When you think of the city of Utrecht, you probably think of the cathedral, old canals and a lot of fun. There is a lot to see and do in historic Utrecht. Check out our tips for a relaxing day in Utrecht.
Day trip Utrecht
Are you in Utrecht for the first time? Then a canal cruise is a great way to get to know the city. If you are visiting or living in Utrecht, we recommend a trip along the canals. In the summer it’s chilling and in the winter it’s nice and cosy. Don’t you like a canal cruise? You can also choose to rent a canoe or pedal boat to sail yourself. (Note: canal cruises stop during extreem frost in winter)
Also very nice to do is cycling through the streets of beautiful Utrecht. In the cycling city you can rent bikes in all shapes and sizes. Think of road bikes, mountain bikes, children’s bikes and electric bikes. Or how about a tandem for two?
Looking for something else? The Underground tour in Utrecht is a special city walk. In it (former) homeless people and (former) drug addicts tell about the less beautiful sides of the city. The guides like to share their experiences and show you Utrecht like you’ve never seen before.
The Dom Tower
If you’re in town, a visit to the Dom Tower is a must. The pride of the city is 112 meters high, making it the highest church tower in the Netherlands. The construction of the tower started in 1321, but from 1328 to 1342 the construction was halted due to lack of money.
After that the tower had to endure a lot. A tornado separated the tower from the church. And during the Iconoclasm, the statues of the Catholics were destroyed. The tower has been restored a number of times and fortunately, because now we can still enjoy it.
You can only visit the Dom Tower with a guide. As an adult you pay €10 for this and children can come along for half the price. Are you afraid of heights and do you not like a visit to the tower? Then take a look at the Cathedral and not to forget the courtyard garden. Both the church and the courtyard are free to visit and both are incredibly beautiful. (Note: The Domtoren will be under construction for a few years.)
Utrecht in bloom
In addition to impressive buildings, Utrecht also has a lot of beautiful places with lots of greenery. For example, Flora’s court in the Servetstraat. This used to be a nursery with fruit trees and orangeries. But since 2009, part of the old nursery has been converted into a garden.
Another beautiful, green spot is the Oude Hortus, situated between the Lange Nieuwstraat and the Nieuwegracht. In this historic garden you can almost forget all the hustle and bustle of the city. And just outside the city, on the Uithof are the Botanical Gardens, a small plant paradise.
Museums in Utrecht
One of the most famous museums in Utrecht is the Rietveld Schröderhuis. The house was designed by Gerrit Rietveld in 1924. It is an interesting museum and a piece of culture in Utrecht that is definitely worth a visit.
Another iconic museum in Utrecht is the Railway Museum. So don’t forget to take a look and dive into the history of Dutch trains and railways! There are about 120 vehicles on display, including locomotive engines, steam locomotives, trainsets and a few trams. From Utrecht Central Station you can also take a special train to the museum. Kedeng kedeng, oe oe!