Maastricht, Netherlands

Vrijthof is a large urban square in the center of Maastricht and one of the most famous squares in the city. Once an ancient Roman and Frankish graveyard, the square was later transformed into a semi-private space owned by the Collegiate Church of Saint Servatius and went on to become the town's main square in the 19th century. Vrijthof is home to the two main churches in the city – the Romanesque Basilica of St. Servatius and the Gothic-style church of Sint Janskerk, and hosts many of the city’s main events such as the week-long carnival celebration that takes place annually before Lent. The square is an excellent spot for relaxing over a cup of coffee and a gooey, caramel Dutch waffle-biscuit known as a stroopwafel.

Vrijthof, Maastricht, Netherlands

The Lichtenberg Castle ruins are the remnants of one of the oldest castles in the Netherlands.

Constructed in the early 1200s during the Medieval period, the castle was built in a strategic position on the flank of the Sint-Pietersberg overlooking the Maas. The castle began to fall into disrepair halfway through the 18th century, and a farm was built on the site, but the ruins of the castle’s defensible residential tower are still visible today. You can spend the night at the Lichtenberg Farm and explore the ruins, and the limestone wall below the castle ruins that has been classified as a Geological monument.

Lichtenberg Castle , Castle ruin Lichtenberg, Lichtenbergweg 2, Maastricht, Netherlands

Every Saturday, the Stationsstraat at Maastricht’s central train station is transformed into the Maastricht flea market. The city’s largest flea market is located outside the building of the central train station and is an exciting mix of an antique and curio market.

The market is a great place for browsing for antiques, period pieces, and one-of-a-kind treasures, as well as gramophone records, vinyl records, and cassettes, old books, antique furniture and lamps, and other peculiar knick-knacks. The market also sells a range of unique souvenirs and special mementos and is open between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Flea Market of Maastricht, Maastricht, Netherlands

Fort Saint Pieter is a historical Netherlands fortress that was constructed in the 18th century to defend the strategically important city once known as the ‘Iron City.’

The hill-like hexagonal defensive fort was built in 1701 by the governor of Maastricht, Daniël Wolf, Baron von Dopff, and features a network of tunnels and passages that were once connected to the famous marl caves that form a grid beneath the city, enabling excellent defense of the town. The fort stood firm during an attack on the city by the French in 1794 and still bears the marks of its single siege, which can be explored on guided tours of the fortress.

Fort Saint Pieter, Helpoort, Sint Bernardusstraat, Maastricht, Netherlands

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

The Bonnefantenmuseum is dedicated to exhibiting an array of artworks from both Old Masters and contemporary artists from the Limburg area.

The museum presents permanent collections and temporary exhibitions over three floors that feature the works of 16th and 17th century Old Masters, such as Anthony van Dyck, Jacob Jordaens, and Rubens, as well as contemporary artworks that focus on movements such as Concept Art, Minimal Art and Arte Povera with works by international artists, such as Sol LeWitt. Set on the banks of the Meuse River, the museum is based in a building designed by the Italian architect Aldo Rossi and is an architecturally significant artwork in itself.

Bonnefantenmuseum , Avenue Céramique, Maastricht, Netherlands

Maastricht’s Casemates is a nine-mile network of defensive bunkers, mine galleries, and tunnels that were built between 1575 and 1825 on the western side of Maastricht as part of the city’s defense system. These tunnels were used to approach and surprise the enemy from underground when the city was under siege up until the 18th century and later as shelter from bombardments during the Second World War. Visitors can explore the tunnel system and vaulted chambers, which has been hailed as a monument to the art of war, on guided tours.

Casemates Military Fortress, Kazematten, Tongerseplein, Maastricht, Netherlands

Resting at the center of the city, the Stadhuis (City Hall) is Maastricht’s imposing City Hall that stands on the Market Square. Designed by Pieter Post in 1664 and built in the Dutch Classicism style, the building features an impressive tower with 49 bells that still toll regularly, and an awe-inspiring interior filled with ceiling frescoes and stucco work, and massive wall tapestries. The beautiful building overlooks the bustling Market Square, where the local food market is held on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Stadhuis van Maastricht, 78 Markt, Maastricht-Centrum Maastricht, Limburg, 6211 CL, The Netherlands

Activities and Attractions for Couples:

One of eight distinctive neighborhoods in Maastricht, The Wyck District, is situated on the border between the city center and outskirts and boasts an enchanting mix of old and new architecture. Hailed as the ‘upcoming’ neighborhood of the city, Wyck features quaint little cobblestone streets lined with chic boutiques, eclectic shops, and brand stores, sidewalk cafés and coffee shops, stylish restaurants and buzzing bars. The Wyck Vintage Fashion Market is a famous outdoor clothing market held in the summer that is the place to go for vintage clothing, accessories, and shoes, as well as fresh fashion items, fantastic food, and live entertainment.

The Wyck District , Maastricht, Netherlands

Sint Janskerk (Saint John’s Church) is a beautiful 15th-century Gothic church with a soaring 140-foot red limestone tower and one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Named after John the Baptist, the church is one of the seven Maasgotic churches and chapels in the center of Maastricht and is built in marlstone. The focal point of the church is the red tower, which was influenced by the Dom tower in Utrecht and houses a 15th-century wooden belfry with a clock from 1687. Visitors can climb the tower via very narrow spiral stairs and be rewarded with spectacular views of the city from the top.

Sint Janskerk (Saint John’s Church), Vrijthof, Maastricht, Netherlands

The North Caves, also known as the Marl Caves of Maastricht, is a network of underground caves dating back to the 13th century that play an essential role in the history of the city. Originally dug to mine marl, lime-rich mud that contains large amounts of clay and silt, the caves formed a network so vast with more than 20,000 passageways, that it was later used for purposes other than mining. During the Second World War, the 200-mile long cave complex was used to hide valuable paintings and historical artifacts from the Germans, as well as armaments that could be used against the Germans. The caves were also used as a shelter for citizens of the city during heavy bombardments, and today, the caves can be explored on guided tours.

The North Caves, Grotten Noord Maastricht, Luikerweg, Maastricht, Netherlands