The capital city of the southern province of Limburg, Maastricht is not like the rest of the Netherlands. The flatlands recede into rolling green hills, and then into mountains and networks of caves; soft-core drug use is decidedly less in your face, and the local cuisine has a definite Belgian and German feel to it. In fact, Limburg shares more borders with more European countries than it does with other provinces of the Netherlands, and it's little wonder that the city was once so well fortified. Though cut in two by the river Maas, Maastricht was once encompassed by some formidable city walls. Today, the city still features well-preserved fortifications which date back to the 13th century.
Despite its differences from other cities in the Netherlands, Maastricht still retains the beauty that is associated with the country. Towering buildings and cobbled streets run throughout the city, and the center of town and its three main squares overflow with history. The laid back locals seem to not notice the tourists who flock to Maastricht on the weekends, and that's because a lot of them are Dutch themselves and blend into the Limburg crowd. The city is less crowded during the week, but during summer weekends Maastricht becomes a hub of activity, as bars and restaurants pour into outdoor seating areas and onto the promenade by the river. Expect a chill bar scene and small traditional kaffees dominating the scene, rather than thumping dance clubs. If you're looking to have a relaxing few days away from the rest of the Netherlands or even Belgium, then Maastricht is the ideal place.
Maastricht is divided into two sections by the river Maas, which flows directly through the center of the city. The main pedestrian bridge is St. Servaasbrug, which connects the train station with the ...more
Staying in Maastricht isn't cheap; the city doesn't have enough student and budget tourists to keep the hostel market strong. But there are a few cheaper options that are well worth the price, especially ...more
Most of Maastricht's sights are churches and other religious buildings, but there a few good examples of modern architecture (such as the Province House) which are worth checking out. Make sure you take ...more
Remember: Maastricht isn't Amsterdam. Belgium has had a strong influence on the drug culture in Maastricht, and a few years ago the Mayor even tried to move the coffeeshops out of the town center (with ...more
Eating in Maastricht is a mixed bag; restaurants are remarkably diverse, and range widely in quality. Expect to find standard French and Belgian fare with a touch of German influence now and again, in ...more
Maastricht is full of relaxed kaffees (pub-like interiors with an extensive beer list) and bars, where locals and tourists lounge on terraces and nurse a pint or three beneath the fading sun. There are ...more
Maastricht is a hub of culture, and is a great resting point between some of Europe's biggest summer festivals thanks to its location near the Belgian-German border. For a rundown of what's happening, ...more
Tourist Office: VVV, Kleine Staat 1, sells city maps (€1.50) with details of all the historical sights and tourist locations and a city guide (€5) with listings and extra information. (Although ...more
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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