As an alternative to Amsterdam, Utrecht has long since ceased to be a secret tip. It is a city full of culture, history and culinary surprises. And did you know that Dom city has been named the city with the most beautiful canals in Europe, even more beautiful than Venice?
Of course, we don't want Utrecht to become a second Amsterdam. Motorboats packed with tourists, we'd rather not see that here. That is why I took a look at how you can experience Utrecht in a sustainable way. These are my tips for a sustainable day or weekend in Utrecht.
Museum tips Utrecht - Knowledge right under your nose
I have to admit that I have a soft spot for special museums. Museum Sonnenborgh is one of them. After all, here you can look at the stars. The thick walls of a 16-century bastion have housed an observatory since the 1950s. And it is also world-famous. In fact, it was here in 1930 that the substance from which the sun is made was discovered. You can still look at the sun through the solar spectrograph on special evenings. An extraordinary experience it seems to me.
You also learn, for instance, how time was determined in the past, namely with a Meridian telescope. This too can be admired in the museum. I don't want to give too much away, but it used to be a bit harder to find out what time it actually is. But maybe this also meant people used to have less stress? A good reminder to take it easy during my weekend in Utrecht.
Right
For the history lovers among us, Museum Castellum Hoge Woerd is a must. Did you know that Utrecht was once built by the Romans? Where Domplein is now, there was then a fort called Traiectum. This was later renamed Trecht in the Middle Ages. As you have probably figured out by now, this has since become the well-known Utrecht.
By the way, did you know that in the city you can see exactly where the old Roman walls of Traiectum stood? Look out one on the street for steel plates. They indicate exactly where the wall used to stand. Sometimes you can even see steam escaping from the steel plates. Below Domplein is DOMunder, a complex with archaeological excavations, where you can descend into the underground treasure chamber to discover Utrecht's extraordinary history.
Eating out in Utrecht - Conscious dining
You and I are probably ready for a bite to eat by now. Let's take some time to recharge our batteries. Where better to do that than at one of Utrecht's sustainable restaurants. These are my favourites, also shot for if you're looking for a vegan restaurant in Utrecht:
The Green House
As the name suggests, at The Green House you eat in a fully circular pavilion with an urban farm on the top floor. They serve incredibly delicious food, most of which grows in the greenhouse upstairs and the rest comes from the Utrecht area. What I find very special is that you can look straight into the kitchen to see how the chef is preparing that delicious dish for you.
The Klub
Another great place to drop by is De Klub. The menu changes every week and the kitchen uses only seasonal and regional ingredients. Some ingredients are even grown in the car park. So you won't get any more local than this.
Staying in Utrecht - With peace of mind
The day is flying by. High time to hit the sack. At Bunk , you sleep in a monumental church. You can sleep in one of the hotel rooms or in a capsule with a single or double bed. Art is everywhere in the building and you can spot authentic elements from the former church. There is even a centuries-old organ!
These were just a few ideas for a weekend in Utrecht. Of course, there is much more to see and experience in the Dom city. Utrecht is a treasure chest full of sustainable cafés, small-scale accommodation, special museums and other hidden gems, so plenty of reasons to come back again.
Love,
Cathe