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Things to do in Utrecht

Our most recommended things to do in Utrecht

Utrecht: City Canal Cruise

1. Utrecht: City Canal Cruise

See the highlights of Utrecht's medieval inner city during a cruise on the Oudegracht canal. Learn about the city's history as you pass centuries-old buildings, canal houses, wharf cellars, and the Dom Tower. Exchange your voucher at the ticket office and collect your audioguide. Then, descend the 21 steps to the waterside to board your boat. Once you are settled, the boat will set off along the Oudegrachtn (Old Canal). Admire the oldest part of the city, which dates back to Roman times. Then, pass the highest church tower in the Netherlands, the Dom Tower. Marvel at other significant historical buildings along the route. After half an hour, arrive at the city's outer moat, a former defensive structure. Learn about the old strongholds and casemates there. Take photos of the beautiful Zocherpark. See the Railway Museum or Hoog Catharijne, the largest mall in the Netherlands, from the water. Return to the Oudegracht canal and watch people enjoying themselves on the wharves. Try and spot the typical wharf cellars. Once back on dry land, you will have a good idea of what you want to visit next.

Utrecht: De Haar Castle and Park Entrance Ticket

2. Utrecht: De Haar Castle and Park Entrance Ticket

Immerse yourself in history at iconic De Haar Castle. Admire its picture book medieval architecture, see its opulent interior, learn about the famous guests who have stayed there, and explore its tranquil grounds. Encounter a medieval fortress with towers and ramparts, moats, gates, and drawbridges. Marvel at the setting as the fairytale-like castle rises majestically from parkland filled with impressive trees, old gardens, and ponds. Take a walk in its tranquil parklands. Visit the Rose Garden or Roman Garden. Discover its ponds and canals, as well as the many bridges, romantic vistas, and impressive avenues ideal for long walks or picnics.

Utrecht: Highlights and Secrets with a Walking Tour

3. Utrecht: Highlights and Secrets with a Walking Tour

Whereas the NY Times describes Utrecht as a city that deserves more than a pleasant day trip from Amsterdam, according to a leading Australian news site, the city has the most beautiful canals of Europe. And they are right. With its iconic Dom Tower, churchyards, the old city centre and its canals, Utrecht is absolutely stunning. A walking tour of Utrecht is a fantastic way to discover Utrecht. Meet your guide at Vredenburgplein, the square nearby the train station and The Mall. Embark on a walking tour through the old city centre with your knowledgeable guide and learn about the city’s history that started around 2,000 years ago when Utrecht was part of the Limes; the northern border of the Roman Empire. During the tour you not only learn about historical Utrecht, but also about history is connected to contemporary issues that play a role in Dutch society. Follow your guide to the city's main square for it houses the historical Dom Church. With its dominating tower, it is Utrecht's pride and joy. Continue through little cobbled streets and churchyards; all leading to what has been for centuries the city’s main artery, the 1.5 mile long old canal Oudegracht. Along and nearby the canal there are many cafés and restaurants. A great way to getting to know the city with all its 'secrets'!

Utrecht: The Monster Mystery Exploration Game

4. Utrecht: The Monster Mystery Exploration Game

Play a real-world quest in Utrecht as a monster hunter who is tasked to find an elusive beast that threatens the city. Solve the clues you receive on your smartphone and save the people of Utrecht. Along the way, you will find new locations and unlock amazing stories. After you buy the quest, you will receive an access code that you can use in the app. The quest 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. This game is one of the most unique ways to have fun whilst acquainting yourself with the marvelous city of Utrecht. It's a fantastic game for families and groups of friends. If you are a large group, one person can purchase access for the entire group by selecting the number of people in the group. All group members will be able to play the city game on their smartphone. Alternatively, each person can purchase their own ticket. You can play as a group and solve the clues together as you walk, or you can split into smaller groups/teams and compete against the others. Each person can also play on their own, separate from the group, and meet the group at the end.

Utrecht: Silver Betrayal - City Exploration Game

5. Utrecht: Silver Betrayal - City Exploration Game

Dive into a (partly) fictional story of Utrecht in the 17th century. You follow Jan, a hard working family man on a typical day of work in 1622. What starts out as a normal day, soon takes a turn for the worst. Help Jan by finding out what's happening and who's responsible. He needs your help. On your route you'll get a peek in the history of Utrecht and discover sights and buildings that are either gone or repurposed. Utrecht has one of the most beautiful old city centers of europe. With this game the city gets an extra layer thanks to storytelling, gamification, augmented and virtual reality. It’s time to discover the city in a whole new way! You decide when to start and when to take a break. The adventure and flexibility makes this city game one of the best activities for during your stay in Utrecht.

Utrecht: National Railway Museum Admission Ticket

6. Utrecht: National Railway Museum Admission Ticket

The Dutch Railway Museum, also known as the Het Spoorwegmuseum, is your chance to explore the wonderful world of trains. Explore the museum's extensive collection of locomotives, carriages, scale models, steam engines, paintings, and railway material and objects. Visitors to the Railway Museum enter through the fully restored historic Maliebaan Station built-in 1874. While in the museum, you can see the impressive SS 13, also known as De Bril. While you're at the Railway Museum, visit its 3 saloon coaches and the authentic Royal waiting room. Take a behind-the-scenes look at a railway yard throughout the age of steam. Walk along with the Maliebaan Station platform and visit the Model Stockroom, which is filled with a collection of railway models. Take a ride on the Steel Monster and explore under, between, and above steam engines. Visit the Techlab while at the Railway Museum and learn everything there is to know about electric trains.

Utrecht: De Haar Castle Gardens Entrance Ticket

7. Utrecht: De Haar Castle Gardens Entrance Ticket

Visit the tranquil landscaped parklands of the famous De Haar Castle. Discover its ponds and canals, as well as the many bridges, romantic vistas, and impressive avenues ideal for long walks or picnics. Explore castle grounds which are over 55 hectares in size. Encounter calming areas like the park forest and the former menagerie, ideal for an attractive private walk. Explore features like the maze, the large deer park, the romantic covered bridge, and the picnic meadow. Walk amongst some 7,000 trees, some of which are up to 140 years old. Visit areas like the Roman Garden, with its Ha Ha rampart, or see the Rose Garden, containing over 1,200 roses in 79 different varieties which bloom beautifully every summer.

Small Group Tour to Castle De Haar from Amsterdam

8. Small Group Tour to Castle De Haar from Amsterdam

Let us take you to the most beautiful castle in the Netherlands. We will leave Amsterdam at 10:15 in the morning. Kasteel de Haar is only a 45 minutes’ drive away from Amsterdam and takes you back in time. In a small group tour we have about 3.5 hours to visit the castle with its stunning rooms, its gardens, and the beautiful, landscaped park around it. Kasteel de Haar is characterized by its rich and extravagant history and the many special stories hidden behind the castle walls. During the transportation our local guide will tell you something about the Netherlands and answer all the questions you might have.

Vecht River: Private Tour Sightseeing Cruise

9. Vecht River: Private Tour Sightseeing Cruise

Enjoy a private tour and a sightseeing cruise along the Vecht River. Admire the views of scenic castles, old draw bridges, and 17th-century river estates with their tea domes and colorful gardens along the route. Enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner at an exclusive restaurant, overlooking the river. Start from your hotel or a central location of your choice in Amsterdam. Your private party will be picked up by the guide with a comfortable car and driven to the Vecht river to board on a classical open-topped boat. Toast with a glass of bubbly and enjoy the next two hours cruising by stunning castles, old draw bridges, and 17th-century river estates with their tea domes and vibrant gardens. Listen to tales of life along the river by a local skipper/guide, and get a good impression of the summer life of the wealthy merchants in the Dutch golden age. Enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner of your choice at a classy restaurant with a terrace at the river. After this relaxing private tour, you will be returned to your hotel.

Amsterdam Castle & Utrecht City - Private Day Tour

10. Amsterdam Castle & Utrecht City - Private Day Tour

After being collected from your accommodation, your private guide will drive you 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. They will inform you of its impressive history and strategic importance, as you observe the castle and its gardens. Following the castle visit, your guide will drive through the idyllic countryside beside rivers, passing country mansions, windmills, and farmland in the direction of Utrecht. In this graceful city your guide will show you the highlights of the city center throughout a walking tour. On your walking tour you will get to see the highlights of Utrecht, such as the massive Domtoren, the unique canals, the Pope House, and hidden cloisters. Throughout the duration of your tour you will also learn a lot about the interesting history of the Netherlands and Europe. Depending on the opening hours of The Muiderslot, the tour can begin in Utrecht instead. Following this inspiring journey, your guides will happily drop you off at your hotel, the boat pier, or Schiphol Airport.

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Frequently asked questions about Utrecht

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What people are saying about Utrecht

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 651 reviews

A fun and interactive way to see more of the city center of Utrecht. For this price you can also play against each other in teams by answering the questions correctly as quickly as possible. I saw a lot of things that I would normally walk past or not get to. We (21 and 22 years old) found it surprisingly fun and definitely recommend it.

Sell as many places. While it is impossible to move in the aisles, there are so many people. We would have thought we were on line 13 on a strike day. We have understood that the money must return to the detriment of the well-being of visitors. Well done the national museums.

I like the castle and the gardens. The castle is impressive, well preserved, with many details and ornaments.

Very personable guide, lots of exciting information about Utrecht

A mix of of history and art. A much recommended tour!