Maastricht feels worlds apart from the canals and chaos of Amsterdam. Tucked in the southernmost corner of the Netherlands, this historic town highlights impressive architecture stretching back to the Roman era. Despite being a relatively small city with a population of around 128,000, you’ll also find an impressive number of museums and galleries.
Maastricht is perhaps best known as the city where the, the Maastricht Treaty, which established the European Union, was signed in 1992. Visitors can look forward to sipping coffee on leafy outdoor terraces in the shadow of church steeples, spying Dutch masterpieces, and getting a bird’s-eye view from several precipices around the city. These are the best things to do in Maastricht, Netherlands.
Why Visit Maastricht?
Maastricht is the capital of the Limburg province, a peninsula-shaped region known for its scenic landscapes and distinct culture. If you’ve ever wondered what lies beyond Amsterdam, Maastricht is a great jumping-off point for under-the-radar destinations in the Netherlands.
Be sure to have your camera ready, because Maastricht is perhaps best known for its architecture. The city is home to over 1,677 National Heritage buildings, including beautiful displays of Gothic and Romanesque architecture.
Similar to how many visitors often confuse Holland and the Netherlands, Maastricht is also located in a unique region known as Limburg province. Limburg is famous for its regional food specialties, including Limburger cheese, vlaai (a sweet fruit pie), and zuurvlees (sweet-and-sour beef stew).
The town sits on the Meuse River and is located just across the border from Belgium and Germany, both of whose cultures have influenced the city. Given Maastricht’s proximity to Germany, Rhine River cruises sometimes include this charming town on their itineraries.
11 Things To Do in Maastricht, Netherlands
From ancient subterranean caves and medieval city gates to vibrant squares and world-class museums, Maastricht offers a rich blend of history, culture, and local charm. Here are some of the best things to do when visiting this captivating Dutch destination.
1. Vrijthof
Theater aan het Vrijthof in Maastricht, the Netherlands, featuring an elegant historic façade overlooking the city’s picturesque Vrijthof square.
The Vrijthof is the central nervous system of Maastricht, serving as a gathering place for locals and visitors alike. This sweeping square is flanked by some of the city’s most important monuments, sitting in the shadow of the towering spires of both the Basilica of Saint Servatius and Sint Janskerk Church.
Buried beneath the asphalt are the remains of Roman ruins, although modern-day revelers spend their time chatting on the outdoor terraces and cafes that line the square. The square is where Maastricht residents and guests gather for seasonal events, including summer concerts and Christmas markets, plus the weekly food markets on Wednesday and Friday and the Saturday antique market.
2. Basilica of Saint Servatius
Basking under a clear blue sky, the striking red limestone tower of Sint Janskerk stands beside the Romanesque twin spires of the Basilica of Saint Servatius in the heart of Maastricht’s Vrijthof square.
The bustling Basilica of Saint Servatius is perched on the western edge of Maastricht’s Vrijthof. At this pilgrimage site, which sits atop the tomb of Saint Servatius, architecture lovers will enjoy admiring its Romanesque details while history buffs won’t be able to resist descending into the crypt for a glimpse of Saint Servatius’ tomb.
This is one of the most important religious sites in the country and draws hundreds of thousands of worshippers every seven years for the Septennial Pilgrimage when the basilica’s relics are paraded through town.
3. Sint Janskerk Church
A smaller but no less impressive church situated right next to the Basilica of Saint Servatius, the Protestant Sint Janskerk Church is an icon of the city, known for its striking red clock tower. Rising about 260 feet (80 meters), the tower is painted its famous red, reportedly with ox blood to protect the soft marl stone. The tower’s distinctive color was added sometime between the 14th and 15th centuries.
4. Dominicanen Bookstore
Known in Dutch as Boekhandel Dominicanen, this dreamy bookstore is housed inside a 13th-century Dominican church (hence the name). Regarded as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, guests will find a wide variety of English novels while perusing titles inside the soaring nave. You can continue marveling at its Gothic architecture while enjoying a coffee and pastry at the bookstore’s cafe, Blanche Dael, tucked inside what was once the church’s chancel.
5. Bonnefanten Museum
Rising from a cluster of trees like a huge metal bullet, the Bonnefanten Museum hides an impressive collection of Dutch masterpieces. For lovers of Dutch classics, the Bonnefanten Museum is one of the best things to do in Maastricht. The building was designed by Italian architect Aldo Rossi, who focused on postmodernism. Works span from the 13th century to the modern day, with some of the most notable works including Saint John and Saint Mary Magdalen by Peter Paul Rubens.
6. Helpoort
Sunlight accentuates the ancient stone turrets of Helpoort, the 13th-century medieval city gate in Maastricht and the oldest surviving city gate in the Netherlands.
Maastricht is known for its historic architecture, and the Helpoort is one of its shining examples. Once a portion of the city’s medieval wall, the Helpoort is the oldest city gate in the entire country. A towering homage to fortifications of the Middle Ages, the gate was built in the 13th century and leads to the Jekerkwartier, a beautiful neighborhood known for its French influence. Visitors can take guided tours of the gate itself and its ramparts, hosted by the Helpoort Museum.
7. Saint Servatius Bridge
Pedestrians cross the historic Sint Servaasbrug arching over the Meuse River, connecting the old city center of Maastricht with the Wyck district.
Spanning the width of the Meuse River, the Saint Servatius Bridge is the oldest stone bridge in the Netherlands. Built in 1280, the bridge connects Maastricht’s Old Town with the Wyck neighborhood. Its stone archways are punctuated by a modern steel drawbridge that allows larger ships to pass. For those visiting the city on a Maastricht river cruise, you’ll sail through this portion of the bridge, surrounded by stunning architecture lining the river.
8. Wyck Neighborhood
Located across the Saint Servatius Bridge from Maastricht’s Old Town, the Wyck neighborhood is known for its artsy vibes, filled with boutiques and artisan crafts. The city’s main river cruise dock is just across the Saint Servatius Bridge from Wyck. Visitors can also take a tour of the Bosch Brewery, located in the heart of the neighborhood and not far from the Meuse River.
9. Jeker Quarter
Known for its French influence, the Jeker Quarter is a slice of Paris in the heart of Maastricht. The city’s oldest buildings are tucked in this leafy corner of the city, including the Helpoort, the 14th-century Peter Vinck Tower, and remnants of stone fortifications.
The Jeker Quarter’s nearby university lends a youthful vibrancy. Stop by De Bisschopsmolen bakery for the regional treat of vlaai, a fruit pie. Be sure to linger in the Stadspark, a green space where medieval architecture and the River Jeker meet.
10. Caves of Sint-Petersberg
It’s often noted that Maastricht is quite different from other Dutch towns and what the Netherlands is typically known for: tulips, windmills, and canals. The Caves of Sint–Petersberg further drive home that fact.
While much of the Netherlands barely floats above water, Maastricht is home to a subterranean wonderland. Visitors can take a guided tour of the passageways, which are located about 100 feet below the city and were originally carved to harvest Limburg marl, a unique limestone found in the region and used to build many of Maastricht’s buildings. Although it’s thought that the Romans were the first to begin digging these tunnels, they’ve been used for hundreds of years, including as shelter during WWII.
11. Fort Sint Pieter
Fort Sint Pieter, a historic stone fortress on St. Peter’s Mount, overlooks Maastricht, the capital of Limburg in the Netherlands.
Perched on a hill overlooking Maastricht, Fort Sint Pieter was built at the turn of the 18th century as a means to defend the city against foreign invasions. The Maastricht flag waves from atop the pentagonal fort, which you can still visit today. This also happens to be where most cave tours begin, although visitors can also take a guided tour to learn more about the fort’s history.
How To Spend One Day in Maastricht
Considering that Maastricht is a small city, one day is plenty of time to get a feel for this unique corner of the Netherlands. Start your day the Dutch way with breakfast at one of the Jekerkwartier’s French-inspired cafes. Breakfast is typically a light affair with fresh-baked bread, various spreads, and savory options like ham and Gouda cheese.
Once you’re properly fueled, explore the Vrijthof, Maastricht’s largest square. Several of the town’s most notable landmarks, including the Basilica of Saint Servatius and Sint Janskerk Church, are located along its edge. Climbing to the top of Sint Janskerk’s red tower offers 360° views of the city. Follow the medieval remnants of the town’s fortifications into the trendy Jekerkwartier neighborhood next, where the oldest buildings in Maastricht and leafy green spaces shake hands.
Go where the foodies go next, crossing the historic Saint Servatius Bridge to the Wyck neighborhood, known for its gastronomic delights. After filling up on regional dishes like zuurvlees, traditional Limburgian stew, you’ll be perfectly positioned to continue your journey south of the city. Choose between exploring Maastricht’s underground caves and perusing the Bonnefanten Museum, but don’t miss sunset atop Fort Sint Pieter.
If you happen to be visiting Maastricht while sailing down the Meuse River, what’s included on a river cruise might be top of mind. With Celebrity River Cruises℠, you’ll have several shore excursions to choose from, each designed to help you discover the destination like a local.
For even more cultural immersion, consider extending your time in the Netherlands with a Before and After Stays package in Amsterdam. Available on select itineraries, it includes centrally located hotel accommodations, daily breakfast, and transfers to and from your cruise ship. Plus, explore the city with the help of a Destination Insider℠ or Local Storyteller℠, who can take you beyond the guidebooks for the best possible Amsterdam experience.
Explore Maastricht With Celebrity River Cruises
From historic architecture to Dutch artwork and mouthwatering regional specialties, experiencing Maastricht is a breeze on a river cruise. Dock in the heart of town, along the Meuse River, and get ready to discover one of the Netherlands’ most underrated cities.
Explore Maastricht and its sights with Celebrity River Cruises.
