landmark
Valkenburg Marl Caves
Hill-country Valkenburg hides Roman-era marl tunnels, a ruined castle and the Netherlands' only true hilltop drives.
7 km · about 15 min drive
EuropeNetherlandsLimburg
Gulpen
Limburg, Netherlands · Europe
About Gulpen
Gulpen works well as a base: 10 minutes from Margraten, 22km from Hoge Kempen National Park.
Gulpen is in Limburg, Netherlands, with about 3,600 people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Margraten, about 5 km away.
Gulpen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɣʏlpə(n)]; Limburgish: Gullepe [ˈɣʏləpə]) is a village in the Dutch province of Limburg. It is approximately midway between the Dutch city of Maastricht and the German city of Aachen.
Gulpen was a separate municipality until 1999, when it merged with Wittem. The newly formed municipalityRead more
is called Gulpen-Wittem.
The village itself derives its name from the river Gulp, which runs straight through the centre of the village and characterises the townscape.
There is a Romanesque tower in the old cemetery, which dates from the 11th Century and is the only still existing part of a mediaeval village church. Considering its construction (its walls are up to 2 metres thick) and its location, it probably also served as defence tower, where the local villagers could go in case of danger.
The former rectory, which leans against the tower, dates from 1732. It is now being let as luxurious group accommodation.
The current Neo-Romanesque St.Petrus church dates from 1924 and was designed by Casper Franssen.
A former monastery that was built in 1932 after a design by Alphons Boosten is being used as town hall.
The village is home to the Gulpener Brewery.
Every year in June, a walking tour of 70 kilometres is organised that is called the Nacht van Gulpen (Night of Gulpen). A little over a thousand people participate in this event each year.
Where to Stay in Gulpen
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Explore the Area
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Gulpen?
Within an hour or so of Gulpen: Valkenburg Marl Caves (7 km), Vaalserberg Drielandenpunt (12 km), Aachen Cathedral (Aachener Dom) (14 km), Vrijthof Maastricht (15 km).
Are there any good drives near Gulpen?
The nearest famous roads are Baraque de Fraiture, Mosel Valley Wine Route and Moselle Valley Road (B53).
Where is Gulpen?
Gulpen is in Limburg, Netherlands, about 5 km from Margraten.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 3,560
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Netherlands
- Region
- Limburg
- Timezone
- Europe/Amsterdam
- Coordinates
- 50.8158, 5.8889
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in Netherlands
Watch for cyclists. They generally have priority.
Full driving guide for NetherlandsTags
Worth the detour from Gulpen
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
scenic viewpoint
Vaalserberg Drielandenpunt
The Netherlands' highest mainland point at 322.4 metres, where the Dutch, Belgian and German borders meet near Vaals.
12 km · about 20 min drive
cathedral
Aachen Cathedral (Aachener Dom)
The first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Germany, built by Charlemagne as his palatine chapel in the 9th century.
14 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Vrijthof Maastricht
A grand cafe-ringed square anchored by two medieval churches in the Netherlands' oldest, most Burgundian city.
15 km · about 25 min drive
national park
Hoge Kempen National Park
Belgium's first national park, a heath and pine landscape in Limburg with six gateway entrances and visitor car parks.
22 km · about 25 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Gileppe Dam
A 19th-century dam near Spa crowned by a 13-ton stone lion, with a 78 m panorama tower and forested Ardennes reservoir views a short detour off the Verviers road.
26 km · about 30 min drive
national park
Hautes Fagnes
Belgium's highest, wildest plateau of peat bog and boardwalk trails, often the snowiest corner of the country.
38 km · about 45 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Signal de Botrange
At 694m this is the highest point in Belgium, marked by a stone tower on the Hautes Fagnes plateau.
38 km · about 45 min drive
Driving roads near Gulpen
5 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 150km.
- Right hereVaalserberg DrielandenpuntThe Netherlands' highest mainland point at 322.4 metres, where the Dutch, Belgian and German borders meet near Vaals.
- 26 kmGileppe DamA 19th-century dam near Spa crowned by a 13-ton stone lion, with a 78 m panorama tower and forested Ardennes reservoir views a short detour off the Verviers road.
- 38 kmSignal de BotrangeAt 694m this is the highest point in Belgium, marked by a stone tower on the Hautes Fagnes plateau.
- 64 kmBaraque de FraitureBelgium's second-highest point at 652 m, a windswept Ardennes plateau crossroads on the N89 with a small ski station and sweeping high-fen scenery.
Driving in Netherlands
- Drives on
- the right
- Petrol
- ~€2.04/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
Nearby Destinations
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