This article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller UK.
Utrecht—the Netherlands’ under-the-radar fourth city that you’ve probably never heard of—is set to become one of northern Europe‘s most alluring weekend getaway destinations. Largely overlooked by those outside of the country, in recent years it’s quietly built a reputation as the relaxed city-sibling to Amsterdam that outshines its tourist-flooded neighbor in almost every way, and travel aficionados in search of somewhere new are starting to take notice.
Its atmospheric medieval center, bisected by the beautiful old de Oudegracht canal is the spiritual heart of this compact city and where the thriving energy of Utrecht’s canal-side café culture comes to life. Unlike Amsterdam, the old canal in Utrecht is split across different levels, dotted with laddered steps at every turn that lead down to coffee shops, restaurants, and bars right on the banks of the water. A steady stream of boats leisurely breeze along the calm canals from day to night while Utrecht’s striking Dom Tower casts welcoming dappled shadows onto the historic streets below.
This sense of spirited serenity is amplified by Utrecht’s lush green parks and commitment to keeping road traffic away from its scenic center, which has earned a reputation as one of the most cycle-friendly cities in the world. The old center is also where many of Utrecht’s most enchanting boutique hotels can be found. Many of these were once city palaces, converted churches, or aristocratic townhouses that still retain their elegant old-world charm but with stylishly contemporary finesse.
The city is equally renowned for its reputation as a center for modern architecture, abstract art and furniture design, thanks to its close associations with the ‘De Stijl’ art movement. Dutch architect-designer Gerrit Rietveld and artist Piet Mondrian pioneered the movement, and their legacies are evident throughout the city—most brilliantly at the Rietveld Schröder House and Centraal Museum, both well worth a visit. However, Utrecht’s most famous design export is Dick Bruna, the graphic creator of Miffy, whose playful bunny character pops up in different guises at every corner you turn, with an entire museum dedicated to the world of Miffy and Friends.
This flair for unique aesthetics is echoed by Utrecht’s independent fashion boutiques that specialize in new-wave Dutch women’s and menswear designers, while the city’s popularity with international students also makes it a destination for collectors of vintage. But the city’s dining scene truly gives Amsterdam a run for its money, having attracted a pioneering new generation of chefs championing local artisan producers and cooking up astonishing seasonal creations that re-imagine Dutch culinary heritage through a contemporary Utrecht lens. Additionally, the city has long had one of the best waterside drinking cultures in The Netherlands, with a bustling scene of craft beer, fine wine, and cocktail bars to be discovered that are as discerning with their tasteful pours as they are welcoming.
Getting to Utrecht
Utrecht is a short 20-minute train ride from Amsterdam’s central station and equally accessible from either Rotterdam or The Hague. With Eurostar running 10 trains from London St Pancras direct to Amsterdam Centraal every day, it’s the perfect place for a cool, calm, and cultivated weekend getaway for those in the know, with all the charm of its famous neighbor, and so much more.