This is the kind of charming print shop that could appear in a movie; it is so picturesque, set by the canal and crammed with lovely of old maps and prints, botanicals and landscapes. Bins are usually set up outside so passersby can flip through matted prints that sell for 14 euros and up. A flight of stairs leads down into the shop where many more rare fine art prints from the 16th to the 20th century are kept and can be framed on the spot while you wait.

The city’s most famous market—often billed as the world’s only floating flower market—takes place on moored barges near Muntplein, where some fifteen stalls offer vibrantly hued plants, flowers and bulbs. The displays are particularly glorious during tulip season, but the attraction is a bit touristy.

London’s Guardian newspaper proclaimed the heart-stopping, breathtaking Bookstore Domincanen to be the most beautiful bookstore in the world. A former 13th-century Dominican church, this bookstore is housed amidst the sweeping arches of the former church, the top levels reaching close enough to see the painstakingly careful brushwork that bedecks the ceiling. The interior space, designed by Amsterdam architects Merkx + Girod, is a true marriage of traditional and modern, with the store itself a paradigm of sleek, Scandanavian design. The selection of books is wide, and includes a large English section.

Ground zero for design aficionados, this Dutch design collective opened in 1993 and is still on the leading edge. Located in a beautiful old canal house near Café de Jaren and the Rembrandt House, Droog (which means “dry” in Dutch) has an ever-changing collection of fashion and design items from hundreds of brands. A recent visit turned up elaborate paper parasols and innovative lamps as well as smaller items, like trendy glasses, frames and kitchenware. Don't miss the second-floor café.

This design Mecca, in a multilevel canal house near the 717 hotel, is well worth a visit. It specializes in contemporary furniture, especially from Scandinavian and Dutch designers, as well as cool housewares, bike accessories, jewelry, stationary and chocolate.

A Danish contemporary ready-to-wear woman’s fashion brand known for its scandi-cool style and bold, expressive and colorful designs.

Guus Röel is a great antiques shop, curated by an expert in colonial antiques and rare artifacts from Europe, Asia and the Caribbean Islands. Highlights include furniture, paintings, prints, sculptures and textiles.

Fans of modern Danish modern furniture (or really all design), will fall in love with Hay Amsterdam. This concept store located in the trendy Nine Streets boutique district features a diverse collection of home goods. In addition to furniture, the store offers high-quality office accessories and Koffie Salon, giving the space a cool and casual vibe.

This gallery-like space sells avant-garde men’s shoes and man purses in hand-made leather.

Fashionista Kiki Niesten outfits Maastricht’s most stylish from her tony Stokstraat boutique. The tasteful, subdued collection carries blue-chip names including Prada, Dries Van Noten, Jil Sander and Chloe. Her sister store, Kiki 2 is located across the street and offers more modestly priced duds.

Family-run jewelry store is a preferred dealer of Rolex, Cartier, Bulgari and Harry Winston and has been at Maastricht’s forefront since the 1950’s. In 2000, the family opened a second, more fashion-conscious store, Leon Martens Espace, on Stokstraat.

In a city renowned for its bespoke suits, Montulet International is considered the cream of the crop. The names on hand might be stuffy (Brioni, Zegna and Hogan are among the varied collection), but in typical Dutch fashion the clothes are laidback, stylish and tasteful. There is also a great selection of both men’s and women’s jewelry.

Oldenhof Maastricht, also known as Kookwinkel or Kookhuis aan de Maes, is a famous treasure trove for all things kitchenware and cooking, located in a former bank building. Come here for international cookware and tableware brands—as well as cookbooks, machines and more.

The super-chic women’s outpost of the Maastrict-exclusive PL chainlet stocks the best designer apparel in town. Trendy yet tasteful, the marble-floored store offers highbrow names including Tom Ford, Saint Laurent, Balmain and Iro. The selection is geared towards a younger audience, but women of all ages will find something at this swanky style emporium.