Holiday apartment in Utrecht: culture, museums and green spaces

Utrecht combines medieval urban history, modern culture and green retreats. The Oudegracht and its wharves form a unique technical system developed in the Middle Ages. Through its connection with the Vecht to the north and the Vaartsche Rijn to the south, the Oudegracht served as an elongated harbour.

Culture

At Domplein, DOMunder leads underground: The underground discovery tour takes place beneath Domplein and uses an intelligent flashlight. It begins at Domplein 9, which is accessible on foot and by public transport. During the tour, archaeological remains come into view, ranging from a Roman fort to medieval structures.

The Rietveld Schröder House tells a notable chapter in modern architecture. Gerrit Thomas Rietveld designed it for Truus Schröder-Schräder; it was built in 1924. Today, the house is a museum. The Dom Tower also offers a special gateway to the city’s history. Guided climbs with views over Utrecht and the region take place every day. The tower has fourteen bells in total, with a combined weight of more than 31,000 kilograms. Its carillon is played every Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon by the city carillonneur. On a guided tour, you can learn more about the history and restoration of the tower as well as the associated cathedral.

The Oude Hortus is a green oasis in the centre of Utrecht. You can stroll among special plants and trees there; it is also home to a 260-year-old Ginkgo biloba.

Museums

The Centraal Museum has existed since 1838, making it the oldest municipal museum in the Netherlands. Its diverse collection includes art, urban history, fashion and applied art; a large part of it belongs to the municipality of Utrecht.

At the Railway Museum, the collection ranges from locomotives, railcars, carriages, models and steam engines to other railway material and historical objects. Particularly noteworthy is the unique collection of handcars from the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. The museum also offers the Vuurproef attraction. A train runs from Utrecht Centraal to the Railway Museum’s own Utrecht Maliebaan station.

The Museum Speelklok is dedicated to self-playing instruments, ranging from tiny music boxes to huge dance organs. It is a ten-minute walk from Utrecht Centraal station. At UMU, science itself is the subject of the experience: The family museum invites visitors to explore science and become researchers themselves.

Nature

The Botanical Gardens were founded in 1639. Today, most of their plant collection is located in the gardens around Fort Hoofddijk in Utrecht. In terms of species richness and area, the Rotstuin is one of the largest rock gardens in Europe and includes a genuine mountain stream with a waterfall. The Botanical Gardens are accessible to people in wheelchairs, with the exception of parts of the Rotstuin. Tours are led by specially trained guides and include flowering plants as well as the stories associated with them.

The almost 10-kilometre circular route Het Lint is located in Máximapark. Thanks to its smooth surface, it is suitable for walkers, cyclists, runners and skaters. Also in the park, you can travel by non-motorised boat on the approximately 4-kilometre-long Vikingrijn, which is up to 30 metres wide in places. Its natural banks are ideal for walking or relaxing.

Getting around

The Botanical Gardens can be reached from Utrecht Centraal station by tram lines 20, 21 and 22, as well as by bus 28 to the Padualaan stop near the gardens.

Other destinations

For further options, you can also open Utrecht and Leersum. Other destinations at the same level are Woerden, Montfoort, Bunnik, Eemnes, Houten and Zeist.

To the higher-level travel overview: Utrecht.