If you are visiting the Netherlands, you may be asking yourself “Is Utrecht worth visiting?” Before I get into all the details, I would say yes, Utrecht is worth visiting for many reasons.
It’s just a 30-minute train ride from Amsterdam and works as a fantastic day trip or even base during your travels in the Netherlands.
Here’s why you should visit the charming city of Utrecht in the Netherlands.
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This article was last updated in January 2025.
Is Utrecht worth visiting?
Upon first visiting Utrecht, I didn’t have a lot of expectations. I wanted to explore a city that would be an easy day trip from Amsterdam, and I saw that Utrecht was just a half hour train ride away.
When I got there, I first noticed how lovely the train station was. Then, the city opened up to me. I first walked through a more business/shopping street that felt really modern. But then, when I arrived at the Oudegracht, the main canal in Utrecht, I was pleasantly surprised.
As I explored the city, I actually found that it was lovelier than Amsterdam. It felt immensely cleaner, the streets were far less busy, and it had a cozy and friendly atmosphere.
The main canal guides you through the city, and it’s extremely picturesque with two levels (there are more homes and restaurants right on water level). It’s like Amsterdam with canals and bridges, but so much calmer.
Beyond the main canal, there’s a lot of places to go shopping, take in historical sites like the country’s tallest church tower, and enjoy some drinks and dining as well. There is a lot of rich history in Utrecht.
It’s also a university town, home to Utrecht University, so it has a youthful energy that brings along fantastic coffee shops, fun bars, and good places to go shopping.
Besides, being a half hour away from Amsterdam, it’s easy to visit. You don’t have to feel pressured to spend the entire day here because you’ll be just a short train ride away from the big city.
Where is Utrecht?
Utrecht is located at the very center of the Netherlands, east of Amsterdam. It’s part of the Utrecht province, which is the smallest and the third most densely populated province of the country.
As for the city’s size, it’s the fourth largest in the Netherlands. And thanks to being a university city, it has a young population with many locals in their 20s.
Geographically, there are three main waterways that run through Utrecht’s city center and add to its character. These are the Oudegracht (Old Canal), Nieuwegracht (New Canal) and Stadsbuitengracht (City Outer Canal).
How to Get to Utrecht
The best way is to take the train from Amsterdam to Utrecht. The duration is just 30 minutes and trains run frequently, so you can easily visit late morning or afternoon until the evening.
Take the train from Amsterdam Centraal, and if I remember correctly, it is a direct train with no other stops before arriving in Utrecht.
You could also cycle there, if you were using an electric bike particularly. It’s a unique way to enjoy a day trip from Amsterdam and see more of the country along the way.
Visiting Amsterdam? See how to spend 4 days in Amsterdam, including a day trip to Urecht.
Things to Do in Utrecht
If you’ve decided you’d like to visit Utrecht and are convinced by my reasons for if Utrecht is worth visiting, then here are some of the best things to see and do in Utrecht.
And if you considering “Is Utrecht worth visiting?” before you’re planning a day trip, see my 1 day Utrecht itinerary to see how to put it all together.
Oudegracht
The Oudegracht is the main canal in Utrecht. Throughout much of the Middle Ages, Utrecht was the cultural heart of the Netherlands, thanks in part to the Rhine River flowing directly through the city.
As you may know, the Rhine River no longer runs through the city. In the 12th century, locals altered the river’s course, creating the iconic Oudegracht, or Old Canal, in its place.
Over time, this waterway became a bustling hub. Shipyards and expansive cellars were constructed at water level to store goods and ship parts, for example. As the centuries passed, some of these places were no longer neeeded and were turned into shops, restaurants, and residences. You’ll see this when you visit Utrecht. The Oudegracht’s now has a distinctive “split-level” design.
This unique setup leads to many possibilties during your time in Utrecht. You can sit at open-air cafés right by the water or explore boutique shops or even book an Airbnb at a home perched just a level above.
For more about the history and charm of Oudegracht, check out Visit Utrecht’s official page.
I recommend wandering along the canal, popping into any shops that spark your interest, and grabbing a coffee at one of the best cafes in Utrecht like Blackbird Coffee & Vintage, Tijm – Coffeehouse & Dinnerbar, or Darras Coffee Roasters.
Dom Tower
One of the best reasons to visit Utrecht is to visit the Dom Tower, which is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands at 112 meters. It dates back to the 1300s and is a rich part of Dutch history.
Up until 1674, the tower was part of St. Martin’s Cathedral. However, it was separated when a tornado ripped through Utrecht on August 1st that year.
And if you visit on a Sunday or during a special holiday, you will be able to hear the 14 tolling bells hanging in the Utrecht Bell Tower (7 of them dating back to the early 16th century).
Anywho, you can visit the top of the tower during your 1 day in Utrecht. There are 465 steps to the top, offering some great city views. You will have to opt for a guided tour (available in Dutch and English) to explore the tower.
DOMunder & Dom Square
Instead of going up the tower, perhaps you’d like to beneath the square it’s located within. This experiences takes youe beneath the Dom Square for a look at 2,000 years of Dutch history.
Gead below the surface of the square using torch lights to see centuries of archaeological findings and reasons for Utecht’s role as the center of the Netherlands in the Middle Ages. You’ll even learn about that catastrophic storm of 1674 that separated Dom Tower’s nave from the church.
The tour is super interactive and it’s easily one of the coolest things to do in Utrecht!
Grab your DOMunder tickets in advance for €14.50. The tour is available everyday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
St. Martin’s Cathedral (Domkerk)
I loved visiting St. Martin’s Cathedral during my day trip to Utrecht. The courtyard is a little relaxing oasis in the city and the Gothic exterior makes the church very picturesque.
As you walk through the church, you’ll see some stained glass windows, old world chandeliers, sculptures, and all the other pretties you’d expect from a 13th century cathedral.
The church is free to visit and is open most days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s only open in the afternoon from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday.
Café Ledig Erf or Brothers In Law Taphouse
Toward the end of the canal, furthest from where you began your Utrecht itinerary, you’ll find some cool places for drinks in the city.
I enjoyed Café Ledig Erf and their selection of craft beers. They have a huge terrace as well as indoor seating. I definitely recommend the terrace so you can watch the city move around you. However, they didn’t seem to have food, so if you’re hungry cross the bridge to Brothers In Law Taphouse.
The Taphouse has a fantastic pub-style food menu with burgers (veggie-friendly options), main dishes like ribs or jambalaya, as well starters like loaded fries, nachos, and crunchy cabbage.
Seven Alleys (De 7 Straatjes)
This is more of a hidden gem to discover on your stay in Utrecht! It’s a small neighborhood built on the edge of the canal for Utrecht’s working class of the 1800s.
As the name suggests, it is made up of 7 different streets, but none of them have a dead end. The local government set requirements on the way new streets were built as a way to combat diseases that were spreading rapidly in the region.The design was meant to allow for better air flow.
Now the neighborhood has a really cozy, closeknit atmosphere. It was sunny when I walked through it and there were family’s sitting out on plastic chairs talking to each other, kids running through the streets, doors wide open; everyone felt really comfortable to be themselves.
Utrecht walking tour
If you’d like to learn more about Utrecht, uncover hidden gems, and learn more about the city’s history and charm, I suggest doing this Utrecht walking tour.
It’s super unique and quirky and will help you fall in love with Utrecht and all its secret places and iconic spots.
The tour starts in Dom Square and is led by a local expert in all things Utrecht. Walking through all the parts of the tour takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon in this beautiful Dutch city.
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