Local Information

Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands, and the history of the city dates back to Roman settlements. So there is lots to see and do in and around the city!

One of the most famous places to visit is the Dom tower. Over 100 meters tall, it gives you an excellent view over the city.

The Dom tower was originally connected to the church across the square, but poor construction and a heavy storm made the church collapse. Since then, the tower and church have been separated.

In the Dom Square there is a museum underground to show the archeological findings that have been discovered there. These date back to Roman times, the square also shows the outline of the Roman housing in the pavement.

There are several interesting musea and sights in the city:

• Museum Speelklok shows all kinds of mechanical musical instruments, from very small to very large.
• Centraal Museum has a large art collection including the world’s largest collection of Rietveld designs and a permanent exhibition on Miffy/Nijntje by Dick Bruna.
• Railway Museum is a very large railway museum that shows the history of railway in the Netherlands, and includes several preserved old railway carriages and locomotives. Has some very fun attractions for kids too!
• University Museum with the Old Hortus (botanical garden), a museum about scientific research in Utrecht.
• The Rietveld Schröderhuis is worth a visit for it’s famous architecture
• Molen de Ster gives tours on Saturday between 13.00 and 16.00. Volunteers talk about the history and how the windmill works.
• The Kanaalstraat is a street full of shops and supermarkets specializing in certain foods.
• De Oudegracht can be found in the middle of Utrecht. It is a street with a canal running right through the middle. You can find some restaurants and cafés with an international menu for fine dining.
• If you’re taking a stroll in the city, be sure to visit the Central Postoffice building, which now houses the Public Library. It’s free to enter, and a marvelous piece of art nouveau architecture
• If you rent a bike, make sure to go on a tour through the old city centre.
• There are boat tours that allow you to see the historical side of Utrecht by boat. There are smaller tours through the Oudegracht but also a longer tour that shows the outskirts of Utrecht as well.
• Renting a sloop boat allows you to relax and eat while going through the waterways of Utrecht. It is a fun activity that shows you all Utrecht has to offer from the water, with friendly staff that are happy to help you get to know more about the city.
• Titanic, An Immersive Voyage, tells the story of the Titanic through the eyes of the people on board. It is an immersive 3D experience with advanced technology that places you right into their story.

More to see and discover here.

To get around the city you can use public transportation like buses, trams and trains. With the train you can easily enter and exit Utrecht, it is located in the Western part of the old city. Near this station there are a few bus stops which you can also make use of to get around. You can also use the tram instead. This site will give you more information about both options, and you can buy day tickets: www.u-ov.nl. You can also buy tickets at a service desk or ticket machine.

Another way to get around is by renting a bike. There are many shops near stations where you can rent a bike. It is recommended to make use of bike parking areas because bike theft is unfortunately common.