The special bookstores of Maastricht
In Maastricht city centre, you can eat, shop and stroll along the historic buildings. But there are also plenty of places to find peace and quiet in green surroundings. How nice to just dream away with a good book! Of course, you can also do that on holiday or in your own garden. Relaxing offline works wonders. There are many surprising book shops in the city. Sometimes well hidden, and sometimes worth a visit just for the location. These Maastricht bookstores are not to be missed.
Boekhandel Dominicanen
The best-known and most beautiful bookstore in Maastricht has to be Boekhandel Dominicanen (Dominicanen Bookstore). The inside of the former Dominican Church in the middle of the city centre is often photographed by visitors. And rightly so! It is a unique ambiance to stroll along several floors of new and second-hand books. Even if you don't like reading, you'll want to take a look here. Need an energy boost in between? Then take a seat at the Blanche Dael café in the church with local coffee, tea and delicacies.
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Boekhandel Dominicanen
Boekhandel Dominicanen
A stroll through the Dominican Church is an experience in itself, and people don't call it the most beautiful bookstore in the world for nothing! More info on Boekhandel Dominicanen
Nomination: 1000 Libraries Award 2025
Boekhandel Dominicanen has been nominated as the most beautiful bookstore in the world by the international platform 1000 Libraries. An honourable recognition that underlines the value of this place. The nomination not only puts the bookshop on the map, but also Maastricht as a city of culture. Do you think Dominicanen deserves this title? Then cast your vote and help give this special place worldwide recognition.
Vote here!
Bookstore 'De Tribune'
Near the Vrijthof is Bookstore 'De Tribune', where the passion for literature is palpable as soon as you enter. For more than 30 years, regular customers and visitors have gathered here for the finest (new) books of poetry, art, philosophy, architecture, history and more. The basement is set up as a 'ramsj department'; a collection of all kinds of different, soft-priced books mixed together. Great for quiet browsing, looking for that one gem.
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Bookstore 'De Tribune'
Bookstore 'De Tribune'
Just a stone's throw from Maastricht's Vrijthof square is boekhandel De Tribune. More info on De Tribune bookshop
Limestone Books
Between the Markt and the Vrijthof is Limestone Books. This is a bookstore that sells new books on art, mainly focusing on underrepresented and non-Western perspectives. They also collaborate with the Jan van Eyck Academie to stock publications by their artists, designers and researchers. So a very refreshing range, for when you are ready for a new perspective.
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Limestone Books
Limestone Books
An art bookshop. Besides a carefully curated selection of books, the shop organises exhibitions, lectures and workshops. More info on Limestone Books
De Boekenkelder (The Book Cellar)
Lovers of second-hand books have come to the right place at De Boekenkelder. Behind the blue gate lies Maastricht's biggest book secret. Here you will find countless bookcases brimming with various genres of literature. And that's not all, as you can also find second-hand LPs, CDs, DVDs. A group of 40 volunteers work hard to make this unique venue accessible, keeping prices low. All proceeds go to charity. All the more reason to stop by here!
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De Boekenkelder (The Book Cellar)
De Boekenkelder (The Book Cellar)
A second-hand bookshop with more than 150,000 books in various genres. Proceeds go to local charities. More about De Boekenkelder (The Book Cellar)
Bruna Maastricht NS
A familiar name in a very practical location. Bruna Maastricht NS is located at the central station at platforms 1, 2 and 3. Besides the latest books, you can also go here for magazines, school supplies, calendars and more. Ideal to drop in before a long train journey. This bookstore has been a loyal provider of a wide range of literature for years.
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Bruna Maastricht NS
Bruna Maastricht NS
Need to pick out a book to read on the train? You can do that at Bruna. Other locations in Maastricht are in the Brusselsepoort and the Bijenkorf. More about Bruna Maastricht NS
Books and LPs - Extra tip!
For those who cannot get enough of books ánd music, this shop with no name (and no website) is a must visit. Look for it in the Wyck district, among the cute boutiques and restaurants. They sell second-hand books and LPs in various genres. Nice touch: they go over the counter for soft prices. This shop is open until December 2025.
You will find the shop in Wycker Grachtstraat at number 13.
The five best places to read
Want to dive straight into your new literature? Then do so at one of these great places in or around Maastricht city centre.
Mount Saint Peter
Traditionally, a very well-known spot in Maastricht's history is the Mount Saint Peter. Nowadays much visited for admiring the fortress, hiking, cycling and picnicking. And thus also an ideal place to settle down to read a good book. You walk here from the city centre, a bit uphill but the view is worth it!
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Mount Saint Peter nature reserve
Mount Saint Peter nature reserve
Rest, relaxation and enjoying nature together can be experienced during a visit to this special place, a stone's throw from the city centre. More info on Nature reserve Mount Saint Peter (Natuurmonumenten)
Stadspark (city park)
Obvious perhaps but equally delightful: the city park. Choose one of the benches or lie down in the grass, with or without a rug. Plenty to look at and perfect for dreaming away on a beautiful day.
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Stadspark (city park)
Stadspark (city park)
A romantic picnic, a culinary event, sports activities or just a nice walk. Maastricht Stadspark (city park) has it all. More info on Stadspark
Along the Meuse (Charles Eyck Park)
Another piece of green along the Meuse that invites you to relax is the Charles Eyckpark. Between the city centre and museum Bonnefanten. You have beautiful views of the water here. With sunny weather, it gets cosy here.
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Charles Eyck Park
Charles Eyck Park
The Charles Eyckpark is a peaceful city park on the banks of the Meuse. Ideal for walking, relaxing and enjoying nature, water and architecture. More about Charles Eyckpark
City wall
A historically important spot where you can now sit comfortably near or on top of is the city wall. Get into the story of your book and choose a setting of city canons near the centre, or animals and wooden artworks on the other side. An extraordinary monument with a lot of history. Ideal for devouring a good book.
Bosquetplein and Grote Looiersstraat
No park but certainly no less beautiful is Bosquetplein on Grote Looierstraat. Here you can imagine yourself in France. From the statue to the boules lanes, the avenue of trees, cobblestones and authentic buildings on both sides. Here you can seclude yourself with a nice story.
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Square in Grote Looiersstraat
Square in Grote Looiersstraat
The Grote Looierstraat is named after the tanners who worked and lived here. They washed hides in the Jeker branches. More info about Pleintje Grote Looiersstraat
