A medieval harbour in the heart of the city: the Oudegracht and its wharves form a unique technical system found nowhere else in the world, dating back to the Middle Ages. Connected to the Vecht in the north and the Vaartsche Rijn in the south, the Oudegracht served as an elongated harbour. In Utrecht, the history of the city can be read not only in its buildings but also in the way its water is organised.
Roman traces and views from the Dom Tower
The DOMunder discovery tour begins at Domplein 9, which you can reach on foot or by public transport. Beneath Domplein, the tour leads past archaeological remains ranging from a Roman fort to medieval buildings, using a special torch. If you plan to explore underground, check access arrangements before your visit.
The Dom Tower offers a different view of Utrecht: guided climbs take place daily and provide views over the city and region. The tower has fourteen bells with a total weight of more than 31,000 kilograms. Its carillon plays every Saturday from 11 am to 12 noon, performed by the city carillonneur. As visiting and performance times may change, check climb availability and timings in advance. On a guided tour, you can also learn more about the tower’s history and restoration, as well as the adjoining Dom Church.
Architecture and design in the museum
The Rietveld Schröder House was designed and built in 1924 by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld for Truus Schröder-Schräder; today, it is a museum. The Centraal Museum offers another way to explore Utrecht’s design history. Founded in 1838, it is the oldest municipal museum in the Netherlands. Its diverse collection includes art, city history, fashion and applied arts; a large part of it belongs to the Municipality of Utrecht. The museum also holds the world’s largest collection of Rietveld objects.
Gardens, a fort and green trails
The Botanical Gardens were founded in 1639. Today, most of their plant collection is housed in the gardens around Fort Hoofddijk. The fort was once a strategic point in the New Dutch Waterline and is now part of Utrecht University’s Botanical Gardens. The largest rock garden in the Netherlands was created on and around its barracks and coach houses. The Rotstuin ranks among Europe’s largest rock gardens in terms of both species diversity and area; one of its special features is a real mountain stream with a waterfall.
With the exception of parts of the Rotstuin, the Botanical Gardens are accessible to wheelchair users. Check accessibility before your visit. Tram lines 20, 21 and 22, as well as bus 28, run from Utrecht Centraal station to the Padualaan stop by the gardens; check the timetable before travelling.
In Máximapark, the nearly 10-kilometre circular route Het Lint, with its smooth surface, is suitable for walkers, cyclists, runners and skaters. Visitors can take a non-motorised boat along the approximately 4-kilometre Vikingrijn. It is up to 30 metres wide in places, and its natural banks are ideal for walking or relaxing. The park offers both a long, smooth loop and a stretch of water with natural banks.
Musical automata, railways and discoveries for children
Museum Speelklok displays self-playing instruments across an unusual range, from tiny music boxes to giant dance organs. At the Railway Museum, locomotives, railcars, carriages, models and steam engines are displayed alongside other railway items and historical objects. A particularly special feature is its unique collection of draisines dating from the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. The Vuurproef attraction is also part of the museum.
For toddlers and preschoolers, the Nijntje Museum offers a world of discovery to explore together with an accompanying adult. The themed rooms are inspired by Dick Bruna’s picture books. Children can discover a Nijntje house, Betje’s shop, Jan’s farm and a town, as well as look at, touch and learn about objects. Multilingual story times, tours in Dutch Sign Language and low-stimulation mornings are held regularly. Check in advance which activities are taking place during your visit. UMU offers a different focus: at this family museum, visitors explore science and become researchers themselves.
Discover more destinations: Utrecht, Leersum, Woudenberg, Veenendaal, Baarn, Rhenen, Breukelen, Bunnik
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