Explore Maastricht

Image 1
Image 2

Maastricht, a university city on the southern tip of the Netherlands, is distinguished by its medieval-era architecture and vibrant cultural scene. In its cobbled old town, is the Gothic-style church Sint Janskerk, and the Romanesque Basilica of St. Servatius houses a significant collection of religious art. On the banks of the Maas River, bisecting the city, lies futuristic-looking Bonnefanten art museum. ― Google

🗓️ Best Time to Visit Maastricht

  • April to September:

    • Warm and lively — best for strolling the old town, riverbanks, and enjoying outdoor cafés

    • Summer festivals like Maastricht aan het Vrijthof (André Rieu concerts)

  • October to March:

    • Cooler, cozy, and less crowded

    • December: beautifully decorated for Christmas markets

✈️ How to Get to Maastricht

✈️ By Air

  • Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) – limited flights (mostly Ryanair)

  • Brussels (BRU), Eindhoven (EIN), or Düsseldorf (DUS) – larger airports ~1.5–2 hours by train or car

🚆 By Train

  • Direct trains from Amsterdam (2.5 hrs), Eindhoven (1 hr), Liège (30 min)

  • Maastricht Station is a 10-minute walk from the city center

🚗 By Car

  • Easily accessible from Germany and Belgium via A2 and A79

  • Plenty of parking garages around the city center

📍 Top Attractions in Maastricht

⛪ Basilica of Saint Servatius

  • Romanesque church with relics of St. Servatius and a beautiful treasury

  • Located next to the Gothic Sint-Janskerk with its red tower

🏰 Helpoort (Hell’s Gate)

  • Oldest city gate in the Netherlands (13th century), part of Maastricht’s medieval walls

🕳️ St. Pietersberg Caves

  • Underground limestone tunnels — take a guided tour through history, art, and even WWII shelters

🏛️ Bonnefanten Museum

  • Leading art museum with Old Masters and contemporary art in a striking building on the river

📚 Boekhandel Dominicanen

  • A stunning bookstore located inside a 13th-century Gothic church — one of the world’s most beautiful bookshops

🌉 Sint Servaasbrug (St. Servatius Bridge)

  • Oldest bridge in the Netherlands, perfect for scenic walks over the Maas River

🎯 Activities To Do

  • Take a guided cave tour under St. Pietersberg

  • Stroll the Wyck district – full of boutiques, cafés, and design shops

  • Sample Limburgse vlaai (fruit tart) at a local bakery

  • Enjoy wine tasting in the Dutch vineyards just outside town

  • Rent a bike or hike around Mount Saint Peter (Sint-Pietersberg)

🏨 Accommodation

Luxury

  • Kruisherenhotel Maastricht – 15th-century monastery turned ultra-stylish design hotel

  • Derlon Hotel – historic charm on Onze Lieve Vrouweplein

Mid-Range

  • The Dutch – trendy, bold hotel in the Wyck district

  • Hotel Monastère – boutique hotel with French elegance

Budget

  • Stayokay Maastricht Hostel – riverside and family-friendly

  • Kaboom Hotel – quirky and affordable right by the train station

🍽️ Food & Restaurant Recommendations

Local Specialties

  • Limburgse vlaai (fruit tart)

  • Zoervleis (sweet-sour beef stew)

  • Asparagus (in season, springtime delicacy)

  • Maastricht has a strong Burgundian food culture — hearty and refined

Recommended Restaurants

  • Toine Hermsen Cuisinier – elegant and locally inspired

  • Harry’s – trendy brasserie with seasonal ingredients

  • Café Sjiek – a local institution for traditional Limburg dishes

  • Au Coin des Bons Enfants – cozy and classy French-style dining

  • Bisschopsmolen – historic working mill and bakery (great for vlaai and sourdough)

🧿 Local Culture

  • Maastricht blends Dutch efficiency with southern European charm

  • Locals speak Dutch and Limburgish, and often German or French due to the border proximity

  • The city has a Catholic tradition, reflected in its churches, festivals, and cuisine

  • Hosts André Rieu’s summer concerts, TEFAF art fair, and carnival (Vastelaovend) — one of the largest in the country

  • Students from Maastricht University add vibrancy and international flair