"Utrecht, the centre of the Netherlands" Utrecht by OlafS

Utrecht Travel Guide: 624 reviews and 1,484 photos

Utrecht: Buurkerk and Dom tower

Another ancient city. There was a time when I came here for the recordstores and bookshops only. I still find it a great place for shopping, but I never pass the chance to enjoy some of its many architectural highlights. This city is old, and has its origins in a Roman castellum on the grounds of which much later the only true Gothic cathedral of the Netherlands was built.

Somehow this city is underrated. Too often is it considered a smaller version of Amsterdam. Major mistake! The similarities are quite shallow (both cities have canals, duh) but the differences are big. Different architecture, different atmosphere, different prizes even. It's a busy place that somehow has not been spoiled by mass-tourism but has become the major shopping-centre of the Netherlands instead. I think it deserves a little more foreign attention too. Not too much, but a little.

Utrecht's centre is pretty big, and it's a labyrinth of streets and alleys, all of which have something worthwile to offer. If, like me, you like to look at old buildings, Utrecht is a true paradise. Shopping addicts will love to get lost in Utrecht too.

These pages...

...are mostly about old buildings. They show what there's to see in Utrecht, not so much what to do. People who know me or some of my other pages will already know that I pay extra attention to churches. I always do, but Utrecht is also a real paradise for people who like churches.

Intro Updated Apr 7, 2004
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Reviews (21)

Geertekerk Things to Do (11)

The Geertekerk is a three-aisled Gothic church with Romanesque elements. It looks more like a village church, and it... more travel advice

Utrecht: St. Augustinus church - Utrecht

St. Augustinus church Things to Do (11)

This Roman Catholic church is a real eyecatcher. It's built in a neo-Classical style that is often called... more travel advice

Utrecht: St. Gertrudis cathedral - Utrecht

St. Gertrudis cathedral Things to Do (11)

Utrecht is a city of cathedrals. Apart from the only real Gothic cathedral in the Netherlands and the Roman Catholic St.... more travel advice

A windmill in the city Off The Beaten Path (3)

In the Lombok neighbourhood, behind the station, you can find windmill De Ster which was built in 1721. A rebuilt was... more travel advice

Comments (6)

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Gentleman75 Aug 25, 2004 at 5:21 AM

A superb page about Utrecht! Nice photos and good tips. Greetings from Hungary!
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suvaa003 Apr 7, 2004 at 12:34 AM

great page good tips well done
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janchan Mar 19, 2003 at 1:58 AM

This is a lovely city... very good page !!
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Gili_S Jan 14, 2003 at 10:30 AM

Nice pictures, I would love to visit here again.
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rozehill May 7, 2002 at 3:22 AM

These churches look amazing
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Wiktoria Oct 25, 2001 at 7:26 AM

Who would have thought!! Post -office a tourist destination!