The capital of the Limburg region is home to numerous cultural highlights and historical sights. As the oldest city in the Netherlands, Maastricht is nevertheless very modern and is also home to many cosy cafés and trendy bars. The influence of international students in particular gives the city its cosmopolitan character and combines modernity with history in the cityscape. Maastricht is particularly easy to explore by bike, and it's also a great way to get to know the country. For a discovery tour through the city, Maastricht offers visitors an all-round programme: churches, exciting museums, parks as well as regional markets attract visitors from all over the world to the charming city.

Travel tips for Maastricht

Due to the great variety of highlights, it is advisable to plan enough time for a visit to Maastricht. The following small selection of attractions provides tips for an eventful stay in the Dutch city.

The bookshop in the Dominican church

Especially for literature fans and architecture enthusiasts, a visit to the Netherlands' most beautiful bookshop is worthwhile. Located in the centre of the city, between the Vrijthof and the market, the Gothic building of the former Dominican church with its high ceilings and round arches is an impressive building. In addition to the special architecture, more than 20,000 books can be found here, inviting you to browse comfortably in an impressive atmosphere. Definitely a real hotspot in beautiful Maastricht.

Maastricht Underground

This special sightseeing tour shows Maastricht from a completely different perspective and takes you underground in the city. Before going underground, however, the tour starts by going up high to Fort St. Pieter, which is connected to the underground grottos. From there you have a unique view of Maastricht. The northern grottos were once formed by the extraction of marl and still form a kind of maze of winding passages. The beautifully decorated walls tell exciting stories thanks to extraordinary illustrations. Farmers from surrounding villages once sought shelter from the French siege in the grottos. The Zonneberg Grottoes also impress visitors with ceilings up to 10 metres high and create an almost sacred impression. During World War II, these were originally intended to provide shelter for up to 47,000 of the city's citizens in the event of an evacuation. For this reason, bread ovens, water pumps and a chapel can still be found there today. In addition to the grottos, the casemates form a 14-kilometre-long underground labyrinth of mining tunnels and brick tunnels. These show the defence system of Maastricht in times of siege and house bomb-proof rooms as well as powder chambers. Find out more about the Maastricht Underground.

The Lumière Cinema Maastricht

If the weather is bad, we recommend a trip to the Lumière Cinema. No standard cinema awaits visitors there, but a cultural organisation run by 15 employees and hundreds of volunteers. Here, arthouse films, documentaries and world-famous classics are presented in the original language, mostly with subtitles. Visitors are particularly impressed by the design of the spacious hall in industrial style. In addition, the in-house restaurant conjures up delicious dishes that can be enjoyed with a view of the water. Find more information about the Lumière Cinema.

The Bosch Brewery

Maastricht's only surviving city brewery is the Bosch Brewery. Here beer fans discover background information on brewing as well as the history of the city. Beer has been brewed in the brewery since 1758, and it has been owned by the Bosch family since 1827. Today, however, the brewery has been shut down since 1970 and instead allows visitors to travel back in time to the 1970s. In addition to guided tours of the museum, a visit to the brewery house is also an option. There you can taste the brewery's original beer, which is still produced in another brewery today.

The Maastricht Market

In the heart of the city centre is the regional market, surrounded by stately villas and the imposing city hall. On Wednesdays, a total of 200 stalls sell a wide range of plants, clothes, cosmetics as well as food from 9 am to 4 pm. Every Friday, this offer is extended to 300 stalls with a fish market. The organic market Boeremerret Limburg also offers sustainable, local as well as handmade goods that are worth a visit.

Hotel tips:

Just 25 minutes from Maastricht, Romantik Parkhotel Het Gulpdal invites you to relax in the idyllic village of Slenaken in Mergelland. Here, guests find peace from city life and enjoy culinary delights from the renowned cuisine. The luxurious rooms ensure a pleasant stay after an eventful day in Maastricht.