Utrecht, the Netherlands | City guide for expats

Utrecht is a popular and busy city, located in almost the very centre of the Netherlands and regarded by some as a favourable alternative to Amsterdam. From idyllic canals to hardcore techno festivals, Utrecht packs a lot into its small area.

Utrecht city guide

Utrecht has long been the religious heart of the Netherlands, but you’ll find much more here than just churches and bishops. Ancient Romans have given way to hip game designers, and Utrecht has become a must-visit destination with a thriving student population.

The history of Utrecht

The first known settlement in Utrecht was a Roman fort known as Traiectum. This was part of the line of defences the Romans built along the Rhine, marking their northern border. In Latin, Traiectum means “river crossing”, and over time, the name morphed into Uut Trecht - the river crossing downstream.

The Roman fort was burned down by the invading Franks in 250 AD, and those farmers who remained in the area faced further invasions and burnings from the Vikings in the 800s. However, since 857, Utrecht has been largely fire-free!

Bishops and Christianity

In the 7th century, the first British and Irish Christians set out to convert the Frisians to their religion. The most famous of these in the Netherlands is Saint Willibrord, who became the first Bishop of the Frisians in 695 and is considered the first Bishop of Utrecht. From this seed, the Utrecht bishopric grew into the most powerful religious seat in the Netherlands, even producing a pope in 1522, Pope Adrian VI. 

The striking St. Martin's Cathedral, or Dom Cathedral, which stands in the centre of the old city, was constructed in this period of religious fervour. Built and rebuilt over hundreds of years, the main Gothic body dates from as far back as the 13th century, and, at 112 metres tall, the Dom tower is still the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. The unfinished nave collapsed during a storm in 1674, leaving the freestanding tower separate from the rest of the church. 

International Utrecht

Utrecht was one of the seven provinces that took part in the Dutch revolt against Spanish rule in 1579. The pact uniting the provinces was even called the Union of Utrecht, but Utrecht itself swiftly found itself sidelined, with more decision-making power moving to its northern neighbour Holland.

In 1713, the world’s first international peace negotiations were held and signed in Utrecht. The precedent-setting Treaty of Utrecht brought an end to the War of Spanish Succession that had raged across much of Europe for the previous 12 years.

The birth of the modern city

In the early 1800s, Utrecht finally burst out of its old fortified walls, as more housing needed to be built to house its growing population. However, the old moats were kept intact, and today they form the basis for the Zocherpark, a lovely green area that runs around the edge of the old city centre.

When the railway arrived in 1843, Utrecht couldn’t be stopped. Over the next hundred or so years, several entire new districts were built, such as Oudwijk, Wittevrouwen, Vogelenbuurt, Lombok, Tuindorp and Oog in Al. Utrecht has continued to expand, with the Leidsche Rijn area being added as recently as the year 2000. 

As a result, Utrecht has not only the cute medieval buildings that grace many Dutch cities, but also several more modern and interesting buildings, such as the 19th-century Winkel van Sinkel department store (the first such store in the Netherlands) and the still unfeasibly modern Rietveld Schröder House, which dates from 1924.

Groups and clubs in Utrecht

Utrecht takes pride in having remained a friendly and community-minded city, despite its rapid growth. People who move here love the range of groups and clubs they can join and take part in, many of which also work towards helping others and improving Utrecht. Explore some of the various clubs and groups in Utrecht.

Jobs in Utrecht

Utrecht is known as the game development centre of the Netherlands, so if that’s your bag, this is your city. However, there are also plenty of other jobs in sectors such as academia and administration, thanks to the university, and at major Dutch and international companies headquartered in the area, such as Bol.com, Oracle and Douwe Egberts. Check out our job board for the latest vacancies for expats in Utrecht.

Housing in Utrecht

Utrecht is one of the best-connected cities in the Netherlands, home to the country’s largest and busiest train station. While you have everything you need right on your doorstep, you can also reach Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Leiden or Den Bosch in no time at all. If you prefer peace and quiet, there are some amazing walks starting just outside the city in the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. Find the perfect place to live in our housing listings.

Sights and activities

Utrecht has a vibrant cultural scene and is considered one of the best places in the Netherlands to live if you enjoy getting out and about. Here are just a few of the top things to see and do in Utrecht:

Museums and galleries

Utrecht isn’t overflowing with museums like nearby Leiden, but it does have some of the most unusual and idiosyncratic ones in the Netherlands. For lovers of De Stijl and radical architecture, the Rietveld Schröder House is unmissable. The house still feels modern today, despite being over a hundred years old, and the sliding doors and multi-function rooms are truly inspired.

Utrecht not only boasts the Netherlands’ busiest railway station, but also a Railway Museum. This is located in an old train station and is guaranteed to delight both kids and older train fans alike. Other museums that kids love include the Speelklok Museum, devoted to all kinds of music-making automata, from barrel organs to self-playing pianos, and the Nijntje Museum, dedicated to the Dutch author Dick Bruna’s cute rabbit character, known outside the Netherlands as Miffy.

To step into the religious past of Utrecht, visit the Catherijneconvent Museum. This 14th-century convent has played many roles throughout its long history, and now boasts a world-class collection of religious artworks in a unique setting. 

Go shopping

The Hoog Catharijne shopping centre is one of the largest indoor shopping centres in the Netherlands, and a great place for when you need a little retail therapy. With over 110 shops and a wide selection of places to eat, this mall can be a whole day out in itself!

Climb the Dom Tower

The Dom Tower remains the tallest building in Utrecht, although some suburban developments are starting to challenge its prominence. You can climb the tower with a guide, and there are several tours you can choose from, including one for kids. The fittest among us can climb to a height of 95 metres to enjoy the views across this beautiful city.

If heights aren’t your thing, you can also delve underground at the DOMunder exhibition, a subterranean experience that guides you through 2.000 years of archeological history, right beneath the Dom tower.

Take to the water

It may seem like every Dutch city recommends a canal cruise, but Utrecht’s canals are a little different to the others. Unlike in cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht’s warehouses were located in basements, with special entrances and loading areas directly on the water, while the town's streets proper were situated above. Many of these basements have now been turned into restaurants and bars, with peaceful terraces on the old loading bays, right at water level. 

This unusual and enjoyable vista makes Utrecht’s central canals perfect for exploring, and there are many ways of doing it, from pedalos to stand-up paddleboards to kayaks.

Annual events in Utrecht

Utrecht is home to many theatres and music venues, including the impressive and always busy TivoliVredenburg, where you can catch international and home-grown music acts of all genres. In addition, the Jaarbeurs is also located in Utrecht, and is a huge conference and event complex, meaning that many big events come to Utrecht in preference to other Dutch cities.

You can see all the upcoming things that are happening on our events page, and here are some of the annual highlights to look forward to in Utrecht.

Heroes Comic Con

The Netherlands’ largest comic convention, Heroes Comic Con, takes place in the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht every June. With events and stalls for lovers of comics, manga, movies and computer games, it’s more of a huge pop-culture event than just for comics. 

Dressing up is encouraged, but not compulsory, and you can be the first to hear about the next big releases, meet the stars of page and screen and, of course, meet your community!

Netherlands Film Festival

The Netherlands Film Festival is the premier film festival in the Netherlands for Dutch films. It’s at this festival that the most prestigious award in Dutch cinema is awarded - The Golden Calf. Many of the film showings have English subtitles, meaning internationals can also enjoy discovering their new favourite Dutch filmmakers.

Utrecht Early Music Festival

The annual Utrecht Early Music Festival (Festival Oude Muziek) takes over the pleasant city as over 200 venues play host to various concerts of music from the past. The TivoliVredenburg is at the centre of the event, but concerts take place in all types of locations, including some of Utrecht’s many churches. By early music, they mean music from the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque periods; so don’t expect to find Elvis or Buddy Holly covers here!

Thunderdome

Racing to the other end of the musical spectrum, Thunderdome is a one-night only spectacle of hardcore techno, attracting more than 50.000 revellers. The night is the event of the year for fans of Dutch Gabber, and while 90s fashion does feature, there’s a whole new generation of fans coming through.

The heart of the Netherlands

Utrecht’s long history and its central location make it an ideal place to live, study, or simply visit for a weekend. Whether you want to update your wardrobe at the mall, nerd out about trains or go for a summer’s day kayak, Utrecht has got you covered.