When you think of a holiday in the Netherlands , you first and foremost imagine the vibrant capital Amsterdam or relaxation on the North Sea. However, the student city of Utrecht has also turned out to be a real insider tip. Because if you spend your holidays in this city in the center of the Netherlands, you can admire many beautiful sights and make new discoveries again and again.
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Important information about Utrecht
Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands. Around 350,000 people are at home here. The urban area of Utrecht covers a total area of almost 100 m². The best time to visit Utrecht is between April and October. The highest average temperatures are reached in July and August. It is coolest in January and February. You can experience a real highlight if you plan your Utrecht holiday in late summer. At the end of August and beginning of September, the popular Oude Muziek festival takes place, where you can attend numerous musical performances.
How to get there
There are several ways to get to Utrecht. If you want to travel by plane, select the destination airport in Amsterdam, which is only about 30 kilometers away. Alternatively, you can use the airport in Rotterdam, which is about 45 kilometres from Utrecht.
In addition, Utrecht is very easy to reach by car due to its central location. For example, you can use the E30 or the A12, which leads directly into the city. Travelling by train is also easy: the city station is the largest in the Netherlands and is served by around 1,500 trains every day.
The sights in Utrecht
Whether it’s a short city trip or a longer stay during your holidays: there are various sights in Utrecht. The city’s landmark is the striking Utrecher Cathedral. It has a height of 112 meters, making it the largest church tower in the entire country.
If you spend your holiday in Utrecht, you should definitely climb the cathedral. From the top, you will experience an impressive view of the city with its many canals that wind between the houses. The ascent to the cathedral is possible as part of a guided tour, so that you will receive a lot of interesting information about the building on the way up.
You will also have the opportunity to explore the underground: Below the Utrecht Cathedral, you will learn more about the history of the Roman fort that once stood on this site on the DOMunder Tour. Of course, the building itself also has a lot to offer. It is built in the Gothic style and impresses with stylish decorations. After the visit, stroll through the courtyard with cloister and beautiful hedges and herbs.
Another flagship of the city are the magnificent canals. Here, visitors can take exciting boat tours. For example, you can opt for a guided tour or a paddle trip. The shipyard cellars are adjacent to the canals. When the weather is nice, you can sit on the quays in front of the cellars and enjoy the view of the water. Numerous cafes and bars invite you to linger.
A special experience is also the Trajectum Lumen, a route that takes you along various light art installations in the city. You can explore this route from the water, but also on foot.
Museums in Utrecht: lots to see
There are numerous museums in Utrecht that you should visit. A first address is the Centraal Museum. It scores above all with its versatility. There are changing exhibitions for every taste. They marvel at exhibitions of modern art, but also old works. Design prints can be seen just as much as fashion. Of particular interest are the exhibits by the De Stijl group and Gerrit Rietveld.
Younger guests will get their money’s worth in the Miffy Museum opposite. The focus here is on the children’s book character Miffy.
You should also plan a visit to the railway museum. There you will be amazed by the magnificent processions and can also become active yourself.
Museum Speelklok specialises in various self-playing instruments. They examine mini music boxes, see pianolas and look at large barrel organs. The museum is housed in a former church. In a former monastery is the Catherijneconvent, which presents ecclesiastical works of art. It scores with beautiful furnishings in a modern style. In any case, you should take a look at the imposing treasure chamber in the basem*nt. Children enjoy the interactive activities.
As you can see, a trip to Utrecht has something for everyone. Discover now!
