Maastricht Tourist Attractions, Landmarks, Monuments and Sightseeing

(Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands)

Many of the most notable tourist attractions in Maastricht are based around the inner harbour known as the Bassin, where you are strongly advised to enjoy a coffee at one of the many cafes and soak up the atmosphere. Close by are a number of unusual landmarks and attractions, with the hill of St. Pietersberg being of particular interest to many visitors to Maastricht, since it is filled with a series of hidden man-made stone tunnels.

Further tourist attractions surround the many public squares in the city centre, such as the plazas of Vrijthof, Markt and Onze Lieve Vrouweplein. After your stroll around central Maastricht, visiting sights such as the Helpoort (Hell's Gate) and St. Servaas Basilica, what could be nicer than taking a long sightseeing cruise along the Mass River?

River Cruises and Guided Tours

Address: Maaspromenade 27, Maastricht, Netherlands, NL
Tel: +31 043 351 5300
Boat cruises are available along the Mass River and operated by Stiphout Cruises. Various sightseeing trips are offered and pass a number of Maastricht's interesting attractions along the banks. During the high season, day-long return trips to Liege in nearby Belgium are particularly popular. English-language walking tours are available during the months of July and August.
Open hours: April to October - daily, November and December - Saturday and Sunday
Admission: charge, discounts for children

Fortifications and Tunnels

Many tourists are surprised to discover that Maastricht is actually riddled with endless defensive tunnels, which have been carved out of the city's soft sandstone for literally hundreds of years. One of the best places to visit the tunnels is at St. Pietersberg, situated approximately 2 km / 1.5 miles directly south of the Helpoort. Also worth exploring in Maastricht are the fortified city walls, which edge the Maas River and create many excellent photo opportunities.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free, charge for guided tours of the tunnels

Public Squares

The numerous public squares around central Maastricht are surrounded by a series of quality tourist attractions. Simply strolling around these plazas offer one of the very best and simplest ways to sightsee and many enticing streets lie directly south of the Vrijthof Square, where you will discover nothing short of a medieval labyrinth. Brimming with pavement cafes is the square known as Onze Lieve Vrouweplein, which is dominated by its namesake church, the Onze Lieve Vrouwebasiliek. The Market Square (Markt) features several prominent landmarks, such as the old City Hall (Stadhuis), which was built in the middle of the 17th century as a cloth hall.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free

St. Servaas Basilica / Church (Sint Servaasbasiliek)

Address: Vrijthof Square, Maastricht, Netherlands, NL
Vrijthof Square is dominated by the St. Servaas Basilica and dates back as far back as the 6th century. Over the years, this Catholic church has been rebuilt and renovated several times. The most historic part of the St. Servaas Basilica is actually more than 1,000 years old, which makes this church not only the oldest church in Maastricht, but throughout the Netherlands. Attractions include Gothic-style architecture, a treasury room and a rather elaborate entrance, adorned with religious statues. The St. Servaas Basilica is now an important Dutch landmark and listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Nearby and around the Vrijthof Square are both the Vrijthoftheatre and St. John's Church (Sint Janskerk).
Open hours: April to October, daily - 10:00 to 17:00; November to March, Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children

Hell's Gate (Helpoort)

Address: St. Bernardusstraat 24, Maastricht, Netherlands, NL
Tel: +31 043 321 2586
The Helpoort is Holland's oldest surviving town gate and was built almost 800 years ago, along with a lengthy stretch of city wall. Further fortifications were added during the 15th century and today, the Helpoort is home to an interesting collection of local history and was once actually used as a prison. Other attractions include some excellent views, if you are prepared to climb to the very top of the tower itself. A number of further historical landmarks are close by, including the Jeker Tower.
Open hours: daily - 13:30 to 16:30
Admission: free