4 October 2022

48 HOURS IN MAASTRICHT

Are you ready to plan a new city trip to Maastricht? Check out this itinerary with my favorite stops in the southernmost city of The Netherlands.

Maastricht is one of the best (cultural) cities in The Netherlands and everyone seems to agree on the fact that you immediately get in a holiday state of mind after arriving. The weather always seems to be a little bit better, you can spend hours for lunch, drink some good (local) wines, dress up (or go shopping), go to the theatre or visit a museum and take your time to explore the city and its surroundings. ⁠

It can be hard to decide where to go, so I’ve made you this road map to Maastricht. Enjoy!

Warm wishes, Pauline

In collaboration with Bezoek Maastricht (visit their site for more recommendations here) 

DAY 1

Start your day with a Scandinavian inspired brunch at Bikke in Wyck.

Visit Bonnefanten, a museum that likes to represent a unique and diverse collection of art. They celebrate non-Western art, feminism, performance art (like that of Indonesian born artist Melati Suryodarmo, until October 30, 2022) for example and give young people a saying in what to present next. If you love architecture photography from the 1930s you should add the exhibition The Perfect Eye by Werner Mantz to your itinerary. And of course the architecture of the building itself (by Aldo Rossi) is striking.

If you still have time, cross the river Maas and visit Fotomuseum aan het Vrijthof, the most famous square of Maastricht. The museum is dedicated to photography and with its newest exhibition Back Home they focus on stories around the theme coming home during the pandemics.

Have dinner at Onglet, a former butcher turned into a cool restaurant. Meat is on the menu, although they also have some vegetarian options.

Spend the night at Hotel Monastere on the other side of the river Maas. A hotel in a building dating back to the 14-century with spacious rooms, a bar and a good breakfast buffet. Ask for a room on the backside of the property for a quiet night of sleep.

DAY 2

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel go shopping at places like Wonderwoud (plants), Sketch (fashion), La Neuvieme (fashion), Festen (interior) and of course the Dominicaner Church, a book store in a church.

Then head to the Sphinxkwartier, an industrial part of the city where the ceramics and glass factories of Sphinx used to be. Now they are turning those buildings into lofts and apartments but of course lots of cool hospitality concepts can now call it home. Such as The Student Hotel, Rooftop bar Bold and Maison Blanche Dael coffee and tea makers where you can make a stop for a coffee to go. Or have lunch at Bold.

Visit to Lumiere, an independent film house and visit an afternoon movie while afterwards we can have a drink at the restaurant next door.

End your weekend in Maastricht with a dinner at Novo New Dining. They just moved their restaurant to the 5th floor of the Maison Blanche Dael building and you will be amazed by the food and wine combinations. Some local, like a preparation of a chestnut they worked on for 2-years, but also some delicious salmon from Norway. Also don’t forget to look at the ceramics, made especially for the restaurant.