Top 10 Things To See And Do In Utrecht During Summer

Utrecht, my hometown, is a great place to visit in The Netherlands. In this blog I share with you my top 10 things to see and do in Utrecht during summer.

Climb the Dom tower

The most iconic symbol of Utrecht is the historic Dom tower. It’s almost 113 meters in height and the tallest church tower in The Netherlands. Climb the 465 steps to enjoy marvelous views of the city and the countryside. On a clear day you might even see Rotterdam or Amsterdam on the horizon. Remember, The Netherlands is a very flat country.

Please know that the Dom tower is undergoing major restorations for the upcoming years, probably until 2024. The restoration focusses solely on the exterior of the tower. You’ll notice this quickly, as the tower is wrapped up in scaffolding. However, the tower is open to visitors as normal. You might see some scaffolding at the viewing galleries, but the view is still very impressive.

Opening hours: 10:00 AM – 05:00 PM; admission fee: €10,00; location: Domplein 9, Utrecht.

Visit St. Martin’s Cathedral and its secret garden

One of the most important squares in the city is the Cathedral Square. Here you find the Dom tower, beautifully decorated university buildings, the tourist information office, quirky bars, and the impressive St. Martin’s Cathedral. The latter is often referred to by locals as the Dom church, as originally the church was connected to the Dom tower. However, a destructive tornado in 1674 ensured their separation.

The interior of the church houses several tombs and crypts, detailed stained-glass windows and a high vaulted ceiling. Don’t skip the Pandhof, a small, secret garden tucked away between St. Martin’s Cathedral and the University Hall. Truly an oasis of tranquility right in the city center.

Opening hours: 12:00 PM – 03:00 PM; no admission fee; location: Achter de Dom 1, Utrecht.

Walk around the historic city center

The compact, medieval city center of Utrecht is perfect for walking. Get lost in the tiny, cobblestone alleys and wander along the wharves of the winding canals.

Rent a boat, canoe or SUP to discover the canals

The best way to explore Utrecht’s stunning canals and wharves is by being on the water. Rent a boat, canoe or SUP and navigate through the waterways of the city center or the peaceful nature surrounding Utrecht. For the latter you have to take the Minstroom or Amelisweerd route. At De Rijnstroom or Kanoverhuur Utrecht it’s possible to rent electric boats, canoes and SUPs.

Relax or hike in one of the parks

There are plenty of city parks in Utrecht for some well-earned relaxation. Many of the locals head out to the parks on sunny days to enjoy a picknick, read a book or hang out with friends. The following parks are perfect if you just want to wind down and escape the fast pace of the city:

• Park Lepelenburg
• Wilhelminapark
• Griftpark

If you prefer to hike, you should go to the Botanical Gardens or the Máximapark. The Máximapark is as big as the entire city center and has, among other things, a butterfly and Japanese garden. The Botanical Gardens have thousands of different plant species from all around the world. Both the Botanical Gardens and the Máximapark are located a bit out of town, but definitely worth a visit if you want to stretch your legs.

Get lost in the largest castle of The Netherlands

De Haar Castle is the largest castle in the Netherlands. It’s a magical, luxurious and historic castle near Utrecht. It’s easy to reach with public transport from the main train station or by car. De Haar looks like a castle from a fairytale, including impressive towers, gates, drawbridges and a stunning interior. The colorful gardens are begging to be explored as well. Check out my drone video of De Haar Castle if you would like to see more.

Opening hours: Park 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM, Castle 12:00 PM – 05:00 PM; admission fee: Park €6,00,  Castle and park €17,00; location: Kasteellaan 1, Haarzuilens. 

Enjoy Utrecht’s best street art

From tiny details to huge wall paintings, Utrecht is filled with street art. You just need to know where to look. You can go out by yourself by following this route, for example. My personal favorite, although not included in the route, is the bookcase in Zuilen at the Mimosastraat. This piece of art is created by artists Jan de Man and Deef Feed. Check out Jan’s work at his website, including all the locations of his amazing street art.

It’s also possible to enjoy a private street art tour from Greetings From Utrecht.

Visit one of the famous museums

There are a couple of iconic museums in Utrecht. If you want to learn something new, visit one of these:

• Museum Speelklok: as unusual as it is cheerful. Go here to listen to the music of a wide range of self-playing musical instruments.
• Railway Museum: 175 years of railway history in The Netherlands, including historic trains such as the first Dutch steam locomotive.
• Centraal Museum: the gateway to art and culture from Utrecht. Here you find, for example, work from Rietveld, Miffy from Dick Bruna and Viktor & Rolf. The museum is housed in a medieval cloister, so it’s also a lovely place to wander around.

Be amazed by the world’s largest bicycle parking

So to be honest, as a local I don’t even blink an eye when I park my bike at the train station. For me it’s just a place to leave my bike when I head into the city center or want to catch a train. But for many tourists the presence of so many bikes in one place is fascinating. If this is you, go to the bicycle parking at the main train station in Utrecht. The parking has more than 12.000 (!) places, making it the largest bicycle parking in the entire world. It’s open 24/7 and located right underneath Utrecht Central Station. 

Opening hours: 24/7; no admission fee; location: Stationsplein, Utrecht.

Drink special beers in one of the many bars

When the sun’s out, the terraces in the city are packed. Cafés, restaurants and bars line nearly every street and canal. Many locals go out with their friends to drink special beers and eat the famous Dutch snack bitterballen. With many bars to choose from, I would start with the centrally located Kafé Belgie and Café Olivier. Both have an extensive collection of special beers. And Olivier is housed in an old church, which ensures an incredible atmosphere. Or sit down at the central square Neude where you can take in the hustle and bustle of the city center.

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Do you have other ideas to do in Utrecht this summer? Or are you heading somewhere else instead? Let me know in the comments!