Things to do in Utrecht

The green parklands, historic buildings and charming canals and quaysides are sure to please any traveller to Utrecht, while the city’s markets and museums offer endless hours of fascinating exhibits and traditional items for sale.

The Almshouses

The Almshouses are located in Haarlem and are rows of terrace houses that were built in the 14th century by the rich townsfolk for the elderly poor. The houses reflect the architecture of that period and are no longer occupied by the poor, but instead by the middle class. What sets the Almshouses apart from other such houses in several parts of the world is that they are not built around a central courtyard, which was the standard design for Almshouses at that time.

Zocher Park

JD Zocher was the famed landscape architect who designed Zocher Park at the invitation of the Mayor of Utrecht. Zocher began his work of converting the bastions into a park in 1828, and the result is nothing less than astounding. Stretching over four kilometres, the park is a peaceful oasis of shady trees, flowering plants and pathways. The park is one of five Dutch parks that belong to the National Heritage.

Bloemenmarkt (Flower Market)

The market lies along the Singel canal and is filled with flowers and bulbs including Dutch tulip bulbs. There are sidewalk cafés nearby with fantastic views of the market. Flower parades are held and many of the floats are decorated with daffodils and dahlias. Bloemenmarkt is easy to get to, but there are also several smaller flower markets within Utrecht city as well.

The Dutch Waterline

The Dutch Waterline is a narrow strip of land that acts as a defence against invasion when flooded. The technique of flooding to prevent invasion was skilfully and successfully used by the Dutch several times. In 1672, the Dutch Waterline was flooded to prevent an invasion by the French. The French were not able to attack because of the rising waters. Nowadays, the area has no practical defensive use and is open to visitors.

The Dom

The Dom’s tower is known as the symbol of Utrecht, as it was built on the spot where the city was founded more than 2,000 years ago. From the top of the tower, visitors will be treated to a splendid view of the city that takes in the vista of the Utrecht Hills, St John’s Cathedral and the Amsterdam Arena. The cathedral itself is famed for its stained glass windows, and is home to one of the few remaining working neo-Gothic organs.

Canals

Utrecht’s canals contribute to the flavour and charm of the city. Visitors will enjoy strolling along the picturesque quaysides, lined with restaurants and shops. Some of the waterways, constructed in the 12th century, are still used today, and are bordered by beautiful old homes, shops and markets.

Rietveld Schroder-Huis

The Rietveld Schroder-Huis, designed by Gerrit Rietveld, is a World Heritage site that is open to tourists. The home is best known for its modern design that includes portioning, a concept now commonly used in many hotels to either close off or make rooms larger. Tourists can discover why the colours used were red, black, yellow and blue with combinations of white, grey and black when they visit the house. 

Museums

There are several museums to visit in Utrecht including the Central Museum and the National Museum. The Central Museum houses a collection of items that date back to the Middle Ages and the National Museum is home to the musical clock and street organs that once were a common feature of Utrecht. It also has an exhibition of musical clocks, fairground organs, pianolas and other old musical instruments. The Almhouses, mostly built in the 14th century, are very interesting, as their designs are quite unique. Many of the Almhouses have been declared World Heritage sites,  been recently restored and are occupied.