Introducing Utrecht
One of the best things about a compact country like the Netherlands is that it is easy to travel around and visit different places.
And yet often, visitors don’t venture beyond Amsterdam.
Understandable as there is a lot to see and do there, but Utrecht also has a lot to offer, and a visit will not disappoint!
Centrally situated, it is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands, following Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague.
You’ll find all the typical Dutch icons in Utrecht canals, windmills, flower markets, and churches.
It’s a vibrant and energetic city – one with the hustle and without the bustle!
Restaurants
One of the best options is to stroll around and see what takes your fancy, as plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars are available.
Head to the Drieharingstraat, one of Utrecht’s quaintest streets, and check out the options.
Vintage Tapasbar can is highly recommended for tapas and wine.
The Oudegracht is another vibrant area, and many restaurants along the canal have outdoor seating in the warmer months.
The amazing Winkel van Sinkel on the Oudegracht is not to be missed.
It’s housed in a monumental building and is a cultural centre offering music, dance, food and drink.
And for the hippest hamburger in town, head to Meneer Smakers.
Shopping
There are plenty of both available in this hip and happening city.
Shops are open seven days a week, and there is something to suit all tastes.
Wandering around the beautiful old town, you’ll discover many fabulous boutiques and hip stores.
Discover street markets, department stores, and everything in between.
Next to the central train station, you’ll find the country’s largest indoor shopping centre, ‘Hoog Catharijne’.
One of the things that makes shopping in the centre of Utrecht so pleasant is the lack of motorised vehicles, which are not allowed access to the inner city.
Museums
Utrecht has its fair share of museums.
There are the Centraal Museum for art and culture, the Railway Museum, and the Museum Speelklok, where you can view and hear the collection of musical clocks and other instruments.
Museum Catharijneconvent displays religious art and explores the history of Christianity in the Netherlands.
Kids will love to visit the Miffy Museum, where they discover a series of miniature worlds.
Unbeknownst to many, Miffy (Nijntje) is a Dutch character that Dick Bruna created for a series of picture books.
Castle de Haar
Castle de Haar is located nearby Utrecht in Haarzuilens and is open to visitors seven days a week.
It is a fairy tale castle with a very un-Dutch opulence.
There has been a castle at this site since the 14th century and what you see now is primarily a restoration that took place in the late 1800s.
A medieval atmosphere combined with late 19th-century luxury is how the foundation describes it.
Jaarbeurs
Utrecht is home to the country’s largest exhibition and conference centre.
It’s located next to the Centraal Station and welcomes well over a million visitors annually.
There’s almost always something going on here, and in January each year, it hosts the Vakantiebeurs (a major international tourism and leisure fair).
Dom Tower (Domtoren)
Towering over the city is the Dom Tower.
This 14th-century bell tower is the highest church tower in the Netherlands.
It stands at 112 m, and there is a viewpoint at the 95 m mark.
It’s possible to climb the 465 steps, but only with a guide.
The views are amazing, so it’s well worth the climb!
History of Utrecht
The ancient city centre’s many monumental buildings reflect the city’s long history.
Utrecht was once considered the most important city in the Netherlands.
Amsterdam took over this title during the Dutch Golden Age when it became the cultural centre of the Netherlands.
It is still the religious centre of the country, which it has been since the 8th century.