Situated in the heart of the Netherlands is the charming and medieval town of Utrecht, the capital and most populous city of the province of the same name. Like its sister Amsterdam, it is a city of canals, with historical buildings going back to the Middle Ages and the largest university in the country. To this day, it remains as the main religious centre of the Netherlands with Christian monuments scattered throughout the city. Utrecht may be overlooked when travelling to Amsterdam, but it has been steadily gaining steam for years as a city to watch out for and a hidden gem for those yearning to travel off-the-beaten-path. Utrecht has many interesting things to do that will satisfy every taste.
On my first trip to Netherlands with my husband in March, I had the chance to explore this beautiful town and the surrounding area over the course of three days. Utrecht has a tourist office in the Dom square where you can get all the information you need to make your visit in Utrecht a unique experience.
Interesting things to do in Utrecht
Climb the Dom Tower
Looming at 112 meters high, the Gothic-styled Dom Tower is the tallest church tower in the country and the pride & joy of the town. It was built between 1321 and 1382, designed by John of Hainaut and stands at the spot where Utrecht originated over 2,000 years ago. By climbing to the top of the tower, you will literally be at the centre of its beginnings. You can book a guided tour at the ticket shop and be accompanied up all 465 steps to the pinnacle of the Dom Tower where you will be able to see spectacular views of the town. While it may seem like too much in one go, don’t worry – the guide will stop you in between to give you historical information about the tower. On a clear day, you can even see Amsterdam from the top.
For more information: http://www.domtoren.nl/en
Dom Church
Also known as St. Martin’s Cathedral, Dom Church is a Gothic building dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours and once served as the cathedral of the Diocese of Utrecht. It sits alongside the Dom Tower, which is the landmark of the town, and visitors can explore the church almost every day free of charge. Inside are a number of tombs: the Holy Sepulcher of Gherit Splintersz is within the ambulatory, and the preserved internal organs of Emperors Conrad II and Henry IV are located inside a crypt. On the south side of the cathedral is the cloister which, connects the cathedral with the University of Utrecht.
For more information: http://domkerk.nl/domchurch/index.html
Canal Boat Cruise
To experience the magic of Utrecht’s canals and enjoy an unforgettable perspective of the city, visitors can take a canal boat cruise. As well as gliding past historic houses and its impressive trees, you will also notice the wharf cellars which are a significant and unique defining feature of Utrecht’s canals. The cellars occupy the spaces underneath the houses and were originally purposed for storage; the wharfs in front of it made it easy for boats to drop off and pick up goods. While a few other Dutch cities feature these cellars, nowhere is it more prominent than in Utrecht. Today, the town is home to 732 of them which are now mostly used as restaurants, bars, artist studios or for storage. There is live commentary on the boat tour so you also get the chance to learn about the history of the city.
For more information: Schuttevaer Boat Excursions
Flora’s Hof
A quiet oasis in the heart of Utrecht’s medieval centre, Flora’s Hof is located close to the Dom Tower and is considered one of the most stunning sites in the city. It was once home to an Episcopal palace then, later on, a nursery where greenhouses, fruit trees and plants were grown. In 2008, the garden was restored to its former glory and is now maintained by volunteers who make it a lush and peaceful getaway in the inner city. As well as the pleasant varieties of flowers and plants on display, visitors can enjoy the depiction of the life of St. Martin in the courtyard and browse at their leisure in the house-turned-library.
Pandhof
Between the Dom Church and the Utrecht University Hall is Pandhof, the medieval monastery garden. Blooming with flowers, plants and herbs, this delightful space is perfect to relax and wander about in at your leisure, with a tearoom next door where you can enjoy the idyllic atmosphere with a coffee in hand. In the heart of the garden, you will also find a fountain with a bronze statue of the priest Hugo Wstinc sitting and writing. Pandhof is known as one of the most beautiful courtyards in the Netherlands and, like Flora’s Hof, is maintained by volunteers. It is free of charge to visit and can be accessed through the gate on Dom Square.
Trajectum Lumen Project
Take an exploratory journey of Utrecht after dark and follow an illuminated art trail throughout the city’s historical centre with Trajectum Lumen. The trail starts off at Vredenburg and guides you along art installations from renowned light artists. It is available seven days a week, sunset to midnight, 365 days of the year and is a unique and spectacular way to enjoy the city’s rich past and present. You can do it on your own by downloading a free route map, picking one up from a tourist office or following the orange lights along the road; the journey takes around one hour and ends at the Mariaplaats. Otherwise, you can book a group tour where guides are provided in a variety of languages. I did this tour with a guide and I truly enjoyed it. Not only did we see all these art installations but we had the chance to see the city’s main monuments lit up and learn the history of the city. Our guide was very knowledgeable and polite and answered all our questions.
For more information: http://www.trajectumlumen.nl/en
Rietveld Schrödehuis
Cutting edge and modern in design, this house was built by Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld for Mrs Truus Schröder-Schräder and her three children in the year 1924. It was built on the De Stijl principles and features a three-dimensional, asymmetrical design with seamless transitions throughout the home and a changeable and clever use of space and surface. Within the home are also Rietveld’s signature furniture styles. So innovative and creative was its design and execution that it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. This house was restored after Schröder-Schräder’s passing in 1985and is now a museum open to all visitors.
For more information: http://centraalmuseum.nl/en/visit/locations/rietveld-schroder-house/
Centraal Museum
The most significant museum in Utrecht, Centraal is home to the largest collection of Gerrit Rietveld’s designs in the world (almost 3,000 objects!) as well as paintings and illustrations from the Utrecht Caravaggists and Dick Bruna, the local author and illustrator of Miffy. Alongside some of the most prestigious artefacts in the Netherlands, visitors will also find that Centraal features strongly on contemporary art, design and fashion and is forward-thinking in its approach. If you would like to see a wide and beautiful collection of art that showcases the best of the local talent, a visit to this museum is a must.
For more information: http://centraalmuseum.nl/en/
The Markets
Every day of the week, there is a market to explore in Utrecht. The three largest markets that the city plays host to is the Bloemenmarkt (flower market), Lapjesmarkt (fabric market) and the general market located in Vredenburg. The flower market is a sea of vibrant colour and smells, and it is where you can buy everything from plants to bulbs at an affordable price. The fabric market is the largest and oldest of its kind in Holland, having been around for 400 years, and is where you can purchase a wide variety of fabrics. The Vredenburg market is made up of 75 to 125 stalls, held every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and sells everything from cheese to jackets to electronics. Whether you’re looking to buy flowers, fabrics or food, Utrecht has got you covered.
Shopping
Department stores, trendy boutiques and antique shops make shopping in Utrecht a paradise. Open seven days a week, the shops here cater to your desires rain or shine as Utrecht is home to the largest indoor shopping mall in the country, HoogCatharijne, which hosts over 160 shops. On the Steenweg you will find on-trend and affordable fashions; second-hand gems can be found on the Oudegracht and in the Museumkwartier; the Voorstraat and the Schoutenstraat are home to the works of young fashion designers; and for those with an affinity for homewares, a walk to the Zadelstraat is a must.
There is also very interesting shopping route to follow which includes more than 70 spots where you can find the best places for fashion, art, culture and food around Utrecht http://puhashoproute.nl/shoproute/en/home
Fun things to do around Utrecht
Utrecht can be a great place to base yourself and explore the surrounding area. Here are a few things I saw during my stay in Utrecht.
Gouda
Located in the province of South Holland with a population of 70,000 people, Gouda is a town most famous for its gouda cheese and its seasonal cheese market. It is a very popular city for tourists to take a day trip to because of its ancient and beautiful buildings, its winding canals and its clay pipes, candles and stroopwafels (syrup waffles.) Because it is easy to walk the city of Gouda, visitors can stroll around the central market square, explore the back streets where quaint boutiques lie and marvel at the 15th-century town hall and the glass windows in St. Janskerk with ease. The journey between Utrecht and Gouda by train is 20 minutes and by bus number 107, 60 minutes.
De Haar Castle
Grandiose and luxurious, De Haar Castle sits near Haarzuilens and is the biggest castle in the Netherlands as well as one of the foremost historical houses in Europe. Dating back to the 13thcentury, it looks like something out of a fairytale due to its moats, fortresses, gates and drawbridges as well as its beautifully kept gardens and ponds. Once belonging to the De Haar family and then to the Van Zuylen family, it is now owned by the foundation Kasteel de Haar; however, for one month a year in September, the Van Zuylen van Nijevelt van de Haar family resides in the castle, a tradition spanning over 100 years. De Haar Castle was one of the highlights of my trip to Utrecht. You can easily reach the castle by public transport and the journey lasts around 40 minutes.
For more information: https://www.kasteeldehaar.nl/english
Kinderdijk
In the South Holland province lies the photogenic village of Kinderdijk, known for its world-famous 18thcentury windmills. Built in 1740, Its 19 windmills are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is there you can learn about how the Dutch have been managing their waters and preventing floods for over 1,000 years. As well as admiring the waterways, dikes and mills in the area, visitors can discover more about these iconic structures in the Museum Windmills and the Windmill Workshop. From Utrecht, you can catch bus number 90 that will take you straight to Kinderdijk. The journey takes around 90 minutes and will take you through the scenic dutch countryside.
For more information: https://www.kinderdijk.com/
Where to stay in Utrecht
During my stay in Utrecht, I stayed at the Park Plaza Hotel. This 4-star modern hotel is a convenient walk away from the Beatrix Theatre and Utrecht Centraal train station and is a short walk away from the central square. Its 120 contemporary rooms have free wi-fi, minibars and desks, tea and coffee facilities and flat-screen TVs. As well as a gym and sauna, within the hotel is a restaurant serving international cuisine in an elegant setting with a patio, complemented by their richly decorated Bar & Brasserie; a continental breakfast is also available.
Where to eat in Utrecht
Firma Pickles Burgers & Wines
A trendy restaurant and wine bar that serves amazing burgers.
For more information: http://firmapickles.nl/utrecht/ (sorry only in Dutch)
Stadskasteel Oudaen
Located in the heart of Utrecht and housed in a castle Oudaen serves coffee, drinks, delicious lunch and dinner in a medieval environment.
For more information: http://www.oudaen.nl/web/en/1_home.htm
How to get to Utrecht
By air: The Netherlands has two big airports Amsterdam Schiphol and Eindhoven airport that serves mostly low-cost flights. From Amsterdam Schiphol, the journey to Utrecht Central station takes 40 minutes and from the centre of Amsterdam only 30 minutes.
From Eindhoven airport, you can take either the bus heading to Amsterdam and get off in Utrecht, the journey takes 1 hour and 30 minutes depending on the traffic or take the bus number 400 or 401 from the airport to Eindhoven Central station and then take the train to Utrecht. It will take you approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes to get to Utrecht.
Though it is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, Utrecht is refreshingly forward-thinking. Juxtaposed against its beautiful and ancient buildings, quiet and historical canals and its delightful and antiquated gardens is an undercurrent of creative energy as shown in its museums, lighted art installations and interesting use of spaces. And, because it is home to a venerable university, its 40,000-strong student population create a colourful and vibrant atmosphere bursting with socialising possibilities. Quaint and lovely, it is no wonder why this medieval yet modern-minded city is considered one of the best-kept secrets of the Netherlands.
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I was a guest of Visit Utrecht but as always opinions are my own.
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