Location: Maastricht
Top Things to do in Maastricht
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What to do and see in Maastricht, The Netherlands: The Best Places and Tips
Touching Belgium on its west and just a few miles from Germany to the east, Maastricht is the capital of Holland’s southernmost region, Limburg. A town rich in history and culture, Maastricht boasts two wonderful town squares: Vrijthof, with Sint-Servaas Church, Sint-Jan's Cathedral and many bars, cafes and restaurants; and Markt, home to the town hall and, on Wednesday and Friday mornings, a fantastic vendor market. The city’s Vestigingswerken, or old town fortifications, are another big draw.
Restaurants in Maastricht
1. Maastricht Underground
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By SandieFossen - Den Bosch, The Netherlands
We bought the combination visit pass for the St Pieter Fort and the underground caves. The guide was very funny and knowledgeable. It was a different experience walking through the dark tunnels and learning about the history of Maastricht. Highly recommended for couples and family outings.
2. Boekhandel Dominicanen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Katrien S - Ghent, Belgium
There are still frescoes on the ceiling of the church, and in the choir there is a popular cafe. Inside, there is a steel construction allowing for more floorspace. The whole concept is very well executed, and well worth a visit. It is not the largest bookshop, and the selection is somewhat limited, at least for books. They do sell a lot of knick knacks and small "hebbedingetjes".
3. Fort Sint Pieter
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 297 reviews
Reviewed By HalfMaryPat - Houston, TX
I visited in August 2017 on a lovely, warm day and experienced some great views of the city and surrounding area.
Although you can tour Fort St. Pieter and the Caves separately, I highly recommend you tour both if you love history. Both tours explain the role of Maastricht in Europe from the time of the Roman Empire and through the 20th century. Both tours are interesting and informative, and the tour guides are extremely knowledgeable.
The tour of Fort St. Pieter, which includes the history of the city of Maastricht, is a great way to spend a day. The Fort is surrounded by a park, suitable for a nice walk and maybe a picnic lunch before or after your tour, with great views of Maastricht.
Tour guides take you through the fort and explain why the fort was built where it is, how it was built, and how it was used… and how d’Artagnan of Three Musketeers fame is part of Maastricht’s long and rich history.
The tour in English lasts a little over an hour and requires uphill walking and climbing of steps in narrow passages.
4. Basilica of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwebasiliek)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 630 reviews
Reviewed By Hendrik_NL - Rotterdam, The Netherlands
The Basilica of Our Lady is a very important 11th century church, with many treasures, but I found the church dark and depressing; even on some points a 50c piece could be put in a machine to put some light on for a short while. The gloom caused that the stained glass windows were very prominent. But yes, compared to other churches I have visited, and in particular Jesuit churches in Germany, which are very light and uplifting, this Basilica was very depressing and I was glad to end my visit rather earlier than later.
5. Vrijthof
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By MaryMaryK412
A lovely square with typical Dutch architecture. There are two churches (catholic and protestant) standing next to each other. The medieval church of Sint Janskerk with the impressive red tower is a definite city landmark. The square is very easy to find, as there are signs all over the city center.
Loved the rainbow zebra crossing, that had been situated there since the Gay Pride Parade in 2015.
6. Basilica of St. Servatius
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 596 reviews
Reviewed By dreikes - Nederland
beautifulold church in the center of Maastricht at the Vrijthof.
The entrance is at the Keizer Karelplein, a nice little square with the statue of St. Servatius.
The church is artfully restored. The crypt of St. Servatius is in the basement. Also a small museum about St. Servatius with the golden coffin.
7. De Bisschopsmolen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 408 reviews
Reviewed By Moonbeam666 - Huizen, The Netherlands
Quite unique in the middle of the city. Beautiful. One of the bakers outside smoking. We peered in at the bakery where people were busy. Asking him questions, he was kind enough to give a lengthy explanation to a Belgian family with a little girl. Asking him for the speciality, he brought out cookies, broken for us to taste. They were made fromthe left over cake dough sprinkler with sugar - super! He pointed out to the little tea house and shop. We bought cookies and 'spelt' flour for our neighbour who baked his own bread. A unique visit we both enjoyed.
8. Helpoort
Overall Ratings
4 based on 273 reviews
Reviewed By AllanJGJ - Wellington, New Zealand
This old city gate is both impressive and well-maintained. You can climb two floors and see a small exhibition plus a movie - however everything's in Dutch. Disappointingly for the tower climbers amongst us you can't climb to the top. More generally the gate is in a lovely area and a good starting point for walking along the old walls (which you can get up onto further along) down towards the university. A very pleasant stroll.
9. Saint Servaasbridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 482 reviews
Reviewed By Bobby B - Fremantle, Australia
Location: If you arrive in Maastricht by train and walk directly away from the front of the main station along Stationsstraat and Wycker Brugstraat after about 600 meters you should arrive at Sint Servaasbrug.
This is a pedestrian bridge with access for cycles. The footpath is quite wide which is useful as the edge by the parapet is often occupied by people taking pictures or just taking in the view and the cyclists can come through their lane in the middle quite fast!
Near the middle of the bridge are steps going down to another level to access a walkway from Sint Servaasbrug to Wilhelminabrug 300 meters down the river. It is possible to walk the 300m to Wilhelminabrug past the boat moorings on the walkway - or continue over Sint Servaasbrug to the old city.
At the railway station end of the bridge is a metallic part of the bridge which can be raised to allow the passage of larger boats beneath. The rest of the bridge is of stone arch construction.
At the old city end of the bridge on the left-hand side coming away from the railway station is a small building which serves as a souvenir shop.
10. Market Square
Overall Ratings
4 based on 714 reviews
Reviewed By Hendrik_NL - Rotterdam, The Netherlands
The Market Square, with the City Hall in the center, is one of the entertaining squares in Maastricht. It is lined with a selection of bars, cafes and restaurants with extensive outside Seating areas. I expect that with clement weather these areas are full of visitors, enjoying food, dring and Maastricht street life, but in December, only some hardened smokers could be spotted. On Wednesday and Friday a large street market is held on Market Square.
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