Maastricht

Maastricht, Netherlands

Maastricht is a place with a unique and authentic energy and dynamism that you won't experience anywhere else in the Netherlands. It is the current mix of cultures, languages, and flavours that make the city burst with creativity, research, enterprise, trend-setting and culinary delights. All this and more makes Maastricht a favourite destination for a day of shopping, a weekend away for two, or an elegant European holiday.

Population:

123,000

Currency:

Euro, 1 € = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

Police, fire and ambulance: 112

Opening Hours:

General opening hours:
Monday: 1:00 PM-6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM-6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM-6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM-9:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM-6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM/6:00 PM
Sunday* open from 12:00 noon
*Except New Year's Day, Carnival Sunday, Easter Sunday, Whit Sunday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. On the days of the Sacramental Procession (Easter Monday, 6 April) and the city procession (17 May), shops in the city centre open at 1:00 PM.

Newspapers:

De Limburger
De Ster
De Telegraaf

The City

COMPACT & CONTACT
You will feel right at home in Maastricht. You can get to know the very compact city centre very quickly, and you'll be greeted warmly everywhere you go. The highlights are all within walking distance, and it's hard to lose your way on the charming, mostly car-free, streets. But if you ever do, there's always someone willing to point you in the right direction.

THE 'MESTREECHTER GEIS'
Charm, playfulness, a healthy dose of humour, and a zest for life: these are the ingredients of the Maastricht local character. This character has been immortalized by the artist Mari Andriessen in the bronze statue Mestreechter Geis, on the square near Stokstraat.

HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE
The whole of the Maastricht city centre has been declared a protected national monument. In the historic buildings and elegant houses, you will find a rich variety of architectural styles from different ages – from the early Roman period to the Maastricht Renaissance. Experience the seamless transition from stately, old façades to contemporary architecture and the historic buildings of the future.

IT’S ALL IN THE MIX
That intriguing blend of past and present is not only seen in the architecture, but definitely carries through into the city's cultural offerings as well. Colourful, traditional, and uniquely Maastricht, but also mysterious, undiscovered, challenging, and sophisticated. From underground cultural treasures and the city's signature bell towers to energetic and exciting festivals, exhibitions, and breathtaking performances – Maastricht is bursting with activities year-round, with a four-season event calendar featuring unique and distinct cultural happenings for every season.

CITY OF FASHION AND SHOPPING
Designer boutiques and major labels are found in abundance, punctuated by genuine one-of-a-kind shops with unique must-have fashion, lifestyle, and design items and accessories. All this only adds to the rich setting of the historic city centre. The heart of the city is rightly legendary among fashion-lovers and shopaholics, who can shop to their hearts' content here, seven days a week.

Unique Spots / Top 10

The whole of the Maastricht city centre has been declared a protected national monument. In the historic buildings and elegant houses, you will find a rich variety of architectural styles from different ages – from the early Roman period to the Maastricht Renaissance. Experience the seamless transition from stately, old façades to contemporary architecture and the historic buildings of the future. One beautiful example is the architecture district Céramique, built on the former site of a prominent ceramics factory. Another is the Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts and Design (MAFAD) on Herdenkingsplein, designed by Limburg architect Wiel Arets, which UNESCO has named as one of the most beautiful buildings of the 20th century.

That intriguing blend of past and present is not only seen in the architecture, but definitely carries through into the city's cultural offerings as well. Colourful, traditional, and uniquely Maastricht, but also mysterious, undiscovered, challenging, and sophisticated. From underground cultural treasures and the city's signature bell towers to energetic and exciting festivals, exhibitions, and breathtaking performances – Maastricht is bursting with activities year-round.

Do & See

No matter what you do, in Maastricht culture is always an experience. You are submerged in a blend of shapes and styles, colours and fragrances. The past and the present are intertwined in the countless imposing monuments and modern architecture. Its cultural palette gives Maastricht a unique character - mysterious and provocative with its underground cultural treasures and characteristic towers, and dynamic and extroverted with its lively festivals, expositions, and breathtaking performances.

Whatever your taste, Maastricht is guaranteed to tickle your senses.

Dining

If you love food, you won't be bored in Maastricht, because you'll find at least one restaurant for just about every type of cuisine here. From Mediterranean classics, to Asian specialities, to the delights you'll only find here; and from Michelin-starred restaurants to wine bars to good old-fashioned pubs, Maastricht has it all. The countless restaurants offer hospitality and quality for every budget. You will find Maastricht's restaurateurs eager to showcase local products, not only in traditional local dishes, but in exciting and original "world cuisine" combinations. And don't miss the chance to visit some of the many unique dining opportunities in castles, estates, vaulted cellars, warehouses, and churches. Culinary highlights abound throughout the city. Chef Hans van Wolde of Beluga Loves You has retained his two Michelin stars for another year, and the guide has also heralded Château Neercanne and Tout à Fait as "très bonne cuisine" with one star each.