//
City and municipality in Limburg, Netherlands
Photo: Bjorn van der Velpen, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Considered to be one of the most beautiful cities of the country, Maastricht is the southernmost city in the Netherlands. It's the capital of the province of Limburg and famous for what the Dutch call the "Burgundian" way of life. Dutch and international visitors alike flock in to enjoy this "joie de vivre" and indulge in the many fine dining, arts, culture and shopping opportunities in town. The river Maas runs through the city, offering some scenic views, and the lovely cobblestoned centre is full of historic buildings and impressive cathedrals. Whether you're here for sightseeing or just to shop till you drop, this is a great place to spend some time.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
This famous square is considered by many to be the beating heart of the old city. It features the massive St Servaas Church and St Jan's Cathedral and hosts a range of large festivals throughout the year. The Carnival before Lent is an amazing occasion where (it seems) the whole city dresses up in costume and parties until the early hours. It really has to be seen to be believed, this is a North European Mardi Gras, hence colder and darker than its American cousin.
This basilica is believed to be built on top of the grave of Saint Servatius. The first known bishop of the Netherlands, he is said to have died here in the 4th century. The current grand, Romanesque structure in the shape of a cross was first built around the year 1000, and substantially expanded over the centuries. Pope John Paul II made the church a basilica after his visit here in 1985. Today, this enormous structure can only be viewed by paying a €5 entrance fee, which includes the cloister and a small museum of religious treasures. Enter from the Keizer Karelplein, NW of the Vrijthof.
Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption
Commonly known as the Star of the Sea, after an old title for the Virgin Mary, this Romanesque church was largely built in the 11th and 12th century. Although no archaeological research has been carried out, historians believe earlier churches stood on the same spot before. Large parts of the church treasures were lost when the city became part of the First French Republic. The church was then used as a blacksmith workshop by the military, and the cloister area served as stables. The basilica's two narrow towers, topped with marlstone turrets, make it an important landmark for Maastricht and the charming little chapel is a popular place with both locals and tourists to light a candle. Inside, the miraculous statue of Our Lady, Star of the Sea is perhaps the main attraction.
The fairly large market square has been the stage for markets for centuries, and still houses goods markets on Wednesdays and Fridays. It's a lively square, surrounded by cafés, shops and eateries, but also home to the 17th century Town Hall. It was designed by Pieter Post and is an excellent example of Dutch Baroque architecture.
South of the town centre, the wall includes the Helpoort (Hell's Gate), the oldest city gate in the Netherlands.
Centre Ceramique
Town Hall
The museum is the foremost museum of Old Masters and contemporary art in the province of Limburg. The contemporary art collection contains works by an international group of artists, including Sol LeWitt. In addition to contemporary paintings, the collection also includes projections and gallery-sized installations. The collection of Old Masters emphasises 16th- and 17th-century Flemish paintings, including major works by Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck and Jacob Jordaens. In addition, the collection comprises magnificent medieval sculptures by Jan van Steffenswert, early Italian paintings and a presentation of Maastricht silver.
This is the city library and an exhibition space for archaeological finds and Maastricht pottery.
Before the restoration of the Derlon Hotel started, Maastricht's city archeologists undertook an extensive survey of the site. The Roman finds, from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th century, are considered that important that it was decided to conserve them and exhibit these to interested parties. The following can be seen in the cellar of Derlon Hotel: part of a 2nd and 3rd century sanctuary (including a Jupiter column), a 3rd century well, part of a pre- Roman cobblestone road and sections of a wall and a gate dating from the 4th century.
The museum outlines the natural history of southern Limburg. Modern displays offer an insight into both the recent and distant past. Among the museum's highlights are the remains of enormous Mosasauriers and Giant Turtles found in limestone at the St Pietersberg caverns. Fossils of all shapes and sizes show how South Limburg has changed in the course of the last 300 million years.
formerly Spaans Gouvernement
Museum aan het Vrijthof is a young museum located at the heart of the city in one of the oldest buildings in Maastricht: the former retreat of Charles V. This private museum organises a temporary exhibition three to four times each year. They look for surprising combinations and unconventional collaborations. The museum also has a freely accessible museum café, located at the covered courtyard.
Grotten Sint-Pietersberg
Local marlstone mine with over 20,000 passages dug out over centuries, used as shelter during sieges and bombings. Tours essential; check website for details (English and Dutch times differ). Boats run from the city centre with commentary pointing out interesting landmarks along the way.
A network of bunkers on the west side of Maastricht from which soldiers fired at invaders; again, tours are essential.
Art house cinema - tickets €8 unless you're eligible for a discount
Multiplex
For tickets to almost any cultural event.
Trade fairs and conferences
Serving quick and filling international cuisine, this place is very popular with students.
Great fries and local take-away specialities
Good place in the centre to get a reasonable priced baguette and hot drink.
Great fries with selections of sources on the menu. Take-away and seating.
Excellent food. Good seating in the square in the summer.
If you are really hungry, but don't want luxury food then visit this place. Try the Vesserslatien sandwich (cock-and-bull story sandwich). At night it is a popular drinking venue with students of Maastricht University.
Excellent meat dishes. Good service. Tables outside as well as indoor.
Bakery selling bread and pies made from flour from their own water wheel mill.
Good steaks as well as other dishes.
Not the cheapest semi-self-service Thai, but good spicy tasting and good sized portions.
Small characterful interior, also with outside seating. Make a great stew (Stoofpötjes) and fries.
Good Indian food with friendly efficient service.
Beluga's chef has gained celebrity status in the Netherlands, and this two Michelin star restaurant is well known throughout the country and beyond. Dining here is considered a splurge indeed, but prices are friendly for a Dutch 2-star restaurants. As a result however, reservations are an absolute must and best made well in advance.
Superb food, excellent service.
Stocks over 150 Belgian and Dutch beers; owner Peet can find something to suit every taste (if you can brave his sense of humour). Small, atmospheric and sometimes lively bar - peanut shells on the floor please!
Pothuiske
Great place to grab a beer. Their weekly specials often have some pretty rare Belgian and Dutch brews. The outdoor seating's atmosphere is great and allows a view of the River Maas.
Cafe attached to bookshop inside an old church. Worth looking round the book shop just for the architecture.
Bakery with seating inside and out. Baguettes and cakes with a tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
Good for just a coffee or for small meals.
This hostel is on a boat on the river Maas, next to the city center. Breakfast is optional during weekdays and obligatory on weekends.
This hostel opened its doors in 2007 and offers 38 rooms. It has a deck looking over the Maas river and is a delightful place to have a beer in the evening. The hostel is clean, but as with many chain hostels, it does not have a kitchen and may lack atmosphere for those looking to meet other travellers.
Part of a Dutch chain of four star hotels at sub-four star prices. If you are used to the full four-star service this will be a disappointment, but it is only a five-minute walk into the city centre and provides free wireless internet service.
If you're bored with identi-kit hotel rooms, Design Hotel Eden will be a breath of fresh air. All the rooms are comfortably furnished in a variety of modern styles. You'll appreciate a philosophy that doesn't put a desk in your room.
Small hotel with a family-run feel. In 2016, it was refurbished with air conditioning in all 15 rooms.
Hotel Iban is a small hip 'boutique hotel' with 7 rooms. Every room has its own warm character and the atmosphere is very warm and personal.
Just off the market place, must be owned by a group of dentists. Little jars of sweets are everywhere in the public spaces.
About a 25 minutes' walk from the city center, but very convenient if you are attending a conference or fair in the Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Centre next door. The hotel is comfortable enough; however, only the "deluxe" rooms really come up to the standards of other NH hotels. The standard rooms look tired by comparison, and some of them are quite noisy.
Traditional 18th-century building is full of old details, carefully restored, and comprises a front and a back house. Between them is a city garden where an extensive breakfast is served in the summer. In cooler weather, an open fire and traditional cooking range warmly welcome you to breakfast in the family kitchen in the back house. Two double guest rooms are on the second floor of the front house (up a set of steep Dutch stairs). Each non-smoking guest room has comfortable boxspring beds, its own private bathroom and WC, free wireless internet, and its own unique atmosphere.
A trash-themed boutique hotel with 8 rooms, each with a unique theme such as glass, metal and rubber.
Large, good quality rooms. Free minibar (contains a few drinks). Free Internet. In town parking spaces (but not cheap). No pets allowed.
Quietly situated in the city centre on the river Maas.
Located on the most beautiful square of the city.
A beautifully renovated Gothic monastery in the centre, complete with a church, is a rather spectacular stage for an unusually stylish hotel.
Even if you are not looking to buy a book this store is well worth a visit as it is housed in a deconsecrated church. A two-floor high central spine both increases the number of books on display and gives you the chance to admire the architecture of the ceiling close up. There is also a small coffee bar.
By train
Maastricht is well served by train, with Maastricht train station, near the centre of the city, and Randwyck train station, in the south.
By car
There a two motorways from and to Maastricht: A2 (Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Sittard, Belgium and France - "Route du Soleil") and A79 (Heerlen, Aachen).
By bus
By bike
There are thousands of bicycles in Maastricht, often the young gents giving their girlfriends a lift on the parcel carrier at the back, with the girls sitting "side saddle".
By bus
The city has a bus system called the Stadsbus ("City Bus") that travels over most of the city and to surrounding areas. Tickets can be bought on the bus, or you can buy an OV-chipkaart.
By car
60 an hour, max 2 hours per ticket placement) parking rates. It is often easier to park your car outside the town centre and either walk or bus into the city.
By train
Trains run four times per hour between Maastricht Centraal Station, and Maastricht Randwyck station (at the South of the City), at a cost of €2.20.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Maastricht · International · MST
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Maastricht and Netherlands.
Travel tipsUnderstand travel insurance for a Schengen visa in 2026. Learn mandatory €30,000 medical coverage, zero deductible rules, and embassy-approved policies.
7 min read
Travel tipsEstimate your Europe trip cost for 2 weeks in 2026. Compare realistic budgets for lodging, Eurail trains, dining, and sightseeing across three styles.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsUnderstand the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and the €20 ETIAS travel authorisation, who needs each, and how to avoid long airport border queues.
6 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.