Location: Utrecht
Top Things to do in Utrecht
Countries
Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Utrecht, Utrecht Province
This ancient and historic city houses many buildings going back to the early Middle Ages. Until it was overtaken by Amsterdam in the Dutch Golden age, Utrecht was the most important city in the Netherlands. It was and still is the See of the Archbishop of Utrecht, the most important Catholic leader in the Netherlands. The University of Utrecht is the largest in the Netherlands. One of the unique features of the city is the wharf system in its inner canals. Before the city was fully canalized, parts of the Rhine River flowed through the city center. Most prominent of the historic buildings is the Gothic Cathedral of Saint Martin, the construction of which lasted for almost 200 year, beginning in 1254.
Restaurants in Utrecht
1. Rietveld Schroder House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 383 reviews
Reviewed By EmmaE1974 - Utrecht, The Netherlands
Hubby is a huge fan of the architect's furniture and I love modern art so this was always going to be a win for us. Normally visits are in tours of 20 but during covid only 8 people are allowed at a time - 4 people on each floor. It makes for a more personalized experience as you can ask for cupboards to be opened and walls moved. I strongly suggest you ask about the history of the bathroom and to see the bathroom wall be closed. It's fascinating.
2. Dom Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,983 reviews
When you visit Utrecht you will notice the Domtoren almost immediately. The 14th century tower is the heart of the old city centre. At 112 metres, it remains the highest church tower in the Netherlands. The Domtoren is open all year round, and the view of Utrecht is worth seeing in every season. The tower can only be visited as part of a guided tour, during which our expert guides will take you on a historical journey. The tour starts in the Tourist Information Centre on Dom Square and takes about an hour. The Domtoren is in need of extensive restoration work on the exterior and the restoration will take about 5 years (2019-2024) The Domtoren is open for visitors as normal. No work will be done on the inside of the tower so you can visit the chapels and belfry. When you come outside on the galleries at 70 meters and 95 meters you will see some scaffolding but the view is unchanged and as impressive as always. And you get the unique opportunity to see the work up close!
Reviewed By AmirFDM - Nahariya, Israel
A church tower at an altitude of over 100 meters in the center of Utrecht. The tower was adjacent to the church, but today it is separated by a small square. You can take a guided tour of the tower, climb about 480 steps and visit the different floors of the tower. From the top terrace there is a spectacular view of the city of Utrecht. The tour starts at the nearby tourist office. Reservations are recommended.
3. Railway Museum (Het Spoorwegmuseum)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,322 reviews
Reviewed By alanmN9119AF - St. Andrews, United Kingdom
Getting there by train is great it allows you to slow down and forget the rush of the journey to get there. The old station is a step back to a older time. Big ornate and some nice exhibits The WC are old style but modern level of hygiene a difficult balance to achieve. A train on the platform to enter and walk through. Watch out for the cow mooing in the cattle truck as you pass. The other side of the line is the new building. This houses even more of the collection and you have space to move round the exhibits. The building shows its engineering, no pretence of a railway building transformed, suspended walkways and loco 107 up in the air. The interaction screen for her is great. As you turn the monitor you get information on the bit you are looking at. New technology working on old technology, it made me smile. A glimpse at the library / archive made me drool and wonder what treasures it held. A audio story of a walk down to and through the first railways of the Netherlands is informative, human and good ( it can be in English) look out for the mouse. Another section is a “rollercoaster ride” around some exhibits. Fast, slow, dark and light all make it an experience to remember. One of the Orient Express coaches has Europe on one side and Eastern Mediterranean on the other. Showing the beginning and end of the journey, cleverly done. The shop is squarely aimed at the younger ones but that said the technical books were of interest to me even if only in Dutch. The Museum book is good and gives more than the normal simple high level snippet of information on an item. All in all a great way to spend a day. Food is available and coffee is what you would expect from the Dutch good and strong. This is not the only time ill be there I will return as there is more to see.
4. Museum Speelklok
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 846 reviews
Museum Speelklok, the most cheerful museum in the Netherlands! During a visit to the typical Dutch Museum Speelklok, cheerful live music will surround you from centuries-old self-playing musical instruments. The history of these instruments started back in 16th century the Netherlands with the use of church carillons. Over the centuries, the general desire of people to be surrounded by music, led to the invention of all sorts of self-playing musical instruments: musical clocks, musical boxes, orchestrions (self-playing orchestras) and the traditional Dutch street organs. All of these instruments, including the famous street organ named Arabier and the so-called 8th world wonder the Violina, can be admired and heard during the lively museum tour. Thanks to the highly skilled Restoration Workshop, the collection is kept playing and this craft can be passed on from this generation to the next.
Reviewed By Incurable_Romantic - Alexandria, United States
Who’d a thunk you could build a huge museum in a several hundred year-old church filled with centuries worth of musical clocks, automatic organs/pianos, music boxes, and even an automated violin player? Bizarre, fun, and funny! Absolutely MUST do the guided tour, to actually hear the collection play music. Totally a blast!
5. Canals area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,284 reviews
Reviewed By cwtravelgirl - Cardiff, United Kingdom
One of the few cities that I've been to in the Netherlands where there are restaurants/bars right down at canal level, where lots of people rent kayaks or small boats. Stunning!
6. Botanic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 248 reviews
Reviewed By MarkC4313 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
One of the few places in The Netherlands you'll find a small mountain, complete with it's own waterfall. Whilst my age'ed Mother In Law began her ascent of the rocky pathway, my 8 year old went dinosaur hunting. Then he took great delight in all the carnivorous plants and noted how close many of them were to the butterfly house. On retrieving the MIL from the North face of 'Mount Utrecht' we spent some time in the forest walk.
7. DOMunder
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 389 reviews
Discover 2000 years of Utrecht history underneath the Domplein square. Explore the archaeological findings, that date back up to the Roman Castellum ‘Trajectum’, with an interactive flashlight. Walking through the huge pillar foundations of the medieval Gothic Dom Cathedral, history literally springs to life. Experience the destructive tornado of 1674. Daily tours on regular departure times (closed on Monday)
Reviewed By francien2015 - Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Located in the old castellum of Trajectum the DOM under provides an insight in the development of utrecht trough the ages by visited underground ruins really nice to visit
8. Sint Willibrordkerk
9. Griftpark
10. Wilhelminapark
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 168 reviews
Reviewed By Jake23121 - New Jersey, United States
This is a beautiful park to bike or walk outside of the city center. Lots of grass and benches to relax on. It’s a beautiful sight in late April. If you need a break from the city center try coming here.
