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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.

Explore Utrecht

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Latest Stories from Utrecht

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Utrecht.

  • Historic Building

    Rietveld-Schröderhuis

    Years ahead of its time, this small but uniquely conceived house was built in 1924 by celebrated Utrecht designer Gerrit Rietveld. He'd be amazed to find…

  • Archaeological Site

    Dom Under

    Talented volunteer guides and fascinating educational films with CGI effects set the historical scene. Then it's your turn to become an amateur…

  • Museum

    Museum Catharijneconvent

    Museum Catharijneconvent has the finest collection of medieval religious art in the Netherlands – virtually the history of Christianity, in fact – housed…

  • Historic Building

    Domtoren

    Utrecht's most striking medieval landmark, this 112m tower is worth the 465-step climb for unbeatable city views: on a clear day you can see Amsterdam…

  • Museum

    Spoorweg Museum

    Entered through a gloriously restored 1874 station with magnificent art-nouveau chandeliers, the national railway museum offers countless historic locos,…

  • Museum

    Centraal Museum

    More than half the museum's 10 gallery-rooms feature temporary exhibitions (so check the schedules). Meanwhile the core collection takes a thought…

  • Museum

    Miffy Museum

    Designed to delight young children (age two to six), this bold, touch-everything play-museum celebrates beloved cartoon rabbit Miffy (or Nijntje as she's…

  • Museum

    Sonnenborgh Museum & Observatory

    The Sonnenborgh is actually two museums in one: upstairs has an exhibit on the history of astronomy in an 1850 building that was once among the foremost…

  • Museum

    Museum Speelklok

    Within an old church, discover a colourful collection of self-playing organs, musical boxes and assorted mechanised noise-makers dating from the 18th…

  • Architecture

    Paushuize

    You can't usually go inside unless attending a conference here, but it's well worth admiring the exterior of this splendid 500-year-old mansion which was…

  • Church

    Sint-Willibrod-Kerk

    Easily missed, this 1877 neo-Gothic church has a gorgeously colourful interior with splendid stained glass, pattern-painted columns and plentiful gilt…

  • Museum

    Museum voor het Kruideniersbedrijf

    Tucked into a narrow lane is this charming replica of an old grocery store, where apron-costumed people sell sweets and tea by weight from decorative…

  • Gardens

    Pandhof

    Between the Domkirk and Academiegebouw, a gateway leads through to this charming little formal garden ringed by 15th-century Gothic cloisters.

  • Church

    Pieterskerk

    His body has gone, but the 1054 sarcophagus of Utrecht's Prince-Bishop Bernold still lies in the crypt of the 1048 Pieterskerk. That's one of four Utrecht…

  • Museum

    Universiteitsmuseum

    Utrecht University's work is highlighted through exhibitions on current research plus past glories evoked through a late-19th-century classroom, historic…

  • Historic Building

    Academiegebouw

    Behind a distinctively spired, neo-Renaissance facade dating from 1892, lie the much older ceremonial buildings of Utrecht's multisite university. The…

  • Gardens

    Flora's Hof

    This petite walled garden, tucked behind the Steven Sterk bookshop, makes a peaceful retreat from which to stare up and observe the Domtoren.

  • Cathedral

    Domkerk

    The cathedral's eastern end survived the 1674 hurricane and now forms a curiously truncated – if still impressive – place of prayer.

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Utrecht.

  • Activities