Utrecht, peeking out from Amsterdam’s shadow, is a real challenger for the title of prettiest city in the Netherlands. Sleepy canals lined with gorgeous medieval architecture and waves of locals on bicycles fill its historic center. Visitors on a day trip will encounter ample things to do in Utrecht, from climbing its signature bell tower for city views to sampling pastries at its cafés. The city’s past as a religious and academic center also means there are many museums in Utrecht for those interested in diving into the local culture.
There’s really no bad time of year to visit Utrecht. That said, April and May are often considered the best times to go as spring breathes life and color into the city. It’s also worth considering that summer often brings crowds of tourists, while fog in winter can spoil the view from the Dom Tower. King's Night and King's Day festivities, which celebrate the king’s birthday in April, invite visitors to participate in one of the biggest events in Utrecht’s calendar.
To explore Utrecht’s historical center, you’ll find it easiest to get about by walking or cycling—you are in the Netherlands after all. Utrecht’s bus network has limited routes through the central Binnenstad area but becomes more useful for exploring the rest of the city and reaching De Haar Castle. While local canal boats are a nice way to see the sights, they’re not a mode of transport for getting from points A to B in Utrecht.
The center of Utrecht is packed with museums, but one of its most unexpected has to be the Nijntje Museum. Dedicated to the children’s character Miffy, known locally as “nijntje,” the museum will entice both young ones and adults who loved Miffy as children. Another unlikely highlight in Utrecht is Broodje Mario, a long-standing sandwich shop whose Italian sandwiches are the ideal walking–around snack for busy tourists.
