How to Explore Utrecht in Spring & Summer

With Spring here and the temperature finally enjoyable to be in there are many activities that can now be done in warmer weather. Forget about Amsterdam and find out how to explore Utrecht! Why don’t you visit another charming Dutch city – Utrecht! Utrecht is the best place to be during this time of year. Everything just feels so gezellig (cosy) and there are countless of things to do. However, we aren’t talking about the basic tips and searches found on google. If you’re looking for something different do I have the perfect itinerary on how to explore Utrecht in the Spring & Summer.

I recommend starting the morning by grabbing coffee at ‘tkoffieboontje. They make the best Dirty Chai Lattes and their vegan cakes are to die for! Take a window seat and enjoy the cozy ambiance of this charming cafe. This is the perfect place to start your day since it is centrally located to all of Utrecht’s hotspots near the Oudegracht (Old Canal).

The great thing about Utrecht is that you can explore most of it by foot. Take a stroll by the Oudegracht and you will discover more beauties that this city has to offer. Unlike Amsterdam many bars, restaurants, terraces and even people’s homes are tucked alongside the canals. Spend some time taking a leisurely stroll enjoying the view. If you’d really like to slow down and enjoy things I recommend bringing a blanket, good book and a bottle of rosé.

All that canal strolling may have you hungry for a bite to eat. I recommend stopping by Vrendenburg market. It is located right outside of centraal station and may be the closest market from the canal. There are a variety of stalls selling food, produce and fish. I always come for resh Kibbeling (fried fish) but if you have a sweet tooth try a fresh made stroopwafel.

If you’re a nature lover then the Botanic Gardens is a must see! It’s not far from the city centre and is easily accessible by bike or public transport. There are differents parts that you can visit such as the tropical greenhouse, vegetable garden, rock garden surrounded by water and a bamboo forest. They even have a café that you can lunch at. My absolute favorite spot was the butterfly exhibition garden which holds a variety of species. We spent two hours at the Botanic garden but you can easily spend half a day here.

If you’re looking for a terrace with a canal view, good vibes and drinks then please go to Soia! This ‘city beach’ is my favorite place in Utrecht. While not actually a beach it is a great way to spend your time outside during the warmer months. You can relax by the canal with a beer in hand or attend one of their yoga sessions that occurs on the roof terrace. And on the weekends, they host parties with live DJ’s, so you can get your dance on.

After chilling at the beer bar the best way to cap the night is by heading to the city centre and listening to some live music. Tivoli is a concert hall that hosts a number of music acts and festivals with Dutch and International artists. I saw Fatboy Slim here last year for my birthday and the sound in this venue was amazing! Not to mention that the drinks were reasonably priced and there was enough room to dance until the morning. I highly recommended ending your night here because Tivoli is definitely worth it.