While most people visiting the Netherlands tend to focus on the capital of Amsterdam, you’re missing out if you don’t also explore Utrecht, one of the most enchanting Dutch cities. Nestled right in the heart of the country, Utrecht offers a delightful blend of historical charm and modern attractions.

I’ve spent multiple lovely days here and in some ways, I prefer it to Amsterdam as it’s not quite as busy (although it does get pretty busy!) and the city centre is so charming. In this guide, I’ve collated everything I’ve seen and done on my previous visits, along with some I haven’t, to provide you with a comprehensive overview of all the best things you should experience while you’re in Utrecht!

About Utrecht

Utrecht has been the spiritual centre of the Netherlands since way back in the 8th century. You can almost feel the history seeping through the cobblestone streets and majestic old churches. It was also the most important city in the Netherlands until the Dutch Golden Age came along and Amsterdam stole the spotlight, overtaking Utrecht as the country’s most populous city.

Today, Utrecht is renowned for being home to Utrecht University, the largest university in the Netherlands, as well as the beautiful medieval structure of the city centre. It’s also a major hub for transportation, boasting the busiest train station in the country. Whether you’re arriving by rail or road, getting here and exploring the city is a breeze, plus there is plenty to keep you entertained!

Things to See and Do in Utrecht

One of the best things to do in Utrecht is simply wander around and enjoy how beautiful it is, but there are plenty of highlights you should particularly look out for. These are my favourite things to see and do in Utrecht, in order of which ones you will come to as you walk from the train station.

Hoog Catharijne

The first thing you’ll see when exiting Utrecht station (if you’re heading to the city centre) is the massive modern shopping mall known as Hoog Catharijne. Try not to get too distracted here though, as it’s a dangerous shortcut to take unless you know you won’t be tempted to go shopping! I mean, a lot of people may come to Utrecht just to go shopping here but if you get started you may never stop and then you won’t see anything else, as this is a big mall with a lot of interesting stores. Even the architecture is gorgeous, although the only photo I’ve ever taken was the above one where you can only see a bit of the mall behind the whale sculpture. Unfortunately, the sculpture is no longer in the canal there, I have no idea why they removed it as it was so cool!

TivoliVredenburg

Directly next to Hoog Catharijne is the TivoliVredenburg, another very modern building which houses five concert halls – all designed for different music types such as symphonies, jazz, pop and chamber music. There’s also a café and a restaurant on the ground floor. If you’re a music lover, I recommend checking out what might be on while you’re in Utrecht.

Utrecht’s Canals

Before we go any further, I want to talk about Utrecht’s canals as they’re very unique and one of the things that makes Utrecht so pretty. There’s a main canal that goes through the city centre called the Oude Gracht (Old Canal), a smaller one called the Nieuwe Gracht (New Canal!) and a canal/moat that rings around the old centre of Utrecht. There are also more canals surrounding this central area, but I’m just going to focus on these for now as they’re what you will most likely see.

What makes Utrecht’s Oude Gracht canal unique in the entire world is the two-level street structure created by canalside basement warehouses, which then have a street on top of them and more buildings. Many of these old basements have since been converted into restaurants and bars, so you can sit right next to the canal, or look down over people sitting here if you’re on the top level. If you head to the Nieuwe Gracht canal then you might also spot very cool buildings which have almost tiny drawbridge entrances across the canal (although they’re just bridges, not drawbridges).

As you wander around Utrecht you are sure to see many pretty spots along these canals, but if you want to get a different perspective you can also join a canal cruise or even hire a kayak or SUP to explore the city from the water.

Broese Booksellers

If you like books (like me) make sure you check out the beautiful Broese bookshop, which is located in part of the building that used to be Utrecht’s Post Office and is gorgeous. This is a nice big bookstore with lots of things to tempt you, along with cool architectural details. After you’ve checked out the bookshop, go around the corner to see the library as well!

Bibliotheek Nuede

Utrecht’s library is also located in what used to be the Post Office and has an incredible main hall that looks like some kind of art-deco church. It’s also a very good library with plenty to keep kids entertained along with a cinema, places to just chill out while someone plays the piano and an on-site café. If you’re into fancy bookshops and libraries make sure you also check out my guide to the best ones in Amsterdam, and other parts of the Netherlands, here.

Winkel van Sinkel

If you continue wandering along the Oude Gracht (Old Canal) you’ll pass by another interesting building: the Winkel van Sinkel which was once the very first department store to open in the country! It was originally a fabric shop before being expanded into a department store in 1839. You can’t see them in my photo above but there are four cast-iron statues of women (caryatids) on the front of the building, meant to represent commerce, prudence, seafaring and hope.

The building now houses a café/restaurant rather than a shop, but it’s worth noting as you go past – or stopping off for a break if you feel like it. I haven’t had anything here yet so I can’t comment on what it’s like, although the interior does also look cool.

Utrecht Lumen/Ganzenmarkt Tunnel

On the lower level of the canal beneath the Winkel van Sinkel is one of the entrances to the Ganzenmarkt Tunnel, which is lit up with changing neon lights and a great photo spot! There are several illuminated artworks to check out at night in Utrecht, although this one can be enjoyed during the day as well since it’s located in a tunnel.

Sint Willibrordkerk

While this is not the most famous of Utrecht’s churches it is still very beautiful and worth checking out if you enjoy Dutch Gothic revival architecture, stained glass windows and other religious art. It’s regarded as a bit of a hidden gem since it’s not that striking from the outside, but the interior is beautiful. There are also regular classical concerts held here (some for free), you can see what’s coming up here.

Dom Tower

The most iconic sight in Utrecht is Dom Tower (Domtoren in Dutch) the tallest church tower in the whole of the Netherlands at 112.32 metres (368,5 feet) high. It was originally constructed between 1321 – 1382 as part of the city’s cathedral although the cathedral was never finished and the tower has stood alone since the cathedral’s nave collapsed in 1674.

A visit to this tower (which is finally no longer covered by scaffolding!) is quite interesting, you can only go in as part of a guided tour but you’ll get to see some of the giant bells and learn all about its history as you climb the 465 steps to the top.

It is a bit of a slog to get up (a reasonable amount of mobility and fitness is required for those steep steps) but check out the view you’re rewarded with from the top!

+ DOMunder

There’s also a new-ish attraction next to the Domtoren called DOMunder. This is a sort of underground adventure tour that takes you beneath the Domplein. It’s a unique experience that allows you to explore 2,000 years of history buried beneath the city’s streets. As you delve into the depths of DOMunder, you’ll uncover the remnants of Roman forts, medieval structures, and even the ruins left behind by the devastating storm that partially destroyed the Dom Church in 1674. I haven’t actually done this myself yet but it does look cool!

St Martin’s Cathedral/Domkerk and Domplein

Directly across the square from Dom Tower is the actual Domkerk (Dom Church) also known as St Martin’s Cathedral. The square is called Domplein because this is where the nave of the church was located before it fell and left the tower no longer connected to the church. On the ground of Domplein, you can see where the original church stood by the different coloured pavement stones. Before the nave was destroyed this was the largest church in the Netherlands. It was built in a classic Gothic style and today parts of it house Utrecht University. You can also visit it by yourself, attend services, join a guided tour or enjoy concerts on Saturday afternoons.

Pandhof van de Dom

Directly next to the Domkerk is Pandhof van de Dom, basically the cloister gardens of the church which are a lovely spot to sit and relax. Today this garden is the property of the university, so it’s sometimes closed for university events but is usually open for visitors every day of the week from 10am until 4pm.

Flora’s Hof

On the other side of Domplein (next to the tower rather than the church) there’s another sweet little garden called Flora’s Hof. Hof in Dutch means a courtyard garden, and both of these pretty spots are completely enclosed. I’ll be honest, I found Flora’s Hof my favourite because of the local cats I spotted, although they’re both lovely and well worth a visit!

Sonnenborgh Observatory

If you head to the outer edge of Utrecht’s old city centre, you can find a few parks and attractions built into the old city walls. One of these is Sonnenborgh Observatory, which is located inside what used to be a fort and looks particularly pretty if you see it from across the main canal. Of course, if you’re interested in the study of the sky then it’s also worth visiting the observatory, especially if you can go to one of their night-time openings. Check out the website for all the opening details and prices.

De Inktpot

De Inktpot is a cool building in Utrecht worth going past if only to ogle the alien spaceship on the roof! The building is also the largest brick building in the Netherlands, constructed between 1918-1921 and quite beautiful on the inside as well, although it’s not open as an attraction as it’s the head office of ProRail. Inktpot means inkwell in Dutch, it was originally nicknamed that since it looks a bit like an inkwell, and now the name is official! If you happen to be going by then you might like to check out the UFO, an artwork by Marc Ruygrok officially called Zover, which means so far in Dutch.

Molen de Ster

You can even see a traditional Dutch windmill while you’re in Utrecht, if you head a little west of the train station and then follow the bike path that leads off Damstraat along the canal. Here you will find Molen de Ster (Mill the Star), an 18th-century sawmill that today houses a cute café that’s open on weekends. You can do a guided tour of the mill itself, only on Saturday afternoons, and they also have occasional events like markets or live music.

Street Art

Finally, Utrecht is home to plenty of cool street art, which you will likely spot as you wander around the city. Two of the most well-known murals that seem to be semi-permanent are both located on the Amsterdamsestraatweg, although you may want to catch a bus to see them as they’re a fair way up (especially the bookshelf one in the picture above). You can also join a guided street art tour if you want someone else to show you around.

Utrecht’s Best Museums

Aside from the previous attractions, Utrecht is also home to several fascinating museums that are worth checking out. I’ve put them in this separate section in case you’re specifically looking for rainy-day activities in Utrecht, or just like to easily choose which museums to visit. If you’re looking for the Nijntje/Miffy Museum though, check out the next section!

• Museum Speelklok: This is one of the most unique museums in Utrecht, dedicated to self-playing musical instruments – including music boxes, musical clocks, pianolas and street organs.

• Spoorwegmuseum: This is the Dutch Railway Museum, with all sorts of displays on the history of rail in the Netherlands, including plenty of restored trains and station rooms that you can actually go in or on.

• Centraal Museum: The best museum for learning about Utrecht’s history, and it’s also the oldest municipal museum in the Netherlands. Established in 1838, it houses works ranging from medieval art and Utrecht Caravaggism to modern art and contemporary fashion. There’s also a replica of Dick Bruna’s (the artist behind Nijntje/Miffy) studio with some of his original furniture.

• Museum Catharijneconvent: Housed in a former monastery, this is a fascinating museum dedicated to the history of Christianity in the Netherlands. It contains an extensive collection of medieval religious art, manuscripts, and artefacts. One to visit if you’re interested in Utrecht’s history as a religious centre in the Netherlands.

• University Museum Utrecht/UMU: A dynamic museum that explores the world of science and natural history. Located in the historic centre of Utrecht, it offers interactive exhibits, fascinating collections of scientific instruments, and a beautiful botanical garden.

• Volksbuurtmuseum: A unique museum dedicated to the history and culture of Utrecht’s working-class neighbourhoods. Through personal stories, photographs, and artefacts, it offers a vivid glimpse into the everyday lives of the city’s residents from the past.

• Rietveld Schröder House: Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, this house exemplifies the De Stijl movement with its innovative use of space, flexible open-plan interiors, and striking geometric forms. It was designed by Gerrit Rietveld in 1924 and is an iconic example of modern architecture. It’s a bit out of the city centre though, so definitely one for the hardcore architecture buffs.

• Hoge Woerd Museum: A fascinating archaeological museum set within a reconstructed Roman fort. Highlights include a 2,000-year-old Roman ship and the opportunity to climb the walls of the fort. It’s also a bit further out from the centre so you will need to catch a bus to get to it.

Nijntje/Miffy Locations in Utrecht

Perhaps Utrecht’s most famous export is the cute little cartoon bunny known as Miffy or Nijntje! Nijntje is the creation of Dutch author/illustrator Dick Bruna, who was born in and lived in Utrecht for many years. The Dutch word for rabbit is konijn and when they add ‘tje’ to a word that means they are changing it to ‘little’ so a konijntje would be a little bunny and Nijntje is the name of the little bunny that Bruna created in 1955. This character became famous all over the world but in English is known as Miffy. If you (or perhaps your child/ren) are fans of Miffy/Nijntje then there are plenty of places in Utrecht to see her. Some of them I have seen but didn’t get a photo and some of them I haven’t personally visited (yet!) but here are all the places you can find Miffy/Nijntje in Utrecht!

• Nijntje Museum: Also known as the Miffy Museum, this is a delightful, child-friendly museum dedicated to the beloved cartoon character Miffy, created by Dutch artist Dick Bruna. Through interactive exhibits and playful activities, young visitors can explore the colourful world of Miffy and her friends. This is very much a children’s museum but would be a great way to entertain little ones during a trip to Utrecht!
• Miffy’s street light: Not far from the Hoge Catharijne there’s a rainbow street crossing which also features a street light that shows Nijntje/Miffy as the figure telling pedestrians when to walk or not walk. This is quite a busy intersection though, so if you want a photo you should probably visit early in the morning or later in the evening so as not to get in people’s (and traffic’s) way.
• Nijntje Pleintje: If you’re a hardcore Nijntje/Miffy fan then you might like to visit this “pleintje” (little square) which features a statue of the bunny. That’s all there is to see though, so maybe you might want to skip it!
• Dick Bruna’s first studio: While you can see Dick Bruna’s studio recreated at the Centraal Museum there’s also a cute little mosaic version of the bunny on the wall of the building where he once worked.
• De Utrechtse Kinderboekwinkel: This children’s bookstore (the name literally translates to Utrecht child bookstore) has a couple of little Miffy heads poking up out of a window on the second floor which makes for a cute photo opp. As it’s a children’s bookshop you’ll likely find some Miffy books inside as well.
• Statue of Dick Bruna&Nijntje: This cool statue on Mariaplaats shows Nijntje/Miffy on one side and her creator Dick Bruna on the other.
• Bibliotheek Neude: The children’s section of the library in Utrecht has a big interactive statue of Nijntje/Miffy for kids to play with/climb on, as you can see in the photo at the top of this section!
• StayOkay Hostel Utrecht Centrum Miffy Rooms: If you’re visiting Utrecht with kids who love Miffy then you might want to book one of the special themed family rooms at the StayOkay Hostel! They look adorable and would be an affordable option if you want to spend the night (or nights) in Utrecht.
• Shops with Nijntje/Miffy products: If you want some Miffy merchandise you’ll likely spot it all over the place in Utrecht, but some special spots include the Theo Blom Bakery for Miffy cookies (they also have some cool Dom Toren bonbons), the Groeten uit Utrecht (Greetings from Utrecht) shop, and the Winkel van Utrecht (the Tourist Information Centre Utrecht, next to Dom Tower).

Further Out Places to Visit in Utrecht

If you have some extra time or are more interested in gardens and other natural attractions, these are some great options for things to do in Utrecht that aren’t located quite as centrally as the others. You’ll probably need to catch a bus or cycle to get there, but they’re still fun places to check out!

• Griftpark: This park is located just outside of the old centre of Utrecht and is quite beautiful, with children’s play equipment, places to play football or basketball, a skatepark, sculptures and a bistro. If it’s a nice day and you’re looking for somewhere to be outside, this is a good pick.

• Utrecht Botanic Gardens: If you head further out from the centre you can also visit the Utrecht University Botanic Gardens, which are one of the oldest university gardens in the country. This is a beautiful place to enjoy plants from around the world, including tropical greenhouses, a Bamboo Forest and Europe’s biggest rock garden. You will need to drive or catch a bus to get there though.

• Castle de Haar: Okay, technically Castle de Haar is not in Utrecht but it’s the closest city to this gorgeous castle which is possibly the most beautiful castle in the Netherlands. If you wanted to visit it you could catch the train to Vleuten, from there catch a bus to the Haarzuilens, Eikslaan/Kasteel bus stop and then walk about 15 minutes to the entrance of Castle de Haar. All up it would take about an hour and 15 minutes, so you can also just visit Castle de Haar on a guided tour from Amsterdam if you don’t want to deal with any of that!

Places to Eat and Drink in Utrecht

Utrecht is home to so many awesome cafés, restaurants and bars that you could easily just wander around to see what grabs your fancy. If you’re looking for something specific, these are my favourite places that combine good food and drinks with a little bit of extra cool factor.

• The Streetfood Club: a vibrant and eclectic restaurant known for its diverse menu of global street food, as well as inventive cocktails. The decor is bold and colourful, with lush greenery along with quirky details like monkey lights on the walls.

• Ruby Rose: an elegant and stylish restaurant offering a menu of Mediterranean-inspired dishes. The decor is lavish, featuring ornate floral arrangements, luxurious furnishings, and intricate details. It’s also right next door to the Streetfood Club if you want to try and visit both in one go!

• Rum Club: a very cool tropical-themed restaurant and bar, offering a menu of Caribbean-inspired dishes and an extensive selection of rum-based cocktails. It’s located next to the Oude Gracht canal, so you could sit on the outdoor terrace next to the water on a nice day.

• BUNK Restaurant Utrecht: a trendy and casual dining spot located within a converted church! The decor blends the building’s historic architecture with contemporary, minimalist design and the menu provides modern comfort food with a focus on locally sourced ingredients.

• Spice Monkey: an eatery that specializes in Asian fusion cuisine, offering a diverse menu of bold and flavorful dishes alongside yummy cocktails. The decor is quite eclectic, featuring bright colours and playful artwork.

• Belgisch Biercafé Olivier Utrecht: a cosy bar housed in a(nother!) former church, offering a wide selection of Belgian beers and hearty Belgian cuisine. It also retains the church’s historic charm with stained glass windows and high ceilings, so it’s quite a unique spot for a beer.

• Humphrey’s Restaurant: a stylish dining establishment located in the heart of the city, known for its fixed-price menus featuring classic European cuisine. It’s also located in one of the old warehouses on the Oude Gracht, with cosy seating indoors and a terrace next to the water outside. VERY romantic looking on the inside!

• Restaurant de Watertoren: a unique dining venue situated in a historic water tower, offering panoramic views of the city. The menu features contemporary European cuisine with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients and expertly crafted dishes. One for special occasions.

• Kaasbar Utrecht: a literal cheese bar! If you’ve come to the Netherlands to sample cheese you will love this cool spot, where different cheeses come past you on a conveyor belt like at some sushi restaurants. You can pair these indulgent varieties with different fine wines and craft beers for a cheese lover’s ultimate dining experience!

• De Pomp: a trendy restaurant and bar located in a renovated gas station! Seriously, Utrecht loves a weird dining location. De Pomp offers a menu of modern, sustainable dishes with a focus on local and organic ingredients. Just keep an eye out for dinosaurs…

Where to Stay in Utrecht

If you’re staying in Amsterdam it’s very easy to visit Utrecht as a day trip, but if you want to spend a bit more time exploring this gorgeous city then there are also many options for accommodation. These are my favourite picks whether you’re on a tight budget or looking to splurge!

Family: As I mentioned in the Miffy section, if you’re visiting Utrecht with kids who like Miffy then you might want to stay at one of the Miffy-themed family rooms at StayOkay Hostel Utrecht Centrum! They also have a train museum-themed room for those into trains who might be planning to visit the Spoorwegmuseum. You may need to book directly through the Hostel website to get the Miffy rooms though, as they don’t seem to show up on Booking.

Budget: I’ve also already mentioned BUNK Restaurant, but this former church also houses the BUNK Hotel Utrecht, an affordable and cosy mix of hotel/hostel. You can choose from (very swanky) bunks in dorms or cute private rooms.

Mid-range: The boutique Eye Hotel is located in a former ‘historical eye hospital’ and there a lots of little nods to this history in the decorations – the photo below says “Ik heb een oogje op jou!” which means “I have an eye on you!” The rooms are adorable, with lots of exposed beams and sometimes quirky layouts.

Splurge: For a luxurious stay in Utrecht you can’t go past the Grand Hotel Karel V. Housed in a former 14th-century monastery, this five-star hotel is absolutely gorgeous, and even has a Michelin-starred restaurant on-site! There’s also a more relaxed brasserie, a swimming pool, spa, gym and beautiful gardens.

Getting to Utrecht

The easiest way to get to Utrecht from Amsterdam (or most cities) is by train as there are direct, fast trains nearly every ten minutes which take about 26 minutes of travel time. If you’re going by car then you may struggle to find anywhere to park, especially anywhere that’s not very expensive, but there are Park and Ride car parks at some of the outer train stations to make it a bit easier and more affordable for those visiting Utrecht by driving. If you book your train tickets ahead of time on the NS website you can often save money as well.

Map of Utrecht

I’ve added all the places I’ve mentioned into this handy map so you can easily find them for yourself. I hope it helps you have a great time in Utrecht!

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Have you visited Utrecht? Let me know if I’ve missed any must-see attractions or pin one of these if you’re planning your own trip to Utrecht!