More

    Tourist Attractions in Utrecht

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Utrecht. Photos and a brief description.

    Utrecht
    overcast clouds
    66.1 ° F
    68 °
    63.8 °
    76 %
    0.6mph
    86 %
    Thu
    68 °
    Fri
    70 °
    Sat
    67 °
    Sun
    71 °
    Mon
    73 °
    About Utrecht

    The Dutch respect and cherish their culture, history, architecture and traditions. And the city of Utrecht in the heart of the Netherlands is a clear proof of this. Throughout its history, it has been part of various tribes, empires and kingdoms. It was pagan, Catholic, Protestant. Therefore, its historical and cultural heritage is rich and diverse.

    The program of acquaintance with Utrecht can be divided into 2 parts – educational and recreational. The first includes ancient cathedrals, temples and castles. It is here that the highest church and the largest castle in the country are located. Of interest are the museums of Utrecht – the Railway, Jukeboxes, the Schroeder House. The main components of the second part of the program are luxurious parks and gardens, picturesque canals and embankments, cozy pubs and restaurants.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Utrecht

    Utrecht Canals

    Numerous water channels with berths are one of the main attractions of the city. By catamaran, boat or canoe you can go on an exciting excursion. The Audegracht is the main canal built in the XII century and permeates the historical center of Utrecht. It is two-tiered. An additional floor between the water level and the main street used to be used for unloading goods, there were storage rooms here. Today, the ground floor is occupied by restaurants and cafes.

    Utrecht Canals
    Utrecht Cathedral with a tower

    Utrecht Cathedral with a tower

    Medieval Gothic church with the highest bell tower in the Netherlands. Its height is 112 meters. There are 465 steps leading to the observation deck. The main building of the cathedral is separated from the tower. This is due to the fact that part of the structure was destroyed in 1674 by a strong hurricane and was not restored. Today, divine services, organ concerts, and choral singing are held in the cathedral. In the courtyard there is a Garden of Bishops and a covered arcade with large stained glass windows.

    Flower Market

    The Dutch are very sensitive to the cultivation of flowers, especially tulips, and the care of them. There are flower markets in all major cities. In Utrecht, it is located on the Janskerkhof Square, open on Saturdays. The choice of flowers, indoor plants, trees, herbs and seeds here is simply incredible. And the prices are quite reasonable – a bouquet of 50 luxurious freshly cut tulips will cost only 5-7 euros. There are many bars and cafes in the area where you can have a snack.

    Flower Market
    Railway Museum

    Railway Museum

    Utrecht serves as the main transport hub of the Netherlands. Therefore, it is not surprising that the railway museum was opened here. It was located in the station building, which was closed in 1921. It is a large exhibition hall with models of stations, a collection of wagons and locomotives of different times. Children will be interested in a mini-train, an interactive zone, showrooms. A cafe and a theme store are open to visitors. A train runs from the central city station to the museum.

    Jukebox Museum

    The unusual museum has been receiving visitors since 1956. It is located in the oldest temple of the city, built in 1279. His collection includes a variety of devices with mechanical music, from the XVIII century to the present day. Among them are music boxes, toys, watches and mechanical organs, pianos, hurdy–gurdy and other mechanisms. Most of the exhibits are functional. Some can even be started with your own hands, but only in the presence of a guide.

    Jukebox Museum
    Utrecht Central Museum

    Utrecht Central Museum

    A huge museum complex is located in the building of the former monastery of St. Agnes. One of the oldest in the Netherlands, founded in 1838. It includes an art gallery with masterpieces by Dutch artists, a collection of medieval sculptures, jewelry, historical costumes, furniture, an archaeological exhibition, an archiepiscopal museum with religious exhibits, an exposition on the theme of the city and its inhabitants. There is a children's hall with game workshops.

    Dominder

    You can get acquainted with the centuries-old history of Utrecht, see unique archaeological finds, being at a depth of 4.7 meters under the Dome Square. It is here that the original underground museum is located, created in 2014 using the most modern technologies. Visitors are given interactive lanterns with which the exhibits are illuminated, and the audio guide gives full information about them. The entrance to the museum is possible only by one staircase.

    Dominder
    Museum of Religious Art

    Museum of Religious Art

    It is located in the building of a Catholic convent, built in the XII century. It has been open to visitors since 1978. It contains the largest collection of Christian art in the country from the early Middle Ages to our modern times. Among the exhibits are church clothes, paintings by famous Dutch artists, ancient manuscripts, books, sculptures, unique artifacts made of gold and silver. Visitors are offered an audio course through the halls of the museum in several languages.

    Miffy Museum

    Utrecht is the birthplace of the artist Dick Brown, the creator of the bunny Miffy. This cute hero of children's books and cartoons is known all over the world. One of the city's museums is even dedicated to him. There are toys, sculptures, books, postcards with your favorite hero. There are several colorful game zones on different themes, and there is a shop with Miffy souvenirs across the street. The museum is designed for young and middle-aged children. A children's ticket costs 3 times more than an adult.

    Miffy Museum
    Beatrix Theater

    Beatrix Theater

    It is located in the city center, on Jarbeurs Square. Named after the reigning Queen of the Netherlands. This is a musical theater, where musicals are mainly staged. It was established in 1999. The opening was marked by the production of one of the most successful musicals – Chicago. It is designed for 1,500 spectators. In the lobby there is an exhibition of paintings and sketches by contemporary artists and famous musicians. In front of the entrance there is a 5-meter sculptural composition called "Exposure".

    Botanical Garden

    One of the most picturesque and quiet corners of Utrecht. Age – almost 400 years. It belongs to a local university. It occupies an area of 8 hectares . It contains greenhouses, a complex of swimming pools, a system of gardens. There was a place for more than 10 thousand species of plants, many birds, reptiles and butterflies. There is a specialized store, cafe, benches for recreation. Excursions are planned in such a way as to show visitors plants that are currently at the peak of their heyday.

    Botanical Garden
    Wilhelmina Park

    Wilhelmina Park

    Historical park in the eastern part of the city. It was opened to visitors in 1898. It was then that the young Queen Wilhelmina ascended to the throne. The design of the park was created in the style of English landscape gardens. Today it is one of the most beautiful parks in the Netherlands, with a large pond and numerous old trees. There is a beach area, picnic areas, and the embankment along the reservoir is a suitable place for walking and sports.

    Sonnenborg Observatory

    It is located in the walls of an ancient structure that was part of the city bastion in the XVI century. It was founded in 1853 on the initiative of the University of Utrecht. The observatory is public, everyone can observe celestial bodies, but only from September to April. There are 4 telescopes, one of them is the oldest in Europe. Also in the building there is a museum of astronomy and meteorology, a separate exhibition is dedicated to the history of the bastion.

    Sonnenborg Observatory
    Schroeder House

    Schroeder House

    It is under UNESCO protection. A unique building in the style of neoplasticism, erected almost 100 years ago. It's hard to believe, since its unusual design is still a delight today. It was built according to the idea of Truss Schroeder, she lived here until 1985. Then the building was restored and turned into a museum. The house has two floors, there are no internal walls, all the furniture is compactly folded, an elevator goes between the floors to serve food, the doors open by means of buttons and levers.

    De Haar Castle

    Located 20 km from Utrecht, in the village of Harzulens. A majestic castle with numerous towers, gates, bridges, moats around the perimeter, landscaped parks and gardens. One of the most beautiful in Europe. It was built in the XIV century, but acquired its current appearance after reconstruction in the XIX century. Until 2011, it belonged to the van Zeylen family. Inside the palace there are 200 living rooms with luxurious decor, a large collection of paintings, tapestries, porcelain and antique furniture.

    De Haar Castle