How to Spend One Day in Utrecht- Things to See and Do

When planning my Netherlands itinerary I decided to visit Utrecht because it has a long and interesting history, some architectural and archaeological attractions, and of course, canals like the country is known for. Utrecht is also a convenient central base for doing day trips to other towns.

After figuring out what I wanted to see in the city, I decided that one day in Utrecht was enough to do everything I wanted. However, I spent three nights in Utrecht so I could do day trips to Castle de Haar and Delft.

Here’s a look at everything I did in Utrecht in one day. If you’re planning a short trip to the city, I hope this gives you some ideas of things to do in Utrecht in one day.

How to Spend One Day in Utrecht- Things to See and Do

It was easy to experience Utrecht in one day because the city’s main tourist attractions are located close to each other, in the compact and walkable historic centre. The only challenge was that opening hours and tour times were later/shorter than what I usually encounter when travelling during the summer so I had to have a planned itinerary for my day in Utrecht to make sure I could fit in everything I wanted to.

With only one day in Utrecht, the quickest way to see the main sights while learning about the city was to go on a free walking tour. Afterwards, I returned to the places I was interested in going inside to visit, most of which were located in the Domplein (Dom Square). I ended my day in Utrecht with a canal cruise.

Free Walking Tour

There are several options for free walking tours in Utrecht that leave from the Domplein and show you the best of the historic city centre in about 2- 2.5 hours. Simply show up at the start time to join the tour (or book a spot in advance on the company’s website) and then at the end you can give the guide a tip of your choosing. I recommend doing a morning tour, if offered when you’re visiting, to make the most of your one day in Utrecht.

My tour of Utrecht was a great way to get to know the city from the defining moments that shaped its history to its contemporary culture. The most interesting stories were about the city’s beginning as a Roman fortress and how a violent storm collapsed the nave that joined the Dom Church to the Dom Tower, thereby creating what is now the Dom Square.

My tour guide led our group to the cloister garden of the Dom Church, the house and statue of Pope Adrianus VI, City Hall (a curious mix of neoclassical and deconstructivist styles), old cellars along a canal, Neude Square, a statue of Miffy (a famous fictional rabbit in a series of Dutch children’s books), Flora’s Hof, and much more. 

The walking tour was great because my guide explained the history and meaning of some landmarks and public art that I wouldn’t have known otherwise. There were also some places I probably wouldn’t have discovered if I didn’t go on a tour.

Dom Tower

The Dom Tower is one of the top things to see in Utrecht, partly because it’s so tall it can’t be missed! Unfortunately, at the time of my visit, the tower was covered by scaffolding for restoration work, but at least I could go inside for a guided tour.

Built between 1321 and 1382, the Dom Tower is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands at 112.32 m/368.5 ft. It became detached from the cathedral across the square in 1674 when a storm destroyed the nave connecting the two. The tower’s primary purpose was as a belfry, but it also served as a watchtower and housed a private chapel of the Bishop of Utrecht. 

During my tour of the Dom Tower, I got to visit the chapel, the home of the tower guard, and the bell chamber with its 14 swinging bells that can only be rung by hand. 

The last stop on the tour was the top of the tower, reached after climbing 465 steps up a narrow, spiral staircase. The view of the city would have been better without the scaffolding, but I liked the cute little windows and the golden image of St. Martin riding a horse at the peak.

Dom Church (St. Martin’s Cathedral)

St. Martin’s Cathedral, also known as the Dom Church, is another interesting place to include on your Utrecht itinerary, especially if you’re interested in architecture, art, and history. 

Construction of this Gothic cathedral began in 1254 and stopped in 1520 leaving the nave unfished due to a lack of funds. In 1580, Reformation iconoclasm led to the destruction of images, ornaments, and monuments in the cathedral and it was closed by the city council and transferred to local Calvinists. Protestant services began the following year.

During my visit to the church, I saw some beautiful stained glass windows, a large organ, memorial chapels, and sculptures. The highlights for me were the worn gravestones on the floor and the tombs, especially that of Admiral Willem Joseph Van Gendt, the first commander of the Dutch Marines.

DOMunder

The most unique thing I did during my day in Utrecht was the DOMunder Discovery Tour, an experience that takes visitors below the Dom Square to see the ruined remains of the Roman fortress and cathedral’s nave that once occupied the square.

I felt like an archaeologist as I shone my flashlight on the rubble looking for artifacts. When my light shone on a sensor by an excavated artifact it activated my audioguide to play information about that object. The tour was a fun and interactive way to learn more about the events of Utrecht’s history.

Canal Cruise

Since Utrecht is known for its “two-storey” canals, I wanted to do an activity on the water so I decided to take a boat tour along the Oudegracht (old canal) that flows through the city’s centre.

During the 1 hour cruise, I saw the old warehouses and cellars that line the canal at water level (some of which have been converted into restaurants), the houses above at street level, and stone bridges. 

The canal cruise was just an okay experience so if you don’t have time for it, I wouldn’t worry that you’re missing out on anything. I thought the scenery was underwhelming, especially compared to a canal cruise in Amsterdam. The boat was closed-top and only had some windows that could be opened, which made it hard to see the sights along the upper level of the canal. Most disappointing was that the recorded commentary was hard to hear because most of the passengers were talking loudly, especially when the commentary in their language wasn’t playing.

Looking back, I would have preferred to go kayaking on the canal instead. But honestly, the scenery is better from street level.

Winkel van Sinkel

In 1839, Winkel van Sinkel opened as the first department store in the Netherlands but the neoclassical building has since been restored and converted into a restaurant and bar.

I enjoyed eating here mostly because of the grand red and white interior complete with artistic details and a skylight. The exterior was interesting too, with four cast-iron caryatids (sculpted columns in the shape of female figures). Even if you don’t eat here, it’s worth a peek inside this historic building.

Final Thoughts About My Day in Utrecht

I really enjoyed visiting Utrecht even though it wasn’t my favourite place I stayed during my Netherlands trip. What I appreciated most about the city was the interesting stories from its past and the historic architecture. I also liked the artistic touches on many of the buildings and the statues and other artwork throughout the city.

I liked that Utrecht is a transportation hub, so it was quick and easy to take the train to other towns and nearby attractions. I stayed in a nice hotel that was a few steps from Central Station and a 10 minute walk to Dom Square, which was convenient for both exploring Utrecht and doing day trips out of the city.

So, if you’re wondering is Utrecht worth visiting? I’d say yes! There are a lot of historic attractions, but also a youthful vibe and lively atmosphere for the best of both worlds. If you’re looking for somewhere similar to Amsterdam, but smaller, less crowded, with more affordable centrally located accommodations, and convenient access to other destinations in the Netherlands, then Utrecht is a great choice.  

Pictures of Utrecht

Here are a few more photos of Utrecht to inspire you to visit.

Accommodations in Utrecht

For your convenience, here is a list of hotels in Utrecht. Please consider booking your Utrecht accommodations through the included link. It costs nothing extra and helps support this website. Thank you!