Things to do and see in Utrecht

Utrecht is one of the most charming cities to visit in the Netherlands. It is also a city steeped in history, as it was the summit of the Treaty of Utrecht, and with its bustling activity, beautiful canals and monuments, it has nothing to envy from other cities such as Amsterdam. You can climb the Dom Tower to see the whole of Utrecht from above, visit some of the country’s most beautiful university buildings or cycle along the canals on the ultimate mode of transport: the bicycle. Read on to discover all things to do in Utrecht.

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What to see and do in Utrecht Netherlands

Domplein Square

If there’s one landmark you should start your tour of Utrecht in the Netherlands, it’s Domplein Square. Here you’ll find a number of the city’s monuments, and it’s here that most of the city’s activity takes place.

In the city of Utrecht, the influence of the Romans was very important. In fact, it was one of the largest Roman settlements in history. That is why, on this site, a fortress was formerly located, which served the ancient inhabitants of the place to prevent attacks from the river Rhine.

In addition to this Roman influence on the city, the Domplein square is also home to other monuments, such as the Domkerk Cathedral and the Dom Tower. Enjoy a drink in one of the many bars in this enclave, while you admire the majestic architecture of these monuments to see in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

St. Martin’s Cathedral or Domkerk Cathedral

What you will see on your trip is not the original cathedral. This is because it was destroyed after a great storm hit the city centuries ago. But without a doubt, the present-day Domkerk Cathedral has nothing to envy the original and is one of the things you have to see in Utrecht.

In the original building, the cathedral and the tower were in one building, but after the storm and riots that resulted in part of the destruction of the building, the entire central nave was left in ruins.

If you visit Domkerk Cathedral, don’t forget to stroll through the Pandhof, the cathedral’s Gothic-influenced cloister, which has a beautiful garden that invites you to lose yourself in it.

Academiegebouw and the University of Utrecht

If there is one thing that characterizes Utrecht’s leisure activities, it is the influence that university life has on the city. Utrecht is home to some of Holland’s most important universities. Its festive rhythm is contagious in some of its streets.

To witness one of the university’s most iconic buildings, we recommend a visit to the university’s rectorate (or Academiegebouw to the locals), which has a unique beauty not found in other university buildings.

Its façade is sober and leaves no one indifferent. In front of it is a memorable statue of Jan Van Nasse, the architect of the so-called Union of Utrecht, which was signed on the same spot in 1579. It’s definitely one of the must-do activities in Utrecht if you’re a fan of architecture with years of history.

The Dom Tower

The Dom Tower’s calling card is its height and the impressive bells that adorn its interior. It is the tallest and oldest church tower you will see in the whole of the Netherlands.

For the most breathtaking views of Utrecht, the best way is to climb to the top of the bell tower, where you can see the entire panoramic view of the city. It’s an amazing experience, seeing the different monuments, buildings, rooftops and canals that make up Utrecht’s landscape.

In addition to its 112-metre height, the 13 bells that crown its bell tower are also worth seeing, some of them weighing several tonnes. After climbing all the steps up to the tower’s viewing platform, you can see them in all their splendour.

The visit lasts approximately one hour, during which we will be accompanied by a tour guide. The entrance fee is €11 for adults, and we recommend that you purchase tickets online.

The DOMunder and the Roman origins of Utrecht

Something that not everyone knows about this city is the influence the Romans had on the land where Utrecht now stands.

For all history enthusiasts, Utrecht has the DOMunder, an archaeological exhibition under the Domplein square that will take you back 2000 years in time.

During the tour, you will learn about the history of the city. From the time when the castellum Traiectum was located on Domplein square to the present day. Prices are €12.5 per adult. There are different access times from Tuesday to Sunday. So, we recommend adding it to your list of things to see in Utrecht.

Tour around the canals of Utrecht in the Netherlands

One of the main attractions of visiting different cities in the Netherlands is the canals, and Utrecht is certainly no slouch in that respect.

We suggest that you take advantage of your trip through the city and enjoy a pleasant stroll along the canals. In addition, near these canals there are different places. So, a stop on a terrace for a drink by the canal after having been on the road all day is a unique experience.

You have several ways to see the canals, and one of the most common is by using Utrecht’s flagship form of transport: the bicycle. Renting a bicycle to admire the city is a common practice and makes the canals a delight to ride along.

Another way to see the city and enjoy a unique river trip is to hop on one of the various boats that ply the canals. You’ll see Utrecht from a totally different perspective, while relaxing on board a dreamy vessel.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Utrecht

Haarlem

A little more than 20 minutes from Amsterdam is Haarlem, a city with superb cathedrals and other monuments that will enchant any visitor

In its Grote Markt you will find iconic buildings of the city, such as the Stadhuis and St. Bavo’s Church. Haarlem’s central market, a charming enclave where you can immerse yourself in the rhythm of the city, is also located in this square, which serves as the nerve centre of Haarlem.

As soon as you arrive from Amsterdam, you’ll be able to witness the beautiful Dutch style that pervades the city, as the façade of its Central Station is a delight. This and other pieces of the city’s architecture make up the beauty of Haarlem in the Netherlands.

We’ll tell you all about Haarlem in this post

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of the most visited cities in the world, and with good reason. That’s why, if you’re visiting Utrecht, we recommend you spend a day in Amsterdam

It will remind you of Utrecht: full of art, criss-crossed by canals lined with houseboats and beautiful monuments, Amsterdam is a city you have to visit at least once in your life. It’s also famous for its coffee shops and all the art that adorns the city walls.

Getting there from Utrecht is really easy, as you just take a train from Utrecht station, and you’ll be there in Amsterdam in less than an hour.

What to see in Utrecht in 2 days

Utrecht is a city you could visit in just 1 day, but if you have more time, you’ll be able to see all the things you need to see at your leisure. That’s why we’ve put together this short list of things to see in Utrecht.

First day in Utrecht

• The Domplein square
• The DOMunder
• St. Martin’s Cathedral

Second day in Utrecht

• The Dom Tower
• Academiegebouw and the University of Utrecht
• Canals tour

Sites to sleep in Utrecht

The options for accommodation in Utrecht are many and there are options to suit all budgets. If you want to travel in comfort, we recommend staying at hotels such as the NH Utrecht or the Crowne Plaza Utrecht, two high-quality hotels that cost around €100 per night per adult.

Other more affordable options are the Strowis Hostel or the BUNK Hotel Utrecht. With prices of 29€ and 55€ per night respectively, the latter has the peculiarity of being a capsule hotel of the kind you’re used to seeing in Japan.

Sites where to eat in Utrecht

Of course, we can’t fail to mention some of the options you have for sampling the local cuisine on your trip to Utrecht.

One of the highlights is De Goedheyd, where you can sample French-influenced dishes in a place with exquisite décor and taste. Of course, eating here will set you back around €45 per person.

Hofman Utrecht is a great option for Dutch cuisine and other more Mediterranean options. The price is around €20-30 per diner.

Last but not least, ZiZo is a must-visit café in Utrecht, as the food on offer is excellent to go with the various coffees they prepare.

How to get to Utrecht in the Netherlands

As it does not have its own airport, the easiest way to get to the city is to fly to Amsterdam, as they are only a short distance away.

From the main cities in Spain there are flights from around €130 to Amsterdam and from there there there are several options to get to Utrecht.

Once you arrive in Amsterdam, it won’t take you long to get to Utrecht, as you can take a train from there, which will take you to Utrecht in just 30 minutes.

Tips about a trip to Utrecht in the Netherlands

• The currency in Utrecht is the euro.
• If you are travelling from a country with another currency, we recommend that you exchange currency in advance.
• We recommend that you travel in spring, because of the temperatures and the vegetation that grows at that time: it’s really beautiful.
• The city is safe, but as with any tourist destination, it’s best to be careful with your belongings.
• Be prepared for medical emergencies: travel with insurance.

How to organise what to see in Utrecht Netherlands

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• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates according to your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need, and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travellers what to see in Utrecht, The Netherlands.

If you have questions on how to do this, you can check out our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Utrecht