You would almost miss them. Almost. Because as soon as you pass the entryway to the St. Servaas Basilica, you’ll figure out that it’s worth walking on. You’ll see for yourself that Maastricht doesn’t end at the Vrijthof. Sometimes you just have to take those few extra steps. That’s when Maastricht will surprise you with just how surprising the city centre really is. The Vrijthof has a number of little streets leading into it from all directions. They include Brusselsestraat, Grote Gracht, and De Kommel. Unlike the more idyllic boulevards in most of the rest of the city, these streets evoke a feeling of the urban, the artistic, the unknown. Here, students and locals come and go: artists, designers, professionals. It’s an area that’s moving fast: new shops, start-ups, young businesses, surprising concepts. Yet at the same time, it’s bursting with historic buildings, and is still very much a place where locals want to live. In truth, you can’t really describe the streets around the Vrijthof in a few words. It’s where local, university, business, authentic, forward-looking, and surprising Maastricht all come together.

The exhibits at the Sint Maarten Museum provide insight into the cultural heritage and the natural history of the island. Learn about the people who helped shape Sint Maarten into the place it is today and about its industry, geography, plants and wildlife.

Take an evening and visit the lovely Teatro Verdi for an opera or theatre experience. Have a look at their website to see what is on while you are there.

The King Abdulaziz Complex for the Holy Kaaba Kiswa, commonly known as the Kiswa Factory, offers a unique glimpse into the creation of the sacred black cloth that drapes the Kaaba. Here, visitors can observe the meticulous process where over 200 skilled artisans weave black silk and embroider intricate Quranic verses with gold and silver thread. The factory blends traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, underscoring the immense care and reverence invested in this annual tradition. A visit provides a profound understanding of the artistry and devotion behind one of Islam's most revered symbols.