From Amsterdam to Utrecht. Utrecht: How to get there and where to stay? Shopping complex "Hoog Catharijne"
How to get to Utrecht
Utrecht is a small but extremely cozy old town with many preserved medieval attractions. One of the outstanding monuments of Utrecht is the famous gothic cathedral with the tallest spire in all of Holland, and this is already a good reason to visit the city.
Getting to Utrecht is not difficult at all; the city has its own railway station, and trains run from all over Holland. For example, travel time from The Hague will take from 40 minutes to 1 hour; from Rotterdam – 40 minutes; from Breda – 1 hour; from Middelburg – 2.5 hours. Of course, you can also get to Utrecht from Amsterdam, which is located 40 km to the north.
Amsterdam – Utrecht
Direct trains run between cities throughout the day, up to 7 times per hour. Travel time is on average about half an hour. Basically, trains depart from Centraal station, but if necessary, you can go to Utrecht by train directly from Schiphol Airport, which also has its own railway station. Specify current schedule trains are available at the railway service .
You can also get to Utrecht from Amsterdam by regular bus, travel time will be approximately 30-40 minutes. The only downside of this option is that buses travel along the route much less frequently than trains. Transportation is carried out by Eurolines.
If you wish, you can also travel from Amsterdam to Utrecht by rented car, since the cities are connected by highway No. A2. Travel time is approximately 40 minutes. To register a car rental you will need a foreign passport, an international driver's license and bank card to pay for services. You can find rental offices everywhere in Amsterdam, as well as at the arrival airport Schiphol. You can book the desired class of car in advance through specialized international services. , , and others.
Eindhoven – Utrecht
Due to the fact that direct flights from Moscow to Eindhoven have recently begun, the question arose of how to independently get from it to other cities of the Netherlands, incl. to Utrecht.
There are also direct express buses from Eindhoven Airport. Travel time to Utrecht will be about 1 hour. Departures occur 5 times a day - at 09.30, 11.30, 13.00, 14.30, 16.00 and 18.00.
Christiaan Kuun/Streets of Utrecht Hotels in Utrecht
In Utrecht you can find quite a lot of accommodation options for every taste - hotels of various star categories, bed and breakfast hotels, apartments, guest houses, hostels. In particular, the following hotels in Utrecht received high ratings from tourists:
Inntel Hotels Utrecht Center 4* – the hotel is located close to the city center and the railway station. The hotel has a bar and a spa area with an indoor pool, sauna, gym. Hotel guests can stay in rooms of varying sizes, including family rooms. Breakfast, depending on the type of room, may be included in the price or paid additionally. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the hotel. The reception is open 24 hours a day;
Mary K Hotel 4* – the hotel has a picturesque location on the banks of the Utrecht Canal. All the city's main attractions are nearby, including the Gothic Cathedral. Guests can stay in rooms of varying sizes, including family rooms. Breakfasts are paid extra. Each room is equipped with a coffee maker or kettle. Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the hotel. Paid public parking is available nearby;
Mother Goose Hotel 4* – the hotel is located in the city center, close to the main attractions of Utrecht. You can stay in rooms of varying sizes. Breakfast, depending on the type of room, may be included in the price or paid additionally. Wi-Fi is provided free of charge. Paid public parking is available nearby the hotel. The reception is open 24 hours a day;
Boutique Hotel ZIES 3* – the hotel is located in cozy place city, close to the center. The hotel itself is surrounded by gardens and offers a terrace for guests to relax on. You can stay in rooms of varying sizes, including family rooms. All rooms are equipped with a coffee maker or kettle. Wi-Fi is free. There is an ATM on site. Paid public parking is available nearby.
zoetnet/Cathedral and canals of Utrecht Sights of Utrecht
It's worth traveling to Utrecht to see the charm of its old town. Squares, canals, ancient buildings, cozy street cafes - all this creates a unique atmosphere of the city. But first things first. Tourists often begin exploring the city from the central Square House And Dome Cathedral, the same one that is considered the tallest in the Netherlands thanks to its spire. The height of the cathedral, including the spire, is almost 112 meters. The cathedral is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. If you wish, you can climb the cathedral tower to see the city at a glance.
Walking through the streets of the old city, it is impossible not to notice that Utrecht has a whole water canal network. You can explore them both by land and by water. A boat tour on a small boat along the canals of Utrecht will leave you... unforgettable experience. From the water you can perfectly see numerous stone bridges, statues and sculptures decorating them, as well as authentic Dutch houses. On average, such an excursion lasts about 1 hour.
Marcelo Campi/Canals of Utrecht The city has several noteworthy museums, including art museums. But the main “highlight” can be called Railway Museum– you won’t find one like this in every city! The museum is located in the building of a former station, upon entering which you will see real trains and locomotives, as well as interesting models and installations. The museum will be of interest to both adults and children. The museum is open daily, except Mondays, from 10.00 to 17.00. Entrance cost starts from 17.5 euros.
In general, we can say that Utrecht, although small, is an amazingly picturesque town in the Netherlands with its own special atmosphere and flavor, and the local attractions are unique in their own way.
Bart van Leeuwen/Courtyard of the Dome Cathedral Utrecht is a city in the Netherlands, founded in the middle of the first century. It served as a defensive post on the border of the Roman Empire. A little later, representatives of Germanic tribes settled here, whose descendants still live in modern Netherlands.
Utrecht is located in the central part of the country. Its area reaches 100 km2, and the number of inhabitants is 300,000 people. Today it plays the role of the main railway hub of the Netherlands, and its main attractions are ancient architectural buildings, museums and gardens.
Historical fact! In 1579, a union was signed in Utrecht, uniting the Dutch provinces into a single state.
What to see in Utrecht? How to spend a holiday in one of the most major cities the Netherlands, which interesting places worth a look? The answers to all your questions are in this article.
Sights of Utrecht (Netherlands)
Utrecht is a very colorful and diverse city. There are almost 20 museums and 12 parks here, boating and visiting ancient castles. For those staying in the city for a short time, we have selected 8 attractions of Utrecht that you can see in one day.
Utrecht is divided length and breadth by water straits that connect the city with the capital and other provinces of the Netherlands. Unlike Amsterdam, the canals in Utrecht are two-tiered - they are deepened into the ground and seem to divide the city into two parts, one of which is on the embankment, and the second is a level higher, on the streets we are familiar with.
Many tourists, having arrived in the city, immediately go on a circular cruise, others enjoy walking along the embankment and relaxing in coastal cafes. For those who want to control their movements independently and experience the beauty water adventures At the same time, there are rental areas for catamarans, boats and canoes throughout the city.
Schroder House
In 1924 there was no time machine, but Schroeder's house already existed. Unique from the point of view of that era, the building today can deservedly be called the most unusual house of all time.
Mr. Schroeder turned out to be one of the few people who manage to satisfy the strange desires of his wife. At her request, the Dutch designer and architect managed to create a house without walls, which later became a museum and an object World Heritage UNESCO. All the furniture, designed by Gerrit Rietveld, folds compactly after use, the doors in the rooms open using levers and mechanical buttons, and an elevator runs between the first and second floors to serve food.
Schroeder's House located on the outskirts of the city at Prins Hendriklaan 50. Cost of visiting – 16.5 €, for children from 13 to 17 years old – 8.5 €, from 3 to 12 – 3 €.
Schedule:
- Tue-Thu, Sat-Sun from 11 to 17;
- Friday from 11 to 21.
Important! You can enter the House only with a ticket purchased in advance on the website of the Central Museum of Utrecht - centraalmuseum.nl. Please note that the entrance to the attraction opens every hour to a maximum of 12 tourists.
Botanic Gardens
The oldest botanical gardens in the Netherlands were opened in 1639. Initially, this place was a pharmacy town for students and teachers of the University of Utrecht, but in the 18th century the garden became not just a scientific corner, but also an excellent place to relax.
Over the nearly 400 years of its existence, the Botanic Gardens have changed and expanded several times to eventually become home to almost 18,000 plants from more than 10,000 species. Today you can see unique specimens from all over the world, many of which are stored in specially equipped greenhouses.
Interesting to know! To record the number and types of plants in the Botanical Gardens, a special computer program was developed.
In addition to collections with unique flora, the attraction has a large thematic garden, opened in 1995. This favorite place little travelers, since it is here that they can study the characteristics of plant life using a clear example, as well as get to know them better thanks to innovative equipment.
In the gardens there are many benches, a pond and a cafe. It is better to reschedule a visit to this attraction until the first half of the day in order to have time to admire its beauty before closing. The exact address: Budapestlaan 17, opening hours: from 10 to 16:30. Entry price: 7.5€ for adults, children under 12 free.
Dome Cathedral and its tower (Dom van Utrecht)
The Dome Cathedral, built in the 13th century, is the main religious attraction of Utrecht. Despite the fact that this is one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in the Netherlands, it is not this that attracts tourists, but the huge tower, which offers panoramic views of the city.
To climb up observation deck, it takes a lot of strength and courage. In general, more than 400 steps, a 95-meter height and a long climb up dark spiral staircases do not frighten travelers, but some prefer to admire the surrounding beauty from benches or at cafe tables located in the “bishops’ garden” - the courtyard of the cathedral.
The doors of the temple are open from dawn to dusk, and you can enter completely free of charge. You will only have to pay for a long climb - 9 € for travelers without benefits, 5 € for children aged 4-12 years, 7.5 € for older students and schoolchildren. You can buy tickets in advance on the official website www.domtoren.nl.
Note! Ascent to the observation deck of the tower is carried out in groups every hour. If you want to do beautiful photos Utrecht, and not its tourists, go here an hour or two after opening.
Exact location of the attraction– Domplein 21. The tower is open daily: from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 to 17, on Sunday and Monday from 12 to 17.
Central Museum
Built in 1838, the museum grew from a small collection of ancient paintings into huge complex, located on five floors of several combined buildings. Here is everything you can and need to know about Utrecht - a modern city with a very rich cultural heritage. This attraction, in essence, consists of several smaller ones:
- The Art Gallery, which houses masterpieces by Morels, Scorel, Bokoven, Neumann, Maris and other Dutch artists;
- the Museum of the Utrecht Archaeological Society, where you can find ancient elements of Dutch culture and rarities, more than a thousand years old;
- Central Museum, which tells everything about Utrecht and the city’s inhabitants;
- Archbishop's Museum with unique religious exhibits.
The entire complex is open daily, except Mondays, from 11 to 17. Full admission price– 13.50 €, for children 13-17 years old – 5.5 €, for younger schoolchildren and preschoolers – free. The attraction is located at Nikolaaskerkhof 10.
Flower market (Bloemenmarkt)
When going to this attraction, be patient and do not take all your money with you. In this flower market, even those who don’t really like these beautiful representatives lose their heads. flora. Huge roses, beautiful tulips, sunflowers, asters and hundreds of hundreds of flowers in pots - all this wealth is sold here every Saturday morning at ridiculous prices.
The cost of bouquets on the market starts from 1-2 euros, and, for example, for 50 gorgeous fresh tulips you can pay only 5-7 euros. Bloemenmarkt also sells lemon and orange trees, indoor palm trees and many other plants. You can please your soul with a portion of pleasant aromas and extraordinary beauty on Janskerkhof Square.
Museum of Automatic Musical Instruments (Museum Speelklok)
Another museum for which the city of Utrecht is famous has the largest collection of jukeboxes in all of the Netherlands. Music boxes and clocks, barrel organs, self-playing pianos, chimes, organs and many other exhibits will sound for you, despite their venerable age.
This interactive museum is very interesting for both adults and children. You can turn the magic mechanism yourself to hear its melody, or literally touch art by turning the handle of one of the exhibits. Many travelers highly recommend taking a paid tour, as some tools can only be included by a guide.
The attraction is located on Steenweg 6. This is fabulous place open daily from 10 to 17. Entry fee– 13 €, visitors 4-12 years old receive a 50% discount.
Present! You can pay for admission to the museum on the spot, but by ordering tickets online on the official website of the attraction, you can receive an additional gift, for example, a glass of lemonade from the cafeteria.
Railway Museum (Het Spoorwegmuseum)
Another amazing attraction of Utrecht and the Netherlands is the museum railway transport. It is located on the site of the old Maliebaanstation station, which belonged to the Utrecht-Amsterdam line, but was closed in 1921 due to high competition. In the early 2000s, this place was completely reconstructed: most the territories were filled with carriages and locomotives from different eras, and one platform was assigned to fulfill its natural role - a train comes here with central station cities.
As travelers say, visiting the railway museum can take half a day, especially if you are with children. Het Spoorwegmuseum is divided into two halves:
- The first contains the old train station and many ancient exhibits. This part is free, anyone can come here and walk around the carriages, which are unusual for our time;
- The second part contains the most interesting exhibits, a children's interactive zone, additional show rooms (for example, “a trip to old train"), a laboratory where you can conduct physics experiments, a themed store and a cafe. A visit costs 17.5 euros; children under three years old have free admission.
You'll like it! Het Spoorwegmuseum houses many unique exhibits, one of which is the hero of the famous cartoon “The Chuggington Engines,” Wilson.
The museum is open daily except Mondays from 10 am to 5 pm. You can buy tickets on this website www.spoorwegmuseum.nl.
Accommodation
NH Center Utrecht Hotel Accommodation prices in Utrecht do not stand out among other cities in the Netherlands. There are only a few dozen hotels in the city; minimum prices per night start from 25 € per person (in a hostel). More comfortable stay in three star hotel will cost at least 60 € for two, in a four-star hotel – 80 €.
A more economical option is apartments rented directly from residents of the Netherlands. Renting a one-room apartment with a private kitchen and bathroom will cost at least 40€, but travelers on a tight budget can also rent a room from the hosts for just 20-25€.
Find out PRICES or book any accommodation using this form
Cafes and restaurants
There are a lot of catering establishments in Utrecht, most of them are located in the area of the most popular attractions, on the banks of the canals and in the city center. Food prices in this region of the Netherlands are as follows:
- Lunch in an inexpensive cafe of three courses – 15 € per person;
- Set dinner in an average restaurant for two – from 65 €.
Most establishments offer Italian, French and Mediterranean cuisine.
How to get to Utrecht (Holland)
It is not possible to get to the city directly by plane, since it does not have an airport, and most often travelers will have to fly to the capital of the Netherlands, and from there go to their destination. To cover the 53 km distance between Utrecht and the Netherlands you can use:
- By train. Intercity intercity trains leave Amsterdam Centraal station every half hour from 00:25 to 23:55; they travel to the Utrecht Centraal stop in only 27 minutes. You can buy tickets for 6-12 euros on the website railway the Netherlands;
- Taxi. This trip will take about an hour and cost at least 100 euros. This option may be beneficial for a group of travelers with big amount luggage
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Utrecht is a city in the Netherlands that can be called one of the most unusual in the country. Visit it and see for yourself. Have a nice trip!
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Utrecht is a city in the central part of the Netherlands, famous for its beautiful canals and interesting attractions. The main railway junction of the country.
How to get from Amsterdam to Utrecht
Utrecht is located just 40 kilometers from Amsterdam, so getting there will not be difficult for you. The most convenient way is to take the direct train, which runs every 15 minutes from the main station Amsterdam Centraal. Usually these are trains heading to Nijmegen or Maastricht. Travel time will be no more than half an hour. The cost of a second class ticket is 7.40 euros, first class is 12.60 euros.
If you travel by car, you will have to cover a distance of 48 kilometers, so the travel time will take no more than an hour, taking into account possible traffic jams or short stops in the towns you meet. For example, many tourists stop for a short walk through the village of Maarssen, which is famous for its variety of unique churches.
To get from Amsterdam to Utrecht by bus or tram, you will need to make several changes and the journey will take about 2 hours in total. Sometimes, in case of any road problems or repair work on the railway, travelers are provided with a direct bus. Utrecht bus station is located just behind the train station.
Due to the fact that the country has expensive car parking and super-fast trains, most people choose the second mode of transport. We would like to note that Utrecht railway station is the largest and also the most important in the country. Accordingly, you always have the opportunity to travel from Utrecht to almost any city in the Netherlands.
When is the best time to visit Utrecht?
Utrecht has the usual climate for the country - frequent rains, fog and average temperature year about 10 degrees. During the summer months the thermometer reads around 20 or slightly above. Local residents have long been accustomed to such a climate, however, the weather in any month is unpredictable, and we advise you to definitely take waterproof things with you on the road, despite weather forecasters’ predictions.
A visit to Utrecht is a real holiday, regardless of the time of year. The city is active cultural life, perhaps only behind Amsterdam. Utrecht often hosts various events, music programs and themed performances. For example, in April the Lentebock festival has been held for several years now, where visitors taste beers and also enjoy specially prepared music program. Well, for those who travel to the Netherlands to enjoy all kinds of flower plantings, we recommend coming to Utrecht in spring or summer, when the city canal areas bloom especially beautifully.
Where to stay
There is a large selection of accommodation in Utrecht, varying in size, cost and location. The city itself is small, so there will be no difficulties in getting to this or that place.
In a stunning location on the outskirts of the city, the four-star Hotel Mitland (Arienslaan 1, 3573 PT) is considered by visitors to be one of the most beautiful in Utrecht. Mitland offers accommodation in one of its 140 luxurious rooms overlooking the Voorveldse Polder park. The hotel provides a unique range of services for the wellness and entertainment of vacationers: there is a sauna, swimming pool, solarium, small gym, bowling alley and even Turkish baths. In addition, all rooms are equipped with all necessary amenities such as refrigerator, air conditioning, TV, Wi-Fi, private bathroom and balcony. You can also enjoy a fine dinner at the hotel restaurant on the terrace by the waters of Fort de Bilt. Depending on the type of room and hotel discounts, the cost of daily accommodation varies from 100 to 170 euros; some room rates include breakfast.
In the city center, in an unusual old building, there is a hotel of the NH chain (Janskerkhof 10, 3512 BL), whose rooms overlook the famous Dome Cathedral of St. Martin. The hotel has 47 rooms that are equipped with all necessary services, including free wifi, minibar, TV and bathroom. Tourists also note the friendly staff of the establishment. The NH Center Utrecht has two cozy restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat in the evening. Cost of standard double room will be from 110 euros, for a triple from 130, the price for accommodation in a junior suite is from 140 euros. The price also includes breakfast.
Most popular among budget options considers Hotel Oorsprongpark (Mauritiuslaan 1, 3526 LD). It has 2 stars and is located a stone's throw from the center. All 34 rooms are equipped with a bathroom, TV and Wi-Fi. Daily accommodation in single room will cost from 50 euros, double from 60 euros. For an additional cost you can order breakfast at the hotel.
Transport system
As we mentioned earlier, Utrecht is a small city, so we recommend that you explore the garden on foot. To visit nearby villages, take advantage of the most in a simple way transportation is by bicycle, this is what all local residents do. You can always rent a bike, for example, at the main station of the city, paying about 8 euros per day. The city has several cycling routes that locals use every day.
You also have the opportunity to take a boat ride along the famous Utrecht canals, the cost of such a trip will be about 10 euros. Well, if you are interested in other Dutch cities, then it is definitely better to use the train. Let us remind you that Utrecht is the main railway junction of the country, and all trains must stop in this city. The cost of tickets, platform number and all stops will be provided to you by the website of the Dutch railways www.ns.nl.
As for the city public transport, then any route is available thanks to the website www.9292.nl, which will tell you where to get there, and also show the time of departure and arrival. Ticket price for any bus route within one city in the Netherlands is 3.50 euros. A bus stop and a tram stop are located near Utrecht's main station. If you are going to travel a lot by public transport, we recommend purchasing an OV-chipkaart - a special card that the Dutch use on buses, trams, subways and trains. It costs 7 euros, but each time on the road you will pay strictly for the mileage traveled and usually this amount is much less than the standard 3.50. You can purchase an OV card at any train station in the Netherlands.
Most tourists prefer to travel around the city by bus, and the number of tram passengers is decreasing every year. But despite this, the municipality continues to improve tram tracks. If you are going to use the Dutch city tram, of which there are about 25 in Utrecht, you can use the map: www.urbanrail.net/eu/nl/utr/utrecht.htm, which shows the main stops. Most often, this type of transport in the city is used by local residents to get to the IKEA store.
Utrecht is far from the only city in the Netherlands that is interesting for tourists; it is also worth a visit
The oldest and at the same time the most modern castle in Holland. It was built back in the 14th century, but was subsequently rebuilt and destroyed several times. TO end of the 19th century century, the famous architect Peter Kuipers undertook the restoration of the castle, which at that time was a ruin.
Construction work lasted more than 20 years. Capers not only completely restored the building's façade and interior decoration, but also equipped the castle with an elevator, running water with hot and cold water, and central heating. And he even created a dinner service especially for de Haar.
There is a garden around the castle, which is often called “little Versailles” for its beauty. The owners of the castle wanted the garden to look centuries old, so they planted large trees there, over 40 years old. At night they were dug up in neighboring groves and carefully transported to de Haar.
They say that the castle even has its own ghost. This is the ghost of the knight Conrad, who owned the castle in the Middle Ages. He drowned near the walls of his own castle in the fortress moat and since then has not been able to find peace.
Coordinates: 52.12152700,4.98624200
University of Utrecht
The University of Utrecht is one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands and one of the largest in Europe. Founded in 1636, the university has grown into a leading institution with a growing international reputation.
The University of Utrecht is ranked 12th in the academic rankings among European universities and 53rd among universities in the world. The university is a research university, consisting of seven faculties, which together cover the entire spectrum of scientific research and education. Traditionally, the university specializes in the fields of law, humanities and social sciences. Its motto is "Sol Iustitiae Illustra Nose", which means "Sun of Justice, shine on us."
Coordinates: 52.09419600,5.12368400
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Hemstede Castle
Heemstede Castle is a 17th-century palace built in the style of Dutch classicism. The castle is located in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, province of Utrecht, not far from the village of Hemstad of the same name.
The castle building was erected in 1645, its facade was characterized by symmetrical lines, there were towers in all four corners of the building, and a moat filled with water was dug around the castle. Regardless of the fact that the building is called a castle, it was built as a luxurious and comfortable home.
In 1680, the castle grounds were surrounded by a beautiful garden with pedestrian alleys, ponds and neatly trimmed hedges.
In the period from 1716 to 1723, the castle changed owners several times, which negatively affected its preservation. His gardens were almost completely destroyed, after which they were restored by the new owner. At the end of the 18th century, the castle experienced another decline. Here they began to cut down trees and destroy fountains. In 1919, the estate was acquired and reconstructed by the Heimeger company.
In 1987, the castle was badly damaged by fire, and in 2002 it was reconstructed by the Fanos company.
On this moment, the castle is included in the List of Monuments of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Coordinates: 52.03299400,5.12510600
Huis Doorn is a small manor house located outside Doorn, small town near Utrecht. It was built back in the 15th century, and acquired its modern appearance after restoration in the 18th century. In the first half of the 19th century, a garden appeared around the estate, made in the traditional English style.
Huis Doorn is known primarily for its inhabitants. Thus, Baroness Ella van Heemstra, mother of actress Audrey Hepburn, spent her childhood here. In 1919, the last German Emperor, Wilhelm II, settled in Huis Doorn. This happened immediately after Germany's surrender in World War I, and the emperor lived here in exile. He was forbidden to travel more than 15 miles from the estate. Here he spent the rest of his life, until his death in 1941.
In 1938, the wedding of William II's grandson Louis Ferdinand and the Russian princess Kira Kirillovna took place at Huis Doorn.
Today the estate has been turned into a museum. It houses a collection of antique furniture, tapestries, porcelain and silver. In the garden are the graves of William II and his five favorite dogs, dachshunds.
Coordinates: 52.03153200,5.33874800
St. Catherine's Cathedral in Utrecht
Catholic church located in the city of Utrecht. St. Catherine's Cathedral is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Utrecht, the seat of the archbishop. The church was consecrated in the name of St. Catherine of Alexandria.
St. Catherine's Church was built in 1456 as part of a Carmelite friary. From 1580 to 1815 the church was a Calvinist temple. In 1815, it was returned to the Catholic Church: initially as a garrison church, then (since 1842) as a parish church. Since 1853, after the re-establishment of the Archdiocese of Utrecht, the Church of St. Catherine became the cathedral church of this diocese.
In St. Catherine's Cathedral, the main altar contains the relics of St. Willibrord, the patron saint of the Netherlands. The cathedral itself is also a museum and is open to tourists.
Coordinates: 52.08750000,5.12416700
House Schroeder
This building became the only and most famous building in the neo-plasticism style. The owner lived in it until 1985 - until her death. After this, the house was restored and turned into a museum. Understanding the architectural value of her home, Mrs. Schroeder created a fund for these purposes in advance. 10 years before her death, the house was included in the list of architectural monuments, and in 2000 it became one of the World Heritage Sites.
The area of this two-story building is 125 m². The second floor was not divided into traditional rooms, the walls were built in the format of partitions, furniture could be folded, and doors could be opened using levers and buttons. The house also does not have the usual stove and central heating system, as they have been replaced with hot water pipes and a potbelly stove. Instead of curtains there are colored plywood panels.
The building was specially built so that the windows did not face the street itself, but its reverse side, with the hope that a wonderful view would always open from there. However, in 1964 a freeway was built there.
Coordinates: 52.08527800,5.14722200
House-Tower
Of course, building a new building is much easier and cheaper. But there are enthusiasts who are engaged in a less noticeable, but more interesting activity - the renovation of old buildings.
The agency Zecc Architects showed creative ingenuity, which transformed the building of the old water tower, built in 1931, into a modern ten-story residential building. The main problem During the reconstruction, there was a lack of daylight, since there were only a few small windows in the tower. The decision was made to insert a huge three-level stained glass window with minimal intervention into the building's structure.
Steel, concrete, as well as the industrial style of the structures have been preserved, so the living spaces have a distinctive interior. To soften its industrial style, the designers used practical, simple furniture. Even the location of the rooms in the building differs from others, because they are all connected by stairs.
Coordinates: 52.18333800,5.29079600
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Restaurant "Filemon en Baucis"
Filemon en Baucis is a superb restaurant that attracts many local residents and guests of the city with its elegant interior, designed in art deco style, high level of service and delicious European cuisine. This is a very comfortable and cozy establishment, which is perfect for business meetings or special events. Its interior decoration is dominated by bright contrasting colors - purple, red, yellow and black. There are several dozen stylish tables in the hall, decorated with snow-white tablecloths, fresh flowers and magnificent handmade candlesticks. On the restaurant's menu you will find dishes such as sturgeon in wine sauce, salad with chicken, apples and nuts, as well as an excellent vegetable casserole with cauliflower.
The restaurant's infrastructure includes a huge dance floor equipped with the latest equipment, a billiards room and a karaoke club. "Filemon en Baucis" opens its doors for you from Monday to Thursday - from 10:00 to 21:00, and from Saturday to Sunday from 12:00 to 05:00.
Coordinates: 52.09376100,5.12057800
The most popular attractions in Utrecht with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose best places for visiting famous places Utrecht on our website.
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More sights of Utrecht
Utrecht - capital province of the same name and the fourth largest city in the Netherlands. It is located in the central part of the country - just 25 minutes south of Amsterdam. The history of the city goes back to the distant past, when in the 1st century AD the Romans built defensive fortresses- castrums. For a huge historical period Utrecht has become a major modern city and an important economic center of the Netherlands.
For many centuries this city was an important religious center of the country. This explains this a large number of historical churches among the sights of Utrecht. A bunch of historical buildings, a network of picturesque canals and a range of varied and fascinating museums make this city a popular destination tourist destination. The list of attractions below will help you decide what to see in Utrecht.
Utrecht Cathedral. | Photo: Patrick Rasenberg / Flickr. Once upon a time main cathedral Utrecht was connected to the Dome Tower, but after the central nave collapsed during a tornado, the two structures separated. This beautiful Gothic cathedral has stood in Utrecht since the Middle Ages and was once considered the largest church in the Netherlands.
The architecture of the building is fully consistent with French Gothic examples. Fragments that have survived to date old church- these are the choirs and the transverse nave, and on the territory of the destroyed central nave there is an area planted with trees.
The cathedral's surviving interior still impresses with its many ornate vaulted arches and colorful stained glass windows.
Address: St Martin's Cathedral, Achter de Dom, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Dome Tower Utrecht. | Photo: wikimedia. A huge 112.5-meter structure, the Dome Tower, rises above the center of Utrecht. It is clearly visible from anywhere in the city and is one of its most iconic landmarks. The tower was built in 1321 and stands separate from St Martin's Cathedral.
The tower houses a bell tower - a group of 14 medieval bells weighing a total of 32,000 kilograms. On weekdays, at certain intervals, you can still hear from the tower bell ringing, and on Saturdays real carillon concerts are held here.
There is a special room inside where visitors can learn about the history of the tower and buy original souvenirs. Climbing up the 465 steps, you will see a fantastic panorama of the Netherlands, and you can even see Rotterdam and Amsterdam in the distance.
Address: The Dom Tower, Domplein 21, 3512 JC Utrecht, The Netherlands.
DOMunder is located in the same place as the Dome Tower and Cathedral St. Martin - on Domplein. Descending to a depth of 4.7 m, you will find yourself in an unusual underground museum telling about the 2,000-year history of Utrecht.
The museum was opened in 2014 and is equipped with the most advanced technologies. Visitors are given interactive flashlights that illuminate the exhibits. Among the unique archaeological finds, fragments of the stone walls of an ancient Roman fortress that stood on the site of the current Domplein square.
Address: DOMunder, Domplein, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Jukebox Museum. | Photo: Kotomi_/Flickr. Unusual museum Speelklok is a magical place full of entertainment and amazing mechanical mechanisms that will delight visitors of all ages. The museum's exhibition presents a variety of devices with mechanical music - toys, watches, boxes, barrel organs and musical instruments.
There are sounds everywhere and moving parts of devices are visible. Majority museum exhibits is still functioning. In addition to a beautifully curated collection of musical mechanisms, the museum gives visitors an insight into how these unique pieces are created. The manufacture of each part of the mechanism requires great skill, patience and dedication.
Address: Museum Speelklok, Steenweg, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Railway Museum. | Photo: Jan-Willem Reusink / Flickr. This interesting city museum is located in the eastern part of Utrecht, on the former railway station Maliban. The old station was reconstructed, and later a new building was added to it, which is connected to the main building through a pedestrian crossing.
The museum's collection includes unique items related to the history of Dutch railways. The museum is divided into four thematic sections - “Dream Journeys”, “Steel Monsters”, “Workshop” and the Great Discovery.”
In addition to the main exhibition halls, the museum has a model railway, a children's play area, and a collection of real carriages and locomotives, such as De Arend and NS Class 200.
Address: Railway Museum, Maliebaanstation, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Utrecht canals
The presence of canals is a typical feature of Dutch cities, and Utrecht is no exception. There may not be as many of them as in Amsterdam, but they are very unusual in appearance - they are often called two-tiered. One embankment is located on the lower level, right next to the water, and the second, wider one, is on the upper level.
The canals running through the entire city center are simply mesmerizing with their beauty. Some of them you can ride on excursion boats, however much nicer in good weather take a walk.
Walking along the upper tier of the canals, you will see many tall, narrow houses of different colors, with doors opening directly onto the canal. While the lower tier gives you the opportunity to look at Utrecht from an unusual angle.
Address:
Central Museum Utrecht. The Utrecht Central Museum is the oldest city museum in the Netherlands. It was founded in 1838 and is located in the building of a former Augustinian monastery. IN museum complex presents an impressive collection of paintings by such famous masters of the Utrecht school as Joachim Uttewaal and Gerrit van Honthorst.
In addition to works by old masters, the museum's collection includes medieval sculptures, archaeological and religious exhibits, historical costumes and furniture, decorative and applied arts, jewelry and works by contemporary artists.
Among the most interesting exhibits is an ancient ship belonging to the type of so-called “Utrecht ships”, which is exhibited in the basement of the museum. With its rich and varied collection, the Utrecht Central Museum is a must-see, with something of interest for every visitor.
Address: Centraal Museum, Agnietenstraat, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Botanical Garden of Utrecht University. | Photo: Tom Jutte/Flickr. The famous Botanical Garden of Utrecht is owned by the local university and is located in the eastern part of the city. The garden area of 8 hectares is divided into 6 zones, including a rock garden, a fort area with numerous varieties of flowers, and a garden wildlife where they live different types birds, reptiles and insects.
At the Utrecht Botanical Garden you will see many beautiful fountains and more than 10,000 species of vegetation. In addition, in the greenhouse you can admire the unique collection of butterflies - it amazes with the richness and variety of species presented, including such beautiful views like Morpho and Atlas Moths.
Address: Utrecht Botanical Gardens, Budapestlaan 17, 3584 CD Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Flower market Janskerhof. | Photo: Alison Netsel/Flickr. Every Saturday there is a large flower market on the Janskerhof town square. It is located next to a medieval church, a short walk from the Duomo tower and the main town square.
Unlike the flower markets of Amsterdam, which focus mainly on tulips, the Utrecht market simply amazes with the variety of potted plants, cut flowers, seedlings, herbs and seeds.
The riot of smells and colors attracts numerous tourists here. Moreover, this perfect place, where you can feel the atmosphere of a real flower market, take some colorful shots or buy a small original souvenir.
Address: Janskerkhof flower market, Neude Janskerkhof en Domplein, 3512 JE Utrecht, The Netherlands.
The Roman Catholic Church of St. Willibrord is a prime example of neo-Gothic architecture. It is located in the center of Utrecht - not far from the Church of John the Baptist and the Dome Tower. The temple was built in the 1800s, making it a relatively new religious structure in the region.
From the outside, the building stands out for its tall and narrow design, while inside it stands out for its incredibly elegant and luxurious design. The magnificent interior truly amazes with its bright colors and numerous works of art.
Colorful stained glass windows frame the arched openings, and on the columns and ceiling there are many decorative elements in rich colors - green, orange and gold. For connoisseurs of beautiful architecture, the Church of St. Willibrord is a must-see attraction in Utrecht.
Address: Sint Willibrordkerk, Minrebroederstraat, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Wilhelmina Park. | Photo: Tom Imrei/Flickr. Large city park located east of Utrecht – perfect place, where you can stop and relax in the fresh air on the way to Botanical Garden. The park was created in the English landscape style according to the design of the Dutch garden architect Hendrik Copain. It first opened to visitors in 1898.
There are many beautiful statues and monuments in the park (including a statue of Queen Wilhelmina, after whom the park got its name). In addition, you will see here a large number of bicycle paths, the Tea Room building, a beautiful rose garden, a large Central Pond and many wonderful trees and varied vegetation.
Address: Wilhelminapark, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Museum of the Monastery of St. Catherine. | Photo: wikimedia. This museum is located in the southern part of Utrecht - in the monastery of St. Catherine, and is dedicated to works of church art. The museum houses a huge collection of historical exhibits and works of art, from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Among them are ancient manuscripts, early printed books in precious bindings, icons, wooden sculptures, statues of saints, church utensils and rich vestments of clergy, altars, items made of gold and silver. Dutch painting of the Golden Age is represented by paintings by Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Jan van Scorel.
Address: Museum Catharijneconvent, Lange Nieuwstraat, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
A fairytale castle half surrounded by a moat and lake, it's a true hidden gem among Utrecht's attractions. In addition to the castle, the estate ensemble includes a chapel and a large picturesque park. The structure was built in the neo-Gothic style - with several pointed turrets and battlements.
The church's stunning interior is decorated with exquisite wood carvings, as well as an art collection and tapestries. No less impressive than the castle are the beautiful gardens surrounding it, reminiscent in style of the parks of Versailles. It's easy to see why this place attracts so many tourists - the backdrop of Castle de Haar and the surrounding gardens makes for incredibly picturesque photos.
Address: Kasteel de Haar, Kasteellaan, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Church of St. Peter. | Photo: wikimedia. This Roman Catholic church is one of the oldest in the city. It was illuminated in the early 1000s. The building is located in the center of Utrecht, in close proximity to other famous attractions of the city. The church was built in the Romanesque style - with two towers, high arched stained glass windows and a nave at the rear of the structure.
The interior features beautiful columns made of red sandstone. There is a lot of light coming through the colorful curves, especially at the main altar. In the Church of St. Peter you can see the 13th-century crypt with the sarcophagus of Bishop Bernold.
Address: Pieterskerk, Pieterskerkhof, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Domplein Square. | Photo: wikimedia. Domplein is one of the central squares Utrecht, included in all popular tourist routes around town. The square is home to famous Utrecht landmarks such as the Dome Tower and St. Martin's Cathedral.
In addition, on the square itself and in the nearby alleys you will find many restaurants, cafes and bars. Thanks to its convenient location, Domplein is great place, where you can start an exciting journey around Utrecht.
Address: Domplein, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
The highlight of your stay in Utrecht will be the opportunity to stroll along the beautiful old Oudegracht canal. It runs through the central part of the city from southeast to north. In the southern part the canal follows a route that was once part of the Rhine, while Northern part Oudegrachta includes segments of a canal that was built around 1000 AD. e. and connected the Rhine with the Vechte River.
In 1275, after the completion of the Utrecht lock network, numerous moorings, piers and warehouses began to appear on the banks of the canal. Today, many of these old buildings and premises have been converted into restaurants, cafes, galleries and boutiques.
Address: Oudegracht Canal, Oudegracht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
House Schroeder. | Photo: Frans de Wit / Flickr. This small but unique building in the neo-plasticism style was ahead of its time. It was built in 1924 according to the design of the famous Utrecht architect Gerrit Rietveld. Later, he was quite surprised to learn that his creation was now recognized as an architectural monument and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The house is reminiscent of the abstract matrices of artist Piet Mondrian. The two-story building has no interior walls, food is served in an elevator, furniture can be folded compactly, and all doors open using levers and buttons.
Address: Rietveld Schröderhuis, Prins Hendriklaan, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Residence of the Pope. | Photo: wikimedia. Typically, only participants of conferences and special events held here are allowed to enter this building. However, admire appearance this magnificent 500-year-old mansion is off-limits to anyone.
The building was originally built as a home for Utrecht native Adrian Buijens, who was elected Pope in 1522. Adrian VI became the first and only Dutchman to ascend the papal throne.
Address: Paushuize, Kromme Nieuwegracht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
This is the main building of Utrecht University, located on the corner of the Domplein. Behind a neo-Renaissance façade dating from 1892 are the older ceremonial buildings of Utrecht University.
The oldest room is the auditorium in the former chapter house from 1462. It was here that the Utrecht Agreement was signed in 1579, which, in fact, laid the foundation for the formation of a new legal state - the Republic of the United Provinces of the Netherlands.
Address: Academiegebouw Universiteit Utrecht, Domplein, Utrecht, The Netherlands.