Seven Awesome Things to Do in Maastricht
If you ever get to visit Maastricht in the Netherlands, you gotta see these things! 🇳🇱
When I first visited Maastricht back in 2017, my purpose was to connect with my Dutch heritage.
My grandparents were born and married in the Limburg region, ran their local butcher shop, and raised four (out of 16) children in this city before my grandfather, a Royal Dutch Army Lieutenant who served Queen Wilhelmina, had to relocate to The Hague in preparation for the war.
Stepping back in time and walking in their shoes was a surreal experience. It’s something I’ll certainly never forget.
Yet I never really focused on the culture around me. So when we returned to Maastricht in 2023, I wanted to see it in a new light — from the perspective of a visitor seeking adventure for the first time.
The Past and Present
Maastricht is the oldest and southernmost city in the Netherlands, with a history dating back at least 2,000 years! It was an early Roman settlement, influenced by the Spanish, Germans, French, and Romans. It wasn’t until 1815 that it became an official city of the Netherlands.
Maastricht was once covered by a shallow, subtropical Cretaceous sea, allowing prehistoric animals to reach the region. Several mosasaurs have been discovered in the limestone quarry, with the first known fossil stolen by Napoleon — something many Limburgers are still angry about.
Part of the old city wall still stands, offering visitors a glimpse of its incredible, rich history as they walk cobblestone streets and enjoy some of the very best Dutch cuisine or local beers. It’s a great area to relax on those warm sunny days.
Today, Maastricht offers an eclectic vibe, a perfect blend of the old and the new.
The cultural experience is fantastic, bringing together a wide range of people from all walks of life and offering food from around the globe. The city center provides you with bars, cafes, shopping, and a whole lot more. The blend of modern and historic buildings is mesmerizing.
It’s a perfect place to wander and spend the day having fun as an adventurous couple or a solo traveler.
And if you only speak English, it’s no problem either because so many Nederlanders sprekt Engels. Just remember … Mag ik een biertje, alsjeblieft?
Our Top Seven Recommendations
As with any place you visit, there will always be plenty of recommendations, but sometimes the best discoveries come when you explore. Or you happen to know some locals as we do. 😉
Maastricht has a lot to offer, but we’ll give you some terrific suggestions.
Walk the city center and historic streets.
Nothing beats spending a few hours just walking around the city center while taking in the sights, sounds, and smells around you. Take your time exploring the area; it is enriching.
Eat some frieten from Reitz restaurant.
These Belgian-style fries are absolutely delicious, but not carb-friendly. LOL! They are served with mayo in the typical Dutch fashion (it’s way better than you think), or you can get a variety of sauces. But bring cash because they don’t accept cards. 💵
Buy a book or coffee at Boekhandel Dominicanen.
This was originally a church built in the 13th century, but it is now a very unique bookstore and cafe. The building is absolutely stunning and worth the visit, even if you don’t buy anything.
Explore the underground world at Fort Sint Pietersburg.
We never expected this tour to be so fascinating, but it’s been one of the highlights of our trip. While you can tour the Fort at Sint Pietersburg, the real treasure lies in exploring the underground tunnels and the famous vault. Incredible!!!
Light a candle at Onze Lieve Vrouw en Sint Pieter.
You don’t have to be Catholic or even religious to enjoy the beauty outside and inside this historical church. The architecture and artistry are breathtaking, and you can light a candle in memory of a loved one.
Enjoy a stroll across the historic Sint Servaasbrug.
This limestone bridge across the Meuse is considered the Netherlands’ oldest, originally built around 1280 and rebuilt after World War II following damage. It’s a beautiful walk with romantic and scenic views. But be careful of the bikers!
Get dinner and a beer at Farèn.
Farèn, a restaurant of 1001 flavors, lies farther from the city center. Not only can you enjoy a great meal, but this was also the original butcher shop in my Gulikers family and the birthplace of four relatives. It’s just a cool place to be.
What else can we say about visiting Maastricht?
Depending on how much time you have available and whether you have a car, there are plenty of other options for adventure a little further outside the city. Maastricht is incredible, but don’t overlook the surrounding villages.
Eijsden sits on the Mass and offers some great walking paths and restaurants. Sweikhuizen has beautiful scenery and Cafe Meels. Sittard provides lots of shops and bars. Schinnen has Alfa Brewery.
All these places offer a small-town European experience and are just a short drive from the city.
Finally, if your goal is to enjoy cannabis or magic mushrooms while in the Netherlands, you don’t need to go to the insanely busy city of Amsterdam; avoid all the stress by visiting Maastricht and getting your happy on there instead. It’s safer and way more chill. 😉
If you’re looking for other ideas or advice, drop us a note in the comments section, and we will provide our thoughts.
