Day trips from Maastricht

Maastricht sits at a crossroads of three countries, and the day trip you pick depends on how much of the day you want to spend on a train. Liège and Aachen are a train ride away, Valkenburg takes half a day, and Hasselt and Roermond suit anyone who has a full day and would rather wander than queue at a museum. Pick one place per day, because the travel times add up faster than the sights.

The Three Country Train runs direct and takes about 35 minutes, which makes Liège the quickest of the big cities. FlixBus needs about 45 minutes and the car about 35. Cyclists can follow the Meuse for roughly 33 km, which is about two hours, and a boat takes around two and a half. The train stops at Liège-Guillemins, the station by Santiago Calatrava, and the historic centre is a fair walk from it. The sights are scattered, so a shuttle boat or a bike saves your legs.

Start in the Parc de La Boverie, where the Musée de La Boverie stands, then move on to the cathedral, the church of Saint-Jacques and the Palais des Princes-Évêques. The Montagne de Bueren is a staircase of 374 steps that ends in views over the city, and similar views open from Mont Saint-Pierre. On a Sunday the La Batte market fills the riverside with local produce. Liège suits a traveller who wants a large city with a rougher edge than Maastricht, and it is a day on its own.

The Three Country Train covers the distance to Aachen in about 50 minutes. A direct bus takes about an hour and a car about 45 minutes, and drivers do best with a park and ride on the way in. Cyclists face about 35 km across the Heuvelland hills. The station in Aachen is a walk from the historic centre, so nothing more is needed once you step off.

The Aachener Dom has been on the UNESCO list since 1978 and anchors the day. Afterwards look for Printen, the local spiced gingerbread, in any bakery near the cathedral. Aachen suits a compact day on foot. For a day out of town on public transport there is the Euregioticket, a day pass for buses and trains in the Meuse-Rhine region, which costs €23.50.

Valkenburg is the easiest trip from Maastricht. The train takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and the station lies on the edge of the centre, so the main sights are on foot. A direct bus takes 30 to 40 minutes through the Heuvelland, a bike ride is about 11 km, and by car it is about 15 minutes. The centre is busy in the daytime, and two large car parks wait for drivers. The town holds the castle ruins, the marl caves, a water bridge and a tower.

The Fluweelengrot can be visited only with a guide, for 50 to 60 minutes, and the exit comes out by the castle ruins. The ruins can also be visited on their own. Maastricht has caves of its own, so choose one set and spend the rest of the time above ground. Half a day is enough here.

Hasselt is reached by bus. De Lijn runs direct to the centre in about an hour, FlixBus takes about 45 minutes, and by car it is about 45 minutes. Riders cover the 35 km by bike in around two hours. The Grote Markt and the Sint-Quintinus cathedral set the scale of the town, and a street with a gin museum and a fashion exhibition give a reason to linger. Hasselt fits someone who likes a small Belgian city on foot and does not need a long list of sights.

The train takes about 30 to 40 minutes, FlixBus about 40 and the car about 40. The station is in the centre, and the Designer Outlet Roermond is about 15 minutes on foot from it, with more than 200 shops. Those who ride out follow the Meuse for about 50 km. The historic centre has terraces and market squares, and boats cross the Maasplassen lakes. Roermond works for a shopping day or a day on the water, and the two combine easily.

What combines in one day

Liège and Aachen are both a train ride away, but two cities in one day leave little time in either, so pick the one that suits you better. Valkenburg and the caves of Maastricht offer the same kind of experience, which makes the pair redundant. Roermond and Hasselt lie in opposite directions and do not belong in the same day.

Getting aroundGetting around has the station, the park and ride and the regional ticket.Getting around Maastricht →

Where to stayThe page on where to stay says which area makes an early train easier.Where to stay in Maastricht →

FoodThe food page covers what to eat before and after the trip.What to eat in Maastricht →

When to goThe month guide helps place a trip in the right season.The best time to visit Maastricht →