10 Historical & Heritage Tours in Utrecht That You Shouldn't Miss

November 29, 2021 Roger Rusk

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. 3 Hours itinerary between Amsterdam & Utrecht: The Heart Of Holland In A Sidecar

Utrecht Zuilen, 3551 VG Utrecht, Netherlands Holland Sidecar Tours
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Historic, rural and sidecar fun experience This is a very divers rural and historic tour. And so much more fun then a normal tour just because of the fact we do it with a sidecar. Explore the beautiful and diverse centre of the provinces of Holland and Utrecht, which includes rivers, lakes, forests, polders, medieval castles, golden age mansions, windmills, the royal palace and pancakes while riding a sidecar. I am Marco Hupkes, your guide. My background is: traveller, guide, outdoor-instructor, comedian, teacher of history. Allow me to show you my home country and I'm sure we will have great fun together. See you soon and have a nice day. By the way: if you have tour ideas of your own let me know. I love to do tailormade things. Greetings, Marco.

Inclusions: Sidecar - 1 place in sidecar and 1 place on the back of the bike (4 places if the trip is done by car) - Fuel - Helmets - Multi-lingual Dutch driver/tour guide - Fun

Exclusions: Any kind of food and drinks excluded.

2. Guided tours during Corona in Amsterdam and the Netherlands.

Elisabeth’s Tailor Made Tours
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Personalised and off the beaten track tours. Hidden pearls of the Netherlands. All ages and nationalities. History, culture, art, sustainebility, architecture, nature, local stories and more will be integrated in the tour.

Inclusions: Gidsen service.

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Reviewed By Passenger616333

I thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Amsterdam with Elisabeth. She has insider knowledge of places off the beaten track and is very friendly and helpful.

3. Utrecht Private Tour: City Center Mystery Exploration Game

Broodnodig Mariaplaats B.V., Mariaplaats 49, 3511 LM Utrecht, Netherlands Questo Utrecht | City Games & Tours
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4.5 based on 21 reviews

Embark on a quest around Utecht by solving clues to find an elusive monster hiding in the city, all with the help of your smartphone. Unlock new stories as you discover on your own the Dom Tower, Mariaplaats, Pandhof Domkerk, and more. + Discover amazing houses, churches, and museums + Find out memorable stories of the city + Solve clues and discover hidden gems Each clue will lead you from one place to another, giving you exact directions, so you won’t need a map, a GPS or a guide. When you solve it and guess the answer, the secret story of that place is unlocked. It will take you from 1 to 2 hours to complete, but there’s no time limit, you can finish it at your own pace. You won’t need a guide, just download the app, go to the starting point and you’re ready to go on a city exploration adventure. As you solve the clues, you'll discover new locations and stories.

Inclusions: Full flexibility: start at any hour, take a break at any time and resume later, This tour is always available. We are open 24/7, every day of the week., This is the safest tour you can book: private, no human contact, you will avoid crowds., Play offline: you DON'T NEED an internet connection to play this city game

Exclusions: A physical tour guide

4. Utrecht Day Trip from Amsterdam with a Local: Private & Personalized

Utrecht, Netherlands CityUnscripted

The university city of Utrecht is only a quick 30-minute train ride from Amsterdam, and well worth the trip. You’ll join one of our local Amsterdam hosts for a personalized experience of this quirky town. See iconic sights like the medieval Domtoren and Castle de Haar or walk along Oudegracht and grab some lunch and an artisanal coffee at Stadskasteel Oudaen. Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Inclusions: Private and personalised experience, 8 hours with a host, Transportation cost to and from Utrecht, which takes around 30 minutes by fast train, Walking experience once at destination (other transport can be arranged at an additional cost), Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Tickets to any attractions, Additional transportation costs , Gratuities (optional)

Reviewed By cbassmix

Anna Aksionova was my tour guide for a 5 hours visit of Amsterdam and I really enjoyed it She was very well educated of the places and history of Amsterdam. I will remember this tour for a very long time!

5. Full Day Private Tour to Ghent from (Greater) Amsterdam (4-7 travelers)

Tulip Day Tours

Ghent, not as big as Antwerp and less touristy than Bruges. This cozy city is fairly close to the Dutch border and therefore excellent for a day trip! The train from the Netherlands to Ghent can be a time-consuming and expensive undertaking. But you don't need to hassle with trains to take a peak across the border with Belgium. Just have your own private guide from a multiple award-winning tour operator take you to the medieval city. Upon arrival in Ghent, set off on a private guided walking tour to get to know the city and learn about its radiant history and secrets. After the tour you have some personal time to explore the city. The city has some of the best things to do in Belgium. The tour ends at St Bavo’s Cathedral so that you can have a look at the world's most frequently stolen painting: 'The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb'. This painting was also featured in the movie Monuments Men. Or visit Gravensteen, shop or simply sit down and indulge yourself in the local cuisine.

Inclusions: Comfortable, corona-proof transportation from the Netherlands to Belgium and back, Pick-up and drop-off , Private, local guide for 10 to 11 hours, 75 min private guided walking tour in English, Headsets to hear the guide clearly and to maintain social distancing, All taxes, fees and handling charges

Exclusions: Guide gratuity (up to you!)

Reviewed By Voyage112709

I was looking for an off the beaten path tour and came across Tulip Day Tours. From the moment I made the tour reservation, I just have to say that the service was awesome. The Dutch weather is unpredictable, and Marloes would email me few days beforehand informing me about the upcoming weather forecast and leave it to me to decide whether to proceed/postpone/cancel the trip as she wanted me to have the best experience on the island. We finally made it after 3 postponements (my choice) and boy, what an awesome trip! Corona measures were in place from the moment I was picked up - I got my temperature checked, hand sanitized and the mini van was installed with screens. Marloes also prepared a breakfast bag which I enjoyed on the way to the ferry. It was my first time on an e-bike and it is seriously the best way to explore the island. With Marloes guiding, I cycled through meadows with grazing sheep and cows, along the island coast and in the forest. We made pitstops in cute little villages and I also had a delicious pancake with local cheese and beer. Marloes would tell me fun facts about the island and also little things that might go unnoticed for visitors in the Netherlands. I had a great time on the island with Marloes. I rank this trip high on my travel experience. Truly I was so happy with the trip I did not hesitate to book their Giethoorn and Kayaking trip!

6. Private Amsterdam Castle and the city of Utrecht tour

Private Day Tours Amsterdam

Your private guide will drive directly to the Muiderslot also known as “Amsterdam castle”. Your professional and certified guide will take you around through this beautiful castle with its unique collection. He will let you learn about its impressive history and strategic importance. After the castle visit your guide will drive along the idyllic countryside beside rivers, passing country mansions, windmills and farmland in direction of Utrecht. In this graceful city your guide shows you the highlights of the city center with a walking tour, where you will get to see the highlights of Utrecht like the massive Domtoren, the unique canals, the Pope House and hidden cloisters. During the tour you will learn a lot about the interesting history of the Netherlands and that of Europe. Depending on the opening hours of The Muiderslot the tour can also start in Utrecht instead. After this journey we will be happy to drop you off at your hotel, vacation address, boat pier or Schiphol Airport.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Food and beverages not included

Reviewed By Barbara R

Our guide, Steven Atterson, treated us to a wonderful day in Geithoorn and Hasselt. The trip gave us a new experience in the Netherlands, combined with interesting history and discussion along the way. He took us to a local restaurant, with the best pea soup I have ever had. The entirety of the day felt like a traditional and local Netherlands experience. Steven is knowledgeable and easy to be with for the day. I highly recommend him as your guide for any Netherlands tour you desire to take.

7. Magic Christmas Tour in Utrecht

Domplein, 3512 JE Utrecht, Netherlands Fun Top Fun Utrecht

The exclusive tour only in the Christmas period! This special times brings magic Utrecht. Utrecht's ancient city centre features many buildings and structures. Together with the professional local guide, you will visit the most beautifully decorated places. You will feel spellbound with the charming atmosphere in the streets which you can feel only this time of the year! What is the story of the Christmas tree? Who was the first to decorate it in the world? What magical things can happen during the Christmas period? Have you heard about Christmas spells? You will hear miraculous Christmas legends about Utrecht. You will visit the old-fashioned Christmas Market in the city. What makes it so popular? What local products is must taste at Christmas? Fill your heart with the joy and experience magic of Utrecht.

Inclusions: Professional Guide

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8. Castles, Canals and Good Folk: Explore the old city on an audio walking tour

Hoog Catharijne P5 (Utrecht), Rijnkade 16, 3511 LC Utrecht, Netherlands VoiceMap Utrecht

Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, having started out in the 1st century as a Roman frontier fort. It has always been important and has the scars and the achievements to prove it. Join me on this self-guided GPS audio tour along canals and down laneways that have witnessed the passing of Knights, Emperors and Beguines. We will explore the less familiar northern quarters of the old city, to castles; a wartime bunker; poetry on high, lofty mansions and little cottages. Utrecht is located in the centre of the country and is easy to get to from anywhere. You will come to understand the vitality of today's Utrecht more clearly through the layers of its near and distant past. There are also plenty of places to stop on the way to pull up a chair, order a coffee and watch the world walk, drift, or cycle by.

Inclusions: Lifetime access to this tour in English, VoiceMap App for Android and iOS, Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Exclusions: Smartphone and headphones, Transportation, Food and drink, Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

9. Edam & Volendam - Private Countryside Tour from Amsterdam / Haarlem / Schiphol

Tulip Day Tours

The first stop is Edam, a quaint, red-roofed village in the aptly named region of Waterland. With its rich history, Edam has more to offer than just cheese! What began as a settlement of farmers and fishermen in the 12th century, developed into a prosperous town well into the 17th century. Shipbuilding and cheese were important for this development. Upon arrival in Edam, start with a guided walking tour. After the walk you have some personal time for your own explorations or to grab a bite before traveling overland to Volendam. In Volendam, set off on a guided stroll through the quaint streets and enjoy the view of the small houses, canals and drawbridges. This fishing village has preserved centuries of tradition. Enjoy some personal time before making the transfer back to your drop-off address.

Inclusions: Comfortable, air-conditioned transportation, Pick-up & drop-off in the region, Private guide for the day, Edam: 45-min live-guided walking tour in English, Volendam: 1hr- live-guided walking tour in English, Headsets to hear the guide clearly, Water and apples, All taxes, commissions and handling charges

Exclusions: Guide gratuity (optional)

Reviewed By Voyage112709

I was looking for an off the beaten path tour and came across Tulip Day Tours. From the moment I made the tour reservation, I just have to say that the service was awesome. The Dutch weather is unpredictable, and Marloes would email me few days beforehand informing me about the upcoming weather forecast and leave it to me to decide whether to proceed/postpone/cancel the trip as she wanted me to have the best experience on the island. We finally made it after 3 postponements (my choice) and boy, what an awesome trip! Corona measures were in place from the moment I was picked up - I got my temperature checked, hand sanitized and the mini van was installed with screens. Marloes also prepared a breakfast bag which I enjoyed on the way to the ferry. It was my first time on an e-bike and it is seriously the best way to explore the island. With Marloes guiding, I cycled through meadows with grazing sheep and cows, along the island coast and in the forest. We made pitstops in cute little villages and I also had a delicious pancake with local cheese and beer. Marloes would tell me fun facts about the island and also little things that might go unnoticed for visitors in the Netherlands. I had a great time on the island with Marloes. I rank this trip high on my travel experience. Truly I was so happy with the trip I did not hesitate to book their Giethoorn and Kayaking trip!

10. Self-Guided Sightseeing Tour of Utrecht

Domplein 20, 3512 JD Utrecht, Netherlands Utrecht Qula City Trail

Price per group of 2-6 people. Within 2 hours the Qula Utrecht City Trail will guide you along the best spots in Utrecht, while playing fun riddles and assignments on your smartphone. Try to set a top score with family or friends and explore the city. There are no fixed starting times or reservations, you pick your own day and time. The Trail is available 24/7 and there is no time limit - you can start, pause and stop whenever it suits you! It's offered in multiple languages (Eng, Ger, Fr, Ned, Sp, It and more). The Qula City Trail is great fun and the most affordable outing for families and groups of friends. How does it work? With your booking, you will receive an e-mail with instructions on how to play the Trail on your smartphone. Android or IPhone compatible. Once at the starting point, you begin your quest through the city, it's that easy!

Inclusions: A super exciting City Trail for a team of max. 6 people!

Exclusions: Smartphone & Data

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