Autumn half-term in Maastricht: walking, caves and tips

Autumn half-term in Maastricht

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In autumn, the pace of life in Maastricht changes. Leaves lie along the banks of the Jeker, the outdoor terraces make way for cafés where you can pop in after a walk, and behind the old façades there’s always an exhibition waiting to be discovered. During these weeks, the city is perfect for exploring on foot. If it rains whilst you’re out and about, a museum or some other indoor activity is never far away. Discover Maastricht during the autumn half-term holidays.

Out and about in Maastricht with children

Start in the Stadspark, where children can admire the old cannons along the city wall. Then walk to the aviary and the deer, and follow the River Jeker towards the Jeker Quarter. In the Bisschopsmolengang, you can see the waterwheel at de Bisschopsmolen turning. Walk through the door to the mill, where graa is still being ground. It’s fascinating to watch, especially for the kids! Round off your walk with a slice of vlaai from the bakery.

Anyone wishing to leave the city behind for a while can explore the passages beneath St Peter’s Hill with a guide. For children aged four to ten, there is a children’s cave tour. Above ground, the Maastricht Natural History Museum showcases the animals that lived here millions of years ago. The mosasaur fossils, in particular, give children plenty to talk about after the tour.

De Bisschopsmolen

This water mill was owned by Godfrey of Bouillon in the 11th century and by the Prince-Bishop of Liège after his death. More info on De Bisschopsmolen

De Bisschopsmolen
Children's cave tour: 4-10 years old

An exciting trip through the dark tunnel system under Mount Saint Peter for the little adventurers! More about Children's cave tour: 4-10 years old

until 31 March 2028

Children's cave tour: 4-10 years old
Natural History Museum Maastricht

Between Maastricht's ancient streets you will find a world full of fossils and stories. More about Natural History Museum Of Maastricht

Natural History Museum Maastricht

Start in Wyck, but don’t head straight onto the bridge from Wycker Brugstraat. Turn into Rechtstraat and walk via Kattenstraat to Wycker Grachtstraat. Amidst the shops and historic façades, you’ll pass the former Bosch Brewery, a reminder of the days when beer was brewed here. Discover a few more shops on Hoogbrugstraat and then walk back to Wycker Brugstraat to cross the Sint Servaasbrug. On the other side, you can walk through the Stokstraat Quarter to the Onze Lieve Vrouwe city wall and the Helpoort.

For a longer walk, the Mount Saint Peter is situated on the outskirts of the city. The Cretaceous Walk takes you past ‘ Fort Sint Pieter ’ to the ENCI quarry. From the viewing platform, you can see the marl walls that were exposed when marl was quarried here for cement production. In wet weather, be sure to wear sturdy shoes for the paths around the quarry.

Guided tour and tasting at Bosch Brewery

Experience Bosch Brewery, founded in 1758, on a guided tour with a convivial tasting session. More info about the guided tour and tasting at Bosch Brewery

until 5 June 2027

Guided tour and tasting at Bosch Brewery
ENCI quarry

A former limestone quarry on Mount Saint Peter that has developed into a unique nature reserve with walking trails and viewpoints. More info about the ENCI quarry

ENCI quarry

In Maastricht, you can explore art and the city’s history in various ways. The ‘ Bonnefanten ’ brings together medieval sculpture and old masters with modern and contemporary art. At Marres, you can walk through a historic house where artists use the rooms for their exhibitions. At the ‘ Maastricht Museum ’, on the first floor of Centre Céramique, you can trace the city’s development. Artefacts from the ceramics industry illustrate the role the factories played in the lives of Maastricht’s residents.

Exhibition by René Holten and Huub Hannen
Exhibition by René Holten and Huub Hannen
11 October, 17 October and 18 October

Exhibitions

Six artists, one extraordinary chapel, a world of art.
The Justice Panel
The Justice Panel
weekly

Exhibitions

Medieval painting about justice, showing the Last Judgement, a trial and a warning against bribery and unfair justice.
Céramique, the creation of a city district
Céramique, the creation of a city district
until 25 September 2027

Exhibitions

This mini-expo can be seen on the 4th floor of Centre Céramique, where you will find the original maquette.
The guillotine - a silent witness to French rule
The guillotine - a silent witness to French rule
until 9 January 2028

Exhibitions

From 9 September 2025, there will be something very special in the Maastricht Museum Museum: a real French guillotine from 1798.
Born to Play: act & dare like an artist
Born to Play: act & dare like an artist
until 28 February 2027

Exhibitions

The third floor of the Bonnefanten is transformed into a playground where children are invited to discover, experiment and...
Masterfully made
Masterfully made
Sunday 11 October

Exhibitions

Discover craftsmanship and industry, and see how craft traditions grew into a powerful engine within a changing society.
Vibeke Mascini – Daisychain
Vibeke Mascini – Daisychain
until 28 February 2027

Exhibitions

In *Daisychain*, Vibeke Mascini explores how energy, memory, nature and technology are interconnected.
Who owns the mountain?
Who owns the mountain?
until 8 November

Exhibitions

Discover the remarkable history of St Pietersberg and the ENCI in an exhibition brimming with art, heritage and personal stories.
Gossip
Gossip
until 28 February 2027

Exhibitions

An exhibition on witch hunts, women’s knowledge and the way in which historical exclusion and marginalisation continue to have an impact on the…
Fortress Museum
Fortress Museum
until 30 December

Exhibitions

Vestingmuseum Maastricht is a small-scale fortress museum in the second monument city of the Netherlands.
Meet Bèr - Mosasaur experience
Meet Bèr - Mosasaur experience
until 31 December

Exhibitions

The exhibition at the Natural History Museum Maastricht shows the story of the geological era Maastrichtian, also known as the Cretaceous.
Visit the Derlon Museum Cellar
Visit the Derlon Museum Cellar
until 27 December

Exhibitions

The Museumkelder Derlon is a small archaeological museum surrounding an important excavation, a national monument, from the Roman period.
Celina Eceiza - Rubyfruit Jungle
Celina Eceiza - Rubyfruit Jungle
until 3 January 2027

Exhibitions

A sensory total installation in which textiles, colour and imagination come together to create a poetic universe.
Eve Arnold: All about Eve
Eve Arnold: All about Eve
until 31 January 2027

Exhibitions

Discover the work of one of the most influential photographers of the twentieth century at Fotomuseum aan het Vrijthof.
From Sketch to Shine
From Sketch to Shine
until 28 February 2027

Exhibitions

In this exhibition, discover how Maastricht was a city of makers, craftsmen and innovators for two centuries.
Maastricht Sphinxpassage
Maastricht Sphinxpassage
until 6 June 2027

Exhibitions

A 120-metre-long tile passage between the Eiffel Building and Pathé. Almost 30,000 tiles bring the Sphinx past to life in words and images.
The Cold War: ‘We thought it was over…’
The Cold War: ‘We thought it was over…’
until 25 October

Exhibitions

The exhibition shows how the Cold War influenced daily life in Maastricht, with stories about shelters, military service and protest...
STAIRCASE
STAIRCASE
until 23 December

Exhibitions

The SCHUNCK stairwell serves as an exhibition space filled with photography, textiles and visual art. Connections with Heerlen, architecture and...
Aldo Rossi: Darling Architecture
Aldo Rossi: Darling Architecture
until 31 December

Exhibitions

The exhibition shows how Aldo Rossi used architecture to create a place where memories and new experiences come together.
Ina van Zyl: Where are you from?
Ina van Zyl: Where are you from?
until 25 October

Exhibitions

SCHUNCK is showcasing over twenty years of work by Ina van Zyl. The exhibition brings together paintings, drawings, comics and prints, and demonstrates how...
Pride in Textiles
Pride in Textiles
until 1 April 2027

Exhibitions

Discover the stories behind Limburg flags and banners in this special exhibition at the Discovery Museum.
Strikes & Punishment: Miners during the Occupation and Liberation
Strikes & Punishment: Miners during the Occupation and Liberation
until 25 October

Exhibitions

The exhibition tells the story of how Limburg miners faced resistance, forced labour and reprisals during and after the Second World War.
Angela de Vrede Exhibition
Angela de Vrede Exhibition
until 18 October

Exhibitions

View a special selection of drawings, watercolours and illustrations by the Maastricht-based artist Angela de Vrede.
Photo exhibition 50 years UM
Photo exhibition 50 years UM
until 22 December

Exhibitions

Get a picture of the university community in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

Discover art in public spaces too

You’ll also come across art outside the museums: whilst strolling through Maastricht, you’ll discover works of art in public spaces. View the ‘Beeldschoon Maastricht’ walking route booklet here.

View the brochure

What to do in Maastricht when it’s raining?

Is it a rainy day? Then there are plenty of indoor activities to ensure you have a good time. For example, you could go bowling with a group of friends or the family at Olround, where you can also seek out an adventure at Prison Island. If you fancy making something yourself, you can paint a ceramic item at Kleur het Kopje. Even a visit to a museum doesn’t have to be a quiet affair: at the Museum of Illusions, you can explore how perspective influences your perception. For photography, head to the Fotomuseum aan het Vrijthof, where the exhibitions change regularly. Also, check the events calendar to see which workshops are taking place during your visit; that way, you can choose something that suits the time you have available and what you fancy doing.

Read the blog for more tips

Museum of Illusions Maastricht

Step into a world where nothing is what it seems and be amazed by optical illusions. More about Museum of Illusions Maastricht

Museum of Illusions Maastricht
Olround Maastricht & Prison Island

Experience excitement and fun at Olround Maastricht with bowling and discover Prison Island, an escape adventure full of challenging assignments for young and old! More info on Olround Maastricht & Prison Island

Olround Maastricht & Prison Island

Autumn on the table

You’ll notice that autumn has arrived when you sit down to eat too. At ‘ De Kaasbar ’ on Koestraat, you can sit indoors and enjoy onion soup au gratin. If you have more time, you can sample a selection of cheeses with a glass of wine or a speciality beer. ‘ Café Local ’ on the Markt serves Maastricht-style ‘zuurvlees’, also available in a vegetarian version. From your table, you can look out over the town hall and the Markt. It’s a great way to sample some of Maastricht’s local cuisine over lunch or dinner.

If you stay overnight stay during the week, your visit doesn’t have to end as soon as the afternoon is over. You can have dinner in the city in the evening and pick up where you left off the next morning. This gives you time to spend longer in a museum or postpone a walk if it rains. Before you set off, check Maastricht’s events calendar and book any activities that require advance booking.