Daytrip to Utrecht
Exploring Utrecht
Look up and you might see something you thought you wouldn’t even think of. Such as a stoned mushroom smoking a joint or a UFO stuck into a building. Bizarre things to think about but when you visit Utrecht that is only the beginning.
Utrecht is roughly about 1hr and 30mins away from the Flying Pig Beach Youth Hostel. For the best route check out the “9292” app that can be download from the app store. This app is used all over Netherlands. 9292 is the best travel app to use for all public transport on your travels through the many towns Netherlands has to offer.
Miffy
If there was one thing to know about Utrecht it is that their symbol is Miffy or Nijntje in Dutch. The beloved children’s book character’s home is Utrecht. You can find Miffy all over town. You can even visit the Miffy museum or visit Miffy Square just outside the city centre. The square which is a quiet corner surrounded by houses, water, benches and greenery.
“I give all children the freedom to shape their own imagination.” Dick Bruna 1027 – 2017, The author of Miffy.
Dom Church
The other eye-catching pride of Utrecht is the Dom Church. This beautiful Church’s tower stands at 112 meters and is the tallest church spire in the Netherlands so you can’t miss it. The construction started on 26 June 1321 and wasn’t completed for more than 60 years later in 1382. You can visit the tower and climb up to the top. In the meantime it will add 465 steps to your daily step count. You can also just sit in the beautiful court yard and enjoy the architecture.
Street art
If you want to keep the step count going then you can walk around the streets and see the many different art cultures and beautiful places around the city. Utrecht is home to more than 400 art pieces just on the street. You can see the famous “Thinker on a rock” or the giant “Celestial Teapot”. Once you pass these stunning sculptures, head down to see more that couldn’t be displayed in their original location at the Sculpture Park Croeselann. Don’t forget along the way to stop and admire all the different street art that Utrecht has to offer. You can stroll around the cute little town or follow the “Street Art Route” that highlights 9 pieces of work.
History and tours
If you get stuck on what to do in between seeing Miffy, the Dom Church or the art works, you can hire a guided tour to take you around the city. That way you get to know the history of the area and some tips from a guide. One way to book a tour is to check out the app “Get Your Guide”. Here you can choose your pace and interest from the Train Museum for all things trains, where you can learn about the trains of the past and how we got to where we are today. You can even book a guided lumen tour that lights up the city at night for stunning luminescent works around the inner city.
Tip for the trip
One last thing before you get on your way to Utrecht is to not forget to grab your coffee from one of the best rated coffee shops. There are plenty of places to get a coffee, take a moment to unwind between all the steps that you’ve taken or just absorb the city’s soul.