Things to Do in Maastricht: Top Attractions & Insider Tips

5 Interesting Facts About Maastricht

1. As a university city, Maastricht is very modern, open, and international
2. Maastricht has around 120,000 residents and is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands
3. The city is the capital of the province of Limburg
4. The Meuse River splits Maastricht in two, much like the Rhine divides Cologne
5. The city center is a protected historic landmark and has a very special charm

Where Is Maastricht Located?

Maastricht is located in the southeastern Netherlands, right between Germany and Belgium. That means the Belgian capital Brussels is not far away — by car, you’re looking at about 80 minutes.

Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam are also easily reachable from Maastricht. However, each trip takes a good two hours, so a day trip is your best bet.

From Maastricht, it’s also just a stone’s throw to Aachen — less than 40 kilometers away.

The 10 Best Things to Do in Maastricht

Maastricht isn’t large. You can easily explore the city on foot and discover all the major highlights in a single day.

Even better, though, is to let the Dutch laid-back attitude rub off on you and take a few days for your city trip.

City Hall and Market Square

The City Hall, or Stadhuis, and the adjoining Market Square are the most important sights in Maastricht.

There’s almost always something going on here — either one of the weekly markets is set up or another event is drawing a crowd.

When visiting the market, it’s especially worth stopping at the fish stand. Treat yourself to some authentic Dutch kibbeling. It’s a culinary must when visiting the Netherlands.

Kibbeling is battered fish, deep-fried in small, crispy pieces. The Dutch simply do it really well.

Dominican Church

A visit to Maastricht absolutely calls for a stop at the Dominican Church. The building hasn’t been used as a church for two centuries and has served many different purposes over the years.

Since 2006, you’ll find the Boekhandel Dominicanen here — that’s right, a bookstore! Don’t worry, you don’t need to know Dutch to find something you like. They offer a large selection in various languages, including secondhand books.

Vrijthof

As its name suggests, this square developed from a former cemetery. Today, however, little remains to remind you of that past.

Lined with trees, the expansive square spreads out in front of the impressive Basilica of Saint Servatius.

The Vrijthof is, by the way, a wonderful spot to take a little break and relax.

Basilica of Our Lady

You’ll reach the Basilica of Our Lady by strolling from the Vrijthof through the alleyways toward the Meuse riverbank. Along the way, there are many small shops and beautiful building facades to discover.

A church has likely stood here since the 5th century. The current building dates back to the 11th century — something you can easily believe when you take in the venerable stonework.

Our tip: Make sure to walk all the way around the basilica and admire this remarkable building from every angle.

Bisschopsmolen

The Bisschopsmolen is an old watermill that’s been back in operation since 2005. Spelt flour is ground here and processed right in the adjacent bakery into all kinds of delicious treats. At the in-house café, you can enjoy them on the spot or take them along as a snack for your stroll through the old quarter.

An absolute must-eat in the province of Limburg is the Limburgse Pruimenvlaai — a pie with a plum filling, decorated with a golden-brown lattice crust. If you visit outside of plum season, you can try it with any other fruit filling as well.

Maastricht City Park

The city park frames the southern part of the city center and is fed by the Jeker River. The Jeker flows into the Meuse and gives its name to the Jekerkwartier, a neighborhood popular with locals.

Here you can take a leisurely stroll and enjoy some time by the water. As you wander through the park, you’ll even pass a small petting zoo and a garden. The garden is maintained by volunteers and open to visit on certain days.

Old City Wall

The old city wall is open to walk along and offers a great panorama over the city and its surroundings.

Here you can walk in the footsteps of history while students dangle their feet off the wall, reading, studying, eating, or chatting.

The Meuse Riverbank and Its Bridges

The Meuse riverbank and its bridges are among the most popular points of interest in Maastricht. The charming building facades and passing boats make for a lovely scene.

A walk is especially worthwhile between the Wilhelmina Bridge and the elegant High Bridge. Along the way, you’ll also pass the Servatius Bridge — the oldest bridge in the Netherlands. Seriously worth a visit!

A boat dock connects the Servatius Bridge with the Wilhelmina Bridge.

Bonnefanten Museum

There are two great reasons to visit the Bonnefanten Museum: first, you’ll find impressive old and contemporary art inside, and second, the dome-shaped building itself is a work of art.

The Bonnefanten Museum displays sculptures and paintings from a wide range of nations and eras. The domed building is somewhat reminiscent of a rocket and is undoubtedly an eye-catcher.

It’s best to buy your tickets online in advance. Visitors under 18 get in free.

Maastricht Underground

The Underground is one of the most popular attractions in Maastricht — a winding cave system of grottos and fortifications, similar to Naples’ underground.

The Grotten Noord are located beneath Sint Pietersberg, a hill just outside the city center. There’s no light and no cell service down here — but that’s not a problem at all. Your guide’s stories about the beautiful drawings on the grotto walls will make you forget the outside world for a little while.

The Grotten Zonneberg served as an air raid shelter during World War II. Thirty meters underground, you can even marvel at a cathedral.

The majestic Fort Sint Pieter was built in the early 18th century as a defensive fortification on the edge of the city. From here, you have a fantastic view over Maastricht and can explore the underground tunnel system.

Guided tours in various languages take place several times a day at all locations. Make sure to book your tickets online in advance.

Get tickets for Maastricht Underground

Our Hotel Recommendations in Maastricht

Restaurants and Cafés in Maastricht

Maastricht has a lot to offer on the food front too. Here are our top picks for cafés and restaurants to enjoy a great meal in this lively student city.

De Brandweerkantine

This is an old fire station that now serves as a café. How cool is that?

De Brandweerkantine is located on a side street not far from the Market Square. The bright, spacious interior is filled with mismatched furniture that gives the café a real character. No surprise that it’s popular with a younger crowd.

On nice days, you can also enjoy your food at small tables out in the sun.

Marres Kitchen

In Maastricht, you can discover many cool courtyard spots. Behind the pretty old facades, you’ll usually find cozy inner courtyards or hidden gardens.

Marres Kitchen is one such magical place. On top of that, the food here is delicious Mediterranean fare. The hummus, baba ghanoush, and octopus are absolutely worth ordering.

Our tip: Marres Kitchen is especially worth a visit on sunny days. In Marres’ garden, you’ll feel like you’re in a little oasis.

Levantini

Levantini is one of our favorite restaurants in Maastricht. This is where you’ll find the best falafel in town — crispy, fluffy, and simply delicious!

The Levantine menu is entirely vegetarian and vegan.

Café de Bóbbel

Café de Bóbbel is a stylish restaurant right in the middle of the shopping lanes. Grab a seat by the large windows and you can watch all the action in the alleyways below. Of course, you can also find a spot at one of the other tables or right at the bar.

The menu is small but really varied, with a Mediterranean touch.

D’n Hiemel

This is a peaceful little spot tucked between old stone walls and the small Jeker stream. Here you can soak up the sun with a cold drink in hand.

In the evenings, the restaurant regularly transforms into a dance floor for dance classes, a stage for stand-up comedy, or a venue for other events. A great spot to make a night of it!

NOON

Want to chill right on the Meuse riverbank with a breathtaking view? That’s exactly what you can do at NOON. It’s a perfect escape from the hustle of the city center.

Just cross the Meuse and the restaurant is right on the waterfront — with a great view of the old town!

CINQ

A late breakfast on the glittering Meuse riverbank is the perfect way to start a day of exploring Maastricht.

CINQ serves delicious egg dishes and sandwiches. We especially love the outdoor seats along the small wall, where you get a great view of the Meuse and the beautiful facades on the opposite bank.

Tapijn Brasserie

The Tapijn Brasserie sits in the lush surroundings on the edge of the city park.

It’s a bit quieter here, making it perfect for a short stop during a walk through the park.

The terrace gets lovely sunshine. But what’s truly remarkable is the interior. The large, open room with its rustic decor is framed by high ceilings and large windows. The Tapijn Brasserie was once a military barracks.

Koestraat

This isn’t a single restaurant, but rather an entire street lined with numerous small restaurants side by side. Which makes it even better!

Here you can work your way through all the delicious offerings. You will, however, need a bit of luck to snag a table — the restaurants on Koestraat are seriously popular.

Events in Maastricht

André Rieu

The famous musician was born in Maastricht and is celebrated in his hometown. Every year in July, he performs numerous open-air concerts on the Vrijthof with a full orchestra.

t’ Preuvenemint

Foodies won’t be left out in Maastricht either. Every year in August, the best chefs of Limburg set up their tents on the Vrijthof and offer their culinary creations. While you eat, you can also enjoy live music performances.

Admission to the festival is free.

Magical Maastricht Vrijthof

The annual Christmas market on the large Vrijthof draws countless visitors every year. Throughout all of December, you can soak up the magical, festive atmosphere.

Shopping in Maastricht

Maastricht is a wonderful place to browse and shop. Between the Market Square, the Vrijthof, and the Basilica of Our Lady, countless small alleyways branch off where you can wander for hours.

The Bredestraat, Stokstraat, and Wolfstraat in particular are worth checking out. On the other side of the Meuse, the Rechtsstraat is waiting to be explored.

In addition, Maastricht also has two shopping centers and a department store:

Mosae Forum

Right next to the Market Square by City Hall, you’ll find the Mosae Forum. Standing inside this shopping center, you get the feeling of being in a small city of its own. The varied store facades complement each other beautifully. You’ll find fashion shops from about 20 well-known brands.

Entre Deux

This shopping center is widely promoted and lives up to its reputation — thanks in part to its architecture and in part to the diverse mix of stores.

De Bijenkorf

This classic department store spans multiple floors and houses numerous brands. You could easily spend a good while browsing here.

Getting to Maastricht

You can comfortably reach Maastricht by car, train, or bus.

If you’re driving, it’s best to budget for parking fees. With a bit of luck, you might even find free parking near the university.

If you don’t want to walk far, the paid Sphinx parking garage is a great option. From there, it’s a comfortable 10-minute walk to City Hall. A day pass costs 14 euros.

Coming by bus or train is more relaxed, with good connections from many European cities.

Buy train tickets to Maastricht

Getting Around Maastricht

Maastricht is super easy to explore on foot. There’s something new to discover around every corner, so it’s perfect for simply wandering the streets. And since we’re in the Netherlands, there’s hardly any elevation to deal with.

If you want to cover longer distances, a rental bike is a great option. You can rent one through, for example, Arriva Deelfiets.

How Does Bike Rental Work in Maastricht?

You can rent a bike through Arriva Deelfiets, for example. There are 24 stations in total across Maastricht. The most central station is located on the Meuse riverbank.

To rent a bike, download the app and create a user account. At each station, you’ll find a QR code to scan for setup. The first 20 minutes cost 1 euro, and each additional minute costs 5 cents. The maximum price for 24 hours is 9 euros.