A picturesque Dutch city to add to your travel list.
If youve already visited Amsterdam, why not discover the "little Amsterdam"? With charming houses built along the canals, Utrechtlooks like a mini version of the Dutch capital without the tourist crowds.
The fourth-largest city of the Netherlands is a charming university town (Utrecht University was founded in 1636 and is the largest in the Netherlands), which boasts many parks, canals, museums and historic buildings - in fact, all of these are linked by cycle paths, as Utrecht is one of the most bike friendly cities in the world. The city is just 20 minutes by train from Amsterdam Central Station and is equally accessible from Rotterdam and The Hague. Want more reasons to visit?
What to do in Utrecht
Boat ride on the Oudegracht canal
The best way to explore the city is, of course, with a boat ride on the canals. The famous old canal, the Oudegracht, which runs through the heart of the city, is buzzing with life day and night. What makes it unique are the wharves that sit almost at water level. Here, in the 13thcentury, ships unloaded goods from around the world to be stored in the wharf cellars. Today, these former warehouses operate as atmospheric restaurants, bars, and shops.
Dom Tower and Pandhof Sinte Marie
A major city landmark is the Gothic Dom Cathedral on the square of the same name. Its 112-meter tower that houses the belfry is the tallest in the country and offers the best views of the city. It has 465 steps, but its worth the effort. A short walk away, on the other side of the Oudegracht, stands the 11th-century St. Marys Church, whose open garden is a lush oasis filled with flowers and herbs.
