Maastricht, Netherlands
Half a day in Maastricht was enough to make me fall in love with the Netherlands for one thing I already love: cycling. The biking infrastructure here is legendary, and seeing it in person finally made me understand why the Dutch are considered the world leaders in urban cycling.
The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe, with 17 million people in a territory half the size of South Carolina. Yet their cities feel spacious and calm - largely because they've designed them around bicycles rather than cars. Maastricht, in the southern tip of the country, showcases this beautifully.
What I Experienced
Maastricht isn't the typical Dutch experience - no windmills or tulips here. This is the hilliest part of the Netherlands (yes, they have hills!), and the city has a distinctly southern European feel. The architecture is different too - more limestone and brick than the wooden canal houses of Amsterdam.
The cycling infrastructure blew my mind. Protected bike lanes everywhere, traffic lights specifically for cyclists, massive parking garages just for bikes. People of all ages cycling casually in regular clothes - no helmets, no lycra, just normal transportation. It's how cities should work.
The old town is compact and walkable, centered around the beautiful Vrijthof square. We stumbled into the famous Dominicanen bookstore, a converted 13th-century church that's now considered one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. Worth a visit even if you don't read Dutch.
Practical Notes
- Maastricht is easily reached from Belgium, Germany, or other Dutch cities by train
- Euro is the currency
- Everyone speaks English fluently
- Rent a bike if you want to truly experience the city
- Try the local vlaai (fruit pie) - a regional specialty
Even a short visit was enough to see why the Dutch model is studied by urban planners worldwide.
Photography from the Netherlands is available for purchase with commercial license - ideal for European travel marketing or urban cycling content.