Maastricht in 3 days

The Netherlands' oldest city, where Burgundian food culture meets Roman walls and underground caves. Best time to visit: April-June, September-October. Average daily budget: $130 to $260 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Binnenstad & Vrijthof, The main square framed by two churches and lined with the city's biggest terrace scene.

Morning: Browse Boekhandel Dominicanen. A 13th-century Dominican church converted into a bookshop, with a café in the former choir.

Afternoon: Explore Binnenstad & Vrijthof, The main square framed by two churches and lined with the city's biggest terrace scene.

Evening: Tour the Sint Pietersberg caves. Guided walks through marl tunnels used as WWII shelters and hiding places for Rembrandt's Night Watch.

Eat: Limburgse vlaai, the region's open fruit tart

Day 2, Go deeper

Base: Wyck & Céramique, Across the river, boutique shops, the Bonnefanten museum and the best independent restaurants.

Morning: Cross the Sint Servaasbrug. The oldest bridge in the Netherlands, linking the old town to Wyck's restaurants.

Afternoon: Explore Wyck & Céramique, Across the river, boutique shops, the Bonnefanten museum and the best independent restaurants.

Evening: Visit the Basilica of Saint Servatius. The country's oldest church, with a treasury of medieval reliquaries beside the Vrijthof.

Eat: Zoervleis, a sweet-sour braised beef stew with fries

Day 3, Hidden side

Base: Jekerkwartier, The quiet student quarter of small canals, the old city walls and the botanical garden.

Morning: Sit out a long lunch on Vrijthof. The local ritual: vlaai, coffee and a Limburg beer while the square fills up.

Afternoon: Explore Jekerkwartier, The quiet student quarter of small canals, the old city walls and the botanical garden.

Evening: Fort Sint Pieter, an 18th-century fortress with tunnel tours and valley views.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Bitterballen with a Brand or Gulpener beer on Vrijthof

Hidden gems

Fort Sint Pieter, an 18th-century fortress with tunnel tours and valley views.
The Helpoort, the oldest surviving city gate in the Netherlands.
Château Neercanne, a terraced castle restaurant on the Belgian border.
The Maastricht Underground North Caves, quieter than the main system.

Getting around

The centre is small, flat and walkable, with two river bridges connecting both halves. Bikes are cheap to rent and the city has an easy bike network. Trains reach Amsterdam in two and a half hours, Brussels in about two hours via Liège, and Aachen in 30 minutes. Liège and Brussels airports are the closest hubs.

Safety

Maastricht is a very safe, prosperous city. The main annoyances are bike theft and busy cycle lanes; always look before crossing. Carnival in February gets extremely crowded and drunken, so watch your belongings. Cave tours must be taken with a guide, as the tunnel systems are genuinely easy to get lost in.

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