Is Utrecht Worth Visiting? [2024]
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Utrecht’s beautiful canals
Dom Tower over looking Utrecht
Little-known Utrecht is the Netherlands’ fourth largest city, and just a short distance away from its capital, Amsterdam. Featuring a medieval centre, an iconic bell tower and picturesque canals, Utrecht is quickly stealing the hearts of many – but you may be asking, Is Utrecht Worth Visiting?
Where to stay in Utrecht
Even though it’s a compact city, there are still plenty of amazing accommodation options in Utrecht. Here are the best options, suited to every kind of budget.
Budget: B&B Huize 't Goylaan
This cozy B&B is so cute! Perfectly located in a comfortable, residential neighborhood of Utrecht, guests especially loved the friendly owners and delicious breakfast.
You can take a closer look at B&B Huize ‘T Goylaan by clicking here.
Mid Range: Moxy Utrecht
We love Moxy hotels, and the Utrecht edition is no different. Guests love this Moxy’s facilities - a fitness centre, bar, restaurant are all features of this fabulous hotel.
You can take a closer look at at Moxy Utrecht by clicking here.
Luxury: Grand Hotel Karel V
Grand hotel Karel V is a unique 5-star hotel in the heart of Utrecht from where you can walk to the central station in less than 10 minutes. There is also a garden where guests can take a walk.
You can take a closer look at Grand Hotel Karel V by clicking here.
About Utrecht
Quiet streets of Utrecht
Utrecht’s origins trace all the way back to the Stone Age, around 2200 BCE – pretty insane. From the 7th century to the 16th century, Utrecht was seen as the centre of Christianity in the Netherlands, due to a series of missionaries setting out to convert the Frisians.
Utrecht was a very religious city, so it is home to many churches
To this day, the Dom Tower (which was previously part of St Martin’s Cathedral) dominates the city of Utrecht, with its impressive and massive presence. It’s the country’s tallest church tower.
Dom Tower, Utrecht
The Dom Tower is even taller than it looks in pictures!
These days, Utrecht is known for being a great alternative to Amsterdam. With its pretty canals, laidback vibe and charming architecture, the city is slowly but surely building its name in the world of tourism.
Windows of St Martin’s Cathedral
St Martin’s Cathedral, Utrecht
Why You Should Visit Utrecht
Beautiful buildings in Utrecht
During my trip to the Netherlands, I spent three days in Amsterdam, and one day in Utrecht. On my only day in Utrecht, I immediately felt a sense of calm and ease. It’s not that I didn’t like Amsterdam, but it’s no secret that the Netherlands’ capital can be packed with tourists.
Architecture in Utrecht
Visiting Utrecht was a welcome change of pace to the crazy commotion that usually happens in Amsterdam. I found the canals to be even prettier than Amsterdam’s, and I really enjoyed just walking around. The vibe here is very different to Amsterdam. It’s a lot quieter. I was able to watch street performers, lazily sit at a café and just relax in Utrecht.
Street performer walking on a tightrope in Utrecht
The vibe of Utrecht is very relaxed.
The Dom Tower was also a super striking structure that I pretty much got all to myself. Utrecht is also known for its novelty museums, including the Railway Museum and Museum Speelklok – a museum dedicated to automated musical instruments throughout the ages.
Another angle of the Dom Tower in Utrecht
Another reason to stay in Utrecht is because of its central location. It’s located almost smack bang in the middle of the Netherlands, and is a great base to explore other destinations, such as Rotterdam, Leiden, The Hague, Arnhem, Zaanse Schans, Delft and Eindhoven.
Why You Shouldn’t Visit Utrecht
Peaceful Utrecht
I would recommend visiting Utrecht if you have at least 2 or 3 days in the Netherlands. If you only have 1 day to explore the country, then you should absolutely check out Amsterdam first – it is the most visited city in the country for a reason!
Utrecht is a very quiet city – even the main roads have few people!
If you’re a person that craves a buzzing nightlife and being around lots of people, then Utrecht probably isn’t the place for you. It does have a relatively good bar scene because of its young university demographic, but it doesn’t compare to Amsterdam’s party scene. Other than that, there’s really no reason to visit Utrecht.
How to get to Utrecht (from Amsterdam)
Utrecht Centraal Station
Getting to Utrecht is extremely easy. We would recommend you take the train, as the Netherlands’ train system is great. From Amsterdam, it’ll only take you 38 minutes by train to reach Utrecht.
Innovative design of Utrecht Train Station
If you’re driving, it will take you around 45 minutes. For the most part, you’ll be driving down a highway as well.
How long should I stay in Utrecht?
How long should you stay in Utrecht?
I think 1 full day will suffice, but try to stay over for a night if you can – or else you might feel a little rushed doing all your Utrecht exploring in one day. If you’re planning on doing day trips from Utrecht, then you should factor this in too, when deciding how long to stay.
How to Best Explore Utrecht
Catching a glimpse of St Martin’s Cathedral
Much of Utrecht could be explored on foot, although some sites are quite spread out - so you may find that going around with a local guide is best for you.
Joining a walking tour also ensures that you’ll get to see the best hidden gems and local secrets the city has to offer. We’ve handpicked these recommended tours for you:
Final Verdict – Is Utrecht Worth Visiting?
So is Utrecht worth visiting?
Yes, Utrecht is worth visiting. I actually enjoyed the quieter Utrecht over busy Amsterdam. I think it’s a bit of a hidden gem that will only get more popular with time, so you should visit while it’s still relatively unknown to tourists.
Picturesque Utrecht
Yes – Utrecht is worth visiting!
I hope this blog post convinced you to visit Utrecht! What do you think of Utrecht? Let me know in the comments below!
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