Amsterdam, famed for its historic canals, lively nightlife and cultural attractions, is one of the most popular European cities for a holiday. But the Dutch capital’s popularity has led to overcrowding, prompting local authorities to take measures to control mass tourism and tackle issues related to disruptive visitors.
This has led many holidaymakers to look for alternatives that offer a similar Dutch charm without the crowds and inflated prices.
And Utrecht, the Netherlands’ fourth-largest city, is emerging as a less crowded and more affordable alternative to Amsterdam.
Boasting a unique mix of history, culture and picturesque canals, Utrecht offers a more laid-back and authentic Dutch experience, reports the Express. Just 45 minutes from Amsterdam, Utrecht shares many similarities with the capital, and is often dubbed ‘Mini Amsterdam’ due to its beautiful canals and traditional Dutch architecture.
Here’s our guide on why you should consider bypassing Amsterdam this summer and head to the ultra-cool Utrecht instead.
Less tourists
Utrecht sees far fewer tourists than Amsterdam, making it a much more enjoyable place to visit, particularly during peak season.
While Amsterdam’s historic streets are often packed with tourists snapping photos, buying stroopwafel and marvelling at landmarks, Utrecht remains a living city filled with locals and students.
Here, you’ll find locals biking and walking around the compact centre and canals, and you can hear the expressive Dutch language all around you, with its guttural ‘g’s, diminutive ‘ties’, and pleasant sing-song accent.
You should visit Utrecht over Amsterdam if you want to explore a Dutch city with a vibe and design similar to Amsterdam but with much less foot traffic and selfie-taking tourists.
Not as expensive
Amsterdam is a wildly popular tourist spot, so everything is more expensive, from accommodation to food and attraction tickets, as demand is so high.
In under-the-radar Utrecht, there’s still plenty to see and do, but the cost of hotels and eating out will inevitably be lower than in Amsterdam, meaning your travel money can go a bit further.
You can reduce costs further by staying in a backpacker hostel, booking self-catering accommodation, or seeking free city activities and events, such as a free walking tour of Utrecht.
Beautiful canals and waterways
The city of Utrecht boasts unique canals and waterways unlike any other. Amsterdam may have its own iconic canals, but they pale in comparison to the split-level waterways in Utrecht which exist at both street level and water level.
These waterside, street-level cellars date back to the 13th century constitute Utrecht’s historic linkage. Used initially as warehouses, workhouses, and factories, they have now been transformed into trendy restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and stylish bars.
Notably, Utrecht is the only city across the Netherlands that offers riverside terraces directly at sea level: a perfect spot to savour a meal or sip a drink while watching boats meander by.
Arts and culture scene
In addition to its unique waterways architecture, Utrecht also thrives in terms of arts and culture. Much like Amsterdam with its myriad art museums and galleries including the renowned Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum Utrecht has a thriving arts scene to offer visitors as well.
Utrecht is crucial ground for De Stijl (Dutch for “The Style”), an artwork style established in Leiden way back in 1917, based on rigid geometric designs involving horizontals and verticals. The extraordinary Rietveld Schroder House, located in Utrecht, epitomises this art movement’s architectural finesse, attracting numerous art culture enthusiasts to this remarkable attraction.
Built in 1924, this unusual house was fashioned according to the guiding principles of the De Stijl art movement. Today, the UNESCO World Heritage Listed house remains open to the public, offering guided tours and audio features.
Fantastic food
Utrecht’s youthful demographic ensures a plethora of trendy bars and restaurants offering both international cuisine and traditional Dutch dishes like Poffertjes and Bitterballen. Dining out in Utrecht is slightly more affordable than in Amsterdam due to fewer tourists inflating the prices.
For waterside dining and drinks, head to the canals and soak up the lively atmosphere of terraces brimming with students and professionals. Talud9 Wijnbar is a great spot for a robust espresso during the day and a glass of wine in the evening.
If you’re after international flavours, BLAUW is a local favourite for top-notch Indonesian cuisine. Their renowned ‘meat and fish rice table’ offers a wide array of dishes, including Beef rendang, chicken rica rica, goat satay, mackerel pepsin, codfish meeting, shrimp satay, and lamb gulai.
For steak lovers, STAN in the city centre serves meaty dishes cooked on a charcoal-fired Josper grill. The stylish dining venue also offers Buddha bowls, breakfast options, and large sharing plates.
Nightlife without the tourists
Amsterdam may be the go-to city for stag dos, with its wild nightlife, plethora of party bars and backpacker hostels, but Utrecht offers a more laid-back night out, away from the throngs of tourists.
The city boasts a vibrant cultural scene, with theatres, cinemas, music festivals, live music venues, clubs and bars catering to all preferences. Thanks to its large student population, nights out in Utrecht have a youthful, energetic vibe.
For those who enjoy live music, there are several venues showcasing indie bands and artists. Ekko, a renowned alternative pop stage in the city, is a great spot to grab a meal, enjoy a beer and take in a live gig.
Beer enthusiasts should head to Kafe Belgie, which offers an extensive selection of brewed and bottled beers, while Winkel van Sinkel is perfect for a glass of wine in a charming outdoor seating area.