Utrecht, Netherlands

Utrecht

Canals with cafés on the old wharves below street level, around the tall Dom Tower.

  • All year
  • 1 night
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Things to do

2 days in Utrecht

Day 1

  1. MorningClimb the Dom Tower, the tallest church tower in the Netherlands, for the view.
  2. AfternoonWalk the Oudegracht wharves, then visit the Rietveld Schröder House; book ahead.
  3. EveningHave dinner on the canal-level wharves under the streets.

Day 2

Visit Castle De Haar, the largest castle in the Netherlands.

What to eat

Utrechtse sprits biscuits and a local craft beer.

Local tips

Make the most of Utrecht

Beat the crowds

The canal wharves are lively in the evenings. The Dom tower climbs sell out on weekends: book ahead.

Best photo spot

The Oudegracht with its unique lower-level wharves, seen from the bridges.

Getting there

Utrecht Centraal is the country's main train hub. The old centre is walkable.

Don't miss nearby

De Haar Castle, a fairy-tale castle about 20 minutes away.

Good to know

Climb the Dom tower, the tallest church tower in the country; visits are guided. The city has huge bike parkings, so watch out for cyclists.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Utrecht

Our most hidden places around Utrecht: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Utrecht to take with you.

23 km away
44 km away
48 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Utrecht

Getting there

  • Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)35 km away
  • Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM)50 km away
  • Amsterdam35 km away
  • Leiden45 km away

The centre is best explored on foot. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeCity
Good forOld towns & architecture, Food
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryNetherlands

Questions

Utrecht: good to know

Is Utrecht worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns and food. Canals with cafés on the old wharves below street level, around the tall Dom Tower.

How many days do you need in Utrecht?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Utrecht?

You can visit all year. The canal wharves are lively in the evenings. The Dom tower climbs sell out on weekends: book ahead.

How do you get to Utrecht?

The nearest airport is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), about 35 km away. Utrecht Centraal is the country's main train hub. The old centre is walkable.

What is there to see near Utrecht?

Nearby hidden places include Gouda (29 km), Amsterdam (34 km) and Kinderdijk (40 km).

Day trips from Utrecht: 18 hidden places nearby
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