Utrecht: a city or a village?

Utrecht is at the centre of the Netherlands. It's one of the big cities, but in a Dutch context of course, so if you're from another country it might feel more like a very lively village.

It's known for its beautiful architecture, fun shopping streets, many lovely restaurants and bars, and just a wonderful nice atmosphere.

We used to live near Utrecht so we have gathered many tips for a fun day trip or a couple of days in or around this city, which we'll share in this compact sightseeing guide!

Contents of this guide

• The ultimate city centre tour

• Recommended places in the city

• Recommended places near the city

• Where to go next

The ultimate city centre tour

In case you start at the central station, walk towards the Oudegracht through the Drieharingenstraat. Do some shopping around this area and enjoy lunch here, at the Neude square or Korte Minrebroederstraat. Then, walk all the way through the Voorstraat (again many nice restaurants like Anan or Champañeria los Amigos) until you reach the Wittevrouwenbrug. From here, walk along the old city walls and the river the Singel until you reach Louis Hartlooper. This is a beautiful old movie theatre with a lovely restaurant as well. You can have a drink at the vibrant square across the movie theatre, or go for an amazing (vegetarian) burger at Meneer Smakers.

Then walk through the Twijnstraat, where you'll find lovely shops and cafés and where you can enjoy the beautiful old architecture of Utrecht as well. Once you reach the Gaardbrug, you can continue your way over the Oudegracht again and walk to the city's landmark the Dom church. Also check out the cute hidden gardens called Flora's Hof. Then make your way through the Lijngracht and Zadelstraat where you'll find more nice shops and restaurants. You can finish your walk at the Springhaver movie theatre or the amazing Biercafé Olivier.

Recommended places in the city

• Springhaver and Louis Hartlooper: for a lovely classic movie theatre experience with great coffee, beer, and food as well!

• Biercafé Olivier: a great beer restaurant in an old church, a literal hidden gem

• Champañeria los Amigos: for amazing Spanish tapas and cheap sparkling wine

• O'Panuozzo: for the most amazing Neapolitan pizza

• Sarban: for its delicious Afghan tasting menu

• Tijm: for some lovely coffee and cake

• Café de Zaak: one of the cosiest bars in the city, located on a very atmospheric square, and you can bring your own food here!

Recommended places near the city

Utrecht has some lovely neighbouring cities and nature areas as well, like:

• Loosdrecht: old peat meadows that have been partly harvested which has created a unique cultural landscape

• Naarden: an old fortified city which is beautiful to stroll around!

• Amersfoort: a lovely smaller old Dutch city

• Soesterduinen: a unique dune nature area in the middle of the country

Where to go next?

With a quick train ride, you can be anywhere in The Netherlands. Here are our personal favourites:

• Amsterdam: for the pretty canals and the vibrant city life

• Rotterdam: for a more metropolitan experience

• The Hague: the amazing internationally oriented city by the sea that we call our home, for which we have written a guide as well!

• Den Bosch and Haarlem: smaller typically Dutch and very atmospheric cities

• Maastricht: the gem in the hilly south part of the Netherlands, we love this city and its beautiful environment!

• Nijmegen and Arnhem: two lovely cities with beautiful nature around it, such as the Veluwe or the Posbank

• Waddeneilanden: there are six visitable islands in the north of the Netherlands where the Dutchies come to 'waai uit' (literally blow out, loosely translated: to get some fresh air), we would advise visiting Terschelling, although we have yet to go there ourselves...