An extensive collection of murals, including wall paintings and graffiti, is concentrated in Heerlen’s city centre. You can discover the city from several perspectives: through art on its walls, museums exploring its mining history and Roman traces beneath the modern city. Trails through heathland and woodland are also among the experiences you can enjoy in and around Heerlen.

Murals, Art and Architecture

Among the best-known murals is “De Vreemdeling” by the artist duo Os Gemeos at Schelmenhofje. “De Koolpiet” refers to Heerlen’s mining past and won the Dutch Streetart Award in 2016. A 4 km street art route passes the city’s most important murals as well as smaller, hidden works. Along the route, you’ll encounter a variety of murals, from well-known images to less conspicuous discoveries.

SCHUNCK adds modern and contemporary art and architecture to the mix. The museum offers an extensive programme of exhibitions, lectures, debates and special projects—in and from the monumental Glaspaleis. Street murals and the museum programme offer two different ways to experience art and architecture in Heerlen.

Mining and Roman Traces

The Nederlands Mijnmuseum brings Heerlen’s mining history to life with stories from both underground and above ground. Visitors can explore aspects of the mining past across four floors. The former shaft and winding building of Oranje-Nassaumijn I is also a museum site. Landsfort Herle makes cultural and historical heritage above and below ground visible and accessible.

The Romeins Kwartier reveals another layer of history: beneath the modern city lies Coriovallum, an important Roman settlement that you can discover there. The Romeins Museum is scheduled to open in 2028 around the archaeological remains of the bathhouse of Coriovallum. It is closed until 2028 due to construction work, with reopening planned for that year.

A route developed in collaboration with Visit Zuid-Limburg also takes visitors on a journey of discovery through medieval Heerlen. The Schelmentoren is open only on special days. Check the dates before your visit, as opening arrangements may change. To guarantee your visit, purchasing tickets online in advance is recommended. Kasteel Hoensbroek is one of the largest water castles in the Netherlands.

Trails Through Nature and History

Brunssummerheide near Heerlen includes heathland and woodland with marked walking trails. Its diverse wildlife includes nightjars, moor frogs, bog hawker dragonflies, five species of woodpecker and various bats. Two marked walking routes are approximately 4.9 km and 4.7 km long. Their lengths are similar, so the comparison here is not between routes of very different lengths.

A special route is “Het Mijnverleden op straat”: this 2.0 km accessible route was designed specifically for wheelchair users, blind people and people with visual impairments. The Terworm walking route takes you through a different landscape. It winds through the nature of South Limburg and past the history of the estate and its castle. Along the route, you’ll pass avenues lined with lime trees and orchards with old Limburg apple varieties.

Getting Around Heerlen

Heerlen lies on the hilly countryside, between two stream valleys. From Heerlen Centraal station, you can walk directly to the city centre via Maankwartier; OV-Fiets rental bikes are available at the station. This gives you a convenient starting point for combining the city’s art and history with a visit to the landscapes around Heerlen.

Discover More Destinations

Heerlen, Hoensbroek, Nuth, Landgraaf, Valkenburg Aan De Geul, Maasgouw, Roerdalen, Simpelveld

For the full travel overview: Limburg.