The Rietveld-Schroder House
Built between 1924 and 195, the Rietveld-Schroder house is a must-see. The house, now named the Rietveld-Schroderhiuis Museum, is open to the public for tours and is dedicated to the work of Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld and his wife Truus Schroder-Schrader.
The two-story house features a number of De Stijl elements (meaning "the style") which was a modern art movement that developed in the Netherlands. The house includes a staggered floor plan, asymmetrical facade, and primary colours.
The Dom Tower
The Dom Tower is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands and offers stunning views over the city from the top. The tower dates back to the 14th century and is definitely worth visiting in your spare time. The Dom Tower is also one of Utrecht’s tallest structures, so if you are looking for a spectacular view of the city then it is a perfect option.
Food spots
Before reading through our recommendations of food spots, the number one on your list should be the crispy, chunky chips! Chips are known to be one of the best things you could try in Utrecht, and they're even better when served in a paper cone and eaten outdoors by the canal watching the boats go by.
Silk road
This is one of Utrecht’s hidden gems with a beautiful view, by everyone that has visited this restaurant it's known to be extremely tasty with many different dishes to try and share. It’s based around authentic northern Chinese cuisine with value for your money - perfect if you are going for a meal with family or friends.
Broei
The interior of this restaurant is amazing! Broei is a vegetarian restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and also features a creative workspace. Many locals recommend visiting Broei for lunch and having their popular sandwich with hummus.
HooI
Hool offers locals a high-quality lunchroom with many options to choose from. The majority of their menu comes straight from organic bakeries, local farms, and herb gardens. Those who are vegetarians, vegans and gluten intolerant are always welcome for breakfast and lunch at Hool.
Miffy Museum
Miffy (or Nijntje) is well-known in the Netherlands, and Utrecht has really embraced the ambience of all things Miffy. In the city, you can find a really fun museum that is perfect for younger children to immerse themselves in the Miffy character.
If you happen to be in the centre of Utrecht on the weekend, you might spot the traffic lights that have been changed to Miffy characters instead of the usual person walking or standing!
The Railway Museum
This is a lovely place to visit with children (or train enthusiasts of all ages). There is an outdoor train that runs around the building, which is fantastic entertainment, and there are also lots of other experiences that the whole family can enjoy.
The canals
A trip to the canals might sound like a boring activity to do on the weekend, however you are able to book a pedalo from one of the canal side booths. This is a great family bonding activity, taking turns peddling and steering, and the kids would definitely enjoy chasing any ducks along the water!
Utrecht has a variety of things you could be getting up to on the weekend, from the amazing buildings and iconic spots to the fantastic food on offer. If you are looking to move to the Netherlands,
Crown Relocations are on hand to help you during every stage of your move, as well as provide you with in-depth city guides to help you get started.