.

The city's rich history and religious prominence is well visible through the many monumental buildings in the city centre. There's a wide selection of churches, chapels and abbeys, but also the historic city hall and a large number of monumental houses. Just strolling through the old town will allow you to see some of the best examples, but if you're really interested, a guided tour (to be booked ahead via the tourist office) is a good way to see the best of Roermond history. Some of the major sights include:

• St Christoffelkathedraal, On the central market square. Dedicated to St. Cristopher, this Gothic cathedral was built in the early 15th century and became a cathedral in 1661. It is a major feature in the city skyscape and a national monument. Significant changes were made when the structure was rebuilt after substantial damages in World War II. 
• Musterkerk, Munsterplein. This Late Romanesque Our Lady church originates in the beginning of the 13th century and is one of the most prominent examples of this kind of church architecture in the country. It was built as part of an abbey for Cistercian nuns, but is now the only remainder of that structure. In the mid-19th century, extensive restorations were carried out by famous local architect Pierre Cuypers. He demolished the baroque clock tower and replaced the 8-sided towers by square ones. His changes were controversial, but although the neo-gothic interior he placed was removed later, the outside changes remained. When the church sustained great damage after a 1992 earthquake, it was restored according to the Cuypers (exterior) design. The decorated kiosk outside the church was built in 1888, belongs to the church and is listed as a monument too. So is the 1752 stone water pump you'll notice on the square, but this used to stand in the Steegstraat and is unrelated to the Munster church. 
• Stadhuis, Markt 31. The city hall is one of the most prominent buildings on the market square. It got its current facade around 1700 and was restored and changed by famous architect Carl Weber in 1876. The little tower has a carillon and every day at noon a group of images turns around it. 

• Water sports. The Maasplassen were formed through the extraction of gravel, and it is now the largest recreational water sports area in the country. All kinds of activities take place here, including sailing, windsurfing, diving, water skiing and swimming. There are several beaches, popular in summer, with restaurants and other facilities. Dagstrand De Weerd is the closest one to Roermond, at the outskirts of the city. At a few designated places it's allowed to fish without a fishing permit. 

• Designer Outlet Centre, Stadsweide 2. Open every day (including Sundays) 10:00-20:00. Closed only on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Roermond has turned shopping into a tourist activity. Follow the crowds and shop till you drop at the extensive Outlet Centre. With some 120 shops selling brand products at discount prices, this shopping centre is highly popular among Dutch and German visitors. In fact, in terms of visitors, it stands as the second most popular attraction in the Netherlands. It's about a 15-minute walk from Roermond train station. There are shuttle buses to the city centre, but also to major German cities of Cologne and Düsseldorf. 

Plenty of restaurants are scattered throughout town, at the outlet centre and around the Maasplassen. In the city centre, the squares around the two main churches, the Munsterplein and Grote Markt, are both lined with restaurants and (in summer) outdoor terraces. The Munsterplein is especially attractive for an outdoor lunch. Or head to the Schuitenberg, Bakkerstraat, Zwartbroekstraat and Sint Christoffelstraat, which are also heavy on dining options and a good place to start looking.

• De Gelegenheid, Brugstraat 6, ☏ +31 475 338 823. Small place with good food. Personal service is friendly. From €27.50. 
• Aruna Cuisine, Kraanpoort 1, ☏ +31 475 472500. Good quality food, friendly service. There's a pleasant outdoor terrace too. Menus from €32.50. 
• De Roerganger, Roersingel 4, ☏ +31 475 420 662. Tasty, good looking dishes. The cuisine is French and international and the staff is friendly and attentive. If you're not picky, try the surprise menu. Menus from €34. 
• Het Gerecht, Heilige Geeststraat 27, ☏ +31 475 315 389. Simple but tasty dishes. For a set price of €19.95 you can pick 3 courses from the menu. There's parking available. Menus from €19.95. 
• 🌍 Jill Murphy's (Jill's), Stationsplein 16 (Directly across from the railway station), ☏ +31 475520655. 12:00 - 21:00. Friendly and popular pub type restaurant featuring generous servings of only homemade meal choices for a fair price. Lunch 12:00-17:00 and dinner 17:00-21:00. Main dishes around €15. (updated Jan 2016)
• 🌍 De Boei, Asseltsestraat 63, 6073 BS Asselt, ☏ +31 475 504 219. (updated May 2019)

There are ample options to stay in the city but also in the surrounding area, varying from camping spots to luxurious castle rooms. Especially in high season, book in advance, as the most popular places do get full.

• Hotel Dux, Roerkade 11. Around the corner from the Market Square and along the river, this hotel is one of the more expensive but also one of the most luxurious ones in town, getting raving reviews from many guests. It has 27 modern, spacious rooms, a terrace with a view and very helpful staff. Starting from €130 for a double. 
• Hotel & Grand Café De Pauw, Roerkade 2. Clean and friendly, this place offers good value for money in the town centre. It's often booked full in high season. From €85 for a double. 
• Het Arresthuis, Pollartstraat 7, ☏ +31 475 870 870. Top end design hotel of the Van der Valk chain, in a historic detention house. It's a plush place with about 40 large, well-equipped rooms. The bathrooms have an open connection to the rest of the room, making it somewhat less suited for non-couples to share. There's a sauna, gym, fine dining restaurant and room service. It's close to the Munster church and other old town sights. From €138.50 for a double, breakfast included. 
• Resort Marina Oolderhuuske, Oolderhuuske 1. This resort in the Maasplassen offers camping spots and holiday houses. Many people have a seasonal spot here, but short stays are possible too. Holiday houses are privately owned and prices for those start around €450 for a week in summer. Around €30 per night for a camping spot. 

Roermond is notorius for having a high crime rate by Dutch (and even European) standards. You won't get shot, but muggings, burglaries, and assaults are significantly more frequent there than in other parts of the Netherlands. Be very careful when wandering outside the city centre.

The international telephone country code for the Netherlands is 31, the area code for Roermond is 0475. If dialling from abroad, use +31 but then leave out the 0 in the area code.

Free WiFi hotspot can be found in the railway station which is close to the city centre.

Düsseldorf in the German Ruhr area is close as well as the hills of South Limburg.