Mooie Maastricht

We brought oma and opa to Maastricht last week, 20 mins drive from our home. Maastricht is the capital of province of Limburg. the city is situated on both sides of the famous River Maas, in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands between Belgium and Germany. Maastricht is probably the oldest city in the Netherlands with historical streets and places to visit. the main shopping stretches between the Vrijthof Square and the railway station. you will be able to find charming shops as well as departmental stores, where one could not resist the temptation to shop!





I'm not going to write on the historical buildings and places in maastricht, my husband knows it by hard now, therefore he's the best person to tell you on the historical side of the said place. i'm just going to touch briefly on the shopping we did last week.



The well conserved and excellently maintained centrum of Maastricht offers an attractive shopping culture, with its renowned and long-established stores
specialized in art, antiques, design, home furnishings, accessories and fashion, and its delicatessens, not to mention cafes and popular high street brands. The best thing is, in spring and summer, you'll get to enjoy the cafes, bars and restaurants outside, overlooking the river or the square. watch out for cyclists when you're walking tho!



The shops in Maastricht are open on Monday from 1pm to 6pm, Tuesday to Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturdays from 9am to 5pm. Thursday evenings, shops open until 9pm, we call it Koopavond. Sundays shops are often gesloten (closed), but there are certain days where they open, most cases every first Sunday of the month. Please note that, if you're travelling to the Netherlands, and carrying traveller's cheques, it is not possible to change them at the banks. unlike in the UK where you can change them at the banks and any travel agents, Thomas Cook etc, over here, you can change them at the Schipol Airport, or an exchange office on most big cities, called GWK, most of them situated just accross or near the railway stations. in Maastricht, it's at stationsplein 27.



We went shopping, had lunch at the cafe, stopped for waffels and ice creams, continued shopping whilst admiring the 18th, 19th centuary buildings, cobbled stones, figures and enjoying the atmosphere. we were there from morning, till the shops shut their doors and count their earnings of the day!! and it really didnt feel that long!

There's so much to explore and see in Maastricht. a day is simply not enough! i've found my gems in maastricht, a couple of shops on Sporenstraat, where i know i'd be visiting again, and again and again...

Maastricht is definitely a place to visit when you're in the Netherlands. Mooie Maastricht.. such beauty, such character, such charm.

Z