Maastricht, located in the southern part of the Netherlands, is one of the country’s oldest cities. It’s known for its rich history, vibrant cultural scene, and picturesque setting along the Meuse River. Maastricht offers a blend of historical architecture, modern amenities, and a lively student population.

A HISTORIC SOUTHERN TOWN

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Stroll around the historic inner city

Explore Vrijthof Square, the most famous square in Maastricht, surrounded by historic buildings, cafes, and the impressive St. Servatius Basilica and St. John’s Church. You can visit St. Servatius Basilica and its crypt, a Romanesque church dedicated to Saint Servatius, the city’s patron saint. Entry to the treasury is around €5. Also have a look at Helpoort (Hell’s Gate), the oldest surviving city gate in the Netherlands, dating back to the 13th century.

Take pictures at the St. Servaas Bridge

The St. Servaas Bridge, known locally as Sint Servaasbrug, is an iconic structure in Maastricht, the Netherlands. As one of the oldest bridges in the country, it holds significant historical and architectural value. The bridge connects the old city center on the west bank of the Meuse River with the modern neighborhood of Wyck on the east bank. The St. Servaas Bridge dates back to the 13th century, around 1280, and was named after Saint Servatius, the first bishop of Maastricht. It is a great spot for photos on the way into the city.

Explore the city's historic St. Pietersberg Cave system

Maastricht Underground offers underground tours that give you a unique insight into the city's rich history and heritage. Maastricht Underground is composed of the Caves of St Pietersberg hill, Fort Sint Pieter, and the Casemates Maasstricht. The North Caves resemble an underground museum with unique charcoal drawings, inscriptions, and paintings that all have a tale to tell. The tour is an hour and 10 mins through the caves and makes for an interesting historical walk! The tour costs €9,75 per person.

Tour around St. Pieters Fort

Fort St Pieter is perched high above the Meuse river on the south side of the city and is directly connected with St Pietersberg hill via an intricate system of underground tunnels. The fort dates from around 1700 and is still largely intact, with parts recently restored. The tour of the fort takes an hour and also costs €9,75, or you can book a combi tour and see the fort and the caves for €14,50.

Have a look inside the Basilica of Our Lady

The Basilica of Our Lady is a Romanesque church in the historic city center. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption and is a Roman Catholic parish church. It is believed to have been established in the 11th century, built on the site of a former Roman temple dedicated to Jupiter. The crypt dates back to the early Middle Ages, and houses the tombs of several important religious figures and relics.

Go hiking in Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen

Covering an area of over 12,000 hectares, this park just over the border in Belgium features a diverse landscape of heathlands, forests, lakes, and sand dunes. With more than 200 km of well-marked trails, it offers a variety of walking experiences suitable for all levels of hikers. You can find the best walking trails via the link below, but be prepared for long distances and dress for the occasion.

Get a book at the Dominicanen Book Store

The Dominicanen Bookstore is one of the most unique and beautiful bookstores in the world. This bookstore is housed in a 13th-century Dominican church, which was constructed in 1294 and served as a place of worship for over 500 years. It was part of a Dominican monastery and played a significant role in the religious and cultural life of Maastricht. This bookstore offers an extensive selection of books in multiple languages, including Dutch, English, French, and German. The genres range from fiction and non-fiction to academic texts, travel guides, and children’s books.

Visit the old bakery the Bisschopsmolen in town

The Bisschopsmolen, or Bishop’s Mill, dates back to the 7th century, making it one of the oldest functioning water mills in the Netherlands. The current structure of the mill, located on Stenenbrug 3, was built in the 11th century. The bakery is unique because it still uses the water-powered mill to grind spelt flour, an ancient grain that is central to many of its products. The mill’s wheel is powered by the Jeker River, which flows through Maastricht. Known for its traditional baking methods and commitment to using locally sourced ingredients, this bakery offers visitors a taste of authentic Limburgian baked goods. You can just walk through and look around, or take a guided tour or baking workshop.

Take a tour in the City Brewery de Maastricht Maltezer

City Brewery Maastricht Maltezer is a craft brewery located along the banks of the Maas River. This brewery combines traditional brewing techniques with innovative approaches to create a range of distinctive and high-quality beers. Entry to the taproom and restaurant is free. Guided tours include a welcome drink and a beer package, and cost 23,50 per person. Tours take place at 12:30, 14:00 en 15:30 on friday, saturday and sunday. Book on the website via the link below.

Visit the Aldenhof park full of statues

There is a park on the southern side of the city, called Aldenhof Park. In 1920, bears were housed there in a cage, serving as a zoo and entertainment for the people in the city. Later, the cage was converted into a 'bear pit'. Now, the bears are gone, and it has become the place for an artwork: a 'semi-automatic comfort machine'. Designed by Michel Huisman, this artwork is a tribute to the human-driven extinction of species and exploitation of animals.

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