Maastricht
3
Day Itinerary •
Netherlands
Three days in Maastricht and Limburg reveal the most extraordinary combination of European heritage, underground Roman history and Dutch hill country in the Netherlands. The Sint-Servaasbasiliek, the oldest church in the Low Countries, the 200km of catacombs beneath Maastricht, the ruined castle of Valkenburg above the only hill town in the Netherlands, the largest antiques market in the Benelux at Tongeren and the extraordinary all-white village of Thorn are all within reach. This route moves from the most European city in the Netherlands through the extraordinary limestone hills and sunken lanes of Zuid-Limburg to the Belgian border antiques market and the most extraordinary white village in northwest Europe. Three extraordinary days in the finest and most un-Dutch corner of the Netherlands.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Train from Amsterdam 2.5 hours or fly to Eindhoven (EIN)
Getting Around
Car essential for hills and villages
Budget Per Day
Approx 130 to 350 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some hill cycling
DAY 1
MAASTRICHT, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY CITY IN THE NETHERLANDS
MORNING
MAASTRICHT, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY AND MOST EUROPEAN CITY IN THE NETHERLANDS
Maastricht is the most extraordinary city in the Netherlands, its extraordinary Vrijthof square flanked by the Sint-Servaasbasiliek, the oldest church in the Low Countries from the 4th century, and the Sint-Janskerk with the finest red tower in the country, its remarkable Romanesque and Gothic architecture, the extraordinary Bookshop Dominicanen in a 13th-century Dominican church and the remarkable Stadspark riverside walk making it the finest city experience in the southern Netherlands. Sint-Servaas treasury approx 8 euros. Train/Travel: 2 hours train
MIDDAY
THE MAASTRICHT CATACOMBS AND THE FINEST UNDERGROUND HERITAGE IN THE NETHERLANDS
The Maastricht catacombs beneath the Sint-Pietersberg hill are the most extraordinary underground heritage site in the Netherlands, their extraordinary 200km of passages carved from the soft marlstone, the remarkable charcoal drawings dating from the 16th century including Napoleon's signature, and the extraordinary wartime hiding places used during the Second World War making them the finest underground experience in the Benelux. Guided tours only, approx 9 euros. Train/Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE BONNEFANTENMUSEUM AND THE FINEST ART MUSEUM IN LIMBURG
The Bonnefantenmuseum by Aldo Rossi on the Maas is the most extraordinary art museum in Limburg, its remarkable collection of medieval sculpture and Italian and Flemish old masters alongside the finest contemporary art collection in the south Netherlands. The extraordinary circular tower above the Maas is the finest modern building in Maastricht. Entry approx 14 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Helpoort in Maastricht is the oldest surviving city gate in the Netherlands, a gate from 1229 protecting the southern entrance to the medieval city. The extraordinary position above the Jeker river, the remarkably complete preservation and the extraordinary view of the Maas plain from the gate walkway make it
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Sjiek, Maastricht Outstanding Maastricht breakfast at the most characterful traditional cafe in the city. Local Limburg bread. | Lunch: Bistro Breuers, Maastricht Outstanding Maastricht lunch at the finest traditional bistro near the Vrijthof. Local Limburg asparagus. | Dinner: Beluga Loves You, Maastricht The finest restaurant in Maastricht. Outstanding two Michelin star creative cuisine. Book months ahead.
DAY 2
THE LIMBURG HILLS AND VALKENBURG
MORNING
VALKENBURG, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY HILL TOWN IN THE NETHERLANDS
Valkenburg is the most extraordinary and only hill town in the Netherlands, its extraordinary ruined castle above the Geul valley, the remarkable cave Christmas market held annually in the sandstone caves, the extraordinary Fluweelengrot and Gemeentegrot show caves beneath the castle hill and the remarkable thermal Thermae 2000 spa making it the finest inland resort in the south Netherlands. Castle ruin entry approx 5 euros. Train/Travel: 30 min train
MIDDAY
THE ZUID-LIMBURG CYCLING ROUTES AND THE FINEST HILLS IN THE NETHERLANDS
The Zuid-Limburg hill country between Valkenburg, Gulpen and Vaals is the most extraordinary cycling landscape in the Netherlands, its extraordinary sunken lane network of hoewe paths through the finest fruit orchard and chalk grassland scenery in the country. The Drielandenpunt at Vaals is the highest point in the Netherlands at 322.5 metres where the borders of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany meet. Entry to Drielandenpunt free. Train/Travel: Cycle
AFTERNOON
THE ORANJE NASSAU COAL MINE MUSEUM AND INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE
The Oranje Nassau mine site in Heerlen is the most extraordinary industrial heritage site in Limburg, its extraordinary pithead gear preserved above the most important coalfield in the Netherlands, which was mined from 1899 until 1974. The Glaspaleis building in Heerlen by Frits Peutz from 1935 is the finest art deco architecture in the Netherlands. Mine museum approx 9 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Gerendal valley south of Valkenburg is the finest hidden chalk grassland in the Netherlands, its extraordinary wild orchid meadows, the hoewe sunken lanes through the finest apple and pear orchards in the country and the extraordinary view of the Geul river valley from the chalk ridge making it the
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Grand Cafe des Arts, Valkenburg Outstanding Limburg hill town breakfast at the finest cafe in the most extraordinary valley town. | Lunch: Kasteel Geulzicht, Valkenburg Outstanding cave restaurant lunch at the finest estate restaurant in the Geul valley. Local Limburg asparagus. | Dinner: De Burgemeester, Valkenburg The finest traditional restaurant in Valkenburg. Outstanding Limburg cuisine and local Gulpener beer.
DAY 3
THE BELGIAN BORDER AND THE MEUSE VALLEY
MORNING
TONGEREN, THE OLDEST CITY IN BELGIUM AND THE FINEST ANTIQUES MARKET IN THE BENELUX
Tongeren just across the Belgian border from Maastricht is the oldest city in Belgium, founded by the Romans in 57 BC, its extraordinary Sunday antiques market, the finest and largest in the Benelux with 350 dealers, the remarkable Basilica of Our Lady with the finest Romanesque nave in Belgium and the extraordinary Gallo-Roman Museum with the finest collection of Roman provincial finds in the Benelux. Museum approx 10 euros. Antiques market free. Train/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
THORN, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY WHITE VILLAGE IN THE NETHERLANDS
Thorn in North Limburg is the most extraordinary village in the Netherlands, its extraordinary all-white painted houses dating from a tradition established when the village became a principality in the 10th century, the remarkable Abdijkerk collegiate church and the extraordinary village atmosphere making it the finest white village in northwest Europe. Known as the White Village of the Netherlands. Entry free. Train/Travel: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE MEUSE RIVER VALLEY AND THE FINEST NATURAL LANDSCAPE IN LIMBURG
The Meuse valley between Venlo and Maastricht is the most extraordinary river landscape in Limburg, its extraordinary floodplain nature reserves of the Maasuiterwaarden, the remarkable medieval towns of Arcen with its castle gardens and the extraordinary Gennep with its finest river beach in the Netherlands giving the finest combination of nature and heritage in the Limburg river country. Castle gardens approx 10 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Wittemerbos forest near Wittem in the Limburg hills is the finest deciduous forest walk in the Netherlands, its extraordinary chalk beech woodland, the wild garlic meadows in May and the remarkable Kasteel Wittem from 1100 giving the finest combination of ancient forest and castle in southern Limburg. The castle
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Brasserie Moriaan, Tongeren Outstanding Belgian-Dutch border breakfast at the finest brasserie in the oldest city in Belgium. | Lunch: De Abdij, Thorn Outstanding white village lunch at the finest restaurant in the extraordinary all-white village. | Dinner: Mediterrane, Maastricht Outstanding Mediterranean-influenced dinner at the finest terrace restaurant on the Maas. Book ahead.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Maastricht, All 3 Nights Hotel Huis de Witt or Kruisherenhotel. Approx 120 to 300 euros per night. Valkenburg option Night 2 Thermae Resort Valkenburg. Approx 100 to 200 euros per night.
Top Tips
1. Maastricht Carnival: the finest Carnival in the Netherlands, 3 days before Ash Wednesday. Book a year ahead.
2. Sint-Servaasbasiliek treasury: the finest collection of religious reliquaries in the Netherlands. Book the tour.
3. Catacombs tour: book through the VVV Maastricht. Only guided tours permitted. Essential to book ahead.
4. Bookshop Dominicanen: the finest bookshop in the world in a 13th-century church. The coffee is extraordinary.
5. Limburg vlaai: the flat fruit tart is the finest regional pastry in the Netherlands. Buy from Sjef Janssen bakery.
6. Tongeren antiques market: Sunday only, 8am to 1pm. 350 dealers covering the finest Roman heritage town in Belgium.
Total Budget
130 to 345 EUR/day