Car & Van Hire - Maastricht

Populated since the days of the Roman Empire, Maastricht today is one of the Netherlands' most beautiful cities. You can start your tour of the city by visiting the iconic Stadhuis, the city hall, which stands on the Market Square. Food markets are held here every Wednesday and Friday, and there is a flea market with a range of different stalls on Saturdays. If you want to pay a visit to the market, be sure to get there early. Most stallholders close by lunchtime.

For centuries, Maastricht was an important pilgrimage destination, with travellers flocking to the Basilica of St Servatius, the oldest church in the Netherlands. This church is still worth visiting, thanks to its fascinating museum. Inside you will see a number of relics and sacred exhibits, including the famous Noodkist, the metal chest that holds the remains of St Servatius. Remember that this is still a working church. If you want to visit, check the week's mass schedule so you will not disturb worshippers.

The 18th-century Fort Sint Pieter is one of Maastricht's most interesting sights. Sitting on top of the Caestert Plateau, this imposing fortress was built to defend the city from French invaders. Most fascinating of all is the underground part of the fort. You can take a guided tour to explore the Caves of Maastricht, a dizzying network of subterranean passages. Your guide will explain the history of the caves, which provided shelter for the citizens during World War II, and were also used to hide great artworks like Rembrandt's Night Watch.

Walking around Maastricht's atmospheric Old Town is a great way to spend a couple of days. When you start to get itchy feet, your car rental in Maastricht will let you explore further afield. For a day trip, don't miss Valkenburg, a charming, romantic spa town. The town looks very different from other Dutch settlements, as its houses are built from chalkstone rather than red brick. There's nothing quite like relaxing in the hot mineral waters and letting your worries drift away. There's even something for the kids, as Valkenburg also boasts a small amusement park.

Car or van rental in Maastricht will also let you visit one of the country's most impressive castles. Hoensbroek Castle was originally built in the 14th century and then gradually enlarged over the centuries. The interior is beautifully preserved, and self-guided tours are available. The adults in the group will enjoy learning about the history of the castle, and a special treasure hunt will keep the kids entertained.

When driving in Maastricht, as in other Dutch cities, watch out for bicycles. The country's flat landscapes and plentiful bike lanes mean that many locals prefer to get around on two wheels. Many streets in and around Maastricht have dedicated bike lanes or even separate bike streets, but there are times when you will be sharing the road.

Watch out for road surfaces painted with the phrase "auto te gast". This literally means "cars are guests". It indicates that cars may enter, but priority is given to bikes, and cyclists can use the full width of the road. Drivers must also give priority to cyclists at stop signs. If you are parking on the street, watch out for cyclists when you are leaving your vehicle.

In Maastricht, you will find on-street parking as well as large car parks. Pay-by-phone is available, but you will need to register first. There are several service providers available, and you can either send an SMS or use an app. One major advantage of paying by phone is that you'll only be charged for the time you have used. The money will be deducted after you have left the parking space, so there is no need to pay in advance.

If you choose not to pay by phone and use a parking meter, you will need to enter your licence number. The modern machines used in Maastricht do not issue paper tickets to display.

Parking is more expensive the closer you are to the city centre. For a money-saving alternative, you can park at the Maastricht Noord park and ride facility. Parking here is free, and there are bus lines that will take you straight to the city centre.

The Netherlands generally has lower speed limits than most other European countries. You can expect speed limits of between 48 and 80 km/h in cities, sometimes even lower around schools. On motorways, the speed limit is 160 km/h by day (06:00-19:00) and 210 km/h at night. Despite this, most motorists stay under the speed limit. The Netherlands was the first country to invent speed cameras, and speed limit enforcement is extensive.