The fourth largest city in the Netherlands, Utrecht, is a fascinating city and one that certainly deserves stopping by when visiting the country. Until the 17th century, Utrecht was the most prominent city in the Netherlands as the country’s religious center, having the second largest number of cultural events after Amsterdam as well as housing the country’s largest university. Because of Utrecht’s central location, it also has the busiest train station in the Netherlands, Utrecht Centraal, which is easily accessible from other places in the country and you can reach the city from Amsterdam in under half an hour for less than 10 Euros.
While often Amsterdam gets praise for being a stunning city that’s brimming with charming canal views, Utrecht’s center has a very similar look but with fewer tourists and a calmer atmosphere. The city has wonderful views, stunning architecture, a lively bar scene, an amazing selection of cafes and restaurants, and an outstanding history, to count a few of the best things. If you are planning to visit Utrecht, two or three days are perfect to explore it fully without any rush. However, if you are planning only a day trip there, here are some budget-friendly places to visit for a short getaway but still have the best time!
Historic Center
The historic center of Utrecht is the most picturesque area of the city, dating back to the Middle Ages. There you will find a blend of different styles of architecture such as Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance, and Romanticism. The different styles create outstanding views as well as host some notable examples – the extensive University of Utrecht, as well as many museums, impressive churches, and cathedrals. While exploring the center, you will feel like walking through Amsterdam with canals stretching in the streets, charming buildings, and endless options of cafes and restaurants along with boutiques, souvenir shops, and vintage stores. Since Utrecht is a very walkable city, especially the center area, strolling through the historic center was one of my favorite activities there and one that will certainly leave you astonished.
Oudegracht (Old Canal)
The Oudegracht or Old Canal offers Amsterdam-like views with charming bridge crossings and buildings facing the canal. Dating back to the 12th century, the canal was built to reduce the risk of flooding which allowed the city to flourish fully and create dry cellars as well as quays and wharves where you can still walk today. The construction of canals also meant the opportunity to connect the city to the Rhine River and the North Sea which greatly impacted trade options.
Running throughout the city from north to south, Oudegracht reaches two kilometers in length and forges a picturesque look to the city. It is also the perfect place to enjoy some delicious foods or coffee at the many cafe and restaurant options as well as browse through the many shops and boutiques. The Oudegracht is a magical place in the city which is also considered one of the most beautiful areas in Utrecht.
Nieuwegracht (New Canal)
Another remarkable canal to note in the center of Utrecht is the Nieuwegracht or New Canal which was built in the 14th century. Where the Oudegracht stretches 2 kilometers in length, the Nieuwegracht is only 0,7 kilometers long but still offers picturesque views. In comparison to the Old Canal, there you will find a much calmer atmosphere with fewer attractions but more peaceful streets that are filled with gorgeous architecture and greenery. You can also explore the New Canal by renting a kayak and have a memorable time with the quaint city views.
Pandhof van de Dom
One of the most beautiful places in Utrecht and undeniably a wonderful hidden gem, is the Pandhof van de Dom – the inner courtyard of the Dom Cathedral. Considered one of the most beautiful courtyards in the Netherlands, it certainly offers a marvelous atmosphere, gorgeous greenery, and peace in the middle of the city. Built as a medieval monastery’s garden in the late 14th and early 15th century it also has a remarkable neo-Gothic entrance gate dating back to 1857.
Today you can find different plants and herbs planted in the garden and in the middle of it a small fountain that adds even more of a dreamy ambiance to the whole place. If you would like to have a drink or a meal in the courtyard, the Dom Cathedral offers a cafe that faces the garden and provides a wonderful time. The entrance is free and the garden is open in all seasons from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Miffy’s Traffic Light
Utrecht is known as the birthplace of the cartoon character Miffy or in Dutch Nijntje which translates to “little bunny”, created by Dutch author and artist Dick Bruna whose home city is also Utrecht. Miffy became a character in 1955 and since then has become an iconic part of Dutch and even the world’s scene being featured in a movie, two television shows, and many books. Because of that, you can find the character in many different places across the city such as in the Miffy Museum, shop, a dedicated square or even joining a city tour to find all the sites where Miffy can be noticed.
One of the notable places is the Miffy’s Traffic Light, located on 14 Vredenburg Street, where in place of the usual man symbol, there’s the Miffy character showing you green and red lights. The rainbow-colored crossroad adds even more uniqueness to the place and is such a fun and lovely stop while exploring Utrecht.
Hoog Catharijne
Usually, I wouldn’t consider shopping malls as a must-visit spot while exploring a city but Hoog Catharijne is truly impressive. Located right by the train station, you will find the largest indoor shopping mall in the Netherlands that brings around 30 million visitors a year and offers a wide range of shops and boutiques as well as grocery stores, food and restaurant options, a cinema, and even a hotel. Interestingly, the Hoog Catharijne is the only shopping mall in the world that can be reached by a canal, making it an even more special place. You can spend hours browsing the shops and admiring the building’s modern design, and this is certainly the perfect place for anyone who would love an amazing shopping experience.
Museums
- The Centraal Museum has a wide range of art and design pieces from the Middle Ages to the present times, as well as hosts multiple permanent and temporary exhibitions, and events. A full adult ticket costs 16,50 Euros and the museum is open every day, except on Mondays.
- Museum Speelklok is a fascinating place where you can discover different self-playing musical instruments in all shapes and sizes as well as enjoy their unique sounds. A full adult ticket costs 15,50 Euros and you can visit the museums every day, except on Mondays, as well as enjoy a refreshing time at the museum’s cafe or explore the shop, and join guided tours that you can book on their official page here.
- Het Spoorwegmuseum, the Dutch National Railway Museum, offers a look into the past and how trains changed the world with many different exhibitions, events, and attractions that truly leave you amazed. A full adult ticket costs 19,50 Euros and the museum is open every day, except on Mondays.
- Museum Catharijneconvent displays art pieces that represent Christianity in Dutch culture. The museum has different exhibitions along with temporary ones, guided tours, and educational lessons for different age groups. The museum is open every day and one adult ticket costs 15,00 Euros.
- Miffy Museum, mainly designed for children, is a fun place where you can let your imagination and creativity flow. In the museum, you get access to the cartoon character Miffy’s world which you can explore and play around. The entrance fee for children aged from 2 to 6 is 12 Euros and for children from 7 to 17 as well an adult ticket costs 8 Euros.
- The Volksbuurtmuseum or the Dutch museum of the working-class neighborhood shows what life was like in Utrecht a hundred years ago for the people in District C. The museum paints a picture of a family that you can read about and learn about their daily lives. You can also find other exhibitions at the museum or even read a book on this topic and listen to their podcast episodes. The museum is open every day, except on Mondays, and a full adult ticket costs 7,50 Euros.
- Sonnenborgh Observatory is a fascinating place where to learn about and observe stars and the weather. Interestingly, the observatory was built on a 16th-century bastion and is considered one of the best-preserved city wall bastions in Northern Europe. Being the place where the first weather forecasts were presented in the Netherlands, it’s truly a remarkable place to discover the science behind meteorology, Sun and so much more. The museum is open every day, except on Saturdays and Mondays, and a full adult ticket costs 10 Euros.
- BAK, Basis voor Actuele Kunst is an art center that merges different current topics such as politics in an experimental and artistic way. The center offers different exhibitions, workshops, lectures, and more with memorable artworks and notable themes. The museum is open from Wednesday to Friday, and one adult ticket costs 6 Euros.
- Van Ravesteyn House is another mesmerizing place in Utrecht – the railway architect Sybold Van Ravesteyn’s house that he designed for himself in 1932. The design of the detached house is very unique for that time with curly shapes, wavy lines, ornaments, and a combination of different roles of the room in one space. This is certainly the perfect place to visit if you love architecture, and interior design or just want to admire a beautifully designed living space. The museum is open from Thursday to Sunday and one adult ticket costs 7 Euros. You can also book the house to stay for a few nights and enjoy the beauty of it all to yourself.
Final thoughts
Utrecht is truly one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands and one that is certainly worth visiting. The city offers so much – from charming streets and cute cafes to refreshing parks and exquisite museums that suit everyone’s taste. Not only is the beauty of the city admirable but it’s also one of the greenest cities in the Netherlands that frequently introduces new innovative ideas on how to protect the environment and make living there even more exciting. If you enjoy a calmer city atmosphere and shorter distances between sights but still want the charm of Amsterdam, Utrecht is a must-visit. For more blog posts about the Netherlands, click here!
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