Margraten is a village in South Limburg, the southern most region of the Dutch province of Limburg. This town of 3,400 people (2021) is on the main road between Maastricht and Aachen. It is mostly known for the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial. As there's not all that much else to see or do, most people come here on a daytrip. Nonetheless, there are some options to stay and eat.

Understand

The military cemetery of Margraten is the 3rd largest World War II cemetery for unidentified soldiers in Europe and the final resting ground for no less than 8301 American soldiers. Many of the graves have been adopted by locals, who attend to the white marble crosses and sometimes place flowers. The American president George W. Bush visited the Margraten cemetery in May 2005. Although visits by other Americans, both relatives and former army comrades of the deceased used to be common, the number of people that comes here has decreased heavily over time.

The town itself is part of the municipality of Eijsden-Margraten. Other major population centers in this community include Cadier en Keer, Noorbeek, Mheer and Sint Geertruid.

Get in

Margraten is on the main road from Maastricht to Aachen, and therefore easily reachable over the N278 from both directions. Bus line 50 will bring you here from Maastricht, Vaals or Aachen. The military cemetery is served by many buses, including line 50, but also line 150 (Gulpen-Maastricht) and line 48 to Valkenburg.

There is no train station.

The nearest airport is Maastricht-Aachen Airport, which receives only a few international discount carriers. Better options are Cologne airport (about 1 hr. away), Dusseldorf airport (1.5 hr) or even Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (3 hr).

Get around

There's not all that much to see apart from the cemetery. The town itself is small enough to explore on foot. The cemetery is about 1,5km out of the village centre, along the main road. Walking there is easy, but it also has its own bus stop called Militair Kerkhof, served by a range of bus lines. Line 50 can take you from the main road bus stop near the village centre to the entrance.

See

The then US Secretary of Defense in front of the Tablets of the Missing at the military cemetery in 2009

• Netherlands American Cemetery, 10 km east of Maastricht, on the N278. The World War II Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial is the final resting ground for 8,301 American soldiers who lost their life in this region during the Second World War. It is on a hill in Margraten, along the ancient road from Maastricht to Aachen. Viewing the thousands of white crosses on the green fields and the tall Walls of the Missing, with the names of another 1722 missing American soldiers engraved, is a humbling and impressive experience. 
• Sint-Margaritakerk, Pastoor Brouwersstraat 21. The 19th-century church of Margraten is in the heart of the village. Its tower is older, late medieval, and the church as a whole is dedicated to Margaret the Virgin. 

Buy

Most relevant shops are concentrated in the heart of town, roughly around the Amerikaplein. They offer all daily travel needs, including groceries, clothing and books.

• Plus Kleijnen, Amerikaplein 2, ☏ +31 43 458 1398. The main supermarket is a mid-sized one from the Plus chain. 
• DA Drogisterij Monique, Amerikaplein 4. This drogisterij, or drug store, has all the usual personal hygiene products and freely available medications like painkillers or anti-allergy products. For prescription drugs, you'll need to head to the pharmacy. 
• Apotheek Plateau van Margraten, President Kennedystraat 21. There's a small pharmacy a few streets from the main shopping centre. It sells both prescription drugs and some generally available ones. 

Eat

Square and Sint-Margarita church

• Eetcafé Chriske, Pastoor Brouwersstraat 7, ☏ +31 43 458 14 75, eetcafechriske@home.nl. Tu-Su 10:00-22:00. For cyclists it is possible to change clothes and to have a shower. Three-course menu €29.50. 
• Wokparadijs De Kroon, Rijksweg 64, ☏ +31 43 458 19 45. W-M 16:00-23:00. Wok self-service restaurant All you can eat €19.50. 
• Happy Garden, Rijksweg 47, ☏ +31 43 458 16 87. Tu-Sa 16:00-21:30, Su 12:00-22:00. Cantonese and Sichuan specialties Special menu for 2 people €35.25. 

Drink

• Eetcafé An der Put, Pastoor Brouwersstraat 20-A, ☏ +31 43 458 26 73. Pub with terrace opposite the Sint-Margarita church. 

Sleep

• Hotel Groot Welsden, Groot Welsden 27 Margraten, ☏ +31 43 458 1394. Rather old-fashioned but classic and clean rooms. There's a nice garden and an a la carte restaurant. €68 per person. 
• B&B de Kunstkamer, Groot Welsden 48. On the outskirts of town, colourfully decorated rooms, a lovely countryside location and a most friendly host make this B&B an excellent base if you're looking to spend a few days hiking or sightseeing in the region. There's a very nice garden. Reservations must be made online via several agents, see the website. 
• Hontemerhof, Honthem 43, ☏ +31 43 3560763. This family-run place offer four holiday houses. They're well-equipped for 4 or 8 people. There's also a group accommodation for 16. Make sure to reserve in advance. From €275/425 for a weekend/week in a 4 person house. 

Connect

• Post office, Amerikaplein 2. M-F 08:00-20:00, Sa 08:00-13:00. The Plus Supermarket has a post office service, with all regular services available. 

Go next

Margraten is a 15-minute drive from Maastricht and equally close to Valkenburg. Gulpen is the next stop on the main road to Vaals and the German city of Aachen, which is just a half hour by car.