Tourist Attractions in Utrecht

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Utrecht

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

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 that. During its history, it has been part of different tribes, empires and kingdoms. It was pagan, Catholic, Protestant. That is why its historical and cultural heritage is rich and diverse.

The programme of getting acquainted with Utrecht can be divided into 2 parts – informative and recreational. The first one includes ancient cathedrals, temples and castles. It is here that the highest church and the largest castle of the country are located. Utrecht’s museums – Railway, Musical Machines, Schröder’s House – are of interest. The main components of the second part of the programme are luxurious parks and gardens, picturesque canals and embankments, cosy pubs and restaurants.

Top-15 Tourist Attractions in Utrecht

Oudegracht

 4.7/5

220 reviews

Numerous water canals with moorings are one of the city’s main attractions. By catamaran, boat or canoe you can go on a fascinating excursion. The Audegracht is the main canal, which was built in the 12th century and runs through the historic centre of Utrecht. It is two-tiered. The additional floor between the water level and the main street used to be used for unloading goods, and there were warehouses here. Today, the ground floor is occupied by restaurants and cafés.

Dom Tower

 4.5/5

7038 reviews

Medieval Gothic church with the tallest bell tower in the Netherlands. Its height is 112 metres. There are 465 steps leading up to the observation deck. The main building of the cathedral is separated from the tower. It is explained by the fact that part of the structure was destroyed in 1674 by a strong hurricane and was not rebuilt. Today, the cathedral hosts church services, organ concerts, and choral singing. In the inner courtyard there is the Bishops’ Garden and a covered arcade with large stained glass windows.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Janskerkhof Bloemenmarkt

 4.6/5

524 reviews

The Dutch are very reverent about growing and caring for flowers, especially tulips. There are flower markets in all major cities. In Utrecht it is located on Janskerhof Square, open on Saturdays. The choice of flowers, indoor plants, trees, spicy herbs and seeds here is incredible. And the prices are quite reasonable – a bouquet of 50 luxurious fresh-cut tulips will cost only 5-7 euros. There are plenty of bars and cafes around the area where you can grab a bite to eat.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Spoorwegmuseum

 4.5/5

13029 reviews

Utrecht serves as the main transport hub of the Netherlands. It is therefore not surprising that a railway museum was opened here. It is located in the building of the railway station, which was closed in 1921. It is a large exhibition hall with models of stations, a collection of carriages and locomotives of different times. Children will be interested in the mini-train, interactive zone, show-rooms. Café and thematic shop are open for visitors. A train runs from the central city station to the museum.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Museum Speelklok

 4.5/5

2924 reviews

The unusual museum has been welcoming visitors since 1956. It is housed in the oldest church in the city, built in 1279. Its collection includes a variety of mechanical music devices from the 18th century to the present day. These include music boxes, toys, clocks and mechanical organs, pianolas, charmers and other mechanisms. Most of the exhibits are functional. Some of them can even be started by hand, but only in the presence of a guide.

Open time

Centraal Museum

 4.2/5

2368 reviews

The huge museum complex is housed in the former convent of St Agnes. It is one of the oldest in the Netherlands, founded in 1838. It includes a picture gallery with masterpieces of Dutch artists, a collection of medieval sculptures, jewellery, historical costumes, furniture, an archaeological exhibition, an archbishop’s museum with religious exhibits, an exposition on the city and its inhabitants. There is a children’s hall with play workshops.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

DOMunder

 4.3/5

692 reviews

You can learn about Utrecht’s centuries-old history and see unique archaeological finds at a depth of 4.7 metres beneath Dom Square. This is where the original underground museum, created in 2014 using state-of-the-art technology, is located. Visitors are given interactive lanterns to illuminate the exhibits and an audio guide gives full information about them. Entrance to the museum is possible only through one staircase.

Open time

Monday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Museum Catharijneconvent

 4.4/5

2106 reviews

Housed in a Catholic convent built in the 12th century. It has been open to the public since 1978. It contains the country’s largest collection of Christian art from the early Middle Ages to the present day. Exhibits include church vestments, paintings by famous Dutch artists, ancient manuscripts, books, sculptures, and unique artefacts made of gold and silver. Visitors are offered an audio tour of the museum’s halls in several languages.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Nijntje Museum

 4.3/5

4042 reviews

Utrecht is the birthplace of artist Dick Brown, creator of Miffy the bunny. This cute character from 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 the favourite hero. There are several colourful play areas on different themes, and across the street there is a shop with Miffy souvenirs. The museum is designed for young and middle-aged children. A children’s ticket costs 3 times as much as an adult ticket.

Open time

Beatrix Theater

 4.4/5

6074 reviews

Located in the city centre, on Jarbeurs Square. It is named after the reigning queen of the Netherlands. It is a musical theatre where musicals are mainly staged. It was established in 1999. The opening was marked by the staging of one of the most successful musicals – Chicago. It is designed for 1500 spectators. In the foyer there is an exhibition of paintings and sketches by contemporary artists and famous musicians. In front of the entrance there is a 5-metre sculptural composition called “Disclosure”.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Utrecht Botanic Gardens

 4.6/5

3179 reviews

One of the most picturesque and quiet corners of Utrecht. Almost 400 years old. Belongs to the local university. Occupies an area of 8 hectares. It contains greenhouses, a complex of swimming pools and a system of gardens. There is a place for more than 10 thousand species of plants, many birds, reptiles and butterflies. There is a specialised shop, a cafe, benches for rest. Excursions are planned in such a way as to show visitors the plants that are currently at the peak of their blossom.

Right now place is temporarily closed.
Please re-check in future

Wilhelminapark

 0/5

Historic park in the eastern part of the city. It opened to the public 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 body of water and numerous old trees. There is a beach area, picnic areas and the promenade along the reservoir is a suitable place for walking and sports.

Sonnenborgh Observatory

 4.4/5

500 reviews

Housed within the walls of an ancient structure that was part of the city’s bastion in the 16th century. It was founded in 1853 on the initiative of Utrecht University. 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. The building also houses a museum of astronomy and meteorology, with a separate exhibition dedicated to the history of the bastion.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 1:00 – 5:00 PM

Rietveld Schröder House

 4.5/5

1101 reviews

It is under UNESCO protection. A unique neo-plasticist structure built almost 100 years ago. It is hard to believe, as its unusual design is still admired today. It was built according to the idea of Truss Schröder, she lived here until 1985. Then the building was restored and turned into a museum. The house has two floors, no internal walls, all the furniture is compactly folded, a lift rides between floors to serve food, and the doors are opened by means of buttons and levers.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Castle De Haar

 4.6/5

16454 reviews

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

Open time

Monday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM