Shopping and discovery day in Maastricht
A pleasant day in Maastricht, filled with local spots and attractions. End your day with dinner in a restored monastery. "Enjoy this beautiful day!", they would say in Maastricht dialect 😉
Morning coffee at local roastery Blanche Dael
Park your car at parking "Sphinx". You are right next to the local roastery Blanche Dael. There's no better way to start the day than with a delicious, fresh coffee at the place where it is also made. ☕️ It's also nice to take a little look around.
Loop via the Sphinx passage towards the center
The rich history of the Maastricht Sphinx quarter has found a permanent place in the Sphinx passage. In this 120-meter-long corridor, nearly 30,000 tiles bring the history of Maastricht ceramics to life. In 26 chapters, you walk through the history of the pottemennekes and pottevruikes and learn more about the design and manufacturing process.
Two delicious options for lunch 🍴
Is the sun shining? Then go enjoy lunch on a terrace at the Bassin in Maastricht. You will come right out after your visit to the Sphinxpassage. A cozy inner harbor with at least equally cozy terraces. This is also known as "the secret of Maastricht". Is the weather bad? No problem, we will gladly point you to the restaurant of the boutique cinema "Lumière" right across from the Bassin. Very cozy seating and a varied menu.
Walk through the market towards the restored shopping center Mosae Forum
Shopping in local atmosphere
Start your Maastricht shopping experience at Mosae Forum. Then walk into the city via the Kleine Straat and take a look inside the cozy café De Knijnspiep. It can't get more authentic than this! After the Kleine, comes the Grote Straat 😉, filled with shops. This road leads to the Vrijthof, but turn right just before it to the most beautiful bookstore in Europe, located in the former Dominican Church. A beautiful place where you can also get a coffee in the "choir area" of the old church.
The nicest café at the Vrijthof
Reveal secret tip
Aperitif and/or dinner at the Kruisherenhotel
Your second original church visit today: an aperitif and/or dinner at the Kruisherenhotel - a few hundred meters from the Vrijthof. A beautifully restored monastery, with a trendy bar and restaurant in the church.