BLACK FRIDAY: Save up to $1,322 on our trips! Limited spots. Book Now.

A Walk Around Utrecht in 19 Perfect Instagrams

Pandhof in Utrecht
Pandhof in Utrecht | © pixabay

Utrecht’s charming city centre is easily among the most photogenic places in Europe and features many awesome historical and modern landmarks that look perfect behind an Instagram filter. To prepare travellers for their next trip to the city, we have devised a short walking tour via Instagram that glides past many of Utrecht’s main sights.
Utrecht’s historic town centre was built upon the ruins of an even older Roman settlement. Since then many monumental buildings have been constructed in Utrecht, including the iconic Dom Tower which was completed between 1321 and 1382.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV952WCjHqS/?taken-at=815079

For centuries, the tower was the tallest building in Utrecht and it is possible to see Amsterdam from its highest point on clear days.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BU4P6nlBxpP/?taken-at=815079

There are many other amazing historical sights around the Dom Tower, such as this tranquil monastery garden known as Pandhof.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BOrmBUvF81-/?taken-at=303720015

Or St. Martin’s Church, which was once attached to the Dom Tower before an enormous storm cleaved the two buildings apart.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWTVp7bHsb9/?taken-at=7037207

Oudegracht Canal runs southwards through Utrecht’s centre and passes by many delightfully narrow townhouses that were built on the banks of this ancient waterway.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BCe_xbEGoj6/?taken-by=sharma_heylen_silvia

Oudegracht is among the oldest canals in the Netherlands and was dug out during the Medieval period. A system of underground wharfs eventually developed along its edges – many of which have since been converted into cafés, stores or homes.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWXs5QTA1_W/?tagged=oudegracht

There are some pretty awesome secondhand stores along Oudegracht such as Dutch vintage fashion shop, Episode.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLTQg-jjNEu/?tagged=episodeutrecht

And many chilled hangouts like ‘t Koffieboontje.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTge4Eejq-D/?taken-by=tkoffieboontje

Oudegracht eventually turns into Stadsbuitengracht, another historic canal that forms a moat around Utrecht’s eastern old town walls.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTWrO3aAPC7/?tagged=stadsbuitengracht

This canal is surrounded by green spaces and runs past several parks including Zocherpark.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BM8_CEagNWS/?tagged=zocherpark

Sonnenborg Observatory is located along this beautiful stretch of water and welcomes eager stargazers all year round.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BP2vZCxDK1j/?taken-at=3196322

The Rietveld Schröder House lies due west from the observatory. This inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Site was designed by de Stijl luminary Gerrit Rietveld and looks incredible from the outside.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWJCbTSlzID/?taken-at=505697038

And the view only gets better inside.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWVUFlvFKwG/?taken-at=505697038

There are many other architectural gems hidden around Utrecht like Janskerk, which has stood in the city since 1040.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKOKL8zgi6d/?taken-at=1025198736

Or Utrecht University’s City Centre Library which is housed within a former palace built by Louis Napoléon Bonaparte whilst he reigned as King of the Netherlands.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BV1wW3Ljaqz/?taken-at=220164239

Many famous Dutch figures have lived in Utrecht over the years, including Dick Bruna whose Miffy (Nijntje in Dutch) books are beloved worldwide. There are several tributes to Bruna and Miffy around the city such as this super cute traffic light on St Jacobsstraat.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSuI3-jgeJw/?taken-at=721561464636055

And this equally adorable statue on Nijntje Pleintje (Miffy Square).

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHdR7k-DN5p/?taken-at=1055530

Music lovers should definitely check out Utrecht’s largest venue, TivoliVredenburg, as this multi-storey media palace features five separate concert halls which were designed to accommodate specific genres and styles.

https://www.instagram.com/p/-MXIg3nM0H/?taken-by=tivolivredenburg

TivoliVredenburg is also one of the tallest buildings in Utrecht and features several epic observation areas on its higher floors.

https://www.instagram.com/p/36moJYHMxP/?taken-by=tivolivredenburg

About the author

Tom Coggins writes about culture and travel. He'd really like to own a dog someday.

If you click on a link in this story, we may earn affiliate revenue. All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip.
close-ad