Maastricht is a gorgeous dutch town in the tri-border region of Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, with medieval roots. The city is known for its brick architecture, historic buildings, and engaging atmosphere. Visit the sights and take breaks shopping in little boutiques or relaxing in cafés! Maastricht will certainly pull you in with its charm! 

Good To Know

• Getting there: Like any city in the Netherlands, Maastricht is easily reachable by train and walkable/cyclable from thereon. If you're arriving by car for a day trip, there are multiple Q-Park Garages throughout the city. Leave your car there and walk!
• Maastricht is not that big, which makes the city ideal for day trips, and weekend getaways.
• The city is worth a visit any time of the year. During the warmer months, cafés and restaurants open their terraces, and visitors and locals alike get to enjoy the calm atmosphere of warm summer nights. In the wintertime, Maastricht turns into a winter wonderland. Christmas lights line the cobblestone streets and the Christmas Market invites young and old with its irresistible charm.
• Check out our trips to Liège and Aachen, the other two large cities in the tri-border region!

Highlights

Historic City Center:

Make your way into the historic city center of Maastricht from the train station, by crossing the river Maas via the Sint Servaasbrug (St. Servatius Bridge), the oldest pedestrian bridge in the Netherlands! By night, you'll get a great view of the illuminated historic center. Just across the bridge, there are companies offering cruises along the Maas, ranging from a one-hour cruise through Maastricht to day trips to other towns, such as the Belgian city Liège. The main square in Maastricht is the Vrijtshof. Today, the former cemetery hosts a large market every Wednesday and Friday, offering fresh, local produce, books, and other goods. At the Vrijtshof, you'll find two important churches. The romanesque Servaasbasiliek (Basilica of Saint Servatius) was erected atop the grave of its namesake, Saint Servatius, in the 11th and 12th centuries. The Basilica is the destination of the seven-yearly Heiligdomsvaarf (Pilgrimage of the Relics). Inside the Basilica is the Schatkamer St. Servaas (Treasury of St. Servaas). Visit the treasury to view a collection of religious artifacts and art, many of which relating to St. Servatius. Right next to the Servaasbasiliek stands the gothic Sint Janskerk (Church of St. John). The Church's standout piece is its bright red belltower, overseeing the market square. The Vrijtshof is great to spend your lunch break in one of the many small cafés and restaurants along the square! The next stop is Basiliek Van Onze-Lieve-Vrouw (Church of Our Lady). Inside the Basilica stands a large sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding her child, in front of ornate artwork embellished with intricate gold detailing. Besides the historic brick buildings and large structures, Maastricht is also a very green city. The large Stadspark runs along the river Jeker and the ruins of Maastricht's medieval city walls. It is a great place for a stroll or a picnic by the waterside to clear your head. Follow the Jeker past the monument of the Musketeer d'Artagnan to Waldeck Park. Here you'll find the Kazematten, part of a larger system of tunnels underneath the city that were used by military troops as a hiding place or as a means for surprise attacks. They were constructed between the 16th and 19th centuries and have a combined length of around 14 km (9 miles). Tours of the Kazematten are available but are not wheelchair-accessible.

Sint Pietersberg:

The Sint Pietersberg hill is just a little outside the city. On top of the hill stand the ruins of the 300-year-old military Fort Sint Pieter. Underneath the fort lie the labyrinth-like caves and tunnels of the De Grotten Van Sint Pieter (the Grottos of St. Peter). The Grottos are much older than the Kazematten, with some parts of the 80 km (50 miles) long tunnel system dating back 1000 years! In contrast to the Kazematten, their use was not purely strategical. They were in part used as a safe space for the residents of Maastricht during the many sieges the city suffered throughout the years. During the second world war, stolen antiquities, artworks, and other riches were hidden away here, such as the famous painting "The Night Watch", by Rembrandt. Take a guided tour of the Fort and Caves to view its hiding place and hear stories about life in the caves. 

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