Best Things to do in Maastricht for Students

Starting your new chapter and moving to Maastricht to study offers you the chance to experience a new culture, enjoy delicious food, make new friends and create memories that will last a lifetime. This stunning city has so many fun and unique things to do, you’ll never be left bored or wondering where to go. From fascinating museums to exhilarating caves, Maastricht has countless opportunities to explore!

Maastricht has fantastic public transport links, including buses, cycling and trains. In particular, rail transport is excellent in Maastricht for getting to and from neighbouring cities in the Netherlands for an exciting day trip with friends. No matter where you want to go, it couldn’t be easier to get there! So, where will you go first? We’ve put together a list of our top 5 things to do in Maastricht to give you a head start:

What are you waiting for? Let’s get started…

Moving to a different country or city to study offers you the unique opportunity to immerse yourself into a new culture and learn about the history of your new home. Maastricht has several fascinating museums, all of which allow you to explore the city’s interesting history and way of living. One of the most popular museums is the Bonnefanten museum!

Bonnefanten Museum is a stunning fine art museum, hosting a collection of ancient, modern and contemporary art. The permanent collection and temporary exhibitions are sensational and often reference important cultural, historical or social development. The permanent collection covers an enormous time period, including: 

Bonnefanten Museum is also home to incredible temporary exhibitions throughout the year which continuously change, making it the ideal place to visit time and time again with friends. Exhibitions have included: 

As a student, admission to Bonnefanten costs 8.75 Euros and is free if you have a Bonnefanten Annual Pass which costs 12.50 Euros. If you’re an art lover and can picture yourself visiting more than once in a year, the annual pass is a great option!

If you’re a book lover and interested in learning more about the history of Maastricht, there is no better place to spend an afternoon than at Boekhandel Dominicanen. Unique, beautiful and free, we couldn’t think of anywhere else we’d rather visit on our weekend!

Boekhandel Dominicanen is a stunning bookshop, built in the stone vault of a Medieval church. The architecture is breathtaking, you could truly spend hours wandering around this incredible bookshop. Boekhandel Dominicanen is picture-perfect and the ideal background for your Instagram pictures too.

This bookshop has a wide range of genres to choose from, and books available in both Dutch and English which means you enjoy a morning of reading whether you’re a local or international student. The best part? The bookshop is open every day of the week until 6pm and admission is free (you only pay for what you buy), so you can head over after lectures and embrace the culture and history of Maastricht without breaking the bank.

Once you’ve enjoyed the beauty of Boekhandel Dominicanen, why not head out for a delicious lunch or coffee with friends? Take a look at our blog on the best restaurants in Maastricht.

Without a doubt, one of the best ways to uncover the treasures of Maastricht and get to know your new home is to explore it on foot. Grab a coffee and enjoy the fresh air as you spend your afternoon wandering around some of the towns and squares of this beautiful city. One of our favourite places in Maastricht is Vrijthof.

Vrijthof is a sensational square right in the heart of old town Maastricht which means you’ll enjoy quaint cobbled streets and incredible architecture. In Vrijthof, you’ll find the Basilica of Saint Servatius and Saint John Church, both of which are fascinating if you’re interested in history and architecture! Plus, throughout the year, there are often concerts and live events for you to enjoy in the square, making it a fun place to visit with friends

A very popular spot in Maastricht, you’ll also find plenty of delicious places to eat and drink around the square. Learn more about the best student bars in Maastricht in our recent blog! The best part? It’s just a 6 minute walk from Vrijthof to Maastricht University so you can head over after lectures and spend the afternoon taking in the sights.

Sticking with the theme of fresh air and outside spaces, Maastricht boasts breathtaking views and stunning scenery, particularly along The Meuse River. Getting outside and into the fresh air is wonderful for wellbeing, whether you want to wander along the river with friends or cycle part of the International Meuse Route!

At 925 km long, The Meuse River is one of the major rivers in Europe, running through France, Belgium and, of course, The Netherlands. You can enjoy a walk along the river, soaking up the fresh air and buzzing atmosphere of the city with friends. As you walk along the river, keep an eye out for the historic St. Servaas bridge, one of the oldest bridges in The Netherlands. You can even take a river boat tour along The Meuse and soak up city life from the water!

It doesn’t cost anything to admire the beauty of the river and take in the scenic views around the city, making it one of the most student-friendly things to do in Maastricht. We understand that sticking to your budget and finding cheap things to do is really important, particularly during the Cost of Living crisis. Take a look at our blog on tips for navigating the Cost of Living crisis.

If you’re looking for a unique experience in Maastricht and are interested in the historical significance of The Netherlands, visiting St Peter’s Caves is a must. This one is for budding adventurers and thrill seekers!

One of the most exciting and fun things to do in Maastricht, St Peter’s Caves are a collection of underground passages underneath St Peter’s Mount. You can enjoy a guided tour of this underground maze and learn about the stories and experiences of those who walked the passages before you. The best part? The caves are vast which means you can come back time and time again to explore different parts. There are several routes you can take, from the North Caves to the Zonneberg Caves, and the iconic Vault.

Ticket prices vary but are generally around 9.50 Euros for adults which makes it a very affordable day out for you and your friends. If you want to give your family an experience like no other, St Peter’s Cave is also a great place to go when they visit! It only takes 5 minutes by bike to travel to St Peter’s Caves from Maastricht University so you’ll be there in no time at all.

So, there’s only one question left to ask…which of our fun things to do in Maastricht will you try first? Whether you channel your inner adventurer and explore St Peter’s Caves or enjoy a slow wander by The Meuse River, we know you’ll have a great time.

Maastricht is a fantastic city to study in, with its brilliant study facilities, welcoming atmosphere and lively culture. We couldn’t think of a better place to study which is why we’re proud to provide student accommodation in the South of the city. Nido Randwyck is our flagship location in The Netherlands and, like all of our Nido accommodation, your wellbeing is at the forefront which is why you’ll benefit from social spaces, study areas, and a family-like culture.

If you’re studying elsewhere in Europe, we also have locations in:

Get in touch with us today to ask any questions and we look forward to welcoming you to the Nido family soon!