Maastricht

Travel Guide
Helpoort which includes a park as well as a couple
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 cozy 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 defense 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 center, 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 center. 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 showing heritage elements, a church or cathedral and a park

Maastricht-Centre Urban District

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Art galleries, churches, and theaters 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 neighborhood.

Maastricht-Centre Urban District
Basilica of Our Lady which includes heritage elements, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral

Binnenstad

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

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

Binnenstad
Centre Ceramique featuring modern architecture and street scenes

Wyck

4.5/5(27 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
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Randwijck

4/5(6 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
Helpoort showing heritage architecture and street scenes

Jekerkwartier

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

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

Jekerkwartier
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Wittevrouwenveld

2.5/5(3 area reviews)

Bars and theme parks are just a few things travelers like about Wittevrouwenveld. A stop by De Geusselt Stadium is also recommended if you've got time to explore the area.

Wittevrouwenveld
Kaboom Hotel Maastricht
Kaboom Hotel Maastricht
3 out of 5
Stationsplein 1, Maastricht
The price is ¥8,280 per night from May 28 to May 29
¥8,280
per night
May 28 - May 29
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Maastricht. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (588 reviews)
Nice, central place, great young staff
"Nice place. Helpful young people at the desk. Across the street from the train station."

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2024

Kaboom Hotel Maastricht
Amrâth Grand Hotel de l'Empereur
Amrâth Grand Hotel de l'Empereur
4 out of 5
Stationsstraat 2, Maastricht
The price is ¥11,567 per night from Jun 3 to Jun 4
¥11,567
per night
Jun 3 - Jun 4
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Maastricht. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (995 reviews)
Decent
"One night was not good, other guests were loud and disruptive and knocked on the door at 3:20am. Obviously not the hotels fault but made for a poor night's sleep! The second night was great, no disruption and very comfortable. The shower needed a little bit of temperature adjustment whilst using ..."

Reviewed on Mar 31, 2024

Amrâth Grand Hotel de l'Empereur
Amrâth Hotel DuCasque
Amrâth Hotel DuCasque
4 out of 5
Helmstraat 14, Maastricht
The price is ¥12,001 per night from May 12 to May 13
¥12,001
per night
May 12 - May 13
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Maastricht. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (578 reviews)
"Wonderful location, helpful staff, and convenient breakfast."

Reviewed on May 5, 2024

Amrâth Hotel DuCasque
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Urban Residences Maastricht
Urban Residences Maastricht
4 out of 5
Statenstraat 4, Maastricht, Limburg
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Maastricht. Enjoy free WiFi, dry cleaning or laundry services, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (254 reviews)
"Great place to stay. Absolute superb location"

Reviewed on Mar 1, 2024

Urban Residences Maastricht
Villa with dishwasher, 4 km. from Maastricht
Villa with dishwasher, 4 km. from Maastricht
Maastricht
Stay at this vacation home in Maastricht. Enjoy a garden, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Vrijthof and Maastricht International Golf ...
9/10 Wonderful! (10 reviews)
Very nice
"Very nice"

Reviewed on Mar 1, 2018

Villa with dishwasher, 4 km. from Maastricht
Luxury apartment on the Maas .Most centrally located luxury residence
Luxury apartment on the Maas .Most centrally located luxury residence
Maastricht
Stay at this apartment in Maastricht. Enjoy a fitness center, patios, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Vrijthof and Stadhuis are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (12 reviews)
Wonderful In Every Way
"My brief weekend trip to Maastricht was made even more special by the kindness and efforts of Francine during my stay in her lovely home to ensure that I enjoyed my stay. It is everything and more than the photos and description can indicate. She even loaned me one of her bikes so I could go to an ..."

Reviewed on Feb 20, 2020

Luxury apartment on the Maas .Most centrally located luxury residence
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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