Utrecht is one of the Netherlands’ most likeable cities; lively, historic and easy to explore on foot. It’s only about 30 minutes from Amsterdam by train, so it’s perfect for a day trip or a relaxed weekend.
I spent a day and a half in Utrecht on one of my trips to the Netherlands and found a city full of charm, with pretty canals, inventive museums and one of the world’s most beautiful libraries.
Utrecht has the same lovely canals and gabled houses as Amsterdam, but with fewer crowds (for now – it’s just been named as one of Lonely Planet’s best places to visit in 2026) and a more local feel. It’s also full of surprises, from underground Roman ruins to a night-time light trail that turns historic buildings into art.
Here are the best things to do in Utrecht, whether you’re just visiting for a day or staying a little longer.
1. Climb the Dom Tower
The Dom Tower is Utrecht’s most famous landmark and the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. The tower was once part of the cathedral next door, but a storm in the 1600s destroyed the middle section, leaving the tower standing apart.
To visit, you’ll need to join a guided tour and climb 465 steps to the top. It’s a bit of a workout, but the views make it worth it, and on a clear day you can see all the way to Amsterdam. Inside, you’ll pass huge bells and learn about the tower’s long history.
Back on the square, step inside the cathedral (Domkerk) and the cloister garden behind it. It’s free to enter (although it’s nice to leave a donation) and a peaceful place to take a short break before continuing your sightseeing.
When I visited Utrecht, the Dom Tower was unfortunately covered in scaffolding for a restoration that needs to happen every 50 years; it’s looking much better in the more recent photos I’ve seen!
2. Discover Utrecht’s history underground at DOMunder
DOMunder is one of the most unusual museums I’ve ever visited. Right below Dom Square, DOMunder takes you underground to explore 2,000 years of history. Armed with a magic torch and an audio guide, you wander through archaeological ruins, from a Roman fortress to the remains of the old cathedral that collapsed in 1674.
There’s a short introductory talk to help you get your bearings, then you’re free to walk around, pointing your magic torch at anything that looks interesting to trigger the audio guide. It’s great fun for both adults and children. Tours run in timed groups and can sell out, so it’s best to book in advance.
Read more: the best museums in Amsterdam
3. Explore Utrecht’s canals
Utrecht’s canals look a bit like Amsterdam’s, but there’s a twist. The main canal, the Oudegracht, runs on two levels. The lower level has old wharf cellars that have been turned into cafés, shops and restaurants, while the upper level is lined with streets and bridges. In the warmer months you can sit by the water with a drink, then climb a few steps and be back in the middle of the city.
The quieter Nieuwegracht canal is also lovely, with elegant houses and tree-lined paths, while the wider Stadsbuitengracht, the old city moat, weaves its way through parks which were once part of the city defences. You can explore Utrecht’s canals on foot, take a canal cruise or even rent a kayak.
4. Enjoy quirky mechanical music at Museum Speelklok
Museum Speelklok, sometimes called the Music Box Museum, is one of Utrecht’s most charming attractions. Inside a former church, you’ll find an entire collection of self-playing instruments, from tiny music boxes to enormous street organs. My favourite was a little white rabbit, although it was pretty creepy and I’m not sure I’d actually want it in my house!
Join one of the regular guided tours (included with your ticket) to hear them play. The guide activates each instrument so you can experience the music as it was meant to be heard.
5. Visit the Dutch Railway Museum
Just outside the city centre, the Dutch Railway Museum (Spoorwegmuseum) brings the golden age of train travel to life. It’s set in the 19th century Maliebaan Station which has been beautifully restored, but this is a very modern museum which combines history with hands-on exhibits.
You can walk between old steam engines and gorgeous midcentury railcars, explore themed galleries on the history and future of railways and see a giant train set.
Some of the displays feel more like theatre sets or theme park rides than museum exhibits, and the Orient Express section includes an actual show. Allow at least a couple of hours here as it’s way bigger and more engaging than you might expect. I was headed to DOMunder afterwards and I had to keep changing the time of my reservation because I just hadn’t seen everything I wanted to at the railway museum!
6. Follow the Miffy trail
Utrecht is the hometown of Dick Bruna, the creator of the much-loved children’s character Miffy (known as Nijntje in Dutch). Fans with young children can visit the play-based Miffy Museum, where Bruna’s storybooks come to life in interactive rooms. It’s best to book ahead as it’s very popular with families.
As an adult on my own, it didn’t feel right for me to visit the Miffy Museum, but there are lots of other places to see Miffy in Utrecht. Look for the Miffy traffic light near the shopping centre, the small Miffy Square on the edge of the city centre, more Miffy statues outside the Centraal Museum and a sculpture of Bruna with his famous rabbit on Mariaplaats.
7. Admire the Utrecht Public Library
Utrecht’s Public Library is one of the most beautiful buildings in the Netherlands, and together with DOMunder and the Railway Museum, it was a big part of why I wanted to visit Utrecht.
Housed in a former post office on the Neud square, it’s a gorgeous, striking space with high arches, patterned brickwork and dramatic art deco details. The ribs of the ceiling make it feel a little like being inside a very beautiful whale. You can wander in for free during opening hours to admire the building, find a quiet corner or stop for a coffee in the café.
8. Follow the light trail after dark
When the sun goes down, Utrecht lights up in a different way. Utrecht Lumen is a series of illuminated art installations dotted around the old town. I did a guided tour, but the route is free to follow and takes about an hour if you do the full loop, though it’s easy to dip in and out.
Look out for the colourful tunnel on Ganzenmarkt and the lights beneath the bridges near the Dom Tower. You can pick up a map from the tourist office or download the route to your phone. It’s a lovely way to see the city’s landmarks at night.
Read more: The best way to visit the Amsterdam Light Festival
9. Step inside the Centraal Museum
The Centraal Museum is Utrecht’s main art and history museum, covering everything from medieval religious art to modern design and fashion. There are paintings by Utrecht’s own Caravaggio-inspired masters, furniture by Gerrit Rietveld and a small section about Miffy’s creator Dick Bruna, including a recreation of his studio. There are regular temporary exhibitions in addition to the permanent collection.
10. See modern design at the Rietveld Schröder House
Architecture fans shouldn’t miss the Rietveld Schröder House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site just outside the centre. Designed in 1924 by Gerrit Rietveld, it’s one of the best examples of the Dutch De Stijl movement, known for its geometric shapes and blocks of primary colour. You might be more familiar with it from Piet Mondrian‘s paintings of straight lines and coloured blocks.
Inside, movable walls and built-in furniture show how forward-thinking the design was for its time. Visits are by guided tour only and must be booked in advance. It’s easy to reach by bus or bike and gives a real insight into how radical Dutch design was a century ago.
11. Go shopping
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Utrecht is full of interesting independent shops as well as Dutch and international chains. I particularly loved the shops along Twijnstraat and Oudegracht just to the south of the city centre, where you can browse vintage clothing stores, specialist food shops, crafting stores and gift shops, including a cat-themed gift shop and an arty postcard shop. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants dotted in between the shops if you need a break from the retail therapy.
Next door to the station, the Hoog Catharijne shopping centre is one of the largest indoor malls in the Netherlands, with virtually every chain store you could ever need.
12. Catch a free carillon performance
A carillon is a musical instrument which rings tuned bells, either by having a carillonneur play them using a keyboard (a bit like a piano) or automatically. There are four carillons in Utrecht, and if you visit Utrecht at the weekend, you can treat yourself to a magical, free carillon concert.
On Saturdays at 11am, you can hear the 50 carillon bells of the Dom tower ring out with traditional tunes and pop covers. On Sundays, head down to Nicolaïkerk at 2pm for another beautiful performance by the city’s carillonneur.
13. See the Letters from Utrecht art installation
One of the most thought-provoking sights in Utrecht is the Letters from Utrecht art installation. It’s a line of carved stones running through the city’s cobbled streets, each one engraved with a single letter that forms an ongoing poem.
A new stone is carved by a stonemason on site every Saturday at 1pm, meaning the poem slowly grows week by week and could, in theory, continue for centuries. You can find the Letters from Utrecht along Oudegracht starting at the Smeebrug and heading south.
14. See the statue of beloved Biru the dog
On your way to the railway museum and the other sights in the southern part of the city centre, look out for the statue of Biru the Chow Chow dog at Servaasbrug. Biru lived near the park with his artist owner Joop Hekman, but he preferred to sleep outside at this spot and became a well-loved neighbourhood character.
More things to do in Utrecht
If you have more than one day in Utrecht, there’s plenty more to explore.
- The Sonnenborgh Museum of astronomy is housed in a 19th century observatory. There are regular stargazing events. You can also explore Utrecht by follow a walking trail around the solar system, starting with the sun at Dom Square.
- Museum Catharijneconvent houses medieval art in a former monastery, with gold and silver treasures and works by Rembrandt, Jan Steen and their peers, plus special exhibitions. From mid-November to early December, there’s a special festive exhibition about Sinterklaas (St Nicholas – Dutch Santa).
- The University Museum is a family-friendly museum full of science, nature and medical curiosities, part of the historic University of Utrecht.
You can also simply spend time people-watching from a canal-side bar or visit one of the many board game cafés. Utrecht’s relaxed pace is part of its charm.
When to visit Utrecht
I visited Utrecht in early December, just as the city was gearing up for 5 December, the day when Sinterklaas delivers presents in the Netherlands. Winter can be a bit chilly but Utrecht is one of the cosiest cities I’ve been to, with warm cafés everywhere you look.
Spring (March to May)
Spring is one of the nicest times to visit Utrecht. The city starts to come back to life after winter, as café terraces open up, tulips appear in the parks, and the canalsides look especially pretty. Temperatures climb from around 8 °C (46 °F) in March to about 15 °C (59 °F) by May, with longer daylight hours and fewer crowds than the peak of summer.
If you’re visiting in late May, you might catch the SPRING Performing Arts Festival, which fills theatres and public spaces across the city with dance and experimental performances. It’s one of the Netherlands’ most creative events and gives Utrecht an extra buzz.
Summer (June to August)
Summer in Utrecht is warm but rarely uncomfortably hot, with average highs around 21 °C (70 °F). The days are lovely and long, which means plenty of time for sightseeing, canal cruises and relaxed evenings by the water.
Summer in Utrecht often means festival season. In mid-June, Central Park Festival brings live music and a friendly crowd to the city’s parks, while Orbit Festival at nearby Fort Vechten adds a creative mix of outdoor music and art in July. At the end of August, the Festival Oude Muziek transforms Utrecht’s churches and concert halls with performances of early and classical music.
Autumn (September to November)
Autumn is one of my favourite times to visit the Netherlands and Utrecht. The trees along the canals turn golden, and the city takes on a softer light that’s lovely for photos. September in the Netherlands still feels like late summer, with highs around 17 °C (63 °F), but by November it’s cooler and wetter, so bring layers and waterproof shoes.
If you visit in early autumn, you can still enjoy outdoor cafés and the start of the new cultural season. The Gaudeamus Muziekweek in September focuses on modern and experimental music, while theatres and galleries reopen with new shows. By November, the focus shifts indoors, and you might plan your trip around the Le Guess Who? Festival, one of Europe’s best small music and culture festivals, which takes place across venues throughout the city.
Winter (December to February)
Utrecht in winter feels cosy and intimate. The old streets and canals in the city centre look beautiful, and the cafés and restaurants are perfect for warming up between museums – although the city centre is so compact that you won’t need to spend too much time outside if the weather’s bad.
Daytime highs sit around 5 °C (41 °F), dropping close to freezing at night, so wrap up warm and expect some rain. I was very glad of my thermals on a tour of the Trajectum Lumen light trail!
Christmas and New Year events
The run-up to Christmas gives Utrecht an extra sparkle. Fairy lights twinkle above the canals, and the scent of stroopwafels and glühwein fills the air. Rather than having a Christmas market spanning the entire festive season, there are lots of smaller events from November into the New Year.
Christmas events in Utrecht include:
- Winter Station at the Railway Museum, 13 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, one of the most special Christmas events in the Netherlands. The whole museum is transformed into a winter wonderland, with an ice rink and festive events.
- Winter Shopping (Winterwinkelen), Sunday 23 November 2025, a maker’s market with workshops and music
- Magical Nights at De Haar Castle, 6 December 2025 to 4 January 2026. De Haar Castle is around 12 miles from the centre of Utrecht. With its fairytale turrets, it’s a fitting location for what’s described as the most magical winter walk in the Netherlands.
- Molen de Ster Winter Market, 13 and 14 December 2025, a Christmas market under a windmill, with festive gifts, live music and Christmassy food and drink.
- U on Ice, 8 to 26 December 2025, a temporary festive ice rink on Jaarbeursplein near Utrecht central station. Entry and skate hire is free.
How to get to Utrecht
Getting to Utrecht is so easy. Trains from Amsterdam Centraal or Amsterdam Zuid take less than 30 minutes and run several times an hour. The station is in the city centre, so you can walk straight out into the old town.
If you’re coming from Schiphol Airport, direct trains take around 35 minutes. Utrecht is also well connected to Rotterdam, The Hague and other Dutch cities, making it ideal for a short stay or a base for day trips.
Once you’re in the city, you can walk almost everywhere. Buses and trams cover the suburbs, and bike hire is widely available near the station.
Where to stay in Utrecht
Utrecht has a good mix of hotels, from budget options to boutique stays in historic buildings. I stayed at the Crown Plaza Utrecht which was right next to the railway station – perfect for dropping off my luggage and getting straight out to explore, and for heading back to the airport the following evening.
Other well-rated hotels in Utrecht include:
- Mother Goose Hotel, a stylish boutique hotel just off Neude Square in the heart of the city centre
- Conscious Hotel Oudegracht, a newly-opened stylish stay on one of Utrecht’s prettiest canals
- BUNK Hotel Utrecht, an affordable and fun hostel/hotel mix with bunks and private rooms, set in a converted church near the station
In summary: is Utrecht worth visiting?
Utrecht combines the best of the Netherlands – canals, culture, history and a welcoming atmosphere – all in one compact city. Whether you visit Utrecht on a day trip from Amsterdam or spend a weekend exploring all the sights, it’s one of those places that makes you wonder why it isn’t better known.
If you’re planning a wider trip, you might like my guides to the best day trips from Amsterdam, things to do in Rotterdam, whether the I amsterdam city card is worth it and things to do in Zandvoort, Amsterdam’s beach resort.
