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Maastricht, Netherlands - A Brief Guide
The small city of Maastricht is located in Limburg, the southernmost province of Netherlands some 200km from Amsterdam. Maastricht is chic, classy and has a very different feel to the northern cities - it lies very close to the Belgian and German borders. It's a great place for a day trip or weekend visit and is easily reached by a 2.5 hour train journey from Amsterdam. This brief overview will give you a flavour of the city... |
Maastricht can be easily explored on foot in a few hours. From the train station (which is located east of the centre) walk out and down Stationstraat in a westerly direction. Within 10 minutes walking you reach the Sintservas bridge and the river Maas. The city centre lies just across the bridge on the western side with the tourist information (VVV) just up the street and to the right at Kleinestraat.
Some Things to Do / See in Maastricht
Shopping - Maastricht has lots of interesting independent shops as well as the usual Dutch chains. The main shopping drag is on Grote Staat. There is an antiques and flea market each Saturday along Stationstraat.
Squares - The 2 main city squares are Markt which has the City Hall (Stadhuis) and the Vrijthof with the churches St Servaskerk / St Janskerk and the Spanish Government House.
City walls - Take a stroll along the old city walls at Helpoort near the Maas river bank. There are more walls running west along the smaller river Jeker.
De Hoge Brug - This modern bridge for pedestrians and cyclists provides lovely views over the river Maas.
Bonnefanten museum - A few minutes walk south along the river Maas (eastern side) is Maastricht's most famous museum - the Bonnefanten with its interesting post-modern architecture and distinctive cupola - designed by Italian architect Aldo Rossi. The museum has various art exhibits including old Dutch, Flemish and Italian paintings as well as some modern art. Admission costs €8 for adults, €4 for ages 13-18 and free entry for under 13s and museumkaart holders.
There is also a small Natural History museum at De Bosquetplein in the centre.
There are many cafes and restaurants around the main squares. For a drink near the river try a Gulpener (local beer) at the Brasserie Bonhomme, not far from the Sintservas bridge.
The train trip from Amsterdam to Maastricht costs €43.80 (discount €26.30) for a day or weekend return in second class. First class costs €74.50 (discount €44.70). Note, Dutch railways (NS) sometimes run a special offer weekend all day travel for 2 in first class for around €45 - this is excellent value if going to Maastricht.
As you near Maastricht by train you will notice the change of landscape to rolling green hills quite similar to the UK. It is possible to take a short sidetrip by train to Valkenburg which is a small touristy town with a castle. The journey takes only 10 minutes and the trip costs €5.30 return.
If you wish to stay in Maastricht
for a few days then consider the very good (but regularly sold out) Crowne
Plaza hotel with its views of the Maas river and convenient location near
De Hoge Brug bridge. For other Maastricht hotels (rates up to 80% off)
click
here.