Maastricht was not originally on our list of cities to visit during our European train tour. Our friend from Leiden recommended we head out here because it’s cute and fun to discover. In the end, we were so happy we took his advice and headed here. Although it’s a small town, there’s a bunch of fun things to do in Maastricht in December. Also, it ended up being one of our favorite places to visit in the Netherlands. So here is our full city guide with 11 fun things to in Maastricht in 2 days. We hope you find enough to do in this beautiful town while you’re here!
Highly walkable, Maastricht was like Amsterdam‘s less hectic, but just as cute little sister. Even though there are still tons of people biking around, you don’t feel like you’re constantly going to be run over by someone! The streets are just as cute, lined with the old historic homes. The markets around the city do not disappoint, and the locals are some of the friendliest we’ve met.
Originally a Roman settlement, Maastricht has become famous for a few reasons. First, its world-renown Maastricht University, which is home to over 16,000 students, almost half of which are foreign students. Next is the Maastricht Treaty, better know as the formation of the European Union in 1992 and the creation of the Euro currency.
And with all this, Maastricht is a great place to discover. There are a bunch of fun attractions in Maastricht, plenty of places to visit, things to do and see. So without further ado, here are the top 11 things to do in Maastricht, Netherlands.
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Table of Contents
11 fun things to do in Maastricht in 2 days
There’s not a ton of things to do in Maastricht, which is perfectly fitting with the laid-back feel of the city. It’s also a great place to relax and take your time enjoying what the city has to offer. You can cram it all into one super busy day, or take two and do it at a leisurely pace. We opted for 2 full days in Maastricht, and it was just perfect for us. Another plus, the weather was highly cooperative!
1. Visit Fort St. Pieter, one of the top attractions in Maastricht
We don’t usually do many guided tours, but when in Maastricht, we highly recommend coming to visit the Fort St. Pieter. You’ll notice that the Fort and the caves are some of the top attractions in Maastricht, regardless of what list you’re checking!
Our guide at Fort St. Pieter was funny, informative, and highly knowledgeable, which made for a very entertaining tour. This guided tour is the only way to visit the Fort, and it’s well worth it!
Maastricht has a highly strategic position in the Netherlands. It’s at the intersection of the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. The location of Fort St. Pieter is also strategically chosen, on the only hill in the area.
It provides a great vantage point to protect (or sack) the city. Truth is, the fort was built as an answer to one of the French attacks that broke the famous line in 1673. The angular defensive fort was built a couple of hundred years later.
During the tour, you’ll learn a lot more about the history of the city, the fort and the “special” relationship between France and the Netherlands. You’ll be able to visit the inside of the fort, go down to its tunnels and climb to the top as well.
You can buy tickets for the Fort online or directly at the Fort ticket office. There is usually a daily English-speaking tour at 12:30 pm, and it lasts a little over an hour. Tickets cost 7.20 Euros for just the fort, but we highly recommend the combo ticket to explore the Underground Maastricht caves as well.
If you have time to kill, there’s a little restaurant next to the ticket office. It’s a great place to have a drink, though we must admit that the food (and service) were quite disappointing.
2. Check out Maastricht’s underground caves, a must-see in Maastricht
The only way to visit the underground Maastricht caves is by going on a guided tour. Heck! How else do you plan to navigate through 20,000 corridors underground with minimal (actually, non-existent) lighting?
Luckily, there are daily English tours at 2 pm that leave from the same ticket area as the Fort. If you take the combo tickets for the Fort St Pieter and the Maastricht caves, you will pay 11.50 Euros and have a perfect day (especially if it’s rainy, like it was when we went).
Make sure you wear comfy shoes for your tours, you’ll be on your feet for a good part of 2.5 hours. The weather in the cave is at a constant 11 degrees Celsius, and can vary at the fort, so dress in layers.
Again, this tour is highly informative, entertaining and so much fun. Learning the history of the Maastrict caves, how people lived down here and how they are being used today was fascinating.
The coolest thing was walking around with no lights. A slightly odd feeling for sure! We were left to navigate for a few meters in the pitch dark, with nothing but a hand on the wall, and the other, on the shoulder of the person in front of you!
3. Admire the Basilica of Saint Servatius, a beautiful church in Maastricht
It’s nearly impossible to miss the Basilica of Saint Servatius. It’s in the coolest areas of the city, backing onto the town’s main square, Vrijthof.
Although this is the fourth church that has been built on this same site, it is still the same location of the grave of an Armenian missionary, Saint Servatius. He was also bishop of Tongeren and died in Maastricht in 384.
We tried to visit the church, as it looked beautiful, but it was closed both times we went – once at night (around 7-8 pm) and again the next morning. We were told that it is possible to visit the church, as well as its crypts and treasury where they have many relics. Maybe you will have more luck than us!
4. Check out Sint-Janskerk, another attraction in Maastricht
Sint-Janskerk is located right next to the Basilica of Saint Servatius. It’s probably the most religious area in Maastricht! It’s a Protestant church that is iconic with its red tower – impossible to miss as well!
You can visit the church from 11 am to 4 pm on most days, as well as witness Sunday Mass there, at 10 am. The entrance to the church is free, but it will cost you 2.50 euros to climb the tower.
5. Check out Helpoort, a cool thing to do in Maastricht
Also known as Hell’s Gate, Helpoort is the oldest standing city gate in the Netherlands. It was built in the 13th century as part of the city fortification that protected Maastricht. The name itself is what drew us to this Maastricht attraction. We imagined it was an entrance to some underground rock and roll lair… We were wrong!
We thought it had a pretty cool name until we found out that it came from the fact that prisoners were kept in its tower. Luckily, those days are gone, as it later served as a residence, storage space and a workshop.
Today, the gate is home to a museum about the history of Maastricht’s fortifications. It’s part of the Old City fortifications, so if you’re walking along the city walls, it’s impossible to miss!
6. Admire the Basilica of Our Lady, a must-see in Maastricht
The Basilica of Our Lady stands tall and proud in Maastricht. It’s dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption although it is often referred to as the Star of the Sea. This is because the church’s main devotion is Our Lady, Star of the Sea. Inside, you can even see some figurines depicting these stories.
The church is beautiful inside and out. Inside, you can find a treasury that holds some beautiful artifacts. There’s even a little chapel on the side that seems to be independent from the main church.
7. Wander in Waldeckpark, one of the peaceful places to visit in Maastricht
Waldeckpark is the best place to visit in Maastricht to take a peaceful stroll. Just outside the old city walls, you can walk around and see a variety of sights that were actually quite unexpected!
These wooden sculptures can be found all around the river that cuts through the park. There was even an art installation that talks about various animals that have gone extinct or that were mistreated in a local zoo. Well, actually, this is what we gathered by using Google Translate on the signs that were posted!
The Waldeckpark is a beautiful place to walk around, take in the calm and beauty of nature, and get away from the “hustle and bustle” of the city (although it’s not very hectic). Luckily, we had a somewhat sunny day and got to hang out here.
8. Check out the City Hall and Markt Square, main attractions in Maastricht
Situated in Markt Square, and right across from our hotel, the City hall was impossible to miss for us. Although you can walk inside, there isn’t much to say about the City Hall, other than how beautiful it looks, both during the day, and all lit up at night.
The market sets up every Wednesday and Friday, right in front of the City Hall. Here, you will find pretty much anything and everything you could possibly need.
There are between 200 and 300 stalls that pop up from 9 am to 4 pm, selling everything from clothes, fabric, flowers, fresh produce, fish (only on Fridays) and so much more. Just note that the Friday market is larger than the Wednesday counterpart.
9. Check out a Christmas market in Maastricht in December
We got quite lucky with this one! We went to Maastricht at the perfect time to check out a Christmas market. In case you didn’t know, we love Christmas markets. They’re the perfect place to pig out and try all sorts of delicious local treats and meals. Obviously, we wash it all down with mulled wine!
The Maastricht Christmas market did not disappoint! It runs from December 1st to January 1st, every day of the week. There is a skating rink, a huge Ferris wheel and tons of stalls that sell souvenirs, food and pretty much anything you would want!
The Market is set up in Vrijthof Square, right by Sint-Janskerk and the Basilica of Saint Servatius. If you’re here in December, this is a must thing to do in Maastricht!
10. Spend hours in Boekhandel Dominicanen, the most beautiful place to visit in Maastricht
From the outside, Boekhandel Dominicanen looks like a church. But when you head inside, you will find the coolest bookstore in the world! It’s probably the most beautiful bookstore we have ever stepped foot in!
From the second we walked in, we were in love. The vibe here is so cool, and so impressive. To browse through books in this majestic and regal setting is an unreal feeling!
Initially, Boekhandel Dominicanen was a 13th-century Dominican church. Five centuries later, the church’s ecclesiastical function ended, and it began being used as stables, a bike shed, exhibition space, and then a party hall. It was only in 2006 that it became a bookstore.
Today, it is an independent bookshop (it used to be owned by a chain), and there are more than 700,000 visitors that come to see this beauty each year. We can’t blame them. This is probably the most beautiful thing to see in Maastricht!
Inside, you can find new and used books, in English, French, Spanish, German and Italian. There is also a music department, a café, and it’s even used as an event/exhibition hall from time to time.
11. Walk around the Old City Walls to discover Maastricht
Maastricht has always been an important historical location, strategically speaking. It has been attacked by would-be conquerors more times than it cares to remember. For this reason, it should be no surprise that, centuries ago, the city was fortified and enveloped by a large and sturdy city wall.
Today there are only remnants of this once great fortification, but what is still standing is still beautiful to lay your eyes on. For those of you like Derek, who is a geek and loves old-time castles and fortifications, walking around the old city wall is a must!
It’s one of those activities that can surprise you, like when we stumbled onto the serene scene above. This is only one of many sights the wall has to offer, all of which emit a historical aura not to be missed.
Where to stay in Maastricht
We loved our stay at the Hotel de la Bourse. It was in the perfect spot, at the heart of the city, right where the market takes place. It’s also within walking distance to all the sites, restaurants and just above an amazing cafe. What more can we ask for!
It was also super easy to get to from the train station. We walked there with no problem in maybe 15-20 minutes. No need to grab a bus or taxi, which is always great.
They provide a breakfast buffet which had everything we wanted. A great way to start the day. The room was large, with a desk where we could work from, which is oh-so important for us! It also checked off our most important box, a big comfy bed!
The staff were very friendly, providing great recommendations and keeping our bags while we visited the city after we checked out. Sometimes, the little things make a huge difference!
Where to eat in Maastricht
La Bodega: Who travels to the Netherlands and doesn’t want to eat Spanish food? Ok maybe not everyone, but if you are in the mood for something light, or some alcoholic beverages, you should stop by this delicious Spanish Tapas restaurant. Whether you are into meat or a vegetarian, they’ll have something yummy for you! We tried some jamón ibérico croquettes, along with some mushroom croquettes, patatas bravas, and pan con tomate. It really was like being back in Barcelona.
Patty ‘n bun: In the mood for a burger and some fries? Patty ‘n bun has burgers that leave you wishing your pants stretched a bit more than they do! We tried the pulled pork burger (you will need multiple napkins, be warned!) and the veggie burger made of beetroot and of course a side of french fries. Both were delish! The space is also really cool, especially this super retro 90’s mural they have. Be sure to bring cash though, because they do not accept credit cards like Visa or Mastercard. They accepted another European one, we clearly didn’t have!
The best time to visit Maastricht
Maastricht is slightly more humid, so temperatures vary greatly here. This reminds us greatly of our home town of Montreal, in Canada. The humidity has a way of making everything feel a lot colder (or hotter) than it actually is. The type of temperature that hits deep down inside your bones. Regardless of when you go, make sure you bring an umbrella – the rain is just as unpredictable here as it is in Amsterdam!
If you like warmer weather exploration, Maastricht is hottest during the months of June, July, and August. This also coincides with the busy tourist season. July, August, and September are when the prices are high and the crowds flock in.
Maastricht in December
We were in Maastricht in December, at the beginning of the month. The Christmas markets in Maastricht were open, the weather was a bit chilly at around 6 degrees Celsius, but nothing compared to our winters in Canada! It was sunny during the day but clouded over in the evening. Overall, it was really nice, mainly because there were no crowds!
To survive the weather in Maastricht in December, make sure you have a warm jacket, good walking shoes, and dress in layers. Also, be sure to have an umbrella handy, as the weather can quickly shift!
Getting from Amsterdam to Maastricht
The easiest and most eco-friendly way to get from Amsterdam to Maastricht is to take the train. There is a direct train that leaves at 6 am and takes about 2h30min to get to Maastricht. Just sit back, enjoy the ride, and the view that comes with it!
Maastricht definitely has that quaint, small-town vibe that we love. Being here just before Christmas added a little something to our experience too. Highlights? Visiting the Maastricht caves and Fort St. Pieter gave us insight into the city’s history we otherwise wouldn’t have gotten.
Sustainable travel and ecotourism in Maastricht
As always, we want to be sure everyone practices sustainable travel in Maastricht, the Netherlands, and all over the world. That’s why we always share these tips to help you travel in the most eco-friendly way possible! Ecotourism is so important because it helps lower our carbon footprint, it helps travel become less of a burden on the environment, and it helps preserve our beautiful planet, so future generations can explore the beauty of the world.
Here are our tips to help you practice sustainable travel in Maastricht:
- Bring reusable water bottles and coffee mug: Tap water in the Netherlands is safe to drink, so make sure you bring a reusable water bottle that you can fill up (We always have our Lifestraw Go with us!) And if you love to drink coffee, make sure you bring you reusable coffee mug too!
- Eat as local and vegan as you can: This is the easiest way to reduce your environmental footprint. Eat as much local produce and food as possible, and especially, eat all the vegan options you can! It’s a delicious and easy way to reduce your carbon footprint.
- Support small local restaurants and eateries: If you eat out, make sure you go to locally-owned restaurants. Avoid big chains or restaurants owned by conglomerates. Go off-the-beaten-path with your restaurant choice by asking locals for their best recommendations.
- Bring your own bags and refuse plastic bags: Like most places, they still offer plastic bags in grocery stores, at the local markets, at the Christmas market, and at various shops. So bring your own bag and do your little step to save our beautiful planet!
- Walk or bike around: When in the Netherlands, it seems like the best way to get around is to bike. So rent a bike when you can, if you want to whiz through Maastricht. However, we found the city very easy to walk. We even walked to the Fort, which is a bit outside of the city center. It’s a great way to stay in shape when you travel!
- Stay in eco-hotels or small locally-owned hotels in Maastricht: Another great way to promote ecotourism in Maastricht is to stay in smaller, locally-owned hotels, or better yet, to stay in eco-hotels. That’s why we loved the Hotel de la Bourse – a small, locally-owned hotel in Maastricht!
The 11 best things to do in Maastricht
To recap, here are best things to do in Maastricht. These are the must-sees and top attractions in Maastricht. So if you have 2 days in December, make sure you don’t miss these!
- Visit Fort St. Pieter
- Check out Maastricht’s underground caves
- Admire the Basilica of Saint Servatius
- Check out Sint-Janskerk
- Check out Helpoort
- Admire the Basilica of Our Lady
- Wander in Waldeckpark
- City Hall and Markt Square
- Check out a Christmas market in Maastricht
- Spend hours in Boekhandel Dominicanen
- Walk around the Old City Walls
If you ever are in the Netherlands, you just have to take a day or two, and come visit this University city that is teeming with energy. It’s a great escape, and the perfect place to walk around and get lost.
Have you added Maastricht to your bucketlist yet? Let us know in the comments if you have any other questions about this cute town.
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Reblogging to my sister site Timeless Wisdoms
Seems so peaceful and calming to even imagine visiting, so I can very well imagine living there!