Walking route through tranquil Utrecht city life
This self-guided walking route will give you the opportunity to experience Utrecht city life. Pass by the typical old working-class houses in Wijk C, visit the tranquil and historic city streets in Vogelenbuurt and explore the green walking paths in Griftpark. Finish off with the dignified neighbourhood Wittevrouwen with lively restaurant-street Biltstraat.
Check out the page Utrecht City Walks for more inspiration on walking routes in Utrecht
You can choose for a shorter or longer version of this walking route. The map for the longer route you’ll find further down in this blog
# kilometres = 4 – 5.5k | Estimated walking time = 50m – 1h10min
Start your Utrecht city walk in Wijk C
Start your walking route at Utrecht Central Station and enter Wijk C through Korte Koestraat and Willemstraat. Have a drink in one of the cute coffee places or brown cafés (including karaoke!). Check out Volksbuurtmuseum, Jacobi church and the old working-class houses before entering Vogelenbuurt at Nijntje Pleintje.
Vogelenbuurt: a village in a city
Vogelenbuurt is a tranquil neighbourhood with an intimate city feel. Turn right when you’ve crossed the bridge, left on Hopakker and – via Lijsterstraat, Nieuwe Koekoekstraat and Duifstraat – stop for a break at MØS Coffee bar. On the edge of Vogelenbuurt and downtown Utrecht, this Scandinavian-style low-key coffee bar is perfect to come together and discuss the day, do some work or read your book. All this, while enjoying a simple breakfast, nice lunch, or good coffee with cake. Also have a look across the roundabout as the bridge gives nice views over Weerdsingel.
A walk in the Griftpark
Wandering through the beautiful, small and meandering streets of Vogelenbuurt – Kievitstraat, Kievitdwarsstraat, Grietstraat and Van Musschenbroekstraat – brings you to Griftpark. A nice, green park not far from Utrecht city center. Walking paths lead to dog classes, a city farm and a big playground. At Peter’s Bistro you can get your food and drinks with lush green views. Just around the corner you get your pick at Proost! or Lokaal Wittevrouwen.
Dignified neighbourhood Wittevrouwen
Leave Griftpark and continue your city walk to Wittevrouwen. Wittevrouwen is a popular and more expensive neighbourhood with dignified houses in broader streets. The walking route leads you from Bollenhofsetraat, Hennepstraat to Griftstraat and Goedestraat. Go right-left to Obrechtstraat and dream away when looking at the beautiful houses.
Do you fancy a longer city walk to see more from Wittevrouwen (yes, you do!), expand your route and visit among other things the former university campus of veterinary medicine. If you want to return back to Utrecht city center, read further at Biltstraat.
Anatomiegebouw & Veeartsenijpad
From Bollenhofsestraat go left-right-left-right to Griftkade. Follow the water to Anatomiegebouw. This former faculty of veterinary medicine currently houses appartments. Also, workshops are given in the former cutting room. Anatomiegebouw was built in 1921 by Joseph Crouwel, also the architect of the former post office at Neude. Both buildings are examples of the Amsterdam School style. Walk further via Hofsmederijstraat to Veeartsenijpad.
Tips for food & drinks:
Famous ice cream is sold at Robert Gelato (Poortstraat), good coffee is served at Koffie75 and at C’est ça they make you feel very welcome to enjoy a fine dinner.
At Veeartsenijpad you continue your walk at the former university campus of veterinary medicine. For example, the former dog stables currently house restaurant Goesting, a beauty of a restaurant to enjoy a very fine lunch or dinner (and wine). A bit further and you pass by the theatre Paardenkathedraal, which used to be a riding school for sick horses.
Go right and wander through the streets (for example Gildstraat, Poortstraat, Bouwstraat) back to Obrechtstraat.
Are you walking this route, let me know on instagram! 😊
Many restaurant tips at Biltstraat
From Obrechtstraat, you walk right onto Biltstraat, the central street of Wittevrouwen. Biltstraat is well-known among Utrechters and has tons of restaurants on both sides to choose from. Eat marvellous pizza at Bastacosi, join other pasta eaters at the big wooden tables of the Spaghetteria or experience very fine and relaxed dining in one of Utrechts top restaurants, Restaurant Concours.
Read the blog with a list of my favourite restaurants for more dinner inspiration!
Voorstraat, Drift and Janskerkhof in Utrecht city center
Your walking route Utrecht East almost has come to an end. Cross the bridge and enter Voorstraat, where the living houses are as plenty as the shops, fancy coffee bars and lovely restaurants. Follow the street all the way to Neude or take a little detour at Drift.
Drift is a small street full of well-maintained, monumental university buildings with walkways across a small canal to the front doors of the houses to the right. Drift in turn leads to Janskerkhof, a square dominated by the Janskerk, big trees and surrounded by bars and restaurants. A few 100 meters ahead and you are at Neude again.
TIP: Visit the flower market at Janskerkhof, every Saturday between 8:00-17:00h
Interested in more Utrecht tips? Check out my other Utrecht city walks, tips on food & drinks and the best museums.
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