How do I visit Valkenburg's cave Christmas markets from Amsterdam in 2026?
Kerststad Valkenburg runs from Friday, November 13, 2026, to Sunday, January 3, 2027, and its two underground markets, in the Fluweelengrot (50 stalls) and the Gemeentegrot, are open from November 13 to December 30, closed on December 25. Both caves charge admission and open Monday to Thursday 11:00 to 19:00, Friday 12:00 to 20:00, and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 to 19:00, with online tickets for the Gemeentegrot. Valkenburg is about 218 km from Amsterdam, 2 h 54 by car on a clear road, so go on a weekday and, on a Wednesday or Saturday, stay for the free Christmas parade.
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With a driver by the hour: prices per vehicle
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class, Valkenburg day from Amsterdam | €65 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · E-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, BMW i5, BMW 5 Series · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Van Class, Valkenburg day from Amsterdam | €80 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · V-Class, EQV · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
| First Class, Valkenburg day from Amsterdam | €100 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · S-Class, EQS, EQS SUV, BMW i7 · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
By the hour: minimum 2 hours, 40 km included per hour, and the day starts and ends in the same city. The driver waits between stops. Prices are per car, not per person, with 9% Dutch VAT included, and the same day and night. During ADE week (pickups October 20 to 26, 2026) fixed ADE-week prices apply, shown before you book; promo codes cannot be used that week. Booked less than 12 hours before pickup: +10%. At an airport or an intercity station the first 60 minutes of waiting are free, elsewhere 15 minutes; after that waiting is charged per minute at the class's hourly rate (Business €65 an hour). Free cancellation up to 1 hour before pickup.
What is included in the price
- A fixed price confirmed at booking, with VAT included: no meter and no surge
- The chauffeur’s name, car and phone number before pickup, plus e-mail reminders 24 hours and 2 hours ahead
- Water and phone chargers (iOS and Android) in the car
- Status updates to the person who booked, if that is not the passenger: confirmed, chauffeur en route, guest in the car, arrived
Times to know
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Cave markets (Nov 13 to Dec 30) | Mon to Thu 11:00 to 19:00 · Fri 12:00 to 20:00 · Sat and Sun 10:00 to 19:00 |
| Christmas parade (free, 20 to 25 minutes) | Wednesdays 19:00, Saturdays 19:30 |
| Mergelrijk nativity diorama | Mon to Fri 11:00 to 16:00; weekends and Christmas holidays 10:00 to 16:30 |
| Winter Wonderland cable car to the Wilhelminatoren | Mon to Fri 11:00 to 17:00; Sat and Sun 10:30 to 18:00 |
| Closed | Both caves on December 25 |
A day from Amsterdam
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 08:30 | Pickup in Amsterdam |
| About 11:30 | Valkenburg, the first cave |
| 13:00 | Lunch, then the second cave |
| 16:30 | The old town at dusk |
| 17:00 | Drive back |
| About 20:00 | Amsterdam |
A day of 11 hours covers the round trip of about 435 km: €715 in Business Class, €880 in Van Class, €1,100 in First Class. Staying for the parade makes a longer day; ask us when you book.
Parking is the hard part
Valkenburg fills up at weekends. Drivers on their own use the park and ride at Houthem-St. Gerlach station, often free, or Schin op Geul, with a few minutes on the train into town. With a driver, you are dropped close to the cave entrances.
Related questions
Are the caves cold?
They stay cool and damp all year; bring a warm layer.
Are the caves suitable for wheelchairs?
Mergelrijk says its diorama is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers; ask the caves about their own floors before you go.
Can we add Maastricht?
Yes. Maastricht is about 11 km away, and its market stays open until midnight.
Sources
- ANWB: Valkenburg (Dutch) (checked October 20, 2026)
- Valkenburg Christmas Town (checked October 20, 2026)
Book it, or ask dispatch first
Book online in a few minutes (no account, no app), or send your flight number and address on WhatsApp and dispatch replies in English, 24 hours a day.