Utrecht

9 places, 3 of them free. A medieval canal city with sunken wharf cafés and a student buzz.

9 places

Must See~£12

Dom Tower

Centre

The Netherlands’ tallest church tower, with a guided climb to a panoramic platform.

  • Suggested time: 1 hr
  • Booking recommended
  • Suits: Photographers

Tuesday–Sunday, roughly 10:00–17:00

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Local FavouritesFree

Oudegracht Wharf Cellars

Oudegracht

A sunken canal with medieval wharf cellars turned into cafés and restaurants.

  • Suggested time: 2 hrs
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples

Open-air; cafés open daily

Culture~£15

Railway Museum

Maliebaan

A fun museum of trains in a Victorian station, with rides and a large play area.

  • Suggested time: 2h 30m
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Families · Culture lovers

Tuesday–Sunday, roughly 10:00–17:00

Culture~£15

Rietveld Schröder House

Prins Hendriklaan

A radically modern De Stijl house from 1924, a UNESCO site.

  • Suggested time: 1h 15m
  • Book ahead
  • Suits: Culture lovers

Wednesday–Sunday by guided tour

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Day Trips~£18

Castle De Haar

Haarzuilens (10 km)

The Netherlands’ most fairy-tale castle, with gardens, moats and a village nearby.

  • Suggested time: 4 hrs
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Families

Daily; hours vary by season

Culture~£15

Centraal Museum

Nicolaaskerkhof

A museum of art and design, home to the largest collection of Miffy’s creator’s work.

  • Suggested time: 2 hrs
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Families · Culture lovers

Tuesday–Sunday, roughly 11:00–17:00

Hidden Gems~£4

Botanic Gardens Fort Hoofddijk

Uithof

A quiet botanical garden in the moats of an old fort, on the university campus.

  • Suggested time: 1h 30m
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Families

Daily, roughly 10:00–17:00 (seasonal)

NightlifeFree

TivoliVredenburg Nightlife

Vredenburg

A large music venue with several halls, a hub for the city’s nightlife.

  • Suggested time: 3 hrs
  • Booking recommended
  • Suits: Nightlife fans

Evening events; check programme