| Utrecht | ||
 | ||
Coat of arms and flag   | ||
| State | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Utrecht province | |
| Altitude | 5 m a.s.l. | |
| Surface | 99.21 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 349.234 (2018) | |
| Name inhabitants | Utrechter (s) nl | |
| Prefix tel | 31 30 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 3450–3455, 3500–3585 | |
| Time zone | UTC 1 | |
Position
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| Tourism site | ||
| Institutional website | ||
Utrecht is a city of the Netherlands, capital of the homonymous province .
To know
How Amsterdam, Utrecht is also a city of canals which give it a picturesque aspect.
The city is home to the Catholic primate of the gods Netherlands and another bishop at the head of the Old Catholic church, who broke away from the church of Rome following the enunciation of the dogma of the pope's infallibility, wanted by Pius IX in 1870.
When to go
The rains are evenly distributed throughout the year so you will have to pack waterproof clothes if, for example, you want to enjoy walking or cycling. However, the summer rains are short-lived and the hours of sunshine are greater.
Summer temperatures are mild and winter temperatures averaging a few degrees below zero, enough to freeze the water of the canals so you will have to forgo boat trips. In winter the thermometer can drop precipitously in conjunction with unfavorable weather conditions so you should consult a bulletin just before departure. The city is very lively thanks to the presence of university students, much less in July and August.
Background
Utrecht is a city rich in history. The foundation dates back to 47 AD. when the Roman emperor Claudius ordered his general Corbulo to erect a defensive line along the river Reno to protect the northern border of the empire. One of the strongholds was built near one of the Rhine river crossings and for this reason called Traiectum (which means passage / crossing). In the local language the name changed to Trecht, then Uut-Trecht (low pass) to eventually become Utrecht. In the place where the castle once stood, there is now the Church of the Dom, built in the 13th century.
How to orient yourself
The Inner City (Binnenstad): full screen map.Vredenburgplein is the name of the central square of Utrecht which marks the entrance to the old city. It is located a short distance from the central station building. Between this and the square stands "Hoog Catharijne", a vast shopping center that includes, in addition to shops and offices, also cinemas and gym centers. Vredenburg, always very crowded, stands on the site where the fortress of Charles V once stood. Since 2012, the area has undergone a building renovation which involved the demolition of several buildings, including the concert hall. Proceeding on the via Vredenburg cross the bridge overOudegracht (old canal) which connected the Rhine to the Vecht River. the Oudegracht flows between 5 meter high embankments, to protect the city from possible floods. It is lined with old houses, the oldest of which is the 14th-century Het Oudaen, now used as a restaurant. There are also numerous clubs and restaurants that make the old canal the most touristic place in all of Utrecht. On the canal there is also the fish market (Vismarkt) and the Winkel van Sinkel, a large emporium from 1839 with a portico supported by caryatids, which today functions as a bar - restaurant.
Neighborhoods
The city is divided into 10 districts reported below for completeness:
- Binnenstad (inner city) - The historic center described above where most of the city's attractions are concentrated.
- Oost - The eastern district where most of the university buildings are located (De Uithof campus), including the mammoth student housing and some museums managed by the institute.
- Leidsche Rijn - A residential district on the canal of the same name and on the Utrecht - Rotterdam railway line. It has a dizzying growth rate: in 1997 it had just 18,000 inhabitants, which rose to 80,000 after less than twenty years.
- West - The district west of the central station. Since the nineteenth century numerous factories were built there that exploited the driving force of the water of the canals thanks to mills. After World War II, the western district saw an enormous influx of immigrants from southern Europe and Indonesia. Even today, the Lombok neighborhood is mostly inhabited by Turkish families. The district is however appreciated by the inhabitants of Utrecht for the presence of ethnic restaurants.
- Overvecht - The district of the upper middle class characterized by large green spaces. Most condominiums have swimming pools and tennis courts.
- Zuid - The southern district consisting of the Tolsteeg and Rotsoord districts, both characterized by terraced houses and condominiums. Some, very original and surrounded by greenery, bear the signature of the urban planner Van der Stadt. The district of Nieuw Hoograven, made up of dark red brick houses dating back to the period between the two world wars, today has a high crime rate.
- Noordoost —
- Zuidwest —
- Noordwest —
- Vleuten-De Meern - A former municipality that included the rural villages of Vleuten, De Meern and Haarzuilens (in the latter the famous Haar Castle is located) merged in 2001 in the city of Utrecht. Due to the increase in population from less than 20,000 in 2001 to almost 48,000 in 2017, the Vleuten-De Meern district has changed its face. For example, new shopping centers have been built and the number of catering establishments has also increased considerably.
Oudegracht
Oudegracht
Het Oudaen
Winkel van Sinkel
Caryatids
How to get
By plane
Schiphol International Airport is the closest and is the most convenient choice as it has a train station. Trains take less than half an hour to reach Utrecht.
Other airports to consider are:
- The airport of Eindhoven, where Ryanair operates.
- The airport of Maastricht it is the farthest, but equally reachable in just over two hours.
- The airport of Rotterdam where the low-cost company Transavia operates regular flights from Rome-Ciampino plus other seasonal from various Italian airports (Palermo, Pisa). Intercity trains take less than 40 minutes from the central station of Rotterdam to that of Utrecht.
- The airport of Weeze, where Ryanair operates several flights from Italian airports, it is connected to Utrecht by a shuttle bus service. Alternatively you can take the shuttle from Weeze to Nijmegen, and from there take the train to Utrecht (approximately every 15 minutes).
By car
If you arrive by car, leave it in one of the many paid parking lots and then turn on foot. If you see the parking signs that indicate Vol this means that the car park is full. It is normal to pay around € 2.60 per hour for the central garage. You can also park on the street but the parking meters are even more expensive (4-5 €) and the fines are high (and frequent). Better not to drive into the center of Utrecht: leave your car in the garage and get around by public transport or on foot.
There are 4 transferiums (or P R): Westraven, Uithof, Muziektheater and Papendorp. Fixed rate € 4.50 per day, including travel to the city center by bus or tram for up to 5 passengers. The transferiums are close to the highway [1][link not working] and they open from early morning until 01:00. Transferium Westraven is to the south, near the A12 motorway exit 17. The Nieuwegein-Utrecht tram line stops here and runs 8 times during the day, 4 at night and on weekends. To go back you can take the tram to Nieuwegein or IJsselstijn, the last one leaves at 00.30. Transferium Papendorp is close to the stadium and connected to the city by bus.
On the train
- 1 Utrecht Central Station (Station Utrecht Centraal). Utrecht Central Station is an important rail transport hub and is easily accessible from every city of the Netherlands. There are links with Amsterdam and Schiphol airport even at night, it takes 30 minutes and a one-way ticket costs € 8.
- ICE trains from central Amsterdam stop at the station Frankfurt am Main (5 per day) and a Basel-BBS (1 per day). Reservations are required for both.
- You can book tickets on the sites nshispeed.nl or db.de. The others can be purchased at the automatic ticket machines in the station.
By bus
The suburban bus terminals are located on both sides of the central train station. Local and international buses depart from the west side ('Jaarbeurszijde'), while most regional and city buses depart from the east side Busstation CS Centrumzijde. Regional buses are much slower than trains. U-OV provides public transport services in Utrecht and the surrounding region.
9292OV is a site in English that allows you to plan trips by public transport throughout Holland.
How to get around
Getting around on foot is ideal for getting around the center which is quite small and all the main attractions are within walking distance of each other.
By public transport
The public transport system uses buses, trams and suburban trains.
Buses are very frequent and go everywhere. Most lines run from 6 am until after midnight. Night rides cost 5-6 euros and cannot be paid with the chip card.
There are two tram lines running from the central station to the suburbs of Nieuwegein and IJsselstein through the center. For tourists the interesting stops are Westplein is Graadt van Roggeweg. Respectively they are close to the Turkish quarter and the convention center. A third direct line to the De Uithof university center will be inaugurated in the course of 2019. Trams will replace the overcrowded bus line No. 12.
As of 2018, trams and buses were operated by the company Qbuzz (owned by the Italian State Railways) which operates under the brand U-OV.
To be able to use all public transport (buses, trains and trams), buy one OV-chipkaart which works like a prepaid card and is available at newsstands or at various stations. The pricing is in zones.
By car
Driving around Utrecht is not recommended. Better to leave it in one of the off-center parking lots and then move on foot or by other means.
By bike
If the weather is nice you can always travel by bicycle. Around the train station there are several shops where you can rent bikes of different types but you can also instruct your accommodation to find one for you. Unfortunately bicycle thefts are very frequent so you will need to secure at least a good lock.
Given that almost 150,000 citizens used this vehicle for their daily journeys in 2018, the administrative authorities intervened to regulate pedal traffic. Keep in mind that you cannot leave the bike outside the special parking areas managed by the municipality, otherwise it will be removed.
The cycle paths are very extensive both in the city and in the surrounding region. A well-traveled route is the one from the center to the university city.There are also guided bike tours, a fun way to visit the center of Utrecht.
What see
Religious architectures
- 1 Duomo tower (Domtoren). The symbol of Utrecht is the bell tower of the ancient cathedral dedicated to St. Martin, never completed, which today stands in an isolated position with respect to the church following the partial collapse of the central nave in 1674. It is crossed at its base by a short arched street which time it was the main access portal to the temple.
The tower is a Gothic brick structure composed of three parts that gradually narrow: the base is similar to a 38.60 meters high castle on which rests a second more graceful square of 29.48 meters high, crowned, in turn , from a 26 meter high octagon.
Overall, the tower is 112.32 meters high and is still the tallest building in Utrecht also because there is a law that prohibits taller buildings. You can climb to the top via a staircase of 462 steps.The tower of the Duomo houses a large carillon that plays on Fridays and Saturdays between 11:00 and 12:30. 
- 2 Duomo (Dom van Utrecht).
- DOMunder, Domplein 4, ☎ 31 30 233 9999. Vestiges of the ancient Roman camp (Castrum Trajectum) in the basement of the cathedral. The entrance on the square of the cathedral is similar to that of a meter. The visit lasts 1 1/4 hours, which is more than enough time since the site is very small.
- 3 Church of San Pietro (Pieterskerk), Pieterskerkhof 5, ☎ 31 30 231 1485. Church from 1039, one of the oldest in Utrecht. It still preserves the Romanesque structure inside.
Civil architectures
- 4 House of the Pope (Paushuize), Kromme Nieuwegracht 49. Paushuize owes its name to Adrian VI, the only Dutch pope, who had the house built in 1517, five years before its elevation to the papal throne.
- Hadrian VI died the following year and never stayed in his home in Utrecht. In 1985, Pope John Paul II paid a visit to Paushuize. Today the building is used as a representative space for the royal commissioner and the provincial government.
- 5 De Krakeling, via Achter Sint Pieter (corner with the Keistraat). A house from 1663 built by the poet Everard Meyster, known for his quirky tastes. The exterior bears particular friezes and various inscriptions in Latin.
- 6 Geertebrug. The most impressive stone bridge over the old canal (Oudegracht). It is an arched bridge built between the 12th and 13th centuries.
- 7 Schröder House (Rietveld Schröderhuis).
- 8 Former central post office (Hoofdpostkantoor), Neude 11. A magnificent example of Art Deco completed in 1924.
- 9 De Uithof, Heidelberglaan 11. In the eastern district (Oost) is the university city which includes the science park, the medical center, a dozen established experimental research institutes and the botanical gardens. The complex constitutes an avant-garde example of modern architecture. The first buildings were rather simple and unpretentious structures built in the 60s of the twentieth century but in the following decades the campus was enriched with spectacular buildings designed by famous architects such as the award-winning Educatorium, the work of the Rem Koolhaas / OMA studio or the Minnaert building designed by Neutelings Riedijk or the library designed by Wiel Arets Architects & Associates.
Today the university campus is visited by people with special interests in architecture.
Museums
- 10 National Museum from the Carillon to the Organ of Barberia (Museum Van Speelklok tot Pierement), Steenweg 6, ☎ 31 30 231 2789. Set up in a deconsecrated church, the Buurkerk (church of the bourgeois) which stands a few steps from the cathedral. With an area of approximately 2500 m², it was the largest church in Utrecht.
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- 11 Centraal Museum, Agnietenstraat 1-3, ☎ 31 30 236 2362.
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- 12 Museum of the former convent of Santa Caterina (Museum Catharijneconvent), Lange Nieuwstraat 38, ☎ 31 30 231 3835.
- 13 Utrecht University Museum (Universiteitsmuseum), 106 - Lange Nieuwstraat.
- 14 Dutch Railway Museum (Nederlands Spoorwegmuseum), Maliebaanstation, ☎ 31 30 230 6206, 31 30 230 6206. The museum was inaugurated in 1954 and occupies the spaces of the Maliebaanstation, a station from 1874 no longer in operation.
Parks and gardens
- 15 Oude Hortus (Ancient botanical garden), Lange Nieuwstraat (between Lange and Nieuwegracht.). The botanical garden of the University of Utrecht arranged in 1723. Between 1906 and 1908 the greenhouses were demolished to make way for more modern ones. In the following decade the plants were transferred to the new university complex. A small museum has been set up in the current garden which illustrates the history of the botanical garden from the 17th to the 20th century. The central part has been rearranged according to the English landscape style of the nineteenth century while another area is home to plants typical of the alpine areas.
Events and parties
- Utrecht Marathon.
April. - Midzomergracht. June.
- Ancient Music Festival (Oude Muziek Utrecht Festival). From 28 August to 6 September. Festival in which internationally renowned artists perform.
- Nederlands Film Festival. September October. A film festival that has taken place every year since 1981 on the initiative of director Jos Stelling, a native of Utrecht. During the ten days of the festival, a selection of Dutch films of the year is screened, not only feature films, but also short films, documentaries and television productions. During the final evening the statuette of the golden calf is awarded to the best filmmaker and the best actors.
- Night of the museums (Utrechtse Museumnacht). October.
- Le Guess Who?. November. Rock music festival.
April.What to do
- Utrecht's nightlife is quite lively.
- Have a drink on the terraces in Neude or along the Oudegracht
- Canal tour by boat - A company that organizes boat trips is Schuttevaer while the Stromma Netherlands rent pedal boats.
- Go around the center by bike
- Try the local beers at Stadskasteel Oudaen [2], a 13th century castle converted into a restaurant.
- Walking routes cost € 3 and are paid at the tourist information centers (in front of the Dom tower) and explain the history of the buildings and show some of the most beautiful places in Utrechts.
- The Wilhelminapark, Park Lepelenburg or Julianapark are nice places to relax in the summer.
- Trajectum Lumen (app with map for Apple and Android), to discover artistically illuminated places, an attraction open since 2010.
- Utrecht Free Tours, @[email protected].
Free, voluntary donations. Sat 12: 00-15: 00. Tours led by locals departing from the Dom square.
Free, voluntary donations. Shopping
- 1 Hoog Catharijne, Stationsplein 97. The large shopping center in front of the central station, much criticized since its inauguration both for its architecture and because it quickly transformed into a place for drug addicts. However, since 2008, large-scale renovations have been started to improve the quality of life in the entire station area. Today the center presents itself with an ultramodern aspect and with corridors and paths polished like a mirror, despite the fact that hundreds of thousands of people pass through it every day.
- 2 Flower market (Bloemenmarkt), Janskerkhof. Sat 07: 00-17: 00. Saturday market on the square of the church of S. Giovanni. Lots of flowers and of course tulip bulbs.
- 3 Fabric market (Lapjesmarkt), Breedstraat. Sat 08: 00-13: 00. The largest fabric market for Netherlands takes place in Utrecht since the 17th century.
How to have fun
Shows
Theaters and concerts
- 1 Civic theater (Stadsschouwburg Utrecht), Lucasbolwerk 24. The largest city theater, opened on 3 September 1941 and managed by the municipality of Utrecht. The building, designed by architect Willem Dudok in 1937, was declared a national monument in 2009.
- 2 Beatrix Theater, Jaarbeursplein 6A. Theater with a capacity of about 1500 seats used mainly for musicals, concerts and cabaret shows as well as for theatrical performances.
- 3 TivoliVredenburg, Vredenburgkade 11, ☎ 31 30 760 6777. Opened in 2014, the TivoliVredenburg comprises five concert halls with a total capacity of 5500 people. Inside there is also a stage reserved for amateur artists and on the ground floor a bar / restaurant with outdoor tables on the bank of the Singel canal.
- 4 De Kargadoor, Oudegracht 36, ☎ 31 30 231 0377. A cultural center founded in 1961 on whose stage musicians, flutists, actors, comedians and poets perform. The venue is also home to various organizations for the defense of human rights and the socially weaker classes, also providing them with legal assistance.
Cinema
- 5 Wolff City, Voorstraat 89.
- 6 Louis Hartlooper Complex, Tolsteegbrug 1.
- 7 Pathé Rembrandt Utrecht, Oudegracht 73.
- 8 Springhaver Theater BV, Springweg 52.
- 9 Pathé Utrecht Leidsche Rijn, Berlijnplein 100.
- 10 Kinepolis Jaarbeurs Utrecht, Jaarbeursboulevard 300.
Night clubs
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Places frequented by students are concentrated around the Janskerkhof square, while on the Oudkerkhof there are places with wider targets.
- 11 [link not working]dB's oefenstudio's, concertzaal & café, CAB-Rondom 100, ☎ 31 30 293 8209. Mon-Sun 20: 00-02: 00. Large room where rock music bands perform.
- 12 EKKO, Bemuurde Weerd Westzijde 3, ☎ 31 30 231 7457. A local historian inaugurated in 1906 on the initiative of a group of students. Local and international bands of all genres such as hip-hop, acid, techno, electro etc. have performed there.
- 13 De Helling, Helling 7, ☎ 31 30 221 9944.
- 14 [link not working]stairway to Heaven, Mariaplaats 11. A dancing club / restaurant that takes its name from the song of the same name by Led Zeppelin and is set up in a historic horse shed destined to tow trams. The interiors are decorated with gold records and guitars and exhibit a collection of musical instruments that belonged to famous people such as Kurt Cobain of Nirvana.
- 15 Feestcafé ´t Pakhuis, Janskerkhof 21, ☎ 31 6 14463269. From Wednesday to Saturday: from 10pm to 4am. Closing days: Monday, Tuesday, Sunday.. Studentencafe
- 16 Hofman Café, Janskerkhof 17 A, ☎ 31 30 230 2470. Popular venue with live music.
- 17 Hemingway Eetcafé (Café-restaurant), Janskerkhof 6, ☎ 31 30 234 3374. Café-restaurant
- 18 Zussen, Korte Jansstraat 23, ☎ 31 30 233 3633. Monday to Thursday, as well as Sunday: from 11 to one in the morning. Friday to Saturday: 11am to 3am.. Restaurant / cocktail bar
- 19 De Nieuwe Dikke Dries, Oudkerkhof 36, ☎ 31 30 231 91 12. Pub.
- 20 ACU, Voorstraat, 71, ☎ 31 30 231 4590. Cultural center.
- 21 't Oude Pothuys, Oudegracht 279, ☎ 31 30 231 8970. A café in a basement, with live music almost every night.
For LGBT people there are cafes 22 Bodytalk is 23 Kalff on both sides of the Oudegracht. Since the closing of De Roze Wolk in 2006, there is no longer a gay nightclub in Utrecht, but in return there are regular parties in the most renowned clubs organized by EnSuite and by the youth association gay PANN.
In 1986, the municipality of Utrecht initiated a policy of emancipation of gays and lesbians with the aim of their full social integration. In the same year, National Rose Saturday was held in the city. The previous year, gay associations strongly protested against the official positions of the Catholic Church on homosexuality on the occasion of the visit of Pope John Paul II in May of that year and again in 1987 against the statements of Cardinal Simonis.
In June 1997, on the initiative of the municipality, the "Pink Spring" was organized, an event to make homosexuality visible to a wider audience. Since 2017, following the example of Amsterdam, a parade of boats has been taking place under the name of Utrecht Canal Pride.
Where to eat
Moderate prices
- 1 Bram Ladage, Bernadottelaan 8 (Inside the Nova shopping center), ☎ 31 30 296 3457. Fast food open 24 hours.
- 2 El Mundo, Voorstraat 18, ☎ 31 30 236 4543. Tapas bar.
- 3 Grand Restaurant Le Connaisseur, Oudegracht 59, ☎ 31 30 231 0456. Mon-Sun 17: 00-23: 00.
- 4 O'Panuozzo, Voorstraat 34, ☎ 31 30 259 1857. Tue-Fri 16: 00-22: 00, Sat-Sun 12: 00-22: 00. Authentic Italian pizzas (margherita, margherita special, mushrooms), focaccia and raw appetizers. The managers are Neapolitan and have opened another restaurant on the Mariastraat at number 34.
Average prices
- 5 Loetje Utrecht, Oudkerkhof 29, ☎ 31 30 231 5040. Mon-Sun 10: 00-22: 30. Club restaurant.
Where stay
Moderate prices
- 1 Hostel Strowis, Boothstraat 8, ☎ 31 30 2380280, @[email protected]. starting from € 15.50. Hostel managed and owned by a group of former occupants. The choice varies between 6, 8, 10 or 12 beds (dormitory layout). Services are free internet and a relaxing shady garden.
- 2 Hostel B&B Utrecht, Lucasbolwerk 4 (10 minutes walk from the central station), ☎ 31 650434884. from minimum € 25.00. Check-out: noon. The main room (common area) equipped with television and computers. Free internet, free food (anyone can take care of cooking their own food) and sometimes even free beer. The showers need half an hour to warm up in the morning.
- 3 Stayokay Utrecht Center, Neude 5, ☎ 31 30 750 1830. Hostel in a great location. Double is often offered for less than € 50.
Average prices
- 4 NH Center Utrecht hotel, Janskerkhof 10, ☎ 31 20 499 0317.
High prices
- 5 Grand Hotel Karel V, Geertebolwerk 1, ☎ 31 30 233 7555. 5 star hotel.
Safety
The area around the central station and the Hoog Catharijne shopping center has been completely renovated and cleaned up by the presence of drug addicts and vagabonds who used to roam there but being very busy it is better to be cautious.
- 2 Central Police Office (Politie Utrecht Bureau Kroonstraat / Paardenveld), Kroonstraat 25, ☎112 (emergencies), 31 0900-8844 (not emergencies). 00:00-24:00.
How to keep in touch
Around
- North
- 16 Slot Zuylen (8 km) - 13th century castle completely renovated in 1752. It occupies an evocative position on the banks of the Vecht river and has within it precious collections of tapestries of Delft. More information on timetables and visits on the official site of the castle.
- 17 Kasteel de Haar (22 km / 40 minutes by bus line 9 departing from the central station) - Kasteel de Haar is the largest castle of the Netherlands. It is located in the village of Haarzuilens and was completed in the 14th century. At the beginning of the 19th century it was rebuilt in a neo-Gothic style based on a project by architect Pierre Cuypers. More information on the official site.
- 3 Loosdrecht (21 km) - Village on the shores of the homonymous lake which has become an important holiday resort. Many families from Utrecht have built villas there where they spend their holidays and weekends. There you can practice various sports including sailing. The locality consists of an ancient part (Oud-Loosdrech) and a new one (Nieuw-Loosdrech) further away from the shores of the lake.
- 18 Soestdijk Palace - A former royal residence sold in 2017 to the company "Made in Holland" which plans to transform it into a luxury hotel with an attached events center. At the moment (2019) it is open to the public. More information on the official site of the building.
- East
- 4 Zeist (9 km / 16 minutes by bus) - City of 70,000 inhabitants surrounded by woods. There is the homonymous castle of the seventeenth century built by an exponent of the house of Orange. During the 19th century, many wealthy families from Utrecht preferred to move to Zeist.
- West
- 5 Oudewater (35 km) - Pretty medieval town, once famous for its rope factories. In the 17th century, at the time of the witch hunt, Oudewater distinguished itself by offering a refuge to those suspected of witchcraft. There is still the Heksenwaag, the building where the suspects were weighed. In fact, it was believed that witches and sorcerers, having no soul, had a considerably lower weight than normal which allowed them to fly on a broomstick.
- 6 Gouda (43 km / less than 20 minutes by train) - City famous for its Gothic architecture, the production of ceramics and especially for the dairy industry. It is a pleasant stop on the railway Rotterdam-Utrecht.
Itineraries
Useful information
- 7 VVV Utrecht, Domplein 9, ☎ 31 900 1288732. Mon-Sun 12: 00-17: 00. Tourist information center. Also rent bikes.
