Are you planning a visit to Utrecht? In this blog I share my tips on how to spend a perfect day in Utrecht! From the must-see highlights and sights to lovely places to go for a city walk and cute hidden gems.
Go underground for some Roman history or rent a canoe for a trip over the canals for some great views at the unique wharf cellars. Explore the lively but also surprisingly green and easy-going neighbourhood Lombok. And I’ll of course share great spots to have coffee, lunch or dinner. Read further for a blog full of the best tips on things to do in Utrecht!
1. Start your day in Utrecht with coffee and cake
The best way to start your day in Utrecht is with a good coffee and some great cake. Wake up and plan your day with excellent coffee at ‘t Koffieboontje right at (a quiet part of) Oudegracht or 30ml Vredenburg close to Central Station. In for some vegan cake? Take your pick at Kluts, with views on Dom Church.
2. Go Dom Up and Dom Under
One of the highlights of Utrecht is Dom Tower. A 112-meter-high church tower which takes 465 staircases to climb. Needless to say, you have great views from the top! Views of Utrecht city and far beyond.
And did you know that Utrecht’s history goes back all the way to Roman times? You can even visit some archaeological excavations underneath Dom Square. Book a DomUnder tour to learn everything you want to know about the Roman Castellum Traiectum from your enthusiastic guide.
3. Dom Church and its hidden-gem gardens
When standing on Dom Square you’ll probably notice the big gap between Dom Tower and Dom Church. Up to 1674, when it was demolished by extremely heavy weather, these two were (almost) connected being one big Dom Church. And even now, in the slimmed down version, Dom Church is a big and beautiful gothic building. Definitely one of the must-see sights in Utrecht. Tip: go check the inside of the church!
Read more about Dom Tower and Dom Church in this blog
And when there, don’t forget to visit the two somewhat hidden gardens. Beautiful, small and peaceful oases in the middle of busy city center. Pandhof lies next to Dom Church. The entrance to Flora’s hof you’ll find at your right when standing in front of Dom Tower (with your back to Oudegracht).
4. Go Lombok and have lunch at Landhuis in de Stad
Lunch time! Utrecht city center is filled with nice lunch restaurants, but for a true hidden gem, go visit Landhuis in de Stad close to Lombok area.
It’s only a 10-minute walk from Utrecht Central Station, past waterways, a beautiful wood sawmill and the monumental Muntgebouw to green city park Oog in Al. Landhuis in de Stad’s location is stunning. In the shade of the big trees, at the terrace close to the water, you’ll enjoy a fine coffee and good lunch. Inside you are welcomed by a relaxed interior and sweet people.
Interested in this walking route, check this self-guided Utrecht West City Walk (including handy map and tips)
5. Mill de Ster in Lombok
The wood sawmill mentioned above is Mill de Ster and also a big tip when visiting Utrecht. The mill is located in Lombok area, a neighbourhood full of houses built back in the 1910’s. Mill de Ster is an idyllic place, right at the water, with some goats, pigs and geese walking around. Check the website for the opening times of the little café and the guided tours.
6. Shopping in Utrecht tips
Feel the shopping vibes? Utrecht has lots to offer! In shopping mall Hoog Catharijne (next to Utrecht Central Station) all of the bigger brands are located, including an inside food corner. Great place, but also leave some time to explore the city streets as they are filled with lots of boutiques and other original shops. My favourite Utrecht shopping streets are Zadelstraat, Lijnmarkt and Twijnstraat.
7. POST Utrecht
In the heart of Utrecht city center you’ll notice a unique building in between Neude and Oudegracht: POST Utrecht. This former postal office was originally designed by Joseph Crouwel in the style of De Amsterdam School.
Since a big renovation a few years back, the building is a perfect example of how to combine old with new architecture. The Neude entrance leads you to the stunning library, characterised by the high, parabolic ceiling (also check out the views from the 1st floor). The Oudegracht side houses some shops, among which the beautiful and modern bookshop Broese.
8. Enjoy the canals and wharf cellars
The Utrecht wharf cellars at Oudegracht and Nieuwegracht are unique and make the city even more photogenic. Go for a walk and pass the cellars or have some amazing views right from the water. Rent a boat, canoe, SUP or water bicycle and wave to the people that are enjoying their time on one of the terraces. You can also opt for a canal cruise including audio guide and learn more about Utrecht city.
Many of the wharf cellars at Oudegracht are restaurants and some are even turned into hotels or apartments. So, if you want to have the true Utrecht experience, make your day a weekend and have a sleepover at for example UKI-Hotel, Slapen onder de Dom or Hotel Oudegracht. By the way, if you’re looking for some peace and quiet, go for a walk at Nieuwegracht: the same wharf cellars, but little people.
9. Drinks in Utrecht
Time for drinks! Close to Dom Tower the best wines are served at Talud9 Winebar. Just across is Café Orloff a good place to have some beers. In the quiet Museumkwartier area you can choose from the best beers, wines and whiskeys at Rubens Proeflokaal. Close to Central Station you have almost too many specialty beers to choose from at Belgian Beer Café Olivier, a former church (hence the high ceilings an organ).
10. Oude Hortus: botanical garden in Utrecht city center
Museumkwartier is a beautiful and peaceful part of the city center. Very nice to go for a city walk. When around, go have a look in Oude Hortus. This botanical garden belongs to the University Museum, is small but very much worth the walk-through. Also, the University Museum itself is nice to visit, especially when you’re visiting Utrecht with kids. More museums in Museumkwartier are Central Museum, Miffy Museum and Sonnenborgh Museum.
11. Trains, trains, trains in the Railway Museum
One of the best museums in Utrecht (and the Netherlands) is the Railway Museum! Here you’ll learn all you want to know and more about (the history of) trains. Go have a look in the Royal Train, do some time travels in a true time machine and visit the theatre show. The Techlab is a big playground for kids (4-12 years) to learn lots about train technics. The Railway Museum is a museum for all ages, buy your tickets now!
12. Rietveld Schröder House
Another great thing to do in Utrecht is visit the extraordinary museum Rietveld Schröder House. This house is designed by Gerrit Rietveld and Truus Schröder according to art movement De Stijl. Visit Rietveld Schröder House and admire the straight lines, primary colours and original living ideas. You can also already buy your tickets online here.
13. Miffy in Utrecht
One of the most famous Utrecht inhabitants is Miffy (in Dutch: Nijntje) and you can get acquainted with this rabbit in many ways. Check out the traffic light between Vredenburg and de Bijenkorf, the founding father Dick Bruna versus Miffy statue at Mariaplaats and of course the very nice Miffy Museum just across Central Museum.
And you can also sleep in a Miffy theme room! Are you visiting Utrecht with kids, check out the Miffy room at Stayokay Utrecht centrum.
14. Dinner in Utrecht
End your day in Utrecht with a lovely dinner. There are so many different restaurants to choose from! Reserve yourself a table at one of the wharf cellars at Oudegracht, get your pick in cosy Drieharingstraat or go for an evening of fine dining.
Check out the top floor of the water tower at Rotsoord with great views over the city. Or enjoy true masterpieces at Restaurant Hemel & Aarde. Want to have your bed near? Book a room in the same building: The Nox Hotel. For both restaurants it’s best to book your table upfront!
More restaurant inspiration can be found in this blog with a list of my favourite restaurants!
15. Get ready for the party in TivoliVredenburg
In for a little party after dinner? Check out the agenda of TivoliVredenburg, a music complex close to shopping mall Hoog Catharijne. Here you can dance on latin music, enjoy some good jazz or sing along with a pop band. If you don’t have a ticket, the café Het Gegeven Paard is a nice place for a cocktail or a beer.
In for some more Utrecht tips? Check out my other blogs – from my favourite restaurants to self-guided city walks – or follow me on instagram!
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