Utrecht (map) is the fourth-largest city and a municipality of the Netherlands, capital and most populous city of the province of Utrecht.

Utrecht’s ancient city centre features many buildings and structures, several dating as far back as the High Middle Ages. It has been the religious centre of the Netherlands since the 8th century. It has the second-highest number of cultural events in the Netherlands, after Amsterdam. In 2012, Lonely Planet included Utrecht in the top 10 of the world’s unsung places.

⇒ Also сheck оut мore info: Sight­see­ing • Cy­cling & Wal­king • Pu­blic toi­lets

Utrecht is known as a student city with a large population of single young people. This results in a booming nightlife with many places to have a quick meal, some drinks or a dance.

Utrecht’s cityscape is dominated by the Dom Tower (map), the tallest belfry in the Netherlands and originally part of the Cathedral of Saint Martin (map).

Kanaalstraat (map). There is an attractive area of shops and eateries along Kanaalstraat in the Lombeck district between Damstraat and Lombokstraat. At the west end of Kanaalstraat is a quaint old-fashioned drawbridge. At the east end is a mosque with two minarets.

Another landmark is the old centre and the canal structure in the inner city. The *Oudegracht is a curved canal, partly following the ancient main branch of the Rhine. It is lined with the unique wharf-basement structures that create a two-level street along the canals. The inner city has largely retained its medieval structure, and the moat ringing the old town is largely intact.

Centraal Museum (map), located in the MuseumQuarter, this municipal museum has a large collection of art, design, and historical artifacts. Museum Speelklok National Museum (map) in the centre of the city, displays several centuries of mechanical musical instruments.

Kasteel de Haar (Castle De Haar, map) It is the biggest castle in The Netherlands. (at Haarzuilens village, take the train to Vleuten, then bus 111 to Kasteel de Haar). 10:00-17:00 (last admittance 16:00).

Houtzaagmolen De Ster (map). This windmill and sawmill installation was built in 1721 along the waterway called Leidsche Vaart, and was renovated in 1998. Molen Rijn en Zon (map). This windmill was built in 1913, retired in 1949 after a storm and restored 1977-1978; it was used for grinding corn (korenmolen). Today the ground floor is used as a butcher’s shop (slagerij) offering organic products.

OV Reisplanner – All public transport companies.

All public transport in the Netherlands (buses, trams, metros and trains) use contactless smart cards called ⇒ OV-chipkaart

⇒ Also сheck оut мore info: Public transport in the Netherlands (holland.com)

BUS: Flixbus • Connexxion • Arriva • Qbuzz

TRAIN: Utrecht Centraal Station (map). The hub of the Dutch rail network, it is easily accessible directly, or with one change of train, from almost every station in the Netherlands. For instance, there are frequent direct connections from Amsterdam and Schiphol Airport (even at night), each taking 30 min.

Information about trains can be found at the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS, Dutch Railways) + NS — International App, which includes a trip planner which uses the latest information about train delays and detours.

AIRPORT: Schiphol Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. It is 15 km (9.3 mi) southwest of Amsterdam. It’s a point of interest in itself, being 4 metres below mean sea level.

FERRY: Amsterdam Central Station (map). Waterbus Rotterdam & Dordrecht >> waterbus.nl. + AFerry.co.uk.

CYCLING: routiq.com – Route planner. The best online routeplanner for cyclists can be found at a wikiplanner made by volunteers of the Dutch cyclist union “Fietsersbond”.

Amsterdam in the Netherlands is a great city – but is also has a huge problem with overtourism. So it’s about time to show you an alternative: The city of Utrecht, 50 kilometers further south, is smaller, more cozy and a great student’s town. Besides that it’s stunning beautiful! Some people would even say: Utrecht is the better Amsterdam. But is it true? Let’s check out the city!

⇒ video source: Matthias Schwarzer / youtube.com /

If you are coming to the Netherlands you should always check if you need a visa and, if so, what type of visa. Applying for a visa.

A popular journey planner for public transport in the Netherlands. It provides real-time information on train, tram, bus, and metro schedules.

While primarily targeting expats living in the Netherlands, also provides articles and resources about Dutch culture, customs, traditions.