Brace yourself! The temperature in the cave is 12 °C, so a jumper or cardigan is recommended.
Brrr! It’s 12 °C in the cave
The corridors of the Municipal Cave hold hidden stories from a time when people sought shelter here. In the final weeks before Valkenburg was liberated, around 3,000 people took refuge in the cave system. Families spent days on end in the darkness of the cave. In various chambers, inscriptions and markings left by the inhabitants at that time can still be seen today.
Years later, the Municipal Cave played a role once again when the threat of a nuclear war increased during the Cold War. A huge bomb shelter was built in the cave’s corridors, costing the public around 6.5 million guilders. This shelter was designed to provide protection for approximately 15,000 people. A plan was devised to organise life there. A schedule was introduced of eight hours’ sleep, eight hours’ rest and eight hours’ exercise. This allowed everyone to make use of the available space, sleeping quarters and facilities. Fortunately, the shelter was never actually used. But… everything is still there, serving as a reminder of a time when people were preparing for the worst.
Discover the stories of those who have visited before you and find out why they consider the Valkenburg Municipal Cave the perfect day trip. From its impressive history to its mysterious passages, our visitors share their unique experiences that make the tour an unforgettable experience. Find out why you too should discover this special place.
4.3 based on 7,5k reviews
We went on a wonderful walking tour here with an experienced guide. They took their time to show us everything. Our questions were answered thoroughly and it was a really enjoyable tour.
It was a lovely experience, but what really stood out were the explanations provided by our guide and the train driver. It’s definitely something worth doing if you’re in Valkenburg.
We went on the train tour today. It was a lovely experience and our 8-year-old son absolutely loved it. The guide/conductor/driver was very friendly. He gave a clear and interesting explanation, and we got a good sense of just how big this cave is.
Informative in every aspect, covering history, traditional crafts and the war. All these topics are covered, and above all, it’s an enjoyable walk underground.
Highly recommended if you’re in Valkenburg. We did the walking tour, which was great fun. The guide was really enthusiastic and cracked a few jokes along the way. We took part with our two children, and they had no trouble keeping up.
Quite a surprise. A hidden world underground. The guide on our little train had to combine his driving skills with a good narrative about the history, the drawings and the sculptures. Even our teenagers thought it was cool (and chilly, so bring a jumper or jacket).
A fascinating tour exploring the lives of the stone breakers in Valkenburg. Along the way, there are interesting artworks and depictions of what animals and nature might have looked like in the past.
Ger the guide is brilliant. We went with a group of eight, including four children, and it was really interesting and told in a really entertaining way.
Take a look at our FAQs. Can’t find the answer to your question? Please feel free to contact us.
No, the cave can only be visited with a guide.
We currently offer a range of special guided tours, such as ‘Taking Shelter in the Municipal Cave’ and ‘Cycling History in the Municipal Cave’. These can be booked on request for groups of 10 people or more. Keep an eye on our website for events and special offers.
To ensure you get a place on your preferred date and time, we recommend booking in advance. On the day itself, tickets are usually still available at our box office.
Find out everything you need to know to plan an adventurous trip to the Municipal Cave. That way, you won’t be caught off guard… we’ll save the surprises for inside the cave itself.
Every day on the hour from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Every day at 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm
Give the gift of an adventure with our voucher.
All our guided tours are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.
The temperature in the cave is 12°C, so do bring a jacket or jumper… even in summer.
043 601 2271
