Utrecht is a quick and easy 30-minute train ride from Amsterdam, making it an excellent day trip from the Netherland’s capital city. The city has a long history with many buildings in the historic city center dating back to the 2nd century. Until the Dutch Golden Age, Utrecht was the most populous city in the country and was the cultural and religious center for all of the Netherlands.
It’s charming old town feels quaint, but Utrecht is actually the fourth largest city in the Netherlands with a population of almost 350,000. It’s also home to the country’s largest university and has the energy and youthfulness of a college town.
Day Trip to Utrecht
The best way to reach Utrecht from Amsterdam is by train, which takes only 30 minutes. Utrecht Central Station is actually the largest train station in the Netherlands and acts as a hub connecting all parts of the Netherlands, so trains between Utrecht and the capital city run regularly year round.
When you exit the train station, you’ll have to pass through a large shopping mall in order to reach the city center. It’s an odd welcome to the city, one that a large renovation project is currently trying to fix, but just follow signs to City Centre.
The Highlights
The canals and beautiful historic old town are the real highlights of a day trip to Utrecht. But when you’re looking for more than a leisurely stroll, there are also a number of fun museums and other attractions to fill up a day — so many, in fact, you may want to turn your day trip into a weekend get-away!
The historical highlights include St Martin’s Cathedral and Dom Tower in the city center and the famous Rietveld Schröder House on the outskirts of town. The popular Musical Clock Museum and Railway Museum are great options to fill up an afternoon, and if you’re visiting on a Saturday, the Janskerkhof Flower Market is a must-see.
At the end of the post, I’ve also included recommendations on where to eat, whether its lunch, dinner, or a mid-afternoon snack. Utrecht is known for their coffee, so I’ve included by picks for the best coffee in the city!
St Martin’s Cathedral
St Martin’s Cathedral has roots that date back to the 1st century, but the Gothic church we see today was initiated in 1254 and lasted until the 16th century. In 1674, a huge storm hit Utrecht, destroying many buildings in the old town and causing extensive damage to the church. Its central nave completely collapsed and was never rebuilt, so all that remains today of the church are the choir, transept, and tower.
Nevertheless, the portion that remains is impressive. The interior is typical of Dutch churches — stark with neutral colors and little ornament. This aesthetic is due to the Iconoclast Fury of 1566, when Calvinists across the Netherlands stripped the churches of statues and other representations of Christ, as these were thought to be idolatrous. You can see signs of the Iconoclast in hidden corners of the church.
TO VISIT: St Martin’s Cathedral is free to visit but with a suggested donation of €2.
Dom Tower
Dom Tower was once connected to St Martin’s Cathedral, until the aforementioned stormed destroyed the central nave that connected it to the rest of the church.
For the best view of Utrecht, you can climb the tower as a part of a guided tour. This is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands, so you’ll have to climb 465 stairs to reach the top. Luckily, the view is worth it. The tour guide will also make stops along the way to explore the history of the tower and its construction (and let you catch your breath).
TO VISIT: Tours leave every hour (and sometimes every half hour) and cost €9 per adult and €5 per child ages 4-12. Advance reservations are recommended if visiting during the summer or on the weekend and can be made on the Dom Tower’s website. You can also purchase tickets in-person at the Tourist Information Centre (VVV) at Domplein 9.
Musical Clock Museum (Museum Speelklok)
The Museum Speelklok occupies the interior of a former church and is filled with a wide array of self-playing instruments — musical clocks, street organs, dancing organs, and more. The instruments are works of art and musical ingenuity worthy of a visit, but for the full experience you’ll want to join one of the guided tours (free with admission), where the tour guide will play instruments from each room of the museum. Tours start hourly at half past the hour and last 45 minutes.
TO VISIT: The Musical Clock Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00am to 5:00pm; the museum is closed on Monday and some holidays. Admission to the museum is €12 per person and is free to visit for Museumkaart holders. Click here to read more about museum passes in the Netherlands.
Railway Museum (Spoorwegmuseum)
The Railway Museum (Spoorwegmuseum) was first established in 1927 and now occupies a former railway station. This is a popular attraction for train enthusiasts of all ages but is especially popular with children. On display are a number of the collection’s “rolling stock,” including locomotives, train cars, freight cars, and trams.
TO VISIT: The Railway Museum is a little further out from the old town. You can either walk there or take the shuttle train from Utrecht Central Station. The Railway Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00am to 5:00pm; the museum is closed on Monday and some holidays. Admission to the museum is €17.50 per person.
Janskerkhof Flower Market
On Saturdays, Janskerkhof square in the northeast part of town turns into a lively and bustling flower market. Here you can pick up a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers, flower bulbs, and a variety of potted plants. It’s a much more authentic alternative to the tourist Flower Market in Amsterdam; here you’ll be browsing among locals whereas the Amsterdam market is mostly a tourist trap.
Flowers are cheap and plentiful in the Netherlands, so there’s no need to feel guilty about picking up a colorful bouquet to decorate your hotel room. Bulbs are also an excellent souvenir — just be sure they’re certified to travel home with you.
TO VISIT: The Flower Market takes place year round on Saturdays from 7:00am to 5:00pm.
Rietveld Schröder House
For Architecture buffs, the Rietveld Schröder House is a 30 minute walk from Utrecht Central Station and may be visited by organized tour. The house was designed in 1924 and served as the private residence of Mrs. Truus Schröder-Schräder and her three children. The house is considered iconic of the De Stijl style, which was a movement founded by the Dutch that reduced compositions to simple forms and colors, using only the colors white, black, red, blue, and yellow.
After Mrs. Schröder’s death in 1985, the house was restored and opened as a museum. It has been a listed monument since 1976 and in 2000 it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
TO VISIT: The Rietveld Schröder House is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 11:00am to 5:00pm. The house can only be visited by organized tour; reservations for tours must be made in advance on the Rietveld Schröder House website.
Where to Eat & Drink
Coffee Shops
The Dutch are some of the biggest coffee drinkers in the world, and Utrecht is the epicenter for phenomenal coffee.
Talud9 is consistently at the top of the list as having some of the best coffee in Utrecht (and in all of the Netherlands). They also have a nice selection of simple breakfast trays of croissants, meat, cheese, and the like, which makes this a great place to start your day.
Other highly-rated coffee shops in town include Blackbird Coffee & Vintage, The Village Coffee & Music, and 30ml Coffee Roasters.
Restaurants
Pick up a creative and delicious hotdog from Dogma Hotdogbar or check out one of Utrecht’s other great lunch restaurants, like Meneer Smakers, Eethuis VERS, and Kimmade. If you’re looking for a mid-afternoon snack, Dapp Frietwinkel sells delicious, fresh fries in a to-go cone (with mayo, of course!).
If you’re sticking around for dinner, some highly-rated options are Blij for a modern take on Dutch cuisine, C’est Ca for French food, and Restaurant Karel 5 for fine dining French/Dutch.
Recommended Reading:
It has an excellent section on Day Trips and includes a good overview on Utrecht, including a nice 2-hour self-guided walking tour that takes you past the city’s most important monuments and most beautiful canals.
Click here to purchase Rick Steves Amsterdam & the Netherlands travel guide.
