Maastricht
One Of The Oldest Cities In The Netherlands, On The Maas Between Belgium And Germany; The Vrijthof, The Saint Servatius Basilica And The Treaty Of 1992 · Maastricht, Limburg
Maastricht is the southernmost city of the Netherlands, squeezed between Belgium and Germany on the river Maas, and it feels unlike the rest of the country: hills at its edges, Roman and medieval foundations, rich Burgundian food and a slow cafe-terrace rhythm closer to Liege than to Amsterdam. Its heart is the Vrijthof, a vast square framed by the Saint Servatius Basilica, one of the oldest churches in the country with a remarkable treasury, and the red tower of Sint Janskerk. Close by are the Basilica of Our Lady, the Helpoort (often called the oldest surviving city gate in the Netherlands) and Boekhandel Dominicanen, a bookshop inside a Gothic church. South of town the Sint Pietersberg hill hides miles of hand-cut marl tunnels, seen only on guided tours. The treaty that created the European Union was signed here in 1992. People come for food, shopping, churches, caves and easy day trips to Liege, Aachen and Valkenburg. The honest caveat: it is about two and a half hours by train from Amsterdam, and at Carnival, TEFAF and the summer concerts hotels fill and prices jump.
Maastricht old town from the Vrijthof and Onze Lieve Vrouweplein to the Sint Servaas bridge over the Maas, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
The old town is open all year and free to walk. Saint Servatius, its treasury and the Basilica of Our Lady open daily with shorter hours on Sundays and in winter - confirm; the Sint Janskerk tower opens roughly Easter to autumn. The North Caves (Grotten Noord) are seen only on guided tours, several a day in summer and fewer in winter - book online. Intercity trains run direct from Amsterdam and Utrecht (about 2.5 hours from Amsterdam), Eindhoven (about an hour) and Liege (about 30 minutes); the station is in Wyck, 15 minutes on foot from the Vrijthof. Parking in the centre is expensive; use a P+R. Book hotels months ahead for Carnival, TEFAF (March) and the July concerts.