Discover Dilsen: Maas landscapes, history and wine

The Oude Maas, a protected village centre bearing traces of several centuries, and a riverside winery give Dilsen several distinct ways to explore the area. So your holiday planning can encompass more than routes through the landscape: the town combines a striking bend in the Maas with historic ensembles and a wine visit that brings together a walk, an introduction to winemaking and a tasting.

Maas Landscapes and Routes

The Oude Maas in Dilsen is one of the most striking bends in the Maas in RivierPark Maasvallei. The historic village centre is also located on an old branch of the Maas. In the Stokkem walking area, there is an additional starting point at car park 9, “Oude Maas”, on Vissersstraat, 3650 Oud-Dilsen (Dilsen-Stokkem). One suggested itinerary for a long hike follows the Oude Maas branch in Dilsen. These details offer different points of reference for planning: a named starting point and a longer hike with a described route.

You can also choose a specific reference point for cycling: in Dilsen, you can access the cycle network at junction 49. This gives you different ways to explore the area, from walking along the Maas branch to finding your way via the cycling network.

Village Centre and Architectural History

Dilsen’s protected old village centre includes the site of the former Sint-Martinus Church, with a surviving 16th-century tower; the former cemetery and its cemetery wall; an 18th-century chaplaincy; and a converted presbytery. In 1960, the former cemetery of the original church was transformed into Mariapark. The present-day Sint-Martinus Church is a separate building: it was built in the Neo-Gothic style between 1908 and 1912. A historic ensemble of church, castle and mill has been preserved in its entirety.

Kasteel Ter Motten dates back to 1725. Part of the castle is used as the administrative centre of the city of Dilsen-Stokkem; the castle is open to the public. Check the practical access arrangements before your visit. The different buildings tell distinct chapters of the story, from the village centre with its medieval character to the castle, whose history can be traced back to the 18th century.

The history of mills and brewing is also part of the townscape. Windmolen De Wachter was built in 1871 and has been protected as a monument since 19 December 2014. What remains is a mill tower belonging to a grain mill of the stone-capped smock mill type, a belt mill. The former Stoombierbrouwerij Sint-Jozef developed from the old Paenhuys, which was already mentioned in Oud-Dilsen at the beginning of the 17th century. Brewing was carried out by hand there until the end of the 19th or beginning of the 20th century; Arthur Borgerhoff then converted the brewery into Stoombierbrouwerij Sint-Jozef.

Wine Visit by the Oude Maas

Wijndomein Thilesna is located in Dilsen, in the Maasvallei on the banks of the Oude Maas. The visit begins in the shade of the Oude Toren in Mariapark, then continues on foot to the Oude Maas. The programme includes an introduction to the winemaking process and a tasting of three Thilesna wines. Reservations are required. The wine visit follows a clear itinerary, combining a walk with a look at winemaking and a tasting.

Find the Right Holiday Rental for Your Interests

When looking for a holiday rental in Dilsen, a good place to start is by deciding what kind of stay you want. If you mainly want to go hiking, you can use the named starting point and long hiking itinerary as guides. If architectural history is your main interest, the village centre, church, castle, mill and brewery each offer something different to explore. If you plan to visit Wijndomein Thilesna, remember that a reservation is required. First decide which of these interests will shape your trip, then choose accommodation in a location that suits your plans.

Discover More Destinations

Opglabbeek, Ham, Diepenbeek, Tessenderlo, Halen, Bree, Hasselt, Genk

Back to the main travel overview: Limburg.