Things To Do
The Saturday market at Vredenburg square
Want to experience a typical Cat-and-Neal Saturday? Then you must go to the Vredenburg Square market! Not only will it be the place to be to get your souvenir cheese (we recommend the Hollands Kaascentrum stall), you will also be able to taste two quintessential Dutch treats at the market: gooey freshly made stroopwafels, or, for the adventurers amongst us, a real Dutch herring, coated with raw onions. Neal's favorite way to eat it is on a little sandwich, but the real Dutch way is to eat it by holding the tail, and lowering it straight into your mouth. Cat doesn't like herring, so she usually gets a portion of kibbeling, fried cod pieces.
Saturday Flower Market at Janskerkhof
If you’re already heading to the Vredenburg market, it’s worth walking a few minutes over to the Janskerkhof for the Saturday flower market. This is where we love to go to pick up flowers and plants, especially since we first moved to Utrecht. It’s a bit calmer than Vredenburg, set in the university district, and has a really nice local feel. There’s usually a coffee cart nearby, so you can grab a coffee and stroll through the stalls while taking in the atmosphere of one of the prettiest parts of the city.
Visit the Dom Square
One of the center squares of Utrecht is the Dom Square, with the Dom tower on one side, and the Dom church on the other one. But the square holds a secret: you can actually go under it! If you do, you'll stumble upon the history of Utrecht, going back all the way to Roman times. Love both history and have good enough leg muscles to climb a maximum of 465 steps? You can choose to both go under the Dom square, and to climb (part of) the Dom tower. Combination tickets are available, but you can also do either.
Free Walking Tour of Utrecht
Almost every day there are free walking tours of Utrecht. You'll be taken through the center and discover more of the city's history. We have done it before and actually really enjoyed it!
Restaurants & Dining in Utrecht
One of the most unique parts of Utrecht is the Oudegracht, the city's historic canal. Unlike Amsterdam, many restaurants and cafés sit in old wharf cellars (werfkelders) at water level, creating terraces right along the canal. A few places we enjoy include De Muntkelder (Oudegracht 112) for traditional Dutch pancakes, Beers & Barrels (Oudegracht aan de Werf 125) for burgers and beers by the water, Kartoffel (Oudegracht 185) for hearty German comfort food, Oudaen (Oudegracht 99) for locally brewed beer in a castle-like setting, Quignon (Oudegracht 48) for French-inspired dining, Osteria Emilia (Oudegracht 121) for excellent Italian food, and Bistro Madeleine (Wed 4) for a cozy French bistro experience. For a quick bite, try a quintessential Utrecht sandwich from Broodje Mario or Broodje Ben. Honestly, one of the best ways to experience Utrecht is simply to wander along the Oudegracht and pick a spot that catches your eye. It's hard to go wrong.
Pubs & Bars (a.k.a. “Borreling”)
One of the most Dutch things you can do in Utrecht is borrelen, grabbing drinks with friends in the late afternoon while sharing snacks like bitterballen and fries. In late June, especially if the Dutch national team is playing, expect bars and terraces to be packed with fans dressed in orange, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the city. Some of our favorite spots include 't Oude Pothuys (Oudegracht 279), a unique canal cellar bar with live music, Winkel van Sinkel (Oudegracht 158), a lively historic landmark, De Poort (Tolsteegbarrière 2) for a classic Dutch pub experience, Oudaen (Oudegracht 99), where beer is brewed on-site, Oliver (Achter Clarenburg 6), a cozy Belgian beer café in an old church, Cafe De Postillion (Lijnmarkt 50) for old-school Dutch café vibes, and SOIA (Kanaalweg 199), a relaxed waterside spot just outside the center. Utrecht is full of great bars, so don't be afraid to wander in somewhere that looks inviting and enjoy a drink like a local.
Nightlife in Utrecht
Utrecht is very much a student city, so nightlife tends to skew a bit younger, but there are still plenty of fun options for everyone. A great way to start the night is with drinks at Chupitos (Vredenburg 19), a lively cocktail and shot bar right in the center. From there, you can explore a few different vibes: Duke of Tokyo (Ganzenmarkt 4), a colorful karaoke bar where things can get chaotic in the best way. Stathe (Rozenstraat 15), a relaxed bar that turns into a dance spot later in the night. BASIS (Oudegracht aan de Werf 97), one of the Netherlands’ better-known electronic music clubs. EKKO (Bemuurde Weerd Westzijde 3), an alternative venue with live music and DJ nights. Hofman (Janskerkhof 17a), a spacious bar with a mix of dancing and more laid-back areas.
Get Out of Utrecht and Explore the Surroundings
One of the best things about Utrecht is its central location to explore a different side of the Netherlands for the day. For a scenic bike ride, head to Kasteel de Haar, the largest castle in the Netherlands. The 45–60 minute ride takes you through canals, and charming villages before arriving at the beautiful castle. Another favorite is Breukelen, about an hour by bike. For our American guests: yes, this is the original Breukelen that gave Brooklyn its name! The route follows the beautiful River Vecht, lined with historic estates and country homes. Take the quieter east bank and stop at a riverside café along the way. By train, you can also get to some excellent dutch cities including Gouda (20 min), The Hague (40 min), Rotterdam (40 min), and Delft (45 min) all make excellent day trips. While Amsterdam is certainly worth a visit, we'd also encourage you to explore some of these other cities that offer a wonderful glimpse into Dutch life beyond the capital.