Things to Do in Utrecht

Best Things to Do in Utrecht

Utrecht has around 300,000 inhabitants. The city center is manageable, but not so small that you can see everything in Utrecht in an hour. There is a lot to discover.

Utrecht is a perfect destination for a weekend. In two days you can do the most important things and also have time to enjoy the city, mingle with the locals, sit by the water and have a drink.

Utrecht is also worth a day trip from Amsterdam. You can see most of the city’s attractions in one day, but you will probably have to give up the opportunity to simply enjoy the city in peace and quiet and sit and relax by the water.

Canals in Utrecht

If you like the canals in Amsterdam, then you’ll love those in Utrecht. On warm summer days, life in the city takes place by the water, on the water and even in the water.

Utrecht’s lifeline is the Oudegracht, which runs in an arc around the old town. Numerous restaurants and bars line the banks, which are packed in the evenings.

In summer, the whole of Utrecht seems to gather along the canals. Families and friends come together here, bring tables and chairs and move their dinner directly to the water. The children are on and off the water in rubber dinghies and everyone is simply having fun. Just like Holland!

A really cool thing to do is exploring the Oudegracht from the water yourself. The best way to do this is to hire a kayak and paddle around Utrecht. There are also pedal boats and if you’re lazy, you can of course also get on board a motorized boat.

Churches in Utrecht

Utrecht Cathedral towers high above the old town. The highest church tower in the Netherlands can be seen from almost everywhere, so you always have a good point of orientation.

Unfortunately, you can only climb the tower as part of a one-hour guided tour, which you can book at the tourist information office right next to the cathedral. However, it is best to book an appointment directly online, as you can then choose your own preferred time.

The Janskerk is also a top place to visit in Utrecht. The church looks relatively unspectacular from the outside and is not richly decorated on the inside either. But that’s what makes this church so appealing. It is bright and friendly and doesn’t feel as oppressive as many other churches.

In general, the informal way the Dutch treat their churches is absolutely fantastic. One church in the city center was quickly converted into an apartment building, another church now houses a pub. Something like that would be unthinkable anywhere else.

Cool Stores in Utrecht

Along the Oudegracht between Hamburgerstraat and Vrouwjuttenstraat is Utrecht’s antiques and second-hand mile. If you also love browsing through second-hand stores or flea markets, then this corner of the city is your paradise.

From clothes and books to real antiques, you’ll find everything your heart desires in the numerous stores.

Speaking of books: there are bookshops everywhere in Utrecht. Unfortunately, small bookshops have almost disappeared from many cities in Europe, but in the Netherlands the business of printed books still seems to be flourishing.

Hidden Gem in Utrecht: Korte Smeestraat

The Korte Smeestraat is not a top attraction, but a well-hidden gem in Utrecht and a cool thing to see.

In the early 1990s, signs were put up at the entrances to the houses for an art project. One side reads “Evening time is reading time”, with the shutter on each sign going down a little further. On the other side is a note about the profession of the person who used to live in this house.

The story behind these signs was told to us by an elderly lady who was delighted that we had photographed the signs. We would probably never have found out on our own.

Where to Stay in Utrecht? Our Hotel Tips

There are many small, personally run boutique hotels in Utrecht, which you can find in the historic buildings in the city center. However, there are also a few hotel chains around the city center where you can stay at a slightly cheaper price.

Here are our hotel tips for Utrecht:

Petit Beijers: Lovingly run hotel right in the center. The owner also runs a trendy soup bar on the first floor.

Muze Hotel: Boutique hotel run by a family. Each room is inspired by a different museum in Utrecht.

Moxy Utrecht: A cheaper but good hotel on the edge of the city center.

Stayokay Hostel: Hostel right in the center. There are also private rooms with their own bathroom. Very cheap!

How to Get to Utrecht?

You can get to Utrecht very easily by train. The rail system in Holland is well-developed, and you can get from one city to another quickly and easily.

Trains run from Amsterdam to Utrecht approximately every 10-20 minutes. The journey only takes around 30 minutes and costs 7.50 euros, so you can easily take a day trip from Amsterdam to Utrecht.

Rotterdam is also not far from Utrecht and the city also has some very nice places to visit and cool things to do.

You can check the current journey times on the Dutch Railways website. Unfortunately, you can only book tickets online with a Dutch bank account. However, you can easily get a ticket from the ticket machines at the station. You must validate the ticket at the access gates before entering the station.

These were our tips for the best things to do in Utrecht

Have you ever been to Utrecht? Tell us what you experienced there and which places you can recommend. We look forward to your tips in our comments.