Maastricht Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Filled with ancient fortifications, historic merchant houses, acclaimed restaurants, shops and student bars, this Dutch river city cherishes the past and celebrates the present. 

Maastricht is the capital of the southern province of Limburg in the Netherlands. The ancient city gained fame as the place where the treaty for the European Union was signed. André Rieu, the world-famous violinist and conductor, studied and held some of his biggest concerts here. Walk the city’s cobblestone streets past old merchant houses, go shopping in the Stokstraat or, if it rains, explore churches, museums, ancient tunnels and caves.

This is a city where “anything goes” coffee shops and an annual carnival get the same attention as the upscale restaurants and religious processions. Join the soft-spoken locals, many of them fun-loving students, in the bars. They say this is “gezellig,” a typical Dutch word for a cosy get-together.

The Maastricht region, which by Dutch standards is considered hilly, had already been inhabited by hunter-gatherer tribes before the Romans settled in the first century B.C. Maastricht’s medieval defence structures, Spanish-style cathedrals and French-inspired love for fine cuisine show the various influences this city has had.

The city is best explored on foot, by bus or bike. Start out in the city centre, just west of the river. Vrijthof is the main square, home to the great Basilica of St. Servatius with its treasury, courtyard and garden. Head southeast to the 13th-century Helpoort, the oldest gate, which is still standing, in the Netherlands. 

Follow the Grote Straat (Big Street) to its end to find the VVV Maastricht, the tourist centre. Join a tour to explore the Fortifications Trail, a labyrinth of over 20,000 subterranean tunnels at the St. Pietersberg Caves, dug under a fort in the city's south. 

Maastricht is strategically located on the Maas River and is 2.5 hours by car from Amsterdam. You can also take the train and even fly there. Once you’ve seen the city, drive or ride out to see the castles or hike in the hills surrounding the city. Just to the southeast you can stand on the exact point where the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium meet.

Where to stay in Maastricht

Basilica of Our Lady featuring a church or cathedral, heritage elements and a garden

Maastricht-Centre Urban District

3.5/5(2 area reviews)

Art galleries, churches and theatres highlight some of the noteworthy features of Maastricht-Centre Urban District. Make a stop by Market or Basilica of Our Lady while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Maastricht-Centre Urban District
Basilica of Our Lady showing a square or plaza, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral

Binnenstad

4.5/5(26 area reviews)

Unique features of Binnenstad include the theatres and live music. Make a stop by Vrijthof or St. Servaas Church while you're exploring the area.

Binnenstad
Centre Ceramique showing street scenes and modern architecture

Wyck

4.5/5(18 area reviews)

Unique features of Wyck include the bars and river views. Make a stop by Bonnefanten Museum or Centre Ceramique while you're exploring the area.

Wyck
Helpoort which includes heritage architecture and street scenes

Jeker Quarter

5/5(1 area review)

Unique features of Jeker Quarter include the coffee shops and river views. Make a stop by Natural History Museum or Helpoort while you're exploring the area.

Jeker Quarter
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Randwijck

4/5(2 area reviews)

Visitors to Randwijck enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Maastricht Exhibition and Congress Centre is worth a stop.

Randwijck
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Sint Maartenspoort

While Sint Maartenspoort isn't home to many top sights, Market and Basilica of Our Lady are some notable places to visit nearby.

Sint Maartenspoort

Cities near Maastricht