How to Make the Most of a Day Trip to Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands

Without question the most popular place to visit in the Netherlands is the city of Amsterdam. As a tourist destination it tends to excite a lot of people, but I think one of the best things you can do there is leave. Now, I mean that in the nicest possible way! Because of its location, Amsterdam is a perfect place to base yourself when visiting the Netherlands. Nearby, you’ll find plenty of other cities and destinations that will help you better appreciate this corner of the Low Countries. Of the many choices available, a day trip to Utrecht has to be one of your picks.

Although considerably smaller than Amsterdam, Utrecht is still the fourth largest city in the Netherlands. With strong historic ties to the Church in the Netherlands and the country’s largest university, there’s no doubt of its importance. In order to make the most of a day trip to Utrecht (or longer), here is a guide to the city.

One of the great things about making a day trip to Utrecht from Amsterdam is how close it is. You can arrive in Utrecht in under 30 minutes by train, meaning its super easy to have an early start to your day. Utrecht train station, and the giant shopping centre attached to it, is right on the fringe of the Old Town. The shopping mall above is quite pretty lit up in the morning too as it happens. A brief stroll and you’ll find yourself already in the heart of Utrecht. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).