About Utrecht

Utrecht is not just old; it is ancient. The ruins of a Roman fortification hides beneath the city centre, and medieval buildings are found on every street – including those of the 17th-century Utrecht University. But Utrecht is still a city very much of today, as modern architecture mixes with the old. In Utrecht, you can discover Roman ruins and admire art from the Middle Ages right around the corner from modern marvels.

Utrecht is the lively, beating heart of Holland. It was built around the Dom tower, which you can see from any point in the city, so there is no way you can get lost in the attractive, car-free city centre. Utrecht boasts beautiful canals with extraordinary wharf cellars housing cafés and terraces by the water. As well as the Dom tower, Utrecht boasts hundreds of other monuments that each contribute to the special atmosphere in this centuries-old university town.

What is known in Utrecht?

How to describe the city of Utrecht in just a couple of words? Words most used by our visitors to describe the city of Utrecht are friendly, atmospheric, hospitable, high-quality, open-minded and a trusted surrounding.

Utrecht, The Netherlands’ fourth largest city, is a very lively and hospitable place. Built around the centuries-old Dom Tower, the city centre is branched by many picturesque canals, some with extraordinary wharf cellars that house shops, cafés, restaurants, and bars along the water. Add to that the charm of the many merchants’ houses, courts scattered throughout the city, and the ancient next to modern architecture, and you start to have an idea of what brings so much charm to this city.

The imposing Dom Tower looms large over Utrecht, dominating the skyline and commanding the view from anywhere in the city. The Dom Tower is more than a sight, however. It holds the history of this prominent city within its walls and in the ground beneath it, thanks to DOMunder, an underground exhibition showcasing the Roman fortification that once stood there.

The Rietveld Schröder House seems a bit out of place alongside the narrow brick buildings that typify Dutch cities, but it is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Designed by renowned Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld for (and with) socialite Truus Schröder-Schräder, the building epitomises the De Stijl art movement.

What makes Utrecht attractive to visit?

Some would argue that the canals in Utrecht rival those in the Dutch capital, thanks to their unique construction. In the 13th century, already 100 years since the Oudegracht was built, wharves and wharf cellars were constructed along the canals to provide two levels of space for storage; now, they provide double the space for restaurant and café terraces.

There are dozens of museums in Utrecht, but the Centraal Museum is one of the most well-known. It houses a prized collection of work by Rietveld, as well as the design studio of famous Dutch author and illustrator Dick Bruna.

The botanical gardens of the Oude Hortus, once part of Utrecht University, is an oasis of exotic plants just a short walk from the city centre. While wandering through the gardens – divided into a cottage garden and medicinal garden – you can tour the greenhouses, see a 250-year-old ginkgo tree, and have a cup of coffee in the aptly-name Ginkgo café.



Head to Hoog Catharijne, often regarded as one of the largest indoor shopping malls in the Netherlands, to shop at over 150 stores from Dutch and international brands. Or walk the streets around the city centre and the Oudegracht for boutique shops.