The Utrecht Travel Guide & How to Plan Your Trip
Utrecht: Traveling
Utrecht is approximately 30 minutes away from Schiphol Airport. There are connections about every 15 minutes. Utrecht Central Station, the busiest station in the Netherlands, is also the most efficient. It has easy links to Europe and the rest of the Netherlands. Utrecht is centrally located in the Netherlands, making it an important hub for the Dutch bus and motorway networks.
What can you do in Utrecht?
Renting a bike is the best way to see Utrecht. Boating along the canals is a close second. Combining the two can be done with a pedalo to explore the canals and waterways around the city. Try a kayak or paddle board for something different.
Nearly everywhere you travel, you will see the Dom Tower from the 14th century, which is an iconic landmark and the highest church tower in Holland. For a view of all the attractions in the city, climb the 465 steps up to the top.
Nearby is the Museum Speelklok with its antique timepiece collection and canal-side streets lined with bars, cafes, and shops. The Wilhelminapark’s green spaces, which include its beautiful restaurant and the University Botanic Gardens with their tropical greenhouses, are a great place to visit in the autumn or winter.
Many striking buildings around the university area make up the skyline. The building that looks like a UFO has hit a tower block is the one to look for. Those with interest in architecture should also search for the Rietveld Schroder House. This iconic 1920s design is now a Unesco World Heritage site.
Artists will enjoy the Dick Bruna House, home to the cartoon character Miffy, the famous designer. The Centraal Museum in Utrecht is the opposite and boasts a fascinating collection of Dutch fashion designs and other items that tell the city’s history.
The Museum Catharijneconvent, with its valuable religious art collection that dates back to the Middle Ages, is the centerpiece of the museum quarter. It also has a lovely café. The whole area is excellent for walking. There’s always something new to discover, be it a traditional barbershop, medieval almshouse, or quirky cold-brew coffee shop.
Shopping in Utrecht
Utrecht’s car-free city is known for its small independent shops with friendly owners and staff. A new Dutch designer, an old-fashioned menswear boutique, or a photo gallery might be on your doorstep. You may also find a handcrafted jewelry shop, a unique photo gallery, or a quirky photo gallery. You can browse antique shops along the canals and find new home decor at Zadelstraat.
The indoor Hoog Catherine is located near the Central Station. Here, locals can go in bad weather and browse the latest fashions or find new gadgets.
Nightlife in Utrecht
Utrecht is home to the largest student population in the country. This makes it a vibrant bar and club district. There are many options, from cozy traditional Dutch “brown cafés” to microbreweries, trendy bars that serve the latest cocktails, and more modern and contemporary American bars. Near the Oudegracht (Old Canal), many clusters. It runs through the middle of town. For a wide selection of guests and own beers, look out for De Kromme Haring in a converted office building on Europalaan. This is the kind of place where you can make friends instantly.
The Oudegracht has a split-level design. Its wide wharves at the water level are now used as terraces by the bars, restaurants, and clubs that have been built into former warehouses. Utrecht is home to many restaurants that offer international and Dutch cuisine.
Food trucks, basement bars, rooftop restaurants, and industrial-chic cafés offer everything from vegan delights to simple sandwiches. The Rijsttafel (or “rice table”) in any Indonesian restaurant is a local favorite. It’s a great way to discover new flavors and try different cuisines.
The Oudegracht is not the only focal point. There’s also the Neude, which is a large plaza with plenty of places to eat and drink, as well as places to go clubbing. The annual Christmas Fair and many other cultural events are held here.
Music and festivals
Utrecht’s young population supports a variety of important annual events. LeGuessWho is a festival that celebrates global music, and Soenda electronic music festivals are well-known. The Festival of Modern Dance, the Netherlands Film Festival, and the Utrecht International Comedy Festival are two other highlights. Many events utilize the TivoliVredenburg’s five halls to showcase different music types.
The city hosts a “Cultural Sunday” five times per year. This event brings together theatre, opera, film, and storytelling events that all have a common theme. Most events are free, and there is a “language no barrier” policy to make them accessible to everyone. There’s always something to do in Utrecht, no matter what season it is, whether it’s winter or summer.
Where to stay
There are many options for accommodation, from hostels with bunk beds to luxury boutique hotels. One quirky option is the Mother Goose Hotel, located in a renovated medieval house. The NH Hotel Utrecht offers everything you would expect from a modern upmarket hotel chain. Park Plaza, a recently renovated mid-range hotel, is a short walk from the central station. Stayokay Utrecht Center offers student-friendly dorms and private rooms.