Utrecht, Dutch City of Cathedrals

Climb 465 steps for a stunning view

One of the most famous attractions in Utrecht is the Dom Tower. My friend and I decided to join a guided tour of the tower, where the guide took us to the top and shared a lot about the city’s history. You can only visit the interior with a guided tour, which lasts about an hour and takes you up all 465 steps of the tower.

The Dom Tower is the tallest building in the city. It's also a museum and has one of the best viewpoints in town. On a clear day, you can even see Amsterdam in the distance. The tower is part of St. Martin's Cathedral, but the cathedral was never finished due to a lack of funds. The tower was built in the 14th century. It has 14 massive bells near the top that ring only on Sundays, holidays, and ceremonial occasions.

The city from a different perspective

One of the things you have to experience in the Netherlands is a boat ride through the canals. Although I spent a few days in Amsterdam, I preferred to take a canal cruise in Utrecht, where there are fewer tourists. I booked the tour through the GetYourGuide website, which has loads of cool activities you can do while travelling.

An unusual library

Utrecht is a popular city among students in the Netherlands, so a new public library was opened there in 2020. It's located in a renovated, over 100-year-old building that used to be the main post office. It's right next to one of the largest bike parks in the world and right in the city centre. The library has its own café, plenty of study space, areas for lectures, and of course, lots of shelves full of books. I've always loved reading books, so I was excited to see the library for myself.

Little white bunny Miffy

The city is also known for its cute little bunny, Miffy. Miffy is a white bunny drawn by artist Dick Bruna, who worked in Utrecht. They opened a museum in memory of the adorable bunny, but it's more suitable for young children, so I didn't visit it. Besides the museum, you can also find her statue, cross the Miffy traffic light, and visit a small shop in the western part of Utrecht that sells only Miffy-themed souvenirs. For true fans of the white bunny, I recommend booking a room at Hostel Utrecht Centrum, which is part of the youth hostel network. Some of the rooms are themed with Miffy and her friends or inspired by the railway museum. As a member of Hostelling International, you also get a 10% discount on your stay.

Utrecht is quite a big city, but you can see all the main sights on foot, or even better, by bike. But if you're exploring the city on foot, don't forget that cyclists in the Netherlands have the right of way.