Things to Do in Utrecht
Utrecht suits visitors who want to do something rather than only look. The medieval canals can be paddled, the cellars under Domplein can be explored with a flashlight, and the beer scene runs from a castle brewery to a former hidden church. Prices are in euros, and most ticket desks and boat hire points take card or phone payment only.
Paddle or cruise the canals
Kanoverhuur Utrecht at Oudegracht aan de Werf 275 sits at wharf level. It rents canoes (no stand-up boards) and runs guided canal tours, and its opening days vary, so check its site before you go. A full loop of the central canal ring, the Oudegracht and the Singel, is about 6 km. It takes 1.5 to 2 hours of easy paddling under 16 historic bridges.
For something greener, Botenverhuur De Rijnstroom at Weg naar Rhijnauwen 2 rents boats by the hour: a one-person kayak is 8 euros, a two-person kayak 13, a Canadian canoe 15, a five-person rowboat 13 and a stand-up board 12. Reservation online is required and payment is by card only. Paddle upstream on the gentle Kromme Rijn through the Amelisweerd and Rhijnauwen estates, about 2 to 3 hours for the round trip, and finish with pancakes at Theehuis Rhijnauwen. The De Rijnstroom site has the price list.
Electric boats need no licence. Greenjoy sloepen start from 30 euros an hour (45 at the normal rate) with a two-hour minimum. Sloepdelen runs 12-person boats at 75 euros an hour for non-members plus a 150 euro deposit.
Rederij Schuttevaer, at Oudegracht 85, offers one-hour and 1.5-hour canal cruises from 18.50 euros. Details are on schuttevaer.com .
Underground and up high
DOMunder is a 75-minute tour of the archaeology beneath Domplein, with a handheld flashlight that triggers sound as you pass Roman and medieval stonework. Tickets are 14.50 euros for adults and 10 for children and students, and the tour is recommended from age 8. Book through domunder.nl .
The Dom Tower climb is guided and goes by stairs only: 465 steps. Adults pay 13.50 euros, children 4 to 12, students and over-65s 8.50, and under-4s are free. Tours run daily from 10:00 to 17:00 except King’s Day and Christmas Day, so book ahead at domtoren.nl . Bags, tripods and large items are not allowed on the stairs, and free lockers are at Domplein 9.
Beer
Stadskasteel Oudaen, Oudegracht 99, brews beer in its cellar, and brewery tours and tastings are booked with the venue at oudaen.nl . Café Olivier at Achter Clarenburg 6 pours Belgian beer inside an 1860 hidden church that still has its organ and high altar. De Drie Dorstige Herten is at Lange Nieuwstraat 20, and taprooms operate at Brouwerij Maximus (Pratumplaats 2A) and Brouwerij De Leckere (Werkspoorfabriek).
What the flat delta does not offer
There is no whitewater, downhill mountain biking, surf or natural rock to climb. Indoor climbing gyms fill the gap, including Klimmuur Utrecht, with bouldering at Energiehaven and Sterk.
Stay safe
The lower wharves along the Oudegracht and Nieuwegracht have no railings and a sheer drop into cold water, so take care there after dark. Swimming in the canals is discouraged, and it is banned in shipping routes and near bridges and locks. The city lists official bathing sites at Strijkviertelplas, Voorveldse Polder and Haarrijnseplas, described on the city’s water page . On foot, stay out of the red cycle lanes; cyclists have right of way and move fast.
Read more: Outdoor Activities in Utrecht covers the green side of the city.
Booking help
Guided canal and city tours can be compared on GetYourGuide .