19 Best Utrecht Tourist Attractions

The city of Utrecht is located in the central region of the country and is steeped in medieval history. Centred around the Dom Tower, the car-free city centre means that your experience of the popular Utrecht tourist attractions will in no way be compromised.

An interesting fact about the Dom Tower is that it can be seen from any point in and around the city – the real hero of this lively Dutch city.

The network of canals (de grachten) winds through the city and there are many things to do in Utrecht that involve these beautiful waterways. There are also many monuments and other things to see in Utrecht that are of historical Dutch significance.

In this article, you will learn about some of the favorite Utrecht tourist attractions that make this university town special. From the many museums in Utrecht to the canals, De Haar Castle, Cathedral Church, and everything in between. The little Amsterdam, as it is affectionately known, has a big heart and is bound to capture yours.

Read more: Where to stay in Utrecht – a comprehensive guide of the best places to stay in Utrecht and the most popular neighborhoods

DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase via one of those links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost for you.

Top Utrecht tourist attractions not to miss!

On the map below you can find the best things to do and see in Utrecht. You can download it and use offline, or the locations to your own map, so that you can easily find the attractions you want to visit.

1. Botanic Gardens Utrecht

Of the many Utrecht attractions, the Botanic Gardens are a fantastic way to begin your adventure of discovery in the city. Located on the Utrecht University campus, the gardens have a beautiful zen-like aura to them and are bound to relax even the most highly-strung individuals.

The Botanic Gardens in Utrecht are one of the oldest University gardens in the Netherlands. They date back to 1639. They were originally designed as a medicine garden for teaching purposes. Today, you can enjoy there a Discovery Garden, an Evolution Garden, a Rock Garden, and a Tropical Greenhouse with butterflies, among others.

2. Canal Cruise Utrecht

A canal cruise in Utrecht is what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris – unmissable! Shipping Company Schuttevaer has been in the canal cruise business since 1960 and is more than capable of making your trip through de grachten both informative and memorable. You will be able to see many of the top Utrecht tourist attractions from the water which provides a unique perspective of the city.

As an added bonus, the company has put together a package that includes some of the things to do in Utrecht – I’m talking about a crepe lunch at one of the dedicated pancake restaurants, a tour of the Stadkasteel Oudaen brewery (and tasting, of course), and a traditional stage play at the Werftheater.

3. Cafes along the canals

If you’re looking for a pit stop during your Utrecht sightseeing adventure, the numerous cafes and waterside terraces along the canals are a must! De Winkel van Sinkel is one of the most well-known of these waterside cafes and is the perfect ending to a day of exploring.

De Rechtbank, formerly the best terrace in the whole country, offers it all – breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, and even a high tea. Wijncafe Levebvre, on the other hand, is the perfect place for a quick glass of vino and a snack.

4. Central Museum Utrecht

The Central Museum Utrecht (Centraal Museum Utrecht) is one of the oldest museums in Utrecht and the Netherlands – it has been in existence since 1838. Many of the works housed in the museum are by local Dutch artists and there is a mixture of permanent and changing exhibitions on display. The museum is housed since 1921 in the former St. Agnes of Rome Cloister (Agnietenklooster), built 1420.

Some of the noteworthy artworks on display include the Utrecht Ship, the Matchmaker, and The Brides of Dracula. The museum also houses the largest collection of paintings by Joachim Wtewael, a Dutch Mannerist painter from Utrecht and once town councillor.

5. Cathedral Church

St. Martin’s Cathedral, also referred to as Dom church, is a Protestant church in Utrecht that was built in 1254. It was originally connected to the Cathedral tower but the two have been divided since a destructive tornado in 1674.

Inside this beautiful Gothic building are an array of pews, tomb, and of course, the stunning stained-glass windows. An interesting fact about the sculptures in the church is that they are either damaged or beheaded. This was because of the Iconoclastic Fury (Beeldenstorm) of 1566 and subsequently have been left in their damaged state as a reminder of this turbulent times.

Every Saturday at 3:30 pm there’s a Saturday Afternoon Concert in the church, which can be visited free of charge.

6. DOMunder

Underneath the Dom Square, more than 2,000 years of history awaits you. DOMunder is one of those things to do in Utrecht that really gives you the feeling of going back in time. Not only will you get a lesson in archaeology as you traverse the foundations of the Dom Cathedral, but you will also have a fantastic history lesson. This exhibition will take you through the ages dating back to 45 AD to the time of the destructive tornado.

You’re able to discover DOMunder alone but if you really want an in-depth experience, it is recommended that you book a tour with an accompanying guide to take the experience to the next level.

The ruins that you’ll see under the Dom are from the Roman fort Traiectum, which was part of the Lower German Limes – the newest UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Netherlands.

7. Museum Catharijneconvent

Museum Catharijneconvent is one of the museums in Utrecht that focuses solely on religious medieval art and houses many of these artefacts as well as other historical Dutch pieces. It is essentially Christianity through the years in the Netherlands from both a Protestant and Catholic perspective. Some of the other notable works include paintings by Rembrandt, a treasury housing precious metal artefacts, and many, many more.

The museum is housed in the former 12-century cloister of the Order of Saint John (Johannieters) dedicated to Catherine of Alexandria (287?,282? – 305).

8. Museum Speelklok

Museum Speelklok is one of the most unique museums in Utrecht – it consists of self-playing musical instruments that play continuously. These instruments date back hundreds of years and it’s a rather impressive feat that they are still fully functional today. There are a number of other attractions within the museum such as a giant clay clock, the Royal Room, and the Museum Expedition. It’s a great outing for the whole family as you discover the pianolas, music boxes, and barrel organs.

9. National Military Museum

When visiting Utrecht, things to do just outside the city include a visit to the National Military Museum in Soest. Founded in 2014, the museum focuses on the Dutch Armed Forces and you’re able to listen to firsthand stories of what life is like for these individuals.

The collection of pieces housed in the museum date back thousands of years and include some of the earliest known stone tools. There is also a range of tanks and aircraft on display – you’ll even be able to fly in a F-16 simulator and attempt to tame this beast.

You can also hear there the gripping stories of bravery told by Marco Kroon and Gerben Sonderman. If you’re feeling energetic, there is also an obstacle course for you to try out and see if you have what it takes to make the cut.

10. The Railway Museum

The next of the recommended museums in Utrecht to visit is the Railway Museum (Spoorwegenmuseum) located just a few hundred meters from the Centraal Museum. Housed in the former Maliebaan Train Station, the museum will guide you through the history of the Dutch Railways (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) and the interactive elements make it a great family outing.

There is even a replica ticket window inside the grand lobby hall before being able to take over the reins in the simulator and drive these amazing machines. If ever you have wondered what it was like to be onboard the Orient Express, look no further. 

11. The Rietveld-Schröder House

The Rietveld-Schröder House is one of the Utrecht tourist attractions that is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is considered to be an architectural masterpiece and is one of the top things to see in Utrecht. It was designed by the Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld and built in 1924 as part of an art movement known as De Stijl. De Stijl or “the style” aimed to value abstraction and simplicity.

The upper floor of the Rietveld-Schröder House is designed as a completely open space. Aside from a separate bathroom and toilet, there are no indoor walls at all upstairs. In keeping with De Stijl principles, everything has a specific primary colour such as black window frames, blue doors, and so on.

12. De Haar Castle

De Haar Castle (Kasteel de Haar) is the most impressive of all Utrecht attractions, although located a few kilometers outside of the city. Without a doubt the most famous and most visited castle in the Netherlands, it’s also the largest castle in the Netherlands.

De Haar Castle was built around 1390 and after by De Haar family it was owned by the famous Van Zuylen. The castle was restored in 1892 by the famous Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers in a Neo-Gothic style. The castle is surrounded by a beautiful park and gardens in the style of Versailles. You can visit the park separately from the garden.

13. Flora’s Courtyard

When exploring the centre of Utrecht, places to visit are easy to come by. But not all of them are as easy to find. Tucked away behind the Steven Sterk bookshop lies Flora’s Courtyard (Flora’s Hof) – a somewhat forgotten piece of Dutch history underneath the Dom Tower.

The Episcopal Palace once stood on the grounds until it was demolished in 1803. Today, it is a beautiful little garden – a peaceful escape from the bustling city centre and one of the more relaxing Utrecht tourist attractions. It’s the perfect urban escape to read your book and enjoy some downtime after a busy day exploring.

14. Papal House

The Papal House (Paushuize) was originally commissioned and built for the only historical Dutch Pope, Adrian VI (Adrianus VI) (1459–1523). He had the house built with the hope of returning to Utrecht to enjoy it after his duties to Charles of Spain had been completed.

Unfortunately, this was not the case as a year after being elected Pope, Adrianus Vl died and never returned to Utrecht. The Royal Commissioner occupied the building in the 19th century and today it can be hired as a function venue – far off from what the Pope had envisioned for the space.

Address: Kromme Nieuwegracht 49, 3512 HN Utrecht
The Papal House is not open for visits but you can take a virtual tour here.

15. SOIA – Strand Oog In Al

A beach in the middle of a land-locked city centre – surely not! Think again! SOIA or Strand Oog In Al is one of the Utrecht attractions that boggles the mind somewhat. On a warm summer’s day, this is one of the favourites of all the Utrecht tourist attractions and much-loved amongst the locals.

It’s the perfect urban venue to relax by the water, have drinks, a bite to eat, or simply read your book. It’s something for the whole family and besides, who doesn’t love a barbeque in the summertime.

Address: Kanaalweg 199, 3533 HL Utrecht

16. Miffy Museum

For those families with younger children, Miffy Museum (Nijntje museum) is one of the most ideal places to visit in Utrecht. It’s the perfect way to discover the artworks of Dick Bruna in a fun, interactive environment – it really promotes the Montessori approach of learning through play.

Miffy, the main character in a large number of Bruna’s books, allows children into her world of adventure and imagination as they learn what a day in her life is like. 

17. Máximapark

Máximapark is a 300-hectare park located on the west side of the city and is the perfect escape from the busy city. Inside this multifaceted park in Utrecht, attractions include a skate park, cycle paths, grassed areas, and a butterfly garden.

The former agricultural land was converted into this large, inner-city oasis and the design is based upon four core pillars – the Ribbon, the Binnehof, the Parkpergola, and the Vikingrijn. There is also a multitude of ponds, bridges, and places to go swimming – making it one of the favourite Utrecht tourist attractions as well as for the locals.

At one end of the park you can find another famous attraction in Utrecht – Castellum Hoge Woerd – a modern take on an Ancient Roman fort, that tells the story of the ancient Romans who reached as far to the north as Utrecht. There’s also a museum where you can learn about the Roman Empire and its northern frontier which has beed added in 2021 to the UNESCO List with World Heritage Sites in the Netherlands.

The park was officially opened in 2013 by Queen Máxima.

Address: Castellum Hoge Woerd, Hoge Woerdplein 1, 3454 PB Utrecht

18. Twijnstraat

Twijnstaat (Twijn Street) is definitely one of the favourite places to visit in Utrecht for those who love shopping. Located in the centre of the museum quarter, Twijnstaat is the oldest shopping street in the city. There is a large choice of shops ranging from everyday establishments to more specialist and boutique offerings. There are also many restaurants to choose from when you need to grab a bit to eat or something to quench your thirst on your journey of discovering the many Utrecht attractions. Most of the buildings alongside this street are historical monuments.

19. Dom Tower

Last, but not least, on the list of the top Utrecht tourist attractions is the Dom Tower. The Dom Tower is the tallest church tower in the whole of the Netherlands standing at a height of 112 meters. This impressive cultural landmark was built between 1321 and 1382 and can be seen from almost every corner of the city.

Once a part of the cathedral, the Dom Tower now stands alone due to a destructive tornado that whipped through the city in 1647. For those up to climbing the 465 stairs to get to the top, you will be rewarded with unparalleled views of the city, gazing upon many of the other famous Utrecht attractions. Or you can choose to take the lift to the top.

How to get to Utrecht

Utrecht is perhaps the easiest day trip from Amsterdam by train. It takes a bit less than 30 minutes to reach Utrecht from Amsterdam (Amsterdam Centraal). The train station in Utrecht (Utrecht Centraal) flows into a gigantic shopping mall with numerous shops, restaurants and cafes. You can spend the whole day there, not even getting out of the train station, but that won’t be fair for Utrecht.

Centrally located in the Netherlands, Utrecht can be easily reached from anywhere in the country by train. This is also the best way to travel to Utrecht.

Pro tip: Buy your train tickets online with the Dutch Railways (NS) for hassle-free travel. On the website of NS you can also check for any discounts.

Here are some distances to Utrecht from other major cities and the time it takes by train to Utrecht:

• Amsterdam – Utrecht: 40 km; 30 min
• Schiphol – Utrecht: 50 km; 30 min
• Eindhoven – Utrecht: 90 km; 50 min
• Rotterdam – Utrecht: 60 km; 40 min
• The Hague – Utrecht: 65 km; 40 min
• Den Bosch – Utrecht: 50 km; 30 min
• Groningen – Utrecht: 190 km; 2 hr
• Maastricht -Utrecht: 180 km; 2 hr

Tip: Read this post about using the public transport in the Netherlands. It’s packed with tips that only a local knows!

Final words

From the list above, it is evident that when visiting Utrecht, things to do are easy to come by. There are many places to visit in Utrecht and this buzzing little city, the little brother of Amsterdam if you will, ceases to disappoint.

It is an effortless commute from other major cities in the Netherlands and intercity trains are by far the most efficient way to reach the city. The network of buses and trams make navigating the city easy for young families or the elderly, if walking is not an option.

There are many Utrecht tourist attractions that cannot be missed, just like a trip to Utrecht itself. This comprehensive list of things to see in Utrecht should more-than-suffice when planning your trip to navigate your way around the wonderful country of the Netherlands.

Do you need some extra help to plan your trip to the Netherlands? Join the dedicated Exploring the Netherlands Facebook Group, where you can get tips from other travellers and locals. Or perhaps you have questions or comments? Join the group and I’ll be happy to answer them.