These are the best activities to do in and around Utrecht
Utrecht with the beautiful city center, canals and cozy terraces. In and around this city you will find an abundance of fun activities that will make your day just that little bit more fun. We have listed the best outings for you. Grab your agenda and let's go to Utrecht. These are the best activities to do in and around Utrecht.
The Dutch summer is here! And if you happen to be hanging out in the middle of the country, we challenge you to to play out the Dutch summer! Twenty-eight percent of the Dutch are staying home this summer. Well, not exactly home. In their own country. The Netherlands is full of place names and hotspots that carry a color within them. Groenlo. De Gele Kanarie. Witteveen. Zoutelande. And let's immediately link those places to a flavor or color of the Tony's bars.
So we did the opposite of what you normally do: we started at the chocolate aisle. Ten bars, ten colors, and for each color, we looked for a place in the Netherlands where that same color is in the name. A village, a hotel, a beach bar, a two-star restaurant—if the name fits, it counts. Then we turned it into a route you can drive in a single loop, with the addresses you need to visit at every stop. Sleeping, eating, coffee, and at a few stops, a very good reason to stick around a bit longer.
Get off that phone and get creative! mode on. In a wharf cellar on the Oudegracht, Britt opened the Utrecht version of her Clay Atelier. The business was previously a hit in Eindhoven, so naturally, the Dom City couldn't be left out.
You choose a mug, plate, or vase and let your creativity flow. It will keep you entertained for two hours, and you don't need any experience, as there are plenty of examples to peek at. There is plenty of food and drink to order, and you have a view of the canal. Your creation then goes into the kiln, and three weeks later, you pick it up sparkling clean.
De place to be for an afternoon with girlfriends, a baby shower, bachelorette party, or a team outing.
By far one of the most fun mazes you'll ever see. In Utrecht you'll find Doloris Anoma Maze, An art maze that transports you to a completely different world. Located in a former industrial train hall on Tweede Daalsedijk, you'll wander through more than seventy rooms with surreal installations designed by dozens of local and renowned artists. Leave your phone and watch at the entrance, allowing you to fully focus on the mysterious art rooms and passageways.
Don't expect a traditional maze, but a physical experience that stimulates your senses, where you sometimes have to climb, crawl, or duck. Ideal for couples, families with teenagers (12+), and groups looking for an adventure that plays with your senses. heyOf course, it has to remain cozy: that's why they also have delicious snacks and drinks (hello cocktails!).
Utrecht with its beautiful canals, parks, cozy neighborhoods and many coffee shops. We know all about it. But what about those restaurants? Yeah, we can't skip those either. And secretly, playing the hospitality industry is one of the most fun activities. In the cozy streets, such as the Twijnstraat and the Voorstraat, there are loads of nice eateries, but Utrecht also has plenty to offer (just) outside of there. There is plenty of choice to end your day in Utrecht somewhere, we have listed the best restaurants for you in this article.
We hear you say "an activity," so you must be very active? Nope. Nothing at all, but doing something relaxed is also possible. Thermen SoesterbergTucked away in the greenery of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, you're in the right place. Here you'll feel like you've left the city a hundred kilometers behind (and the good news is, you haven't), with saunas overlooking the forest, tranquil plunge pools, warm hammams, and spicy scents that put you in slow motion. You can literally walk through the trees in your bathrobe, and after a day of sweating, scrubbing, and
Immerse yourself in the natural pond and feel reborn.
And then we also have the Thermen Resorts sister around the corner: Thermal Baths MaarssenJust north of Utrecht, on the serene Maarsseveense Plassen lakes. A slightly more intimate setting, but just as delightful. This modern and serene complex offers everything you need. From relaxing sauna cabins and scent experiences to heated outdoor pools, a beach bathed in the refreshing lake water, and a lovely wellness lounge for healthy lunches in your bathrobe (or with a good glass of wine, that's also fine). Perfect for a day of me-time or a mini escape during the weekday evenings.
So, sauna on, world off.
If the weather is bad, or if you just feel like it, you can sink into one of the cinema seats at the Louis Hartlooper film house on the Ledig Erf. After the film, you can have a drink there, inside or outside.
If the weather is nice and you are in Utrecht to enjoy the city in peace, then renting a boat is a big tip. Renting costs around twenty euros for two hours. What is nice about renting a boat in Utrecht is that you can sail around the Singel and pass several nice spots along the water. Bring your own snack board, a bottle of wine, sunglasses on and off you go! The best way to rent a boat is via the Little Captain, where you have a good overview of all providers, prices and can read reviews. Handy!
Soy, or Beach Oog In Al, is the hotspot in the summer. You can find the beach bar in the Oog In Al district, a little outside Utrecht. You can't really call it a 'beach bar', because there is not much sand - anyway, the atmosphere is fantastic! Soia has an extensive terrace. One at the front, ideal for sitting with your head in the sun and enjoying your cocktail, two at the side and back and a roof terrace. On the back terrace is sand and there is a playground, so you can relax while the kids entertain themselves.
In the summer, the lawn around Soia is completely full and most people come to have a beer after chilling and sunbathing. Oh yeah, did we mention that Soia is located on the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal? This provides a lovely breeze on warm summer days. In the winter, Soia is also open: then the cozy atmosphere is moved inside and you can take a seat by the stove or in the sinking benches. Soia understands what we need, on a summer day, but also in the winter.
Do you want to escape the city and completely relax? That's certainly possible, and you don't have to travel far for it. Amelisweerd estate in Bunnik is a 20-minute bike ride from the Oudegracht. Not too bad, just keep pedaling. Moreover, you will pass nice places and it almost feels like you are on holiday in your own country. You will be rewarded for that mini workout: there is an old country house that you can visit. You can have a drink on the terrace of De Veldkeuken (or take something tasty from their bakery), or take the kids to the petting zoo.
Prefer a quick visit? De Veldkeuken also has a beautiful one estate shop where you can buy bread, among other things. Or visit the Veldkeuken stall, where you can get a cup of coffee, an ice cream or a sandwich to go.
For a game of table tennis or a 'round the table' tournament, you've come to the right place at the Ping Pong Club. But there are also plenty of other fun activities on the agenda. Think of quizzes, dance evenings and even a festival, we love it. We would do it for the place alone. Of course you can also just plop down on a chair, have a beer and play board games with all your friends. It is a bit further from the city center, but it is easy to cycle. With only 7 minutes of pedaling you are from Utrecht Central Station to the most cozy place in Utrecht, the Ping Pong Club.
The Miffy Museum is located in the vibrant center of Utrecht and is therefore easy to reach by public transport. Very handy with young kids of course, because yes – getting from place to place is not always easy.
Step into your own childhood memories and the colorful world of Miffy and her friends. This is the place where kids can let their imagination run wild and go exploring as young adventurers. The museum has been completely renovated and has a lot of cool and interactive surprises: a world full of color, creativity and fun. From exhibitions to activities such as: building, dressing up, dancing, painting, sculpting and even a 360-degree projection room where you can encounter Boris Bear from all sides. Enough stimuli!
Rubens Tasting Room is a small and cute wine café, located on perhaps the most beautiful street in Utrecht: De Nieuwegracht. Right at the end, when you have passed all the old and stately houses, you will end up on the Singel where Rubens Proeflokaal can be found on the corner. The café is open on Thursday and Friday from 16:00 until as long as it is cozy (isn't that great?) and on Sunday from 15:00 until 20:00. You can go there for a wine tasting, but also for a whisky or port tasting - bookable from 10 people. You can certainly come with two people, but then you have to join another group. The more souls, the more joy, as we say.
Central Museum – Museums! Always a good idea. And so is the Centraal Museum in Utrecht. Located in the middle of the city, you can get wonderfully lost in the museum’s art collection.
Railway Museum – Another museum in Utrecht that is fun to include in your to-do list, especially if you are traveling with kids. They will definitely go wild about all the old trains that can be found there. They have a program consisting of various performances, exhibitions and events.
More tips
-
Same family, new favorite: Bar di Vicini in Rotterdam
-
Bread, coffee, and creativity come together at Dees in Tilburg.
-
From Marseille to the Zeeheldenbuurt in Amsterdam: Ellie and Melle open Café Iep
-
The Barts Booklet list of new (and not to be missed) restaurants in Rotterdam
-
New in Rotterdam: Bistro Blendd in de Doelen
-
Barts Best of: nicest restaurants in Den Bosch
-
Weekend tips: October 23-25 (and more)
-
The best tips for Maastricht
-
Vlees & Co in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Nijmegen, and Arnhem is a bullseye for meat lovers.
-
New restaurants in Amsterdam: this is the definitive Barts Boekje list