This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Maastricht.
Maastricht, Netherlands, is located in the southeast of the Netherlands on the River Maas that gives the city its name. It is the capital of the region of Limburg and is located very close to the borders with both Germany and Belgium.
Maastricht's history goes back to the Roman times, but it was during the Middle Ages that it became an important religious centre. However, in the centuries to come, it served as a garrison city and eventually turned into an industrial hub. Thanks to its multiple functions throughout its history, it has the second-highest number of national heritage buildings in the Netherlands, most of which are open to the public to visit. However, today it is probably the most well known as the place in which the Maastricht Treaty was signed and as the birthplace of the Euro currency.
The best way to discover Maastricht is by walking around and getting lost in its tiny atmospheric streets, only to stumble upon some remarkable architecture on every corner. The Basilica of St. Servatius is a must, as is a stroll along the banks of the River Maas. If you decide to wander around the region a bit, you should definitely visit St. Peter's Caves, a tunnel complex that goes for miles and that was carved by humans throughout the centuries; if you are into hiking, you can conquer the highest point of the Netherlands at just over three hundred twenty metres.
Maastricht is a popular destination during the Carnaval time, when the city is filled with the most elaborate costumes and hosts a procession that starts in the early afternoon and eventually turns into a huge street party by the evening.
Although the city does offer options for a Maastricht, Netherlands hostel, it will be more on the expensive side. Therefore, you might want to consider basing yourself in Aachen, only twenty kilometres away, where you will be able to find more reasonably priced hostels. Another alternative to consider is the cosy youth hostel in Voeren, just on the other side of the border with Belgium around ten kilometres away.
Written by local enthusiast for Maastricht hostels
JudyM
