Margraten

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.

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 1h. away), Dusseldorf airport (1,5h) or even Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (3h).

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.

• Netherlands American Cemetery

  address: 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 located 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

  address: 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.

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

  phone: +31 43 458 1398
  address: Amerikaplein 2
  The main supermarket is a mid-sized one from the Plus chain.

• DA Drogisterij Monique

  address: 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

  address: 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.

• Eetcafé Chriske

  phone: +31 43 458 14 75
  address: Pastoor Brouwersstraat 7
  For cyclists it is possible to change clothes and to have a shower.

• Wokparadijs De Kroon

  phone: +31 43 458 19 45
  address: Rijksweg 64
  Wok self-service restaurant

• Happy Garden

  phone: +31 43 458 16 87
  address: Rijksweg 47
  Cantonese and Sichuan specialties

• Eetcafé An der Put

  phone: +31 43 458 26 73
  address: Pastoor Brouwersstraat 20-A
  Pub with terrace opposite the Sint-Margarita church.

• Hotel Groot Welsden

  phone: +31 43 458 1394
  address: Groot Welsden 27 Margraten
  Rather old-fashioned but classic and clean rooms. There's a nice garden and an a la carte restaurant.

• B&B de Kunstkamer

  address: 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

  phone: +31 43 3560763
  address: Honthem 43
  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.

• Post office

  address: Amerikaplein 2
  The Plus Supermarket has a post office service, with all regular services available.

Margraten is just 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.