In December 1672 the castle was once again destroyed by Dutch troops led by William III, trying to prevent the armies of Louis XIV of France from capturing it, this time not to be rebuilt.

He also restored the medieval church and designed several tombs and a chapel in Gothic Revival style in a graveyard situated on Cauberg, a steep hill outside the town center.

The present aim of the council of Valkenburg is to move away from mass tourism and emphasize "the natural and historical beauty of the town".

The river Geul flooded its banks on 15 July 2021, causing considerable damage to bridges and buildings in the entire town centre.

[5] These days Valkenburg is known for its tourist attractions, chalk houses (locally called mergel or marl) and the hilly countryside.

Apart from the city of Valkenburg (including the neighbourhood of Broekhem), the municipality of Valkenburg aan de Geul comprises the following villages and hamlets: Berg en Terblijt, Vilt, Geulhem, Houthem, Sibbe, IJzeren, Oud-Valkenburg, Schin op Geul en Walem.