The best tips for Maastricht
A few hours on the train (2,5 from Amsterdam) and you get off in the Limburg bubble Maastricht is called. Metropolitan on the one hand (hello Kiki Niesten! hello innovative catering industry, hello tourists, hello cozy squares and crowded terraces) and small-town (in a good way; nice and clear) on the other. About that 'hello tourists': Maastricht has no shortage of (day) guests (nice!), but we think the tip of the year is the city's aim to invite guests for what they call a 'Mid weekend'. Go on Sunday and stay until Thursday. Been there, done that and loved it. The addresses where you should go in our opinion, our ultimate tips for Maastricht:
Just to give you an idea: this is not a hotel that was once a monastery. This is a monastery into which a hotel was built. Due to heritage protection regulations, nothing could be permanently altered, which means that the entire hotel could theoretically be removed without touching a single stone of the 15th-century building. And you can see that: the Gothic vaults, the cloister, the church – all intact. The five-star design hotel was simply placed in between, with every room different from the next. Ask for the room you want, because it really matters which one you choose.
Maastricht has good shops, you know that. And Festen is one of those where you do howl becomes greedy. Such a concept store where you walk in for a book and come out with a candle, a notebook (you can never have enough of those), a piece of jewelry for yourself or your child, and a bath mat you didn't know your interior was missing. Oh, and a bag to take all of the above home in. Handy.
When you say Limburg, you of course say wines… Or well, maybe not completely or not at all, but that would be allowed! Because we should of course not attribute any advantage to global warming, but if we did, it would be that the wines from our own Dutch soil are getting better and better. That's true.
The no-brainer where you can cycle to from Maastricht is of course the Apostelhoeve. Go! And you can continue anyway St. Martinus wine estate, Dolmein Holset en Thorn winery on your list.
Also read: on a wine tour through the Netherlands en a guide for the ultimate weekend away in South Limburg
It's a bit of an open target, but when we're on a city trip, we prefer to have an extensive dinner. And we are certainly not the only ones. So we made a separate (laundry) list with the restaurants that you should not miss: The nicest restaurants in Maastricht (for dinner)
The Bonnefanten in Maastricht is one of the most enjoyable museums in the Netherlands, and we don't say that lightly. The impressive building on the Maas, designed by the Italian architect Aldo Rossi with that unmistakable rocket-shaped dome, is worth seeing even before you step inside. Once inside, you effortlessly switch between medieval sculpture and contemporary art. It is not a museum where you are forced to wander around, but one where you want to linger.
You go to the exhibition with kids. Born to Play: a colorful play trail past real works of art, sensory boxes, a shadow play, an endless puzzle, and more. So, look and do. For ages 6 to 12, and trust meThey aren't done with it easily.
On the outskirts of Maastricht (and incidentally, on the edge of the Netherlands), amidst the beautiful green landscape of the Dousberg, you will find the luxurious Thermen Maastricht. So, do you have tired feet after a day (or a few days) of all that walking through that beautiful city? Then this is the perfect solution!
Wellness & Sauna Thermen Maastricht has no fewer than 7 saunas. Start in the beautiful panoramic sauna (for the best view of course). The special lightning sauna and the fireplace sauna (say what!) don't sound bad either. But you can also find the classics such as an infusion sauna and a Turkish steam bath. Had enough heat? Soak in the caldarium aka relaxing herbal bath, or swim laps in the indoor or outdoor pool. Bubbling away in one of the outdoor whirlpool baths doesn't sound bad, right? There is actually too much to mention: at least you can be sure that you will return home completely rested. Zen mode activated!
And that garden… We can see ourselves sitting there all day. So that's possible! Because you can also spend the night at Thermen Maastricht Hotel De Prins van Oranje.
Hide out On the Maas, with a view of the Sint Servaas Bridge and a vibe that places you somewhere between Ibiza and Maastricht. Relaxed, cosmopolitan, sunny, and as soon as the terrace opens, this is the place to be. Indoors and outdoors flow seamlessly into one another, the water ripples in the background, and the Maastricht skyline does the rest.
In the kitchen, the best of two worlds come together: a classic French base with Asian twists. Think Asian pork belly, Indonesian rendang, and drunken salmon. Shared dining Or rather, keep everything to yourself – anything goes, nothing is mandatory. The cocktail menu is just as good as the wine list, and both deserve a spotlight of their own.
Tired of all that walking around the city? Pop into Rituals to unwind. And we don't mean the store itself, but the Mind Oasis. Simply put, this is a spa for your mind, with treatments based on sounds, scents, and breathing techniques.
You don't have to stay inside for a whole afternoon; you can also choose a short treatment, such as the 20-minute Hydro Massage (also available as a 55-minute session). During this treatment, you lie on a waterbed with red light therapy, which stimulates collagen production and provides a rejuvenating effect. Or choose the Brain Massage, where 30 minutes feels like two hours of sleep.
Wonderwoud is a whole different story, practically next door to Hotel Monestaire on Boschstraat. Here you’ll find plants—hence the name—but also coffee, records to play (and they are played right there, even on, say, a Tuesday morning), sandwiches, and sweet cakes. But the best part is the plants and accompanying trinkets. Find a spot in the narrow space that is Wonderwoud—it’s great for people-watching—and your day will get off to an excellent start.
The Dominican Bookshop in Maastricht is one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world, and that is no exaggeration. This former church has a turbulent past: from horse stable to slaughterhouse, from boxing gym to bicycle storage — eventually growing into the most unique bookshop in the Netherlands. Architectural firm Merkx + Girod ensured that the historical essence of the church was preserved, and it shows. Bookshelves reach to the ceiling, and when you’ve finished shopping, you settle down in the coffee bar, order a latte, and immediately dive into the reading material you just bought.
A bit too easy, you say? Mentioning Café Zondag again? Yeah, that might be true, but if Café Zondag hadn't been on the list of 'the best in Maastricht', you would have said, "Hey! Where is Café Zondag?!" True or false? Well then.
Just as uncomplicated and nice, in one of the nicest – if not the nicest – corners of Maastricht, we find Café Enfin. Simply such a lovely place in a lovely spot for every day.
In any case, you definitely don't want to miss the beautiful Maastrichter Heidenstraat, where you'll find Le Salonard, among other things: diagonally across the street you'll also find a delightful antique shop with shelves packed with books where you could browse for hours if you're not careful; across the street you can go shopping, and a few doors down is the nicest coffee shop in the city (in my opinion): Koffie – bij Joost & Maartje (see below). And Le Salonard, of course, a classic bakery with private dining occasion. The shop is tiny, everything smells delicious and the loaves reach almost the ceiling; handsome boy who goes out empty-handed.
With a dot at number one an approche française: Le Fernand, Café Manger. As the name suggests, the owner is named Fernand, and the French atmosphere prevails here. Le Fernand, Café Manger is tiny, overlooks the old bishop's mill, and is located in one of the nicest little streets – the Koestraat/Stenenbrug – in Maastricht. So you feel like you are directly in a region very romantic in somewhere l'Hexagone (nickname for France, Yes Yes). Sound through the speakers songs and on the menu only delicious French wines. Now all that – and the eyes of the handsome bartender – contributes to a nice ambiance, but we would especially like to recommend this for the food. What that really is here very delicious. Camembert au four, s, canard confit, square du porc, cuisse de poulet, you want it all. The products are farm-fresh, go for a great price and if you can't choose, we recommend the lush flat du surprise .
If, like us, you always end up in a brown café during an evening in Maastricht (to be clear: there is nothing, absolutely nothing wrong with it) then next time think about the speak easy style cocktail bar Mr. Smith.
To get in, you have to ring the doorbell (and remain standing), after which you will be escorted by one of the hosts (or hostesses) to a table or – even better – the bar one floor down in the dark catacombs of the beautiful Maastricht building. Right, gentlemen style. That's like Mr. Smith wants to be known – as a bar with class. What worked. The jazz music is wonderful (not too loud, not too soft, not too difficult but certainly not too flat), the looks are classic and industrial (chesterfield, wooden paneling, wing chairs and a Persian rug versus a rough ceiling). And the cocktails? They are something to write home about, both in originality and taste.
Image via Entree Magazine
The Vondel Hotels group – what gems they are. It all started with the opening of Hotel de Hallen in the Amsterdamse Hallen in Amsterdam-West (still a delightful address), and the love reached a peak when the doors of Hotel Mercier opened – so beautiful! In the meantime, the hotel also opened a location far outside the city limits, specifically in Maastricht. You can read all about that here: Hotel Monestere Maastricht. Does it stop there? Nope. In the meantime, they have also opened a hotel on Vijzelstraat (Hotel van de Vijzel) and on the Pontstijger in the Houthavens. But I don't think it stops here. To be continued…
If you are new to this site (hey, hello, welcome!), you may notice that 'we at Barts Boekje' are quite fond of the better classics. At least, we hope that is noticeable because it is. And certainly in Maastricht, we prefer to go to those businesses with proven services. Where the seasoned bartenders know their Pappenheimers, the menu is well-known and simply very good, where the champagne comes in flat glasses and where the bar is the central place of the business. So Café de Bóbbel.
The Fire Station Canteen, aka De Kantine in Maastricht, is and remains one of the nicest and most relaxed cafés in the city. The doors open at 10:00 in the morning for a cup of Bocca coffee. Which is exactly what the (young) people of Maastricht are doing, with or without a laptop, as the Kantine turns out to be an excellent workspace. Perhaps they come from the so called Studios where – aha – spaces in the former fire station have been converted into workspaces (which naturally attract mainly young creatives) and which can be rented for private events. Dinner is simmering between 5:00 PM and 10:30 PM – no surprises there, but very tasty dishes that genuinely cater to vegetarians (no, no eggs). De Brandweerkantine is child-friendly too; there is a nice play corner for the kids featuring mostly toys from bygone days. The canteen stays open as long as it is lively, just the way we like to see it. Reservations are not possible, which we also appreciate: there is plenty of room anyway.
Looking at art and Maastricht is a 1-2 thing. You stumble across galleries with work from all movements, from classical to modern, especially in the streets just outside the compact shopping center. My favorite is the contemporary Marres. The stately mansion that once belonged to a brewing family - art, fries with pickled meat and beer, that is Maastricht - was converted into a place where inspiring contemporary exhibitions can be seen, where lectures are given and where you can follow training courses. Marres is affiliated with Very Contemporary, a collaboration of thirteen contemporary art institutions. Another reason to visit the characteristic, intimate Marres is Marres Kitchen: truly good yet uncomplicated dining? Chef Maher Al Sabbagh is your man. At Marres, he cooks special Middle Eastern dishes with a Mediterranean touch. touch, with ingredients from the region. In the summer months you can eat in the beautiful courtyard and special vegan evenings are organized. You can also just drink a cup of coffee.
Anyone who visits Maastricht often has known this for a long time, of course, but the Sphinx Quarter in Maastricht is the place to keep an eye on. Here you will find The SocialHub (formerly: Student Hotel) and another location of our beloved Shed 5 (!) in this whole (hip and happening) neighbourhood.
Yes, of course, Café Sjiek! Always. Otherwise, you haven't really been to Maastricht. There is actually nothing we don't like here, and we have felt that way for quite a while. And not just us: I think Café Sjiek is (rightfully) the most beloved spot in the city. It's down to everything: from the striking line drawings on glassware (a little figure sucking her wine glass dry to the last drop), plates (licking is allowed), the menu, business cards (iech vin diech sjiek), and even the coffee biscuit with the coffee says 'sjiek keukske'. The café itself is how a café should be: entering through a heavy curtain, immediately bumping into the bar, and then walking through to the back where there are more seats. The staff are seasoned professionals who don't let themselves get flustered (but are friendly at all times), and in case you were thinking... Then the food must be disappointing... WRONG! Mega-super delicious. From the chic oysters to the local sour meat. Not going is a shame, actually. Whether you want to have a beer or wine, have lunch, or sit down in the evening for a homemade stew.
Amidst all the eating, drinking, and shopping, the Sint-Pietersberg is your cultural moment in Maastricht, and what a moment it is. Just outside the city center, a ten-minute walk takes you into a completely different world. Above ground, you walk through nature with views over the Meuse Valley; underground, you dive into a labyrinth of marl tunnels. A guide takes you deep down; don't forget to bring a coat, as it is always eleven degrees inside the mountain, all year round.
After that comes Monte Nova: a large sunny terrace, coffee with Limburg flan, and an atmosphere that makes both kids and adults happy. Anyone with energy left can hit a ball on the mini-golf course. Not a bad way to end the day.
Just the name alone... Nice, right? This also applies to the shop that looks like no other in Maastricht: large and light and spacious (most shops in the city are a bit smaller, especially a bit fuller) and perfect for a newspaper and laptop.
Read more: COFFEE (At Joost and Maartje)
In the Sphinx Quarter in Maastricht, you’ll find the very best in the neighborhood, and that is Lumière Cinema Restaurant Café. Quite a mouthful, yes, and well worth it: firstly, there is the cinema showing the best (cult/art house) films, perfect for a rainy afternoon or day in Maastricht. For the rest of the time, you can head to the restaurant located on the first floor: a gigantic industrial space (where the lighting is beautiful) with a truly mega-tasty (lunch) menu (we didn't eat there in the evening, but that must be top-notch too). Generous portions (good luck finishing the salad), shrimp croquettes (when in Maastricht) and more… Big tip!
You can read more about Maastricht here! Barts Boekje x Maastricht (especially more hotels too!)
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