Centre
First-timersAround the Dom and the Oudegracht.
Utrecht city guide
Utrecht Travel Guide
Canals with terraces down at the water's edge, the tallest church tower in the country and a student population that keeps it young. Half an hour from Amsterdam, and cheaper.
6
Hostels in the city
8.7
Average, from 7,447 reviews
112 m
The Dom Tower
465
Steps to the top
12,500+
Bikes parked at the station
Canals at water level
Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, a Roman fort and then the country's religious capital for centuries. Its Dom Tower, the tallest church tower in the Netherlands, still dominates the skyline, though the nave that joined it to the cathedral collapsed in a storm in 1674 and was never rebuilt.
What makes Utrecht different is its canals. The Oudegracht runs through the centre in a sunken channel, with old wharf cellars at water level that are now cafés, restaurants and terraces, so you eat and drink at the edge of the water.
Utrecht has one of the largest universities in the country, and it feels young, lively and much less touristy than Amsterdam, half an hour away by train. Two days is right.
Where to stay
The centre is compact. Stay near the Oudegracht or the Dom.
Museumkwartier
A calmer stayThe quiet streets south of the Dom, with the museums.
Lombok
FoodA multicultural neighbourhood west of the station.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 5 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Utrecht
Climb the Dom Tower, 465 steps and 112 metres, on a guided tour, for a view that reaches Amsterdam on a clear day. The Dom Church and its cloister garden are next to it.
Walk along the Oudegracht at the lower level, past the wharf cellars, and take a canal boat or rent a canal bike.
The Rietveld Schröder House, a small house built in 1924 by Gerrit Rietveld in the De Stijl style, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; visits are by guided tour from the Centraal Museum, which has the world's largest Rietveld collection. The Miffy Museum celebrates Utrecht's most famous resident, the rabbit created by Dick Bruna.
The bicycle parking garage under Stationsplein holds more than twelve thousand bikes, the largest in the world.
Free things
Free things to do in Utrecht
The canals, the wharves and the old centre are free, and the Dom Church and cloister garden are free to enter.
The giant bicycle parking garage at the station is free to walk through.
The Wilhelminapark and the walk along the old city moat are free.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Utrecht
Utrecht has a strong café culture, and eating on a wharf terrace by the Oudegracht is the thing to do. The student population keeps prices lower than Amsterdam.
The Saturday market at the Vredenburg is the place for Dutch street food: herring, stroopwafels, cheese.
A meal is €12 to €20.
Nightlife
Going out in Utrecht
Utrecht has a lively, student-driven nightlife. The bars along the Oudegracht, the Neude square and the streets around it are busy every night in term time.
TivoliVredenburg, the big concert hall and music complex next to the station, has several stages and a busy programme.
A beer is €4 to €6.
Getting around
Getting around Utrecht
The centre is small and walkable, and very bike-friendly.
Utrecht Centraal is the busiest station in the country and the hub of the rail network. Trains reach Amsterdam in about half an hour, Schiphol in about thirty-five minutes and Rotterdam in about forty.
Buses and trams cover the city. Tap a contactless bank card in and out.
Costs
What Utrecht costs
Utrecht is cheaper than Amsterdam. Dorms start around €20 to €25, and many people stay here and take the train into Amsterdam. A careful day is €50 to €65.
Many places are card only, and some do not take credit cards.
Safety
Staying safe in Utrecht
Utrecht is very safe.
The wharves are low and have no railings; take care at night and after drinking.
Cycle lanes are for bikes, and bikes have priority. Do not walk in them, and look both ways before stepping off the pavement.
Emergency number is 112.
Day trips from Utrecht
Castles and the rest of the country, all close.
Kasteel de Haar
The largest castle in the Netherlands, rebuilt in neo-Gothic style.
Amsterdam
The capital.
Amersfoort
A medieval walled town with a canal gate.
Rotterdam
The modern city.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The film festival and the early music festival are the big two.
Staff pick
15 November
Sinterklaas Arrival Utrecht
Sinterklaas intocht Utrecht is a beloved winter tradition in Utrecht, Netherlands, where thousands gather to welcome Sinterklaas and his helpers as they arrive by…
Staff pick
21–22 November
Heroes Dutch Comic Con
Heroes Dutch Comic Con is a vibrant celebration of pop culture, bringing together fans of comic books, films, TV shows, and gaming. Held annually…
Staff pick
18–30 December
Disney On Ice
Experience the magical world of Disney On Ice and join Mickey Mouse and his friends as they sing and dance to some of their…
Staff pick
27–30 December
International Chamber Music Festival Utrecht
The International Chamber Music Festival Utrecht, founded in 2003 by renowned violinist Janine Jansen, transforms Utrecht, Netherlands, into a hub of musical discovery each…
14–15 November
Collectibles Fair
The Collectibles Fair is back as Europe's largest market for vintage, antiques, curiosa, and pop culture. You can explore over 1,200 exhibitors across three…
10 Sep – 29 Nov
& Juliet
& Juliet is a feelgood powerpop musical featuring the biggest hits from the 1990s and 2000s. It presents a new twist on the classic…
18–30 December
Disney On Ice
Disney On Ice returns to Jaarbeurs Utrecht this Christmas holiday with a brand-new show that brings together classic and new Disney and Pixar stories…
21 December
The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker tells the timeless story of Clara, who embarks on a magical journey on Christmas Eve filled with dancing snowflakes, life-sized dolls, and…
Hostels
Where to stay in Utrecht
The top-rated places to stay in Utrecht right now, live from Hostelworld.
Bunk Hostel Utrecht
Dorms from €42 a night
See dates and book
Hostel Strowis
Dorms from €32 a night
See dates and book
Sustainable
Stayokay Bunnik
Dorms from €27 a night
See dates and book
Sustainable
Stayokay Utrecht Centrum
Dorms from €27 a night
See dates and book
The Studenthostel B&B Utrecht City Center
Dorms from €33 a night
See dates and book
When to go
April to June and September are best.
Jan
Cold, dark, cheapest beds of the year
Feb
Quiet
Mar
Tulip season opens at the end of the month
Apr
Tulips and Kingsday on the 27th
May
The best month
Jun
Long evenings, terraces full
Jul
Peak season
Aug
Still peak
Sep
Excellent and quieter
Oct
Cool, wet. Museum weather
Nov
Grey and cheap
Dec
Sinterklaas and Christmas markets
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Transport assumes walking and the odd bus.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Utrecht travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Utrecht worth visiting?
Yes. It has the prettiest canals in the country, a lively student scene and far fewer tourists than Amsterdam.
Can I stay in Utrecht and visit Amsterdam?
Yes. The train takes about half an hour, and beds are cheaper.
Can I climb the Dom Tower?
Yes, by guided tour: 465 steps to 112 metres.
What makes Utrecht's canals different?
The wharves are at water level, with cafés and terraces in the old cellars.
How many days do you need?
Two.
How do I get from Schiphol?
By direct train, about thirty-five minutes.
When is the best time to visit?
April to June and September.
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