The scents of Maastricht | Walking route

In summer, Onze-Lieve-Vrouweplein bustles with conviviality on the terraces. But the square is also a place of peace and reflection. Visit the Basilica of Our Lady, or 'Slevrouwe', as Maastricht people call it. Both religious and non-religious visitors and residents often light a candle here. This and the incense used in the basilica can be smelled from a distance and are typical of Our Lady's Square. Definitely worth a visit!

As soon as you walk down Wolf Street, the smell of freshly roasted coffee comes to meet you. A rich, recognisable aroma that stimulates the senses. Maison Blanche Dael has been roasting its own coffee since 1878, and over the years the family business has also specialised in tea, with a range that attracts fans from all over the Netherlands. Blanche Dael is known for their craft, skill and character. A visit to the shop is an experience in itself.

Some 300 years ago, Guillaime Thyssen started his wine business on the Grote Gracht in Maastricht. The impressive building houses 1,200 m² of authentic wine cellars. Thiessen Wijnkopers is still located in this building, where wine is still bottled and stored. This contributes to the distinctive smell of wine that hangs throughout the building. Book a guided tour or a tasting to experience this unique atmosphere for yourself.

Maastricht, known for its tasty flans. It not only adds colour to Maastricht, but also a wonderful aroma. Walk past one of the bakeries and smell the freshly baked bread and, of course, the sweet aroma of freshly baked flan. A bit more time? Then walk or cycle through the Heuvelland with its orchards on a beautiful summer's day. A scent of perfectly ripe (stone) fruit, peach, nectar and exotic flowers wafts through the air.

In spring and summer, a soft scent of flowers hangs throughout the city. In the green city park, as well as along the avenues and stately canals, there are some 6,600 lime trees. They not only spread a honey-sweet fragrance, but also give the city a fresh, vital and sparkling character.

The Jeker Quarter is bustling with creative minds, people who design and make their own. The air here used to be dominated by the smell of leather, but leather tanning no longer happens in the city these days. Instead, artisanal handicrafts are increasingly returning to the streetscape. Such is the case with Milan Palma, who turns leather into handmade bags in his own workshop.