Maastricht stands on both banks of the Maas in the far south of the Netherlands and is one of the country's oldest settlements. Its name comes from the Roman crossing of the river. It feels unlike the rest of the country: the old town is built of stone, the church squares are wide, and the Belgian border is a few kilometres away. The Basilica of Saint Servatius is regarded as the oldest church in the Netherlands. The city gave its name to the treaty signed here in 1992 that founded the European Union, and it is also known today as a university town.
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See flights to Maastricht →When to visit Maastricht
April to September is the easiest stretch, with daytime temperatures between 15C and 24C and the cafes on the Vrijthof and the Onze-Lieve-Vrouweplein spilling outdoors. Carnival in February brings the liveliest days, celebrated in the street over three days unlike in the north of the country. November to January is wet and cool, though the underground Christmas market held in the caves gives December its own reason.
Things to do in Maastricht
Vrijthof square
The city's largest square is bounded on one side by the Basilica of Saint Servatius and the red tower of Sint-Janskerk, and on the other by a row of cafes. It served for centuries as a fair and ceremonial ground, and today it is the centre of carnival, the summer concerts and the December Christmas market.
Basilica of Saint Servatius
Regarded as the oldest church in the Netherlands, the basilica was raised over the grave of Saint Servatius, who died in 384, and its present Romanesque body dates from the 11th century. The treasury displays medieval gold and silver church objects, and the 13th century Bergportaal on the south side is notable for its stone carving.
Boekhandel Dominicanen
A 13th century Dominican church was converted into a bookshop in 2006, with the shelves set into the nave as a three storey steel structure and the vault frescoes left exposed. The choir now serves as the cafe, and the shop appears regularly on lists of the world's most beautiful bookshops.
Fort Sint Pieter and the Sint-Pietersberg caves
The pentagonal fort built on the hill south of the city between 1701 and 1702 also guards the entrance to the galleries beneath it. Centuries of quarrying marl left a network about 200 kilometres long, its walls carrying charcoal drawings and inscriptions spanning centuries, and the tunnels served as shelters in the Second World War. Both the fort and the galleries are visited on guided tours only.
Helpoort
Built in 1229, this is the oldest surviving city gate in the Netherlands and what remains of the city's first ring of walls. It stands with its two round towers at the end of the riverside park, and a small exhibition upstairs covers the city's defensive history.
Bonnefanten Museum
On the east bank of the Maas, the building designed by the Italian architect Aldo Rossi and opened in 1995 is a contemporary landmark with its rocket shaped dome. The collection runs from medieval sculpture and old Dutch painting to contemporary art, and a footbridge over the river links it to the old town.
Flights from Turkey to Maastricht
Direct flights to Maastricht from Turkey depart from Antalya, take about 3 hours 20 minutes, and are operated by Pegasus. The route is seasonal and runs mainly in summer. From Istanbul the trip requires a connection through Amsterdam, Brussels or Dusseldorf, and Maastricht is about an hour and a half from Brussels and two and a half from Amsterdam by train.
Maastricht FAQ
How many days do you need in Maastricht?
Two days cover the old town, the basilicas and the museums. Adding the caves and the riverside makes three, and since Liege in Belgium and Aachen in Germany are each under an hour away, a four day trip taking in three countries is common.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
Maastricht Aachen Airport is about 10 kilometres from the centre, 25 minutes by bus. It is a small airport with few scheduled services, and Brussels, Dusseldorf and Amsterdam airports are alternatives reachable by train.
Do you need a visa for the Netherlands?
The Netherlands is in the Schengen area and a Turkish passport needs a Schengen visa obtained in advance. The Belgian and German borders are very close to Maastricht, and since both countries are in the Schengen area the same visa covers the crossing.
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