South-east of Amsterdam, just 30 minutes away by train, the city of Utrecht is a definite must-see. The two cities may be close to one another but the atmosphere is entirely different in Utrecht. By comparison, it may be the smaller city but size is no limiting factor. It has all the character of a big city whilst maintaining its quaint village-like charm.

Train journeys in the Netherlands are just delightful; there is so much nature to appreciate right outside the window. The Netherlands is mostly flat, meaning miles and miles of green grass between cities. I find the blur of green grass and blue skies as the train zips by very relaxing. The train from Amsterdam to Utrecht runs every 15 minutes and should cost you under €10.

Chill by the Oudegracht

The old canal runs right through the centre of the city. The life of the city radiates from this grand canal. On any given day there are thousands of people walking along the canal or simply enjoying the view by the water. The row of buildings right by the water’s edge is such a unique feature. They seem like carefully cut blocks, perfectly slotted in next to each other.

Eat amazing food

As you head toward the Oudegracht you are confronted with remarkable aromas from all kinds of food shops. You can almost taste the variety of flavours right off the street. From pastry shops to dine-in restaurants, you are simply spoiled for choice. You do not have to wander far; there are so many food options right by the canal. Grab a bite to eat right by the water!

Visit cool museums

Utrecht is filled with many interesting museums. There are so many worth visiting that one day in the city is simple not enough. It was tough for me to pick just one but I eventually settled on Museum Speelklok, located right in the city centre.

The museum features a collection of self-playing musical instruments, collected over the last few centuries. In olden times, it was cheaper to rent instruments that produce music by mechanical means as compared to hiring musicians to perform live regularly.

In short, my experience at the museum was phenomenal. I highly recommend attending the guided tour as the guide winds up the instruments for your listening pleasure. I was totally blown away by the spectacular sounds the machines were able to produce.

It boggled my mind how people in the past were able to create such sophisticated machines which played such sweet tunes. If you are keen to learn more about the museum, comment down below and I will be sure to share more about it.

Discover the rich history

There are certain places in Utrecht which you simply have to visit to learn more about its interesting past. The Dom Tower is a symbol of Utrecht which you unquestionably must visit. It is both the tallest and the oldest church in the Netherlands.

The Dom Tower of Utrecht, as pictured above, is currently undergoing restorative works. You may not be able to admire its beautiful features but you still have the option to climb all 465 steps to the top. It costs €10 for adults and €7.50 if you have a student card. The view of the city from the top is simply unparalleled.

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St Martin’s Cathedral also known as the Dom Church used to be part of the same structure as the Dom Tower until a huge storm in 1674 caused the nave to collapse. The tower and the church have since been separate. I would definitely pay a visit to both monuments.

Explore the exciting streets

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Wandering the streets of the city is an activity in itself. Utrecht is a visually appealing city with a romantic aura one would not expect. Fall in love as you embrace the charm of the city. The sun seems to hit this lovely city at just the right angle, causing it to glow. Simply put, Utrecht is a feel good city which certainly deserves a visit.

I find that the right company enriches any travel experience. I have been having the most pleasant time exploring various cities with my girlfriend, Anna. Stay tuned for more of our adventures. I hope you enjoyed my short account of the city and I wish you a great year ahead.