Utrecht: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Utrecht combines a central location with an unusually diverse landscape. The Utrecht region is centrally located in the Netherlands. It is centrally situated and easily accessible, making it suitable for day trips, weekend getaways and longer holidays. At the same time, it encompasses different natural areas, including forests and heathlands on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, lakes rich in water, country estates and green city parks in the province of Utrecht. As a result, very different landscapes and attractions can be found within the same region.

Landscape and trails

Nationaal Park Utrechtse Heuvelrug is home to deciduous and coniferous forests, wind-blown sands and extensive heathlands. Hikers can spot deer, badgers, sand lizards and black woodpeckers there. Mountain bikers have access to more than 95 km of mountain biking trails in the national park, divided among nine different routes. The Heuvelrughike also passes through this landscape: the hiking route is 92 km long and divided into five stages, from Huizen to the Grebbeberg. It is the only continuous hiking route across the entire Utrechtse Heuvelrug.

The landscape can be explored in different ways. In the Utrecht region, you can cycle past castles and along rivers in the Groene Hart, as well as hike across heathlands and through forests on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. The arboretum features winding paths, bodies of water, a large heath garden and around 3,000 tree and shrub species from around the world. In addition to forests and heathlands, water, gardens and cultivated landscapes shaped over time are therefore also central features.

Water lines and history

The landscape of the Hollandse Waterlinies is particularly striking. Between Edam and the Biesbosch, they form a 200 km-long open, strategic landscape area with sophisticated waterworks and 96 forts. Since July 2021, the Hollandse Waterlinies have formed a joint UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along these lines, visitors can follow hiking and cycling routes with wide views, winding dikes and distinctive forts.

The Waterliniemuseum at Fort bij Vechten offers another perspective on this heritage. It presents the Hollandse Waterlinies and the Roman Limes, the border of the Roman Empire; here, nature and cultural heritage come together. Fort bij Vechten offers interactive exhibitions and activities that communicate its history to children in an accessible and playful way. The fort is also a suitable starting point for cycling or hiking tours through the green landscape around Bunnik and Utrecht.

The region can also be explored on the water. Between Wijk bij Duurstede and Utrecht, you can travel by canoe through a river landscape, passing orchards, castles and small tea gardens. The “Water als Wapen” route is specified as being 93 km long and taking 6 hours.

Architecture and museums

Utrecht also offers notable examples of architecture and history. The Rietveld-Schröder House is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an outstanding example of the De Stijl movement. It has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000. Reservations are required to visit the Rietveld-Schröder House.

The grounds of Kasteel Amerongen include a rose garden, an old berceau, a stately sweet chestnut tree and an animal cemetery. Kasteel Amerongen preserves historic interiors and works of art that have been carefully maintained for 350 years. In its Schatkamer, the Nationaal Militair Museum displays old paintings, classic weapons and other treasures from the country’s military history.

Kasteel de Haar is the largest castle in the Netherlands. It was rebuilt from a ruin by the architect Pierre Cuypers between 1892 and 1912. Kasteel de Haar can be visited because of its history, richly decorated halls and Kasteeltuinen. The regional experience also includes the museum café, where most of the products come from its own vegetable garden.

Regional places

Places that provide further orientation in the region include De Bilt, Soest, Bunschoten, Utrecht, Amersfoort, Baarn, Bunnik, De Ronde Venen, Eemnes, Houten, Ijsselstein, Leusden, Lopik, Montfoort, Nieuwegein, Oudewater, Renswoude, Rhenen, Stichtse Vecht, Utrechtse Heuvelrug, Veenendaal, Vianen, Wijk Bij Duurstede, Woerden, Woudenberg, Zeist, Maarssen, Loenen, Breukelen and Kockengen.

For the higher-level travel overview: Netherlands.