Things to Do in Maastricht
There is a strange sense of peace here; the only insecurity I feel is in nature, stemming from the survival instincts that have existed throughout humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Perhaps there’s an excessive level of trust in people here. Everyone seems to smile at you as you walk by, as if they might greet you with a “good morning” at any moment.
The city isn’t large, so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Sometimes the wind is strong, but the sun doesn’t hide behind the clouds. There’s a strange peace here. I generally don’t like relatively small cities, but this one has a liveliness of its own.
No matter the size of a city, I quickly adapt to new places. I love exploring the local habits and getting to know the people of each new location. On the other hand, hearing a language I don’t understand at all was a bit challenging. However, once I’m there, and somehow, things get sorted out. It turns out the fears I have before traveling become the building blocks for regaining my confidence
One thing I noticed about the people here is that it’s rare to see anyone out on their own, which can make socializing a bit challenging. There’s a strong youth culture that takes a break around 5 or 6 in the evening, then heads out at night as if they’re picking up where they left off. These were some of my impressions of the city.
Accommodation in Maastricht
I stayed at the EasyHotel by the river in Maastricht. It’s quite central, but on the first day, I couldn’t cross the river to get to the hotel because of a traditional celebration with horses and costumes. Even the woman at the reception was surprised, saying, “Oh, you made it!”
I found my hotel room to be large enough, though the bathroom was a bit small. It has the essentials, but nothing more—no fridge or closet, for example. There’s a place to hang clothes, but it’s not a full closet. They’re a bit stingy with towels, and there wasn’t even a bath mat. There’s no daily cleaning; it’s scheduled based on the number of days you stay, and you’re informed in advance. My cleaning happened on the scheduled day and the day after, though I think that was a mistake.
Since it’s by the river, it can get noisy at night with young people and tourists passing by. I woke up a few times because of the noise. It’s a suitable place for a short stay, but if you’re staying longer, you might want to consider somewhere else.
How Many Days to Stay in Maastricht?
Since I wasn’t there as a tourist, I stayed for 5 nights, which is quite long. If I had been there for tourism, 3 days would have been enough—maybe even 2 if you’re not planning on visiting museums.
Things to See and Do in Maastricht
Walking by the River
I recommend taking a walk along both sides of the Meuse River, especially on the road leading to the Bonnefanten Museum, which offers a more pleasant view. There are benches where you can sit on the way.
Bonnefanten Museum
Though the building is interesting from the outside, the exhibits weren’t particularly intriguing for me. Of course, it depends on your taste of art, so I recommend checking out before visiting as the entrance is not free.
Like many Western museums, there are many religious elements, and seeing the same scenes depicted multiple times is a bit dull after some time. The only piece that left an impression on me was an installation near the stairs—clothes with holes, inspired by a mother giving permission for her child to cut up pajamas during wartime, accompanied by a lullaby playing from speakers. This was in protest against the Israel-Palestine war. The museum isn’t very large; you can explore it in 1–2 hours.
Sint Peters
My favorite activity in Maastricht was visiting Sint Peters. It’s a wooded area about a 20-25 minute walk from the city center. There’s a castle, artificial caves, and a mining area to see. I didn’t visit the caves since they’re artificial, and locals didn’t recommend them. I also didn’t go inside the castle. Instead, I took a long nature walk, enjoying the greenery and the sound of birds. I was a bit scared at times, wondering if I might encounter a bear or something, but there were generally people around walking or biking like me. I stopped at scenic spots along the way, saw a lake and a large factory, though I didn’t understand what it was without the locals explaining. Upon our disccusion with locals after I got back, I realized it was the mining area. They could have put more signs to help the tourists understand what the viewpoints are about.
Churches in Maastricht
There are quite a few churches in Maastricht, which is surprising for a relatively small city. The most famous is the Basilica of Our Lady (Basiliek van Onze Lieve Vrouwe), known more for its central location, size, and the locals’ appreciation of the square in front of it than for its interior grandeur. Since it was right behind my hotel, I passed by so often that I became accustomed to its size.
The Voormalige Dominicanenkerk is unique, as it’s been converted into a bookstore and café. I found it to be one of the most enjoyable experiences. There are English books on the second floor, and the gift shop has lovely items.
In Vrijthof Square, there are two more churches: the Basilica of Saint Servatius, which is quite large and impressive, and Saint Jan’s Church, which stands out with its red tower. Additionally, there are churches like the Oude Minderbroederskerk, Sint-Matthiaskerk, Augustijnenkerk Maastricht by the river, and Sint Martinuskerk.
Squares in Maastricht
Markt Square seems to be the largest in Maastricht, with the Town Hall located there. Surrounding it are shops and restaurants. Sint Amorsplein is smaller but popular with the locals, though I didn’t find it particularly special.
Vrijthof is one of the larger squares, surrounded by churches, historic buildings, and restaurants. In front of the Basilica of Our Lady, there’s a bustling square that’s quite lively.
Houses in Maastricht
If you love small, stone houses with gardens, Maastricht is the right place for you. I may have made some locals nervous by taking photos of their houses, but I couldn’t help it—they were beautiful! All the houses in the city seem to look alike. I wanted to photograph every house I passed on my way to and from Sint Peters.
Stadspark Maastricht
Stadspark is a place in the city center where you can take a break and walk around. There’s a river running through it, and you can also see a castle. Helpoort, a gate in the medieval wall, offers a lovely view. It’s also nice to photograph De Vijf Koppen.
Shopping Streets
There are plenty of shops around Markt Square, Forum Shopping Mall, and Maastrichter Smedenstraat and its parallel streets. You can also find lovely boutiques in the side streets. Papershop Maastricht is one such place where I found delightful postcards and notebooks.
Kalkman Vinyl Records and Art is another great address for vinyl lovers. The previously mentioned Bookstore Dominicanen is also a good spot for gifts and books.
Lumiere Cinema
Although I didn’t go, it was one of the activities recommended by locals. It’s a nice riverside building where you can find art films in English. The café is also a nice place to hang out.
Maars Cultural Center
Another museum recommended by locals, though I didn’t visit it. It’s small but costs €10, so I decided to skip it. There’s a restaurant in the back garden, and it looks like a nice place, but it was empty when I went, with no one around to assist.
One of the cities you can visit near Maastricht is Liège, which is a 40-minute bus ride away. You can read my post about it here. Aachen, which is half an hour away by bus, is another option.
You might also want to check out my post on “Best cafes in Maastricht“.
