Utrecht

It's hard not to fall in love with Utrecht, one of the Netherlands' oldest urban centres and for centuries its religious heart. Now a vibrant university city, the compact medieval core radiates out from the iconic 15th-century Domtoren, ringed by a loop of very pretty tree-lined canals. Their central sections have distinctive double-level sides inset with what were once medieval warehouses – many now forming fascinating venues to eat, drink, dance or sleep, with terrace-walkways that extend right to the waterside. The brilliant cafe culture goes well beyond the canals – Utrecht's vibrant concert schedules are a big draw and, if the budget stretches, it's worth luxuriating in one of numerous historic mansions that have been turned into indulgent boutique hotels.


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Utrecht, The Netherlands, September 30, 2017: houses, trees and outdoor cafes reflecting in the Oude Gracht (Old Canal) on a beautiful evening in autumn, License Type: media, Download Time: 2024-10-15T22:07:10.000Z, User: sashabrady26, Editorial: true, purchase_order: 65050, job: Lonely Planet, client: 24 hours in Utrecht, other: Sasha Brady

Destination Practicalities

How to spend a perfect day in Utrecht

Oct 16, 2024 • 6 min read

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