Optimal enjoyment in Maastricht around the holidays

Want to come and taste the cosy winter atmosphere in Maastricht? Then visit the city during relatively quiet times, such as in November and/or during the week. There are several convenient and surprising ways to reach the city centre. We describe three magical light routes.

From modern to historic | From Wyck to Vrijthof | Industrial Sphinx | Accessibility

From modern to historic

Coming to Maastricht by car? Then it is useful to find out in advance where you can park. Check out the options outside the most well-known car parks. These will be busier than usual and we can imagine you will want to avoid that. What can we recommend? Parking at the Bonnefanten. Underneath the museum is a Q-park garage where it is usually quieter than in the city centre. And our tip: reserve your spot in advance. That way you are guaranteed to be able to park your car and start your visit in peace and quiet.

This is also the starting point of the light route 'from modern to historic'. You walk along the Maas through Charles Eyck Park with beautiful views of the city, via the modern Céramique district towards the authentic Onze Lieve Vrouwenplein. Turn right before the first (bicycle and pedestrian) bridge to reach Plein 1992. Here you will find various catering establishments and the Centre Céramique, a striking building that houses the city library and the Maastricht museum, among others.

  • Bonnefanten

    Old masters find their place together with modern and contemporary art in the iconic Aldo Rossi-designed building. More info on Bonnefanten

    Bonnefanten

  • Centre Céramique

    On the border of Wyck and Céramique, Centre Céramique is located at Plein 1992. There is always something going on! More info on Centre Céramique

    Centre Céramique

From the square, you reach the city park via the Hoge Brug bridge. The towers of the Helpoort gate and the Basilica of Our Lady flaunt above the city. This is a place where several historical elements come together. Turn right, walk along the city wall with cannons and then turn left twice. You will then emerge onto St Bernardusstraat. Walk down this atmospheric little street until you can turn right again. Here you walk along the side of the Church of the Recollects. At the end of the street you will find the entrance to the church and several nice shops in the Maastrichter Heidenstraat. Walk straight ahead until you reach another imposing building, the former Jesuit monastery church. If you turn right here, into Bredestraat, you'll end up on Onze Lieve Vrouweplein.

From 20 November, the city's mood lighting is on, with the orbs in the trees in OLV Square as one of the absolute highlights. Take a seat at one of the cosy restaurants for a hot chocolate or dinner. Highly recommended: visit the chapel at the 'Slevrouwe' basilica. This is freely accessible. It is a ritual for many locals and visitors to light a candle here, a nice gesture in keeping with the Christmas spirit.

From Wyck to Vrijthof

Are you visiting Maastricht by train or bus in the near future? Then you have the luxury of not having to look for a parking space and your visit to the city can begin immediately! Ideal isn't it? And if you come to the city centre actively by bike, we advise you to park your bike in the underground and guarded bike park near the station. However you get there, with the station as the starting point of your visit, you can walk straight through the cosy Wyck district. This is where the light route 'From Wyck to Vrijthof' starts. The district is full of restaurants and boutiques. The decoration of the streets is also impressive in the run-up to the holidays. Twinkling lights, Christmas trees and stylish shop windows make this part of Maastricht definitely worth a visit. Don't forget the side streets!

Stroll down Wycker Grachtstraat and Rechtstraat towards the bridge. There is so much beauty to discover here. Then cross the Sint Servaasbrug to reach the city centre and, for a quick turnaround, stroll along Kesselskade, Hoenderstraat and Grote Gracht towards Vrijthof. There is the winter event of the year, Magical Maastricht Vrijthof. The ultimate Christmas décor to take a ride on the Ferris wheel, skate and enjoy a hot or cold snack. Of course, you can also choose to take a seat around the Vrijthof at one of the restaurants and experience the magical atmosphere from there.

Industrial Sphinx

Another way to reach Maastricht if you come by car is to park at Q-park Frontenpark. This car park is on the other side of town, but still within walking distance of the city centre. Coming to Maastricht in the evening specifically to admire the lights? An evening rate applies here in the evening. Nice touch! Tip: should there be no space here, the Fort Willem car park is also a good option. The city route 'Industrieel Sphinx' starts from here, in the Sphinx Quarter of the same name.

This area is home to several stories about the former pottery and sanitary factory, which is now in use as The Social Hub with rooftop bar. At the bottom of the building, you can relive history in the Sphinxpassage.

  • The Social Hub

    If you think every journey should be inspiring, then you've come to the right place at The Social Hub. Find out more about The Social Hub

    The Social Hub

  • Sphinxpassage

    The Sphinxpassage is a 120-metre-long covered tile passage between the Eiffel Building and Pathé. Almost 30,000 tiles bring Maastricht's Sphinx past to life in words, images and objects. More info on Sphinxpassage

    Sphinxpassage

The area also comprises a vast (Fronten) park, local coffee roastery and several other surprising businesses. Across from the Sphinx building, in the Bassin, you will find, among other things, an arthouse cinema with restaurant. The history of the area is clearly reflected there too. From the Sphinx Quarter, you walk along the beautifully lit Boschstraat to the Markt. There stands the beautiful City Hall with Mosae Forum shopping centre behind it. In the second week of December, a magnificent Christmas tree is decorated here on the side of the Maas. Nice to admire and/or photograph.

  • Market town hall Maastricht

  • Blanche Dael Branderij

    At the Blanche Dael distillery located in the Sphinx Quarter, that's where the fire burns. More about Blanche Dael Branderij

    Blanche Dael Branderij Blanche Dael Branderij

  • 't Bassin marina

    The wharf cellars of 't Bassin bustle with several restaurants, grand cafés, shops and galleries. More info on 't Bassin marina

    't Bassin marina

  • Lumière Cinema

    With six theatres and an atmospheric Grand Café, Lumière Cinema is the place for the exceptional film in Maastricht. More info on Lumière Cinema

    Lumière Cinema

  • City Hall

    The City Hall was built in the 17th century under master builder Pieter Post. More info on City Hall

    City Hall

  • Mosae Forum

    An extraordinary shopping centre in the heart of Maastricht. Mosae Forum is a largely covered shopping centre in the heart of the historic city centre. An especially convenient feature of this shopping centre is its large underground car park. More about Mosae Forum

    Mosae Forum

Accessibility - during Magical Maastricht

Visit Maastricht during the cosiest time of year and make use of the suggested city routes. Want some extra tips on how best to reach the city, where to park and how to use public transport or a shared bike? Then check out the tips from Maastricht Bereikbaar.

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