Location: Utrecht
Top Things to do in Utrecht
What to do and see in Utrecht, Utrecht Province: The Best Things to do Good for Kids
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. Utrecht Free Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 226 reviews
See Utrecht through the eyes of locals. Passionate guides and lively stories, taking you through 2000 years of vibrant history. We are 100% independent and non-commercial. We offer tours every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 12:00. Tours are in English and take 2 to 2.5 hours.
2. Free Walking Tour Utrecht
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 217 reviews
The old town of Utrecht is a fantastic and unique place. Utrecht is packed with surprising locations where the stories, history, and legends are still alive. Utrecht has the highest church tower in the country, fantastic picturesque canals, and wharves, Roman ruins, medieval cellars, a real castle inside the town and much more. Let Free Walking Tour Utrecht show you all the highlights that Utrecht has to offer. And walk a fascinating journey through history. A common reaction after the tour is that the Middle Ages, the Golden Age, and Roman times suddenly don’t feel as ‘long ago’. At the end of the tour your view of Utrecht will be changed forever. Join the tour and book your free spot on the website!
3. Street Food Tour Utrecht
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 56 reviews
Taste, smell, and experience unique places in Utrecht! During the Street Food Tour, you’ll visit the hidden gems that can only be revealed by a local food lover. Besides tasting great food, you’ll see the most beautiful sights during our historical city center walk. What’s included: • All the food, snacks and drinks are included! • Private tour guide / local food expert (2,5 to 3 hours) • Stories about our local delicacy’s and sights • €45,- per person
4. Greetings from Utrecht
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 28 reviews
Greetings from Utrecht is a tour company with local guides. We take you around our beautiful city and show you many hidden gems. Our company specializes in art, culture and food walking and biking tours. Such as our street art tour, gallery tour, Dutch food tour, walking (vegan) dinner and many more! Private and customized tours are available. We can guide you around the city in Dutch, English, French and German.
5. 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.
6. 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!
7. 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.
8. Weerdsluis
9. Greenjoy Boat Rental Utrecht
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Rent your own electric boat to explore the historic Utrecht canals! Enjoy the vibrant city or relax in the beautiful nature around the city in a 6-8 person boat. You can sail the boat yourself and rent as long as you'd like, from 2 hours to a whole day. Book online & enjoy!
10. 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!
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