How to get from Amsterdam to Utrecht. What to see in Utrecht: attractions and canals
Utrecht is a city in the central part of the Netherlands, famous for its beautiful canals and interesting attractions. The main railway junction of the country.
How to get from Amsterdam to Utrecht
Utrecht is located just 40 kilometers from Amsterdam, so getting there will not be difficult for you. The most convenient way is to take the direct train, which runs every 15 minutes from the main station Amsterdam Centraal. Usually these are trains heading to Nijmegen or Maastricht. Travel time will be no more than half an hour. The cost of a second class ticket is 7.40 euros, first class is 12.60 euros.
If you travel by car, you will have to cover a distance of 48 kilometers, so the journey will take no more than an hour, taking into account possible traffic jams or short stops in the towns you meet. For example, many tourists stop for a short walk through the village of Maarssen, which is famous for its variety of unique churches.
To get from Amsterdam to Utrecht by bus or tram, you will need to make several changes and the journey will take about 2 hours in total. Sometimes, in case of any road problems or repair work on the railway, travelers are provided with a direct bus. Utrecht bus station is located just behind the train station.
Due to the fact that the country has expensive car parking and super-fast trains, most people choose the second mode of transport. We would like to note that Utrecht railway station is the largest and also the most important in the country. Accordingly, you always have the opportunity to travel from Utrecht to almost any city in the Netherlands.
When is the best time to visit Utrecht?
Utrecht has the usual climate for the country - frequent rains, fog and average temperature year about 10 degrees. During the summer months the thermometer reads around 20 or slightly above. Local residents have long been accustomed to such a climate, however, the weather in any month is unpredictable, and we advise you to definitely take waterproof things with you on the road, despite weather forecasters’ predictions.
A visit to Utrecht is a real holiday, regardless of the time of year. The city is active cultural life, perhaps only behind Amsterdam. Utrecht often hosts various events, music programs and themed performances. For example, in April the Lentebock festival has been held for several years now, where visitors taste beers and also enjoy specially prepared music program. Well, for those who travel to the Netherlands to enjoy all kinds of flower plantings, we recommend coming to Utrecht in spring or summer, when the city canal areas bloom especially beautifully.
Where to stay
There is a large selection of accommodation in Utrecht, varying in size, cost and location. The city itself is small, so there will be no difficulties in getting to this or that place.
In a stunning location on the outskirts of the city, the four-star Hotel Mitland (Arienslaan 1, 3573 PT) is considered by visitors to be one of the most beautiful in Utrecht. Mitland offers accommodation in one of its 140 luxurious rooms overlooking the Voorveldse Polder park. The hotel provides a unique range of services for the wellness and entertainment of vacationers: there is a sauna, swimming pool, solarium, small gym, bowling alley and even Turkish baths. In addition, all rooms are equipped with all necessary amenities such as refrigerator, air conditioning, TV, Wi-Fi, private bathroom and balcony. You can also enjoy a fine dinner at the hotel restaurant on the terrace by the waters of Fort de Bilt. Depending on the type of room and hotel discounts, the cost of daily accommodation varies from 100 to 170 euros; some room rates include breakfast.
In the city center, in an unusual old building, there is a hotel of the NH chain (Janskerkhof 10, 3512 BL), whose rooms overlook the famous Dome Cathedral of St. Martin. The hotel has 47 rooms, which are equipped with all necessary services, including free wifi, minibar, TV and bathroom. Tourists also note the friendly staff of the establishment. The NH Center Utrecht has two cozy restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat in the evening. The cost of a standard double room will be from 110 euros, a triple room from 130, the price for accommodation in a junior suite - from 140 euros. The price also includes breakfast.
The most popular among budget options is the Oorsprongpark Hotel (Mauritiuslaan 1, 3526 LD). It has 2 stars and is located a stone's throw from the center. All 34 rooms are equipped with a bathroom, TV and Wi-Fi. Daily accommodation in a single room will cost from 50 euros, double from 60 euros. For an additional cost you can order breakfast at the hotel.
Transport system
As we mentioned earlier, Utrecht is a small city, so we recommend that you explore the garden on foot. To visit nearby villages, take advantage of the most in a simple way transportation is by bicycle, this is what all local residents do. You can always rent a bike, for example, at the main station of the city, paying about 8 euros per day. There are several in the city cycling routes, which local residents use every day.
You also have the opportunity to take a boat ride along the famous Utrecht canals, the cost of such a trip will be about 10 euros. Well, if you are interested in other Dutch cities, then it is definitely better to use the train. Let us remind you that Utrecht is the main railway junction of the country, and all trains must stop in this city. The cost of tickets, platform number and all stops will be provided to you by the Dutch website railways www.ns.nl.
As for urban public transport, any route is available thanks to the website www.9292.nl, which will tell you where to get there, as well as show departure and arrival times. Ticket price for any bus route within one city in the Netherlands is 3.50 euros. A bus stop and a tram stop are located near Utrecht's main station. If you are going to travel a lot by public transport, we recommend purchasing an OV-chipkaart - a special card that the Dutch use on buses, trams, subways and trains. It costs 7 euros, but each time on the road you will pay strictly for the mileage traveled and usually this amount is much less than the standard 3.50. You can purchase an OV card at any train station in the Netherlands.
Most tourists prefer to travel around the city by bus, and the number of tram passengers is decreasing every year. But despite this, the municipality continues to improve tram tracks. If you are going to use the Dutch city tram, of which there are about 25 in Utrecht, you can use the map: www.urbanrail.net/eu/nl/utr/utrecht.htm, which shows the main stops. Most often, this type of transport in the city is used by local residents to get to the IKEA store.
Utrecht is far from the only city in the Netherlands that is interesting for tourists; it is also worth a visit
The oldest and at the same time the most modern castle in Holland. It was built back in the 14th century, but was subsequently rebuilt and destroyed several times. By the end of the 19th century, the famous architect Peter Kuipers undertook the restoration of the castle, which at that time was a ruin.
Construction work lasted more than 20 years. Capers not only completely restored the building's facade and interior decoration, but also equipped the castle with an elevator, running water with hot and cold water, and central heating. And he even created a dinner service especially for de Haar.
There is a garden around the castle, which is often called “little Versailles” for its beauty. The owners of the castle wanted the garden to look centuries old, so they planted large trees there, over 40 years old. At night they were dug up in neighboring groves and carefully transported to de Haar.
They say that the castle even has its own ghost. This is the ghost of the knight Conrad, who owned the castle in the Middle Ages. He drowned near the walls of his own castle in the fortress moat and since then has not been able to find peace.
Coordinates: 52.12152700,4.98624200
University of Utrecht
The University of Utrecht is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands and one of the largest in Europe. Founded in 1636, the university has grown into a leading institution with a growing international reputation.
The University of Utrecht is ranked 12th in the academic rankings among European universities and 53rd among universities in the world. The university is a research university, consisting of seven faculties, which together cover the entire spectrum of scientific research and education. Traditionally, the university specializes in the fields of law, humanities and social sciences. Its motto is "Sol Iustitiae Illustra Nose", which means "Sun of Justice, shine on us."
Coordinates: 52.09419600,5.12368400
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Hemstede Castle
Heemstede Castle is a 17th-century palace built in the style of Dutch classicism. The castle is located in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, province of Utrecht, not far from the village of Hemstad of the same name.
The castle building was erected in 1645, its facade was characterized by symmetrical lines, there were towers in all four corners of the building, and a moat filled with water was dug around the castle. Regardless of the fact that the building is called a castle, it was built as a luxurious and comfortable home.
In 1680, the castle grounds were surrounded by a beautiful garden with pedestrian alleys, ponds and neatly trimmed hedges.
In the period from 1716 to 1723, the castle changed owners several times, which negatively affected its preservation. His gardens were almost completely destroyed, after which they were restored by the new owner. At the end of the 18th century, the castle experienced another decline. Here they began to cut down trees and destroy fountains. In 1919, the estate was acquired and reconstructed by the Heimeger company.
In 1987, the castle was badly damaged by fire, and in 2002 it was reconstructed by the Fanos company.
At the moment, the castle is included in the List of Monuments of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Coordinates: 52.03299400,5.12510600
Huis Doorn is a small manor house located outside Doorn, small town near Utrecht. It was built back in the 15th century, and modern look acquired after restoration in the 18th century. In the first half of the 19th century, a garden appeared around the estate, made in the traditional English style.
Huis Doorn is known primarily for its inhabitants. Thus, Baroness Ella van Heemstra, mother of actress Audrey Hepburn, spent her childhood here. In 1919, the last German Emperor, Wilhelm II, settled in Huis Doorn. This happened immediately after Germany's surrender in World War I, and the emperor lived here in exile. He was forbidden to travel more than 15 miles from the estate. Here he spent the rest of his life, until his death in 1941.
In 1938, the wedding of William II's grandson Louis Ferdinand and the Russian princess Kira Kirillovna took place at Huis Doorn.
Today the estate has been turned into a museum. It houses a collection of antique furniture, tapestries, porcelain and silver. In the garden are the graves of William II and his five favorite dogs, dachshunds.
Coordinates: 52.03153200,5.33874800
St. Catherine's Cathedral in Utrecht
Catholic church located in the city of Utrecht. St. Catherine's Cathedral is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Utrecht, the seat of the archbishop. The church was consecrated in the name of St. Catherine of Alexandria.
St. Catherine's Church was built in 1456 as part of the Carmelite monastery. From 1580 to 1815 the church was a Calvinist temple. In 1815, it was returned to the Catholic Church: initially as a garrison church, then (since 1842) as a parish church. Since 1853, after the re-establishment of the Archdiocese of Utrecht, the Church of St. Catherine became the cathedral church of this diocese.
In St. Catherine's Cathedral, the main altar contains the relics of St. Willibrord, the patron saint of the Netherlands. The cathedral itself is also a museum and is open to tourists.
Coordinates: 52.08750000,5.12416700
House Schroeder
This building became the only and most famous building in the neo-plasticism style. The owner lived in it until 1985 - until her death. After this, the house was restored and turned into a museum. Understanding the architectural value of her home, Mrs. Schroeder created a fund for these purposes in advance. 10 years before her death, the house was included in the list of architectural monuments, and in 2000 it became one of the objects World Heritage.
The area of this two-story building is 125 m². The second floor was not divided into traditional rooms, the walls were built in the format of partitions, furniture could be folded, and doors could be opened using levers and buttons. The house also does not have the usual stove and central heating system, as they have been replaced with hot water pipes and a potbelly stove. Instead of curtains there are colored plywood panels.
The building was specially built so that the windows did not face the street itself, but its reverse side, with the hope that a wonderful view would always open from there. However, in 1964 a freeway was built there.
Coordinates: 52.08527800,5.14722200
Tower House
Of course, building a new building is much easier and cheaper. But there are enthusiasts who are engaged in a less noticeable, but more interesting activity - the renovation of old buildings.
The Zecc Architects agency showed creative ingenuity and transformed the old water tower building, built in 1931, into a modern ten-story residential building. The main problem during the reconstruction was the lack of daylight, since the tower had only a few small windows. The decision was made to insert a huge three-level stained glass window with minimal intervention into the building's structure.
Steel, concrete, as well as the industrial style of the structures have been preserved, so the living spaces have a distinctive interior. To soften its industrial style, the designers used practical, simple furniture. Even the location of the rooms in the building differs from others, because they are all connected by stairs.
Coordinates: 52.18333800,5.29079600
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Restaurant "Filemon en Baucis"
Filemon en Baucis is great restaurant, which attracts many local residents and city guests with its elegant interior, designed in art deco style, high level of service and delicious European cuisine. This is a very comfortable and cozy establishment, which is perfect for business meetings or special events. Its interior decoration is dominated by bright contrasting colors - purple, red, yellow and black. There are several dozen stylish tables in the hall, decorated with snow-white tablecloths, fresh flowers and magnificent handmade candlesticks. On the restaurant's menu you will find dishes such as sturgeon in wine sauce, salad with chicken, apples and nuts, as well as an excellent vegetable casserole with cauliflower.
The restaurant's infrastructure includes a huge dance floor equipped with the latest equipment, a billiards room and a karaoke club. "Filemon en Baucis" opens its doors for you from Monday to Thursday - from 10:00 to 21:00, and from Saturday to Sunday from 12:00 to 05:00.
Coordinates: 52.09376100,5.12057800
The most popular attractions in Utrecht with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose best places for visiting famous places Utrecht on our website.
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More sights of Utrecht
Utrecht is the capital of the province of the same name and the fourth largest city in the Netherlands. It is located in the central part of the country - just 25 minutes south of Amsterdam. The history of the city goes back to the distant past, when in the 1st century AD the Romans built defensive fortresses - castrums. Over a huge historical period, Utrecht has become a large modern city and an important economic center of the Netherlands.
For many centuries this city was an important religious center of the country. This explains this a large number of historical churches among the sights of Utrecht. The city's many historic buildings, a network of picturesque canals and a range of varied and fascinating museums make it a popular tourist destination. The list of attractions below will help you decide what to see in Utrecht.
Utrecht Cathedral. | Photo: Patrick Rasenberg / Flickr. Utrecht's main cathedral was once connected to the Dome Tower, but after the central nave collapsed during a tornado, the two structures separated. This beautiful Gothic cathedral has stood in Utrecht since the Middle Ages and was once considered the largest church in the Netherlands.
The architecture of the building is fully consistent with French Gothic examples. Today, the surviving fragments of the old church are the choir and the transverse nave, and on the territory of the destroyed central nave there is an area planted with trees.
The cathedral's surviving interior still impresses with its many ornate vaulted arches and colorful stained glass windows.
Address: St Martin's Cathedral, Achter de Dom, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Dome Tower Utrecht. | Photo: wikimedia. A huge 112.5-meter structure, the Dome Tower, rises above the center of Utrecht. It is clearly visible from anywhere in the city and is one of its most iconic landmarks. The tower was built in 1321 and stands separate from St Martin's Cathedral.
The tower houses a bell tower - a group of 14 medieval bells weighing a total of 32,000 kilograms. On weekdays, bells can still be heard from the tower at certain intervals, and on Saturdays real carillon concerts are held here.
There is a special room inside where visitors can learn about the history of the tower and buy original souvenirs. Climbing up the 465 steps, you will see a fantastic panorama of the Netherlands, and you can even see Rotterdam and Amsterdam in the distance.
Address: The Dom Tower, Domplein 21, 3512 JC Utrecht, The Netherlands.
DOMunder is located in the same place as the Dome Tower and Cathedral St. Martin - on Domplein. Descending to a depth of 4.7 m, you will find yourself in an unusual underground museum telling about the 2,000-year history of Utrecht.
The museum was opened in 2014 and is equipped with the most advanced technologies. Visitors are given interactive flashlights that illuminate the exhibits. Among the unique archaeological finds, fragments of the stone walls of an ancient Roman fortress that stood on the site of the current Domplein square.
Address: DOMunder, Domplein, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Jukebox Museum. | Photo: Kotomi_/Flickr. Unusual museum Speelklok is magical place, full of entertainment and amazing mechanical mechanisms that will delight visitors of all ages. The museum's exhibition presents a variety of devices with mechanical music - toys, watches, boxes, barrel organs and musical instruments.
There are sounds everywhere and moving parts of devices are visible. Most of the museum exhibits are still functioning. In addition to a beautifully curated collection of musical mechanisms, the museum gives visitors an insight into how these unique pieces are created. The manufacture of each part of the mechanism requires great skill, patience and dedication.
Address: Museum Speelklok, Steenweg, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Railway Museum. | Photo: Jan-Willem Reusink / Flickr. This interesting city museum is located in the eastern part of Utrecht, on the former railway station Maliban. The old station was reconstructed, and later a new building was added to it, which is connected to the main building through a pedestrian crossing.
The museum's collection includes unique items related to the history of Dutch railways. The museum is divided into four thematic sections - “Dream Journeys”, “Steel Monsters”, “Workshop” and the Great Discovery.”
In addition to the main exhibition halls, the museum has a model railway, a children's play area, and a collection of real carriages and locomotives, such as De Arend and NS Class 200.
Address: Railway Museum, Maliebaanstation, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Utrecht canals
The presence of canals is a typical feature of Dutch cities, and Utrecht is no exception. There may not be as many of them as in Amsterdam, but they are very unusual in appearance - they are often called two-tiered. One embankment is located on the lower level, right next to the water, and the second, wider one, is on the upper level.
The canals running through the entire city center are simply mesmerizing with their beauty. Some of them can be taken on excursion boats, but it is much more pleasant in good weather take a walk.
Walking along the upper tier of the canals, you will see many tall, narrow houses different color, whose doors open directly onto the canal. While the lower tier gives you the opportunity to look at Utrecht from an unusual angle.
Address:
Central Museum Utrecht. The Utrecht Central Museum is the oldest city museum in the Netherlands. It was founded in 1838 and is located in the building of a former Augustinian monastery. The museum complex houses an impressive collection of paintings by such famous masters of the Utrecht school as Joachim Uttewael and Gerrit van Honthorst.
In addition to works by old masters, the museum's collection includes medieval sculptures, archaeological and religious exhibits, historical costumes and furniture, decorative and applied arts, jewelry and works by contemporary artists.
Among the most interesting exhibits is an ancient ship belonging to the type of so-called “Utrecht ships”, which is exhibited in the basement of the museum. With its rich and varied collection, the Utrecht Central Museum is a must-see, with something of interest for every visitor.
Address: Centraal Museum, Agnietenstraat, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Botanical Garden of Utrecht University. | Photo: Tom Jutte/Flickr. The famous Botanical Garden of Utrecht is owned by the local university and is located in the eastern part of the city. The garden area of 8 hectares is divided into 6 zones, including a rock garden, a fort area with numerous varieties of flowers, and a garden wildlife where they live different types birds, reptiles and insects.
At the Utrecht Botanical Garden you will see many beautiful fountains and more than 10,000 types of vegetation. In addition, in the greenhouse you can admire the unique collection of butterflies - it amazes with the richness and variety of species presented, including such beautiful views like Morpho and Atlas Moths.
Address: Utrecht Botanical Gardens, Budapestlaan 17, 3584 CD Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Flower market Janskerhof. | Photo: Alison Netsel/Flickr. Every Saturday there is a large flower market on the Janskerhof town square. It is located next to a medieval church, a short walk from the Duomo tower and the main town square.
Unlike the flower markets of Amsterdam, which focus mainly on tulips, the Utrecht market simply amazes with the variety of potted plants, cut flowers, seedlings, herbs and seeds.
The riot of smells and colors attracts numerous tourists here. In addition, this is a great place where you can feel the atmosphere of a real flower market, take some colorful shots or buy a small original souvenir.
Address: Janskerkhof flower market, Neude Janskerkhof en Domplein, 3512 JE Utrecht, The Netherlands.
The Roman Catholic Church of St. Willibrord is a prime example of neo-Gothic architecture. It is located in the center of Utrecht - not far from the Church of John the Baptist and the Dome Tower. The temple was built in the 1800s, making it a relatively new religious structure in the region.
From the outside, the building stands out for its tall and narrow design, while inside it stands out for its incredibly elegant and luxurious design. The magnificent interior truly impresses with its bright colors and numerous works of art.
Colorful stained glass windows frame the arched openings, and on the columns and ceiling there are many decorative elements in rich colors - green, orange and gold. For connoisseurs of beautiful architecture, the Church of St. Willibrord is a must-see attraction in Utrecht.
Address: Sint Willibrordkerk, Minrebroederstraat, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Wilhelmina Park. | Photo: Tom Imrei/Flickr. The large city park located east of Utrecht is an ideal place to stop and enjoy the fresh air on your way to Botanical Garden. The park was created in the English landscape style according to the design of the Dutch garden architect Hendrik Copain. It first opened to visitors in 1898.
There are many beautiful statues and monuments in the park (including a statue of Queen Wilhelmina, after whom the park got its name). In addition, you will see here a large number of bicycle paths, the Tea Room building, a beautiful rose garden, a large Central Pond and many wonderful trees and varied vegetation.
Address: Wilhelminapark, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Museum of the Monastery of St. Catherine. | Photo: wikimedia. This museum is located in the southern part of Utrecht - in the monastery of St. Catherine, and is dedicated to works of church art. The museum houses a huge collection of historical exhibits and works of art, from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Among them are ancient manuscripts, first printed books in precious bindings, icons, wooden sculptures, statues of saints, church utensils and rich vestments of clergy, altars, items made of gold and silver. Dutch painting of the Golden Age is represented by paintings by Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Jan van Scorel.
Address: Museum Catharijneconvent, Lange Nieuwstraat, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
A fairytale castle half surrounded by a moat and lake, it's a true hidden gem among Utrecht's attractions. In addition to the castle, the estate ensemble includes a chapel and a large picturesque park. The structure was built in the neo-Gothic style - with several pointed turrets and battlements.
The church's stunning interior features exquisite wood carvings, as well as an art collection and tapestries. No less impressive than the castle are the beautiful gardens surrounding it, reminiscent in style of the parks of Versailles. It's easy to see why this place attracts so many tourists - the backdrop of Castle de Haar and the surrounding gardens makes for incredibly picturesque photos.
Address: Kasteel de Haar, Kasteellaan, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Church of St. Peter. | Photo: wikimedia. This Roman Catholic church is one of the oldest in the city. It was illuminated in the early 1000s. The building is located in the center of Utrecht, in close proximity to other famous attractions of the city. The church was built in the Romanesque style - with two towers, high arched stained glass windows and a nave at the rear of the structure.
The interior features beautiful columns made of red sandstone. There is a lot of light coming through the colorful curves, especially at the main altar. In the Church of St. Peter you can see the 13th-century crypt with the sarcophagus of Bishop Bernold.
Address: Pieterskerk, Pieterskerkhof, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Domplein Square. | Photo: wikimedia. Domplein is one of the central squares Utrecht, included in all popular tourist routes around the city. The square is home to famous Utrecht landmarks such as the Dome Tower and St. Martin's Cathedral.
In addition, on the square itself and in the nearby alleys you will find many restaurants, cafes and bars. Thanks to its convenient location, Domplein is great place, where you can start an exciting journey around Utrecht.
Address: Domplein, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
The highlight of your stay in Utrecht will be the opportunity to stroll along the beautiful old Oudegracht canal. It runs through the central part of the city from southeast to north. In the southern part the canal follows a route that was once a section of the Rhine, while the northern part of Oudegracht includes segments of a canal that was built around 1000 AD. e. and connected the Rhine with the Vechte River.
In 1275, after the completion of the Utrecht lock network, numerous moorings, piers and warehouses began to appear on the banks of the canal. Today, many of these old buildings and premises have been converted into restaurants, cafes, galleries and boutiques.
Address: Oudegracht Canal, Oudegracht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
House Schroeder. | Photo: Frans de Wit / Flickr. This small but unique structure in the neo-plasticism style was ahead of its time. It was built in 1924 according to the design of the famous Utrecht architect Gerrit Rietveld. Later, he was quite surprised to learn that his creation was now recognized as an architectural monument and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The house is reminiscent of the abstract matrices of artist Piet Mondrian. The two-story building has no interior walls, food is served in an elevator, furniture can be folded compactly, and all doors open using levers and buttons.
Address: Rietveld Schröderhuis, Prins Hendriklaan, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Residence of the Pope. | Photo: wikimedia. Typically, only participants of conferences and special events held here are allowed to enter this building. However, admire appearance this magnificent 500-year-old mansion is off-limits to anyone.
The building was originally built as a home for Utrecht native Adrian Buijens, who was elected Pope in 1522. Adrian VI became the first and only Dutchman to ascend the papal throne.
Address: Paushuize, Kromme Nieuwegracht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
This is the main building of Utrecht University, located on the corner of the Domplein. Behind a neo-Renaissance façade dating from 1892 are the older ceremonial buildings of Utrecht University.
The oldest room is the auditorium in the former chapter house from 1462. It was here that the Utrecht Agreement was signed in 1579, which, in fact, laid the foundation for the formation of a new legal state - the Republic of the United Provinces of the Netherlands.
Address: Academiegebouw Universiteit Utrecht, Domplein, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Utrecht is a fairly large city by Dutch standards; as many as 300 thousand people live here, almost like in Tambov! But despite the status of a “metropolis”, the town has not lost its medieval charm. Utrecht is famous not only for its ancient Dutch houses on charming streets, but also for the tallest cathedral in the country, as well as its unique “two-story” canals. We will tell you about all this now.
The city of Utrecht in the Netherlands: attractions with photos and descriptions, how to get there and what to see, hotels and reviews
A short guide to Utrecht. Content
All of Holland in one photo. Utrecht is the typical Netherlands as we imagine it.
Utrecht: history with geography
As already mentioned, Utrecht is one of the largest cities in Holland, it ranks fourth in population after Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. And at the same time one of the oldest: it was here at the beginning of our era that the northern border of the Roman Empire passed. In the place where the tallest cathedral in Holland now stands, in the 1st century AD. e. a Roman fortress and a small village appeared. In the 3rd century, the Romans abandoned the fortress, but the village remained, and it still stands here to this day, now with the status of a city. Moreover, a very important city for the Dutch. After all, it was here that the Union of Utrecht was concluded in 1579 - a military-political union of the Dutch provinces, from which the struggle for independence against the Spaniards and the unification of the Netherlands into a single country began (and successfully ended).
But let's leave all this to historians, and for ordinary tourists like you and me Utrecht is an opportunity to find yourself in good old Holland. The city center is like a picture from a fairy tale book come to life: colorful small houses, ancient churches, narrow winding streets and canal embankments lined with time-blackened stone. Two-level embankments, by the way. We will now tell you in more detail about these and other attractions of Utrecht.
Good old Holland. My favorite photo of Utrecht.
The main attractions of Utrecht: TOP 5
1. St. Martin's Dome Cathedral
Utrecht Cathedral took about three hundred years to build, from the 13th to the 16th centuries. Initially, the main cathedral of Utrecht was Catholic, but at the end of the 16th century it became Protestant. Since then, the faces of the saints on the frescoes of the cathedral have been covered with paint or simply chipped off. But not all.
Top attractions in Utrecht, Netherlands: the interior decoration of the Dome Cathedral is Protestantly modest.
2. Bell tower of the Dome Cathedral
Why does the bell tower stand apart from it on our list of Utrecht attractions? Yes, because in reality it stands alone! Initially, the cathedral and its bell tower were a single building. But in the 17th century, a powerful hurricane destroyed the central part of the cathedral, “separating” the bell tower from the rest of the building. The church was repaired only in the 19th century, but they did not connect the bell tower and the cathedral. So they stand apart. By the way, the height of the bell tower is 112 meters, it is the highest in Holland. At the top is located Observation deck, where you can go up as part of an excursion.
The bell tower of Utrecht Cathedral is visible from almost anywhere in the city, and from it in clear weather you can even see Amsterdam.
3. Utrecht University
One of the oldest universities in Holland, founded in the first half of the 17th century. Famous not only for its beautiful architecture, but also because it produced several Nobel Prize winners in physics and economics.
Utrecht University is one of the oldest and most beautiful in Holland.
4. Town Hall (Lichtenberg Castle)
Utrecht Town Hall is located in beautiful castle Built in the 12th century. It used to belong to the wealthy Van Lichtenberg family, but the building was bought by the emperor, rebuilt in places, and city officials have been meeting here since the beginning of the 19th century.
Two sights of Utrecht in one photo: Lichtenberg Castle (left) looks best in the frame with the bell tower of the Dome Cathedral.
5. Embankment of the Old Canal
The canals are the main attractions of Utrecht and all of Holland, but only in this city they are two-story! The two-tier embankment of the Old Canal was built in the 13th century. On the lower floor there were warehouses and production facilities, on the upper floor they sold goods delivered along the Old Canal to the city. For just 8 euros per hour, you can rent a kayak or other watercraft and enjoy views of Utrecht's landmarks from the water.
Previously, there were warehouses on the first floors of the Old Canal, now there are souvenir shops and cozy cafes.
Main attractions of Utrecht on the city map
How to get to Utrecht from different cities in Holland
Utrecht is very conveniently located at the crossroads of major railway tracks countries. Therefore, Utrecht is the largest railway hub in Holland, and getting here by train (as well as getting out of here) is very easy. We tell you how to get to Utrecht from Amsterdam and others major cities Netherlands. You can always check the current train schedule and ticket prices on the website Dutch railways .
From Utrecht train station you immediately enter the medieval streets of the city.
1. How to get from Amsterdam to Utrecht
The distance from Amsterdam to Utrecht is only 45 km. Direct trains from Amsterdam Centraal station to Utrecht Centraal station run at intervals of 10-20 minutes, the journey takes just under half an hour, tickets cost from 8 euros.
2. How to get from Eindhoven to Utrecht
Are you arriving in Holland on a Pobeda flight and are looking for information on how to get from Eindhoven to Utrecht? Nothing could be simpler. At any time convenient for you, come to Eindhoven main station and buy a train ticket to Utrecht for 15.2 euros. Trains depart every 10 minutes and the journey takes 48 minutes.
3. How to get from The Hague to Utrecht
There are also direct, non-stop trains from The Hague to Utrecht. Ticket price is from 11.7 euros, the journey takes 37 minutes. Trains depart from Den Haag Centraal station several times an hour.
4. How to get from Rotterdam to Utrecht
Many tourists come to Utrecht from Amsterdam or other large cities for just one day, believing that this is enough. But don't forget that this is a big one. old City with interesting sights and many beautiful streets, so if you want to really enjoy Utrecht, you can spend the night here (although we don’t insist). Choose a hotel and city you like on Booking, and have a happy trip to Holland!
Utrecht is located in the center of the Netherlands and is much more ancient city than all the cities of the coast and Amsterdam. Utrecht traces its history back to an ancient Roman settlement; even the name of the city comes from the Latin word Traectum (from Latin trajectus - crossing). Utrecht was formed at the crossing of the Rhine. All that remains from Roman times in Utrecht are the foundations in the basements of some buildings in the center. Most tourists come to Utrecht to see the unique two-tier embankments and the tallest tower in the country, Utrecht Cathedral.
In addition, the city attracts the attention of people interested in design and architecture. It was in Utrecht that the most famous artist in the Netherlands, illustrator Dick Bruna, and architect Gerrit Rietveld, the same one who built the miracle of functionalism - the Schroeder House in 1924, worked ahead of its era by about 50 years. You can see the fruits of the creativity of the geniuses of the 20th century in the Central Museum of Utrecht.
Garbage fish decorate almost the center of Utrecht
Amsterdam is separated from Utrecht by only 40 km along an excellent road.
The nearest airport is Schipol - 50 km, Rotterdam The Hague Airport - 60 km, Eidenhoven Airport - 93 km.
The Netherlands has excellent railway connections and Uchtrecht is the country's largest railway hub. It can be reached by train from almost any city in the Netherlands and even neighboring countries.
The cost of train travel from Amsterdam Central Station is 8€, directly from Schipol Airport – 9.2€.
The most convenient way to choose your tickets is on the website, which will immediately show the schedule of trains, buses, and ticket prices in Russian. Due to the short distance from Amsterdam, it does not matter whether you travel by train or bus. Both of these modes of transport will take you to Utrecht Central Station.
Utrecht Central Station is within walking distance of the city center.
Parking in Utrecht
Utrecht is the city where street parking is more expensive than in garages and you still have to search hard for it on the streets. Everything is very tightly packed.
If you come to the city only to see the center, then 3 hours will be enough. Therefore, you can afford to park in a garage in the city center. The highest parking density is railway station and the adjacent large shopping center Hoog Catharijne, there are as many as 6 of them. P1-P4 - cost 3.50 € per hour, maximum 30 € per day, P5-P6 - cost 4.50 € per hour and 36 € per day. The distance between them is negligible.
If you come by car for several days, then a convenient solution would be P+R parking lots; there are 4 of them in Utrecht. All day parking and a day ticket for public transport is only 5€ for a maximum of 5 people. If you go back not on the first day, then you need to buy regular tickets for public transport and each subsequent day of parking will cost 5 €.
P+R Utrecht Westraven (ten zuiden van A12)
P+R Utrecht Papendorp (bij A2 en A12)
P+R Utrecht Muziektheater NIET MEER IN GEBRUIK
P+R Utrecht de Uithof (ten zuiden van A28)
If you are traveling around Holland by car, you might be interested to know. In this article I talk about personal experience residence in cottage village and about strange Dutch rules.
Excursions to Utrecht from Amsterdam
From Amsterdam to Utrecht and Castle de Haar, Russian-language excursions are conducted on Saturdays by TezTour. If it is not possible to recruit a group, then the excursion is carried out individually at a group price. Saturday is market day, it will be fun.
In Utrecht itself, individual Russian-language excursions can be booked. If there are more than two of you, it is more profitable to take individual tour, travel from Amsterdam to Utrecht is not at all difficult.
Sights of Utrecht
If you arrive in Utrecht by train or park in one of the parking lots of the Hoog Catharijne shopping center, the first thing you will see in Utrecht is Vredenburg Square. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays there is a market on the square.
An unfavorable day to visit Utrecht is Monday, many museums are closed.
First I'll talk about free attractions, then I'll move on to museums. Tickets to museums are, as always, not budget-friendly, this is always the case in the Netherlands. Therefore, you will have to choose what to visit and what to leave for next time. Check the current prices for tickets to local museums on the website, I will insert the prices in the article, but they may be out of date.
The city center is very compact, you can get around everything on foot. Castle de Haar is located outside the city (12 km), i.e. You need to go to it on a separate flight.
Two-tier embankments of the Oudegracht canal (Oudegracht)
The very first and main attraction of Utrecht is the Oudegracht canal or simply the old canal. The canal stretches for 2 km and passes through the entire Old city Utrecht. Oudegracht became famous for its two-story embankments. In light of the terrain and local soils, the Rhine River has changed its course several times over the past 10 centuries. It is possible that part of the Oudegracht coincides with the old bed of the Rhine, another part used to be the moat of a local castle. The earth formed during the digging of the rest of the canal was simply dumped onto the bank, and it naturally became higher. Back in the 12th century, a dam with locks was built upstream and the water level in the Utrecht canal dropped significantly and became manageable.
There's the city hall in the distance with its columns
As a result, merchant houses that previously stood on the banks of the river found themselves much further from the water and higher, and it became more difficult to carry goods from boats on the river to warehouses in houses. Therefore, it was decided to dig underground passages from the piers directly to the basements of houses where goods were stored. Initially, there were no embankments on the shore, there were berths, but gradually everything became so dense that the berths turned into one continuous line. In the fifteenth century, a two-kilometer-long harbor with a two-tiered promenade was created, which over the following centuries was the lifeblood of the city of Utrecht.
At the end of the 19th century, the piers and cellars lost their commercial importance, and a period of decline began. In 1948, the municipality of Utrecht acquired ownership of the quays and quay walls, after which the process of their restoration and standardization began.
Since the 1960s, several dock cellars have been used as entertainment venues for young people, such as discos. Then restaurateurs paid attention to the former dock cellars. Nowadays, almost along the entire length of the canal, on the first tiers of the embankments there are cafes, bars, and restaurants. Food and drinks for these establishments are delivered on a special beer barge, which is more convenient. Almost all of Utrecht's most important sights are located along the Old Canal.
Early 20th century building, the first department store in the Netherlands Winkel van Sinkel Girl on a carousel horse. Pieter d'Hont. 1986
Dome Cathedral in Utrecht
Until 1898, when St. Bavo's Cathedral was opened in Haarlem, Utrecht Dom Cathedral was the only cathedral church in the Netherlands. The cathedral has the tallest tower in the country - 112.32 m, and it was the longest cathedral before the collapse of the main nave; now the longest church is in the city of Gouda.
Domplein - square in front of the Dome Cathedral St. Martin's Cathedral or Dome Cathedral stands exactly on the site of an ancient Roman fortress. The city of Utrecht began from this place. Numerous excavations were carried out around the square, confirming the coexistence of the fortress and early Christian churches. Three times a day (except Mondays) they conduct special excursions through the dungeons of the church, where they show and talk about all the artifacts found; tickets (12.50 €) for this event must be purchased in advance on the DOMunder website. The tour is conducted in English and Dutch.
Wikipedia tells a rather murky story about the numerous churches that previously stood on the site of the current Dome Cathedral; it tells that the present building of the Dome Cathedral was built from 1284 to 1520 (236 years). By 1520, builders' enthusiasm had waned as Reformation ideas spread. The cathedral was never completed; the vaults over the central nave were not completed; instead, a wooden roof was made. On March 3, 1580, the Calvinists invaded the Catholic church at that time and staged a pogrom, traces of which can be observed to this day; in particular, they knocked off the faces of all the sculptures and bas-reliefs.
Main altar A very ancient cross. Burial with knocked down bas-reliefs and contemporary art from above. Exhibition of contemporary art.
On August 1, 1674, a tornado swept over Utrecht, collapsing the main nave of the cathedral and many more houses and churches in the city and surrounding area. It is curious that the local population decided that this was God’s punishment for holding Catholic services in the cathedral during the French occupation of 1672-1673. The final clearing of the wreckage took place only in 1826, i.e. after 152 years. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the cathedral underwent numerous restorations. There have been proposals to even complete the nave that collapsed in the 17th century and give the cathedral completeness, but so far this project has not received mass support.
The Dome Cathedral can be visited for a donation, it looks quite modest from the inside, like many other Protestant churches. The cathedral tower does not belong to the church. Climbing the tower is paid, only with an excursion, conducted 8 times a day, you will have to go up on foot, the event is not recommended for children under 8 years old. Tickets can be purchased either at the Utrecht tourist information office located next door or on the tower's official website. The cost of the pleasure is 10€.
Adjacent to the cathedral building is the cloister of the former monastery - Pandhof van de Dom. What kind of monastery it was and what its history is, I still don’t understand. Now the cloister and nearby buildings belong to Utrecht University. The place is very cozy, cute and extremely photogenic.
Bronze statue (1913) of 14th-century canon Hugo Westink I'm in the monastery courtyard of the Dome Cathedral
Rune stone in Utrecht
In 1936, on the Domplein (the square in front of the Dome Cathedral), on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of Utrecht University, a copy of the famous rune stone from the Danish city of Jelling was installed. The original was installed by Harald I Bluetooth in the 10th century. On the stone it is written:
King Harald erected this stone in honor of Gorm his father and Tyra his mother. Harald, who conquered all of Denmark and Norway, who baptized the Danes.
The main significance is the reference to the baptism of the Danes. In general, the Dutch, Danes and Germans are very close peoples to each other; their self-names are dansk (Danish), dutch (Dutch), deutsch (German).
Replica of the runestone from Jelling Harold Bluetooth, Utrecht, 1936 Papal House (Paushuize)
Paushuize is the second oldest historical building in Utrecht. It was built by the only Dutch Pope, Adrian VI.
Or rather, Pope Adrian VI built the house before he became Pope. He hoped to return to Utrecht someday. In 1522 he was elected Pope and died a year later in Rome, so he never got to live in his home in Utrecht. Paushuize is famous for its magnificent interior. In the 19th century, the building became the residence of the royal commissioner. Today, part of the building can be rented for events; without events, it can only be viewed from the outside.
House of the Pope Letters from Utrecht
Letters from Utrecht form an endless poem on the pavement in the city center. Every Saturday at 13:00 they carve the next letter on the next cobblestone, intending to continue until the Saturdays stop. The average proposal takes about three years to publish. Every year the poem increases by about five meters. Every few years, the next poet continues the poem. The poem began to be published on the pavement on May 30 and 31, 2012; for the first time, 648 letters were written at once to make the beginning clear. This is a unique manifestation of modern art.
Museum of Jukeboxes or Boxes (Museum Speelklok)
The Music Box Museum is unexpectedly considered the most visited and most popular museum in the city. Children will definitely like it there; there is a special room where you can touch and twirl everything. The Museum displays numerous music boxes and street organs. The reproduction technology is reminiscent of the punched tapes and punched cards that were used just recently. Below I will insert a promotional video for the museum. Combined tickets for the Dome Cathedral Tower + Museum of Caskets = 18€ are available at the museum box office, saving 5€. The museum is located 200 meters from Dome Square.
From Dom Square to the Central Museum of Utrecht it is only 900 meters; it is most convenient to walk along the Oudegracht canal and only at the very end of the road turn left onto Nikolaasstraat.
Central Museum Utrecht
The city museum is rightly proud of the collection of paintings by artists of the Golden Age, presented by the school of Utrecht Caravaggists. At the beginning of the 17th century, a group of Utrecht artists went to, horror of horrors, Catholic Rome. By that time, about a third of the Catholic residents remained in Utrecht, but they were strictly prohibited from holding church services. And there the Dutch artists absorbed Italian colors, sun, air, and became acquainted with the works of Caravaggio and Michelangelo. The paintings of Dirk van Baburen, Hendrik Terbruggen, Willem van Honthorst are strikingly different from the strict paintings of the followers of Calvinism; they radiate light and joy. Below is a promotional video of the museum - a two-minute overview of the exhibition.
A special part of the Central Museum is the studio of Dick Brun (1927-2017), one of the most famous illustrators and graphic designers in the Netherlands. Dick Bruna invented many hand-drawn characters for children's books, the most famous among them being the rabbit Miffy (Nijntje), a favorite of Dutch children. On the opposite side of the street from the Central Museum is children's museum Miffy the bunny, but it's more like a big playroom with a Dick Brun theme.
The Utrecht City Museum displays the richest collection of conceptual furniture from the Dutch architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld (1888 -1964), who built the famous Schröder house.
The Utrecht Central Museum is 1.8 km from the Schröder House. At the time of construction, the Schroeder house was located on the very outskirts of the city. On the one hand, it’s a bit far, but on the other hand, not everyone will want to look at the Schroeder house. If you don’t take a tour of the house, then it’s not worth walking there at all; the photo fully reflects everything that can be seen there.
House Schroeder
The Rietveld Schröder House is an architectural highlight of the De Stijl artistic movement. The house was designed by Utrecht architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld for the widow of Truus Schröder in 1924. The house was not only designed, but also decorated by Gerrit Rietveld. For 1924 this was a revelation. Looking at this house you think that it was built yesterday, it’s not for nothing that it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Inside, everything is just as functional and unusual for the beginning of the 20th century - sliding partitions, multi-colored functional furniture.
House Schröder, 1924 The Schroeder House can only be visited with a guided tour by appointment through the official website; the cost of visiting, as elsewhere in the Netherlands, is not small - 17 €. No more than 10 people are allowed in at a time; the house is small, after all, it was built for a single widow with three children. Tours are in English and Dutch only.
Castle de Haar in Utrecht
Castle de Haar was essentially rebuilt in the 19th century according to all the rules and with all possible amenities available at that time on the site of an ancient, but completely destroyed medieval castle. The building became famous for its belonging to Baroness Rothschild, for its neo-Gothic style architecture and design. Castle de Haar is the largest castle in the Netherlands. Below I will insert a promotional video of the castle, the design is truly impressive, a very beautiful video.
Castle de Haar is located in the suburbs of Utrecht, 12 km from the Dome Cathedral, so you definitely can’t reach it on foot; you’ll need transport. From Utrecht Central Station you can take bus number 9 to the castle. The cost of visiting, alas, is high as always - 17 € castle with park, 6 € parking, only the park - 6 €. Check the opening hours and cost of visiting on the official website of Castle de Haar, and also check the possibility of travel to public transport, there are different options.
Utrecht became the second continental city of the Netherlands that I saw, after. And yes, cities that are located inland differ from coastal cities in their softer attitude towards religion and their Roman past. The Netherlands, even with its tiny size, is a rather heterogeneous country. The southern continental part is more like Belgium.
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