Maastricht — Southern Charm

Maastricht is the least Dutch city in the Netherlands — and that's precisely why it's so fascinating. Nestled between Belgium and Germany, in the far south of the Limburg province, Maastricht has a Burgundian lifestyle that resembles Liège or Aachen more than Amsterdam.

Highlights

• Vrijthof — The most beautiful square in the city, flanked by the Romanesque Sint-Servaasbasiliek (oldest church in the Netherlands, founded around 560) and the Gothic Sint-Janskerk. Surrounded by terrace cafés — the perfect place for an afternoon with Vlaai (Limburg fruit pie) and coffee.
• Boekhandel Dominicanen — A Gothic Dominican church from the 13th century, converted into a bookstore. Regularly voted the "most beautiful bookstore in the world" — and that's no exaggeration. The vault, the frescoes, the bookshelves in the former chapels: breathtaking.
• Sint Pietersberg — The hill on the outskirts of the city houses a 250 km long tunnel system (caves) created over centuries through marl extraction. Guided tours (also with a spooky effect) show charcoal drawings, bats, and the room where Rembrandt's Night Watch was hidden during World War II. From €8.50.
• Wyck District — The charming district between the train station and the Maas: concept stores, delicatessens, art galleries, and the Bonnefantenmuseum (modern art in a striking building by Aldo Rossi).
• Three-Country Point — At the Drielandenpunt on the Vaalserberg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany meet. The highest point in the Netherlands (322 m) — yes, that's all. Still: worth a photo.

Maastricht is accessible by train from Amsterdam in 2.5 hours. For a round trip: Rotterdam – Zeeland – Maastricht – Aachen is an exciting southern route.