Maastricht is a well-known city in the Netherlands located near the borders of Germany and Belgium. It attracts over three million visitors every year with its calm canals, historical structures, and delicious cuisine. Although many of its tourist attractions are best seen during the day, there are also plenty of things to see and do at night.
What are some things to see and do in Maastricht at night? If you want to experience Maastricht at night, you can try these five things:
- Enjoy fine dining at places like Beluga and Basilica.
- Visit famous monuments and listen to music at Vrijthof.
- Watch a performance at the Theater aan het Vrijthof.
- Have a drink at De Poshoorn, a well-known local tavern.
- Check out the nightlife at the many bars and cafes.
Most of what Maastricht has to offer travelers in the evening is in the form of cafes and bars scattered throughout the city, so there is never a lack of places where you can stop and grab food and drink as you spend the evening in town. In this article, you will find some of the best things to do in Maastricht at night and some tips on planning a trip to Maastricht.
5 Things to Do in Maastricht at Night
There are plenty of places to visit in Maastricht during the day, such as tours for Maastricht Underground and Fort Sint Pieter, viewing historical churches like the Basilica of St. Servatius, and shopping at Market Square. However, there are many things to do in Maastricht at night, as well! Below is a list of the top five things to see and do in Maastricht after the sun goes down.
1. Fine Dining
It isn’t a real night on the town unless you grab dinner first! Maastricht is home to a large variety of dining options with some of the best cuisines the city has to offer. Many local restaurants feature dishes with Dutch, Belgian, French, and German influences. Some of the most popular eateries include:
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Description | Price |
| Beluga | French | Beluga offers dishes with a unique, creative flair that can be paired with one of the restaurant’s specialty wines. Its elegant and classy atmosphere is great for couples to enjoy. | $$$ |
| Pieke Potloed | European | This authentic Maastricht restaurant has a friendly, relaxing atmosphere that the whole family can enjoy. The menu features regional specialties that are created with local ingredients. | $ |
| Harry’s Restaurant | French, Seafood | Harry’s is one of Maastricht’s most popular restaurants, boasting menu specialties from around the world. Their menu features three to four courses that can be combined with one of their prize-worthy wines. | $$ |
| Basilica | Bar, Tea | Basilica is a quaint restaurant that offers amazing tea and several drinks. It also provides tasty multicultural meals. | $ |
| Brasserie Keizer | French, Fusion | Brasserie Keizer offers Provencal-inspired cuisines with numerous seafood specialties and fruity wines. | $ |
| Pakhoes | Seafood, European | The food offered at Pakhoes is inspired by local Belgian and French cuisine. With its warm and welcoming ambiance, many locals love stopping by this location for lunch or dinner. | $$ |
| Il y a | Mediterranean, Portuguese, Italian | Il y a specializes in Mediterranean dishes, influenced by French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian cuisines. Try one of their popular meals with a rich wine for an experience that your taste buds won’t soon forget! | $ |
| Stadscafe Lure | Cafe, Tea | Offering lunch, afternoon snacks, and dinner, the Stadscafe Lure offers unique twists on traditional cuisines. | $ |
| Toine Hermsen | Dutch | The Toine Hermsen takes pride in mixing innovation and tradition with its many meal offerings. Patrons can choose from their Jubilee or Friends menu, each with over a handful of courses to try. | $$ |
| Bouchon d’en Face | French Bistro | Bouchon d’en Face has a definite French feel to its atmosphere. The restaurant itself is a cross between a bistro and tavern, which was originally meant to reflect the elegance associated with French culture. | $ |
2. Vrijthof
Vrijthof is one of the most famous squares in Maastricht. If you’re a lover of history, there are several famous national monuments to explore. If you enjoy music, the square hosts many concerts throughout the year, including performances by Andre Rieu and the Johan Strauss Orchestra.
Outside of these two popular attractions in the square, you may also enjoy one of the many large events the city hosts here each year, including the Carnaval (season begins in spring before Lent) and other socio-cultural functions.
3. Theater aan het Vrijthof
Reopened in 1992 after a renovation from its original 1805 city palace, the Theater aan het Vrijthof has been the host of many artistic performances, including cabaret, dances, plays, opera, classical music, and more. If you are a fan of the performing arts, this is a great place to catch a performance.
4. De Poshoorn
A popular city tavern and pub, De Poshoorn (The Posthorn) has over 13 taps and 41 different types of bottled beers in their collection — in addition to a few tasty morsels. De Poshoorn also rents out rooms, so you are welcome to book one to stay through the entire evening once you’re ready for a good night’s rest. Travelers and locals alike recommend De Poshoorn as a must-stop destination if you’re in town.
5. Bars & Cafes
Finally, the nightlife in Maastricht includes many popular cafes and bars in the area, each offering a unique and friendly atmosphere. You haven’t experienced the true nightlife in Maastricht until you stop by at least one of these popular destinations:
| Name | Description |
| Sway Cafe | Sway Cafe is a quaint late-night spot located in one of Maastricht’s historic buildings in the market square. If you’re looking for a friendly place to drink and dance through the late hours at an affordable cost, this is the place to go. The cafe is open from 5 pm until 2 am on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and open until 3 am Fridays and Saturdays. |
| In de Moriann (Petit Cafe) | In de Moriann is worth visiting at least once during your trip to Maastricht. It is known for being the smallest pub in the Netherlands, with a record size of roughly 20 square meters. Although this makes the location quite packed at night, it does have a larger terrace area in the back with a few tables where you can sit and people watch or discover local artists. |
| Cafe in den Ouden Vorgelstruys | Right on a corner of Vrijthof, this bar is known for its historical memorabilia, including swords, medals, and portraits of patrons from the 1950s. This cafe offers several draft beers and carefully selected bottled drinks. |
| Brasserie La Bonbonerie | Although from first appearance, this cafe seems quite grand, it is relatively quiet at night, making it a nice stop for a relaxing cup of coffee or pint of beer. |
| De Gouveneur | De Gouveneur offers over 28 taps and 300 ice-cold craft and specialty beers for any beer enthusiast to enjoy. That, plus their tasty dishes, makes this spot a popular destination in the city. |
| Cafe de Pieter | This small cafe hosts Wednesday open-mic nights and musical entertainment on the weekends, so it’s a great spot for anyone looking for a cozy, laid-back, late-night atmosphere. |
| Zondag | It’s easy for travelers to experience both sides of Zondag cafe in Maastricht, from its daytime hipster coffee house to its night-time drinking hole. |
| Cafe Forum | Open as late as 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays, Cafe Forum is the place to be if you want to enjoy a full menu of craft beers, coffees, wines, and your favorite taps or finger foods. The cafe also hosts a jazz trio after 10 pm on Mondays, who are sometimes joined by student musicians as well. |
| Cafe in de Karkol | A popular destination for locals, Cafe in de Karkol offers a wonderful selection of draft and bottled beers. There is also a unique wine selection that promises not to disappoint. This bustling cafe is open as late as 2 am from Thursdays to Sundays. |
| Cafe Falstaff | Found in a historical setting, Cafe Falstaff is known more for its amazing beer selection — although locals very much enjoy the food it offers, too. |
| Mr. Smith | The name of this hidden gem reflects the spirit of what this small cocktail bar has to offer — mystery and creativity. Mr. Smith is a great speakeasy if you’re looking for a quiet place to spend your evening. |
Of course, these aren’t the only cafes and bars you will find in Maastricht. There are plenty more in the area that are open late, so you can explore all the things that the beautiful city has to offer with a drink in hand.
Planning Your Trip to Maastricht
Before you can experience the wonderful things the city of Maastricht has to offer, you will need to plan your trip first! Below are some tips for traveling to Maastricht, planning your stay, and what to bring with you.
How to Travel to Maastricht
Because Maastricht lies near the borders of Belgium and Germany, many of its visitors come from there. However, Maastricht is quite accessible for tourists from other nearby countries as well.
The city has a small airport, Maastricht Aachen Airport, that services flights from Spain, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, the Netherlands has a fantastic rail network that can bring visitors in from numerous European cities.
Although Maastricht does have an airport, most visitors coming in from abroad end up at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, which is one of the main international airports in the country. From there, Maastricht is just a three-hour train ride away. Alternatively, travelers can fly to Brussels Airport in Belgium and take a two-and-a-half-hour train ride to Maastricht.
What to Pack
What you need to pack for Maastricht to be prepared for long nights out will depend on the time of year you plan to go. The following table shows a breakdown of the weather conditions you should expect at different times of the year.
| Month | Expected Weather |
| January | Maastricht can be rainy and fairly brisk around the beginning of the year. Expect to see rain or snowfall averaging several inches. The temperatures at night usually range around 30 degrees Fahrenheit or less. |
| February | The weather in Maastricht in February is quite similar to January. However, the frequency of snow will decrease. Temperatures in the evening usually range in the low 30s. |
| March | March is a very rainy time of year for Maastricht. Average temperatures at night are in the low 30s to 40s. |
| April | April in Maastricht is both chilly and rainy. Temperatures usually range in the 30s to 50s, with low 30-degree weather at night. |
| May | May is relatively cool compared to the earlier months of the year. However, Maastricht is still very rainy. Average temperatures at night are in the mid-50s to low 60s. |
| June | June brings warmer weather to Maastricht, but the enduring rain makes conditions quite balmy. Average temperatures at night are in the low 50s to mid-60s. |
| July | With July comes more sun, but the rainy season continues. However, the rainfall is about half of what June experiences. The average temperatures at night are in the 50s to 60s. |
| August | Maastricht’s weather is very mild and rainy this time of year. Temperatures range around the low 50s to 60s. |
| September | Maastricht, at this time of year, is cool and very rainy. The temperatures usually average around the high 60s during the day and low 50s at night. The frequency of rain is about half of what it is in July and earlier months. |
| October | Maastricht becomes chilly while maintaining high amounts of rain. Low temperatures are around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It usually rains about two-thirds of the time. |
| November | November in the city is quite cool and rainy. Temperatures average in the low to high 40s, although they can drop as low as the 30s at night. |
| December | Maastricht becomes very brisk and rainy in December. The average overnight temperatures are around the 30s. It tends to rain on most days of the month. |
(Source: Empty Lighthouse Magazine)
Clothing to Bring
As you can see from the above table, throughout the year, Maastricht sees quite cool, rainy, and hazy weather, so it is always safe to pack some of the following:
- Umbrella
- Waterproof Boots or Footwear
- Heavy Fleeces
- Long Sleeve Shirts/Blouses
- Light Jacket or Fleece
- Waterproof Jacket/Coat or Raincoat
- Warm Pants/Jeans
- Socks
- Light Gloves or Mittens
- Good Walking Shoes
The temperatures in Maastricht range around 30 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night, so plan your outfits accordingly! Besides, it is always good to pack appropriate clothing for visiting churches and mosques as well as bicycle-friendly attire if you plan on biking.
Other Things to Bring
In general, if you plan on visiting Maastricht, you should also pack these items:
- A valid passport or other forms of identification
- Travel insurance papers
- Plug adapters that support C and F outlet types
- SIM card that works in Maastricht
- Small backpack with a map and travel guidebook
Where to Stay
The top ten best-rated hotels in the Maastricht area include:
| Hotel | Class | Features |
| The Dutch | 3.5-star | Free high-speed internet; free breakfast; baggage storage and concierge; 24-hour front desk; private check-in/check-out; family-friendly. |
| Kruisherenhotel Maastricht | 5-star | Electric vehicle charging station; free high-speed internet; bar/lounge area; pet-friendly; business center; hiking and bicycle rentals available. |
| Beaumont Maastricht | 4-star | Free high-speed internet; bar/lounge area; banquet room; concierge services and baggage storage; 24-hour front desk. |
| The Student Hotel Maastricht | 3.5-star | Free high-speed internet; fitness center with gym/workout room; bar/lounge area with a game room; baggage storage; 24-hour front desk; laundry service; restaurant and breakfast buffet on-site |
| Townhouse Hotel Maastricht | 4-star | Free high-speed internet; fitness center with gym/workout room; bar/lounge area and board games available; baggage storage and 24-hour front desk. |
| Teaching Hotel Chateau Bethlehem | 3-star | Free parking; free high-speed internet; bar/lounge area; baggage storage with concierge services; business center; restaurant on-site. |
| Kaboom Hotel | 3-star | Free high-speed internet; coffee shop on-site; baggage storage and concierge services; 24-hour front desk. |
| Mabi Hotel Centrum | 4-star | Free high-speed internet; bar/lounge area; 24-hour front desk; concierge and baggage storage. |
| Designhotel Maastricht | 4-star | Free high-speed internet; bar/lounge area; fitness center with gym/workout room; business center; dry cleaning/laundry service; pet-friendly. |
| Hotel St. Martenslane | 3-star | Free high-speed internet; garage parking; 24-hour front desk; private check-in/check-out; breakfast buffet available; baggage storage. |
Getting Around Maastricht
If you want to have access to the various attractions around the city, especially at night, it is best to travel by the city’s bus system, Stadsbus. You can purchase an ov-chipcaart to load money on from the bus station and use it to pay your way for travel. Alternatively, you can also call or book a taxi from one of Maastricht’s main taxi stations.
Because much of central Maastricht is inaccessible by car, traveling by bike is also a good option. Many hotels in Maastricht offer bike rental options for visitors.
In Conclusion
Maastricht has plenty of things to see and do during the day, but the real fun begins at nightfall.
To experience all that the nightlife in Maastricht has to offer, visitors recommend checking out some of the local restaurants as well as nearby bars and cafes — the center of Maastricht’s nightly scene — and Maastricht’s popular city tavern and pub, De Poshoorn.
Don’t forget about the cultural and historical sites that you can visit throughout the city, as well!