24 hours of art and culture in Venlo

Your North Limburg culture day begins at the 'hukske van de merret'. Before you dive into the museum in Venlo, have breakfast at a historic site from the city's illustrious history. De Graanbeurs was bombed during World War II and rebuilt in 1950s historic style. Through the French doors, you can look out onto the stately 1597 City Hall of Venlo on the market square, while you can see the municipal monument Vleesstraat from the main entrance. Enjoy a coffee with croissant or authentic  Limburg rustic bread with kerboet and immerse yourself in the history of one of our country's oldest cities.

De Graanbeurs is an 8-minute walk from Venlo train station.

• Tuesday to Sunday open for breakfast from 09:00 
• Breakfast here costs +/- €9.50 p.p.  

Gasthuisstraat 1, degraanbeursvenlo.nl

You'll find the museum quarter right opposite Venlo station. Your first stop is in the old 1938 post office: MVBVD. A strange name for a museum? Either way, it's brimming with modern contemporary art and design. Besides exhibitions on well-known, national and international artists, the museum also offers a stage to local artists. Architecturally, the museum is interesting as well, with a real eye-catcher on the roof: 'the diving glasses'. From here you have a wonderful view of the old town. Tip: extend your visit to the Venlo museum quarter with a visit to the adjacent Limburgs Museum.

MVBVD is a 2-minute walk from Venlo station and 6 minutes from your breakfast spot.

• Adult admission €12.50, children and Museumkaart free. Combiticket with adjacent Limburgs Museum: € 21 
• Open Tuesday to Sunday 11:00-17:00 

Keulsepoort 1, vanbommelvandam.nl

On to Café Central: a place with some interesting stories for lunch. You'll fall under the spell of this establishment as soon as you arrive. After all, its terracotta and ochre-coloured facade with semi-circular stained-glass windows is bold to say the least next to the centuries-old Renaissance-style city hall. The building has seen many uses, from bank to furniture shop. Today it's a place for relaxation - inside the beautiful interior or outside on the spacious terrace in front of the church - during your cultural day out in Venlo. The versatile menu features sandwiches, burgers and healthy meal salads. 

Café Central is a 9-minute walk from Venlo train station or 7 minutes from the museum quarter.  

• Monday to Wednesday 10:00 - 00:00, Thursday & Friday 10:00 - 02:00 and Saturday from 09:30 - 02:00
• On average, lunch dishes are around €15

Markt 22, cafecentral.nl

Wander the historic streets and narrow alleys and discover the city's highlights. Some façades are richly decorated with murals by Venlo artist Ger Janssen, while poetry adorns 13 walls. A unique city walk has been mapped out around these wall poems, which you can follow via your smartphone. Each poem is read aloud and you'll get fascinating information about the author, the poem and the location. A poetic experience during your day out in Venlo. Your walk ends at Café De Locomotief. Fancy walking a bit further? Follow the art route and take a journey through the city centre past more than 25 public artworks.

The poetry route starts at Venlo station. 

• Read more  about each poem during your walk
• Follow the route online or get a physical map. The map is available at the Venlo Library (Begijnengang 2) and Tourist Information Venlo at Boekhandel Koops (Klaasstraat 17)

Stationsplein 1, venloverwelkomt.nl

After all the walking and fascinating stories during your day out in Venlo, it's time to relax. At Boca, you will enjoy a peaceful ambience in a beautiful building. Immerse yourself in a Mediterranean atmosphere and enjoy Maud and Filipe's pure passion and hospitality. Filipe has a Portuguese background and you can taste it. Every week, they conjure up tasty dishes using fresh products currently available in the market. Will you opt for a starter and main course or go for the five-course menu? Enjoy the delicious wine and food combinations and get ready for an evening of theatre in Venlo.

Boca is a 6-minute walk from Venlo station and 2 minutes from the end point of the poetry route. 

• Open for dinner Wednesday to Sunday from 17:30 
• A two-course menu at Boca is €45

Picardie 6, restaurant-boca.nl

A visit to Venlo's De Maaspoort theatre is experience in itself. The theatre has beautiful architecture and is located right on the River Meuse. At De Maaspoort, you will find 3 theatre halls filled with a wide range of performances. Here, actors, musicians, dancers and cabaret artists perform their skills. Artists ready to give you a surprising evening during your day out in Venlo. The theatre has a regular clientele. The theatre attracts culture afficionados from all over Limburg, as well as from Brabant and even Germany. So check the programme and buy your tickets online well in advance.

Theatre De Maaspoort is a 9-minute walk from Venlo train station and 4 minutes from restaurant Boca.

• View the programme and pre-order tickets online 

Oude Markt 30, maaspoort.nl

Directly next to De Maaspoort is the Theaterhotel. Round off your day out in Venlo and spend the night after the show. This 4-star hotel knows just how to indulge you. The 42 stylish rooms are equipped with all conveniences. You'll find luxury toiletries by DAUW Amsterdam in the spacious bathroom. Before going to sleep, have a drink at Hotelbar de Miste. The name refers to a medieval Venlo street right where the hotel is now located. A great place for a nightcap and for discussing the next day's programme. Our tip: go for a stroll in the nature around Venlo!

The hotel is next to the theatre and a 9-minute walk from Venlo train station.  

• You can book a 2-bed comfort room from € 157 per room 

Maaspoortpassage 1, theaterhotelvenlo.nl

^{Text: Christy Melsbach - Insiders
Image: Maaspoort Theater, Egla Photography, Venlo Partners, Van Bommel Van Dam, Bilderberg Chateau Holtmuhle, Petra Lenssen and Minted Media}