With its fairy tale castles, winding canals and quintessential Dutch charm, a weekend in Utrecht offers the perfect opportunity to get away from it all.
Located just over an hour’s drive from Rotterdam, Utrecht is often named as one of the most beautiful canal cities in Europe. And it’s plain to see why – as you can spend the day wandering through majestic architecture and exploring fascinating museums, before settling down in a canal-side café for drinks with an incredible view. You’ll soon find that it’s easy to lose yourself in Utrecht’s history and culture.
Experience Utrecht’s canal culture
When planning a trip to the Netherlands, there’s one thing you’re almost guaranteed to find: miles and miles of winding canals. However, the canal system of Utrecht is slightly different to the norm – with unique wharfs and cellars, which burrow under raised pavements and connect to houses nearby.
Created centuries ago, these cellars have become the perfect place to soak up beautiful views during your weekend in Utrecht. You’ll find plenty of cafés, bars and restaurants nestled into these cosy nooks, most of which have outdoor seating right next to the canal itself for sunnier days. The canal is also perfect for an alternative city tour, or you can even hire a paddle boat for an afternoon’s entertainment.
Top tip for those booking a romantic getaway – the views are best when the gorgeous spring cow parsley is in bloom.
Visit Utrecht’s majestic castles and churches
When wandering past Utrecht’s striking castles and churches, you’ll feel like you’re in a fairy tale. None more so than when visiting the remarkable De Haar Castle, which is the largest in the Netherlands. This medieval fortress has everything you’d expect from a castle of this grandeur, including a moat, gate, drawbridge, towering turrets and over a hundred acres of beautiful surrounding greenery. Inside, you can join a guided tour, browse the exhibitions and attend events at its own theatre.
Back in the centre of the city, Utrecht’s churches are well worth some of your precious holiday time. The Gothic style Dom Tower was once part of St Martin’s Cathedral and is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands, reaching more than 112 metres into the sky. Climbing it may involve 465 steps upwards, but you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the city. Afterwards, grab a drink to refuel at the Belgisch Biercafé Olivier bar – a unique pub located in the heart of an old church.
Explore Utrecht’s fascinating museums
Familiar with the adventures of Miffy, the adorable Dutch cartoon bunny? If so, your inner child will jump for joy during your weekend in Utrecht. The legendary creator Dick Bruna lived in Utrecht, and the city has become packed full of Miffy memorabilia. Start at the Miffy Museum, a wonderful series of ten interactive rooms for children to explore. This isn’t just a museum for kids, though – peruse Bruna’s illustrations to see how much time and thought went into this adorable character and afterwards, go on a hunt for the various Miffy tributes throughout the city, including various statues, a gift shop and even a rabbit-themed pedestrian crossing sign.
Make sure to save some time for a visit to the DOMunder. Hiding underneath the Dom square, the museum of archaeological finds walks you through 2,000 years of history with an interactive flashlight to guide your way. From Roman artefacts to evidence of a destructive tornado that collapsed the Dom Cathedral in the 1600s, this museum brings local history to life.
Alternatively, artists should head to the Centraal Museum for impressive artefacts, artwork and fashion designs, or the Museum Catharijneconvent for an extensive collection of religious works from the Middle Ages to the present day. Lastly, train spotters will love Utrecht’s Railway Museum, which traces its technological history with a series of interactive exhibitions, such as an Orient Express installation and an immersive steam train simulator called de Vuurproef.
Ready to plan your weekend in Utrecht? Book your place on a P&O Ferry to Rotterdam today.
