Utrecht is one of the largest cities in the Netherlands and there are plenty of Utrecht must do’s available for your visit. This city is full of history and culture as many of the structures are ancient and date back to the earliest settlers of this area. This city was one of the most important in the Netherlands at one time until Amsterdam began to overshadow Utrecht.

Explore the Grand Cathedral

The Domkerk Cathedral is not to be missed as it took almost 300 years to build. The original cathedral was of Romanesque design. Since then sections of the cathedral have been rebuilt so that today parts of it represent several different design periods. Inside is a Holy Sepulcher from 1501. Part of the cathedral was damaged during a particularly violent storm and was never attached. Check the open hours as they vary depending on the day.

Check Kasteel de Haar Castle

The Kasteel de Haar is the one castle that you should not miss. It shows signs of fires and battles. In the early 1900s the Rothschild family poured money into the castle and surrounding is a formal garden that resembles those at Versailles. The castle interior is furnished with tapestries, paintings, rugs and antiques from several famous French design periods such as Louis XIV. The main problem is that the castle itself is too heavy for the foundation so it is very slowly sinking.

Visit Slot Zeist

Slot Zeist is another famous castle finished in 1687. The exterior is quite plain and deceiving as the interior is very lavish and designed by Daniel Marot, the famous French architect. The interior has many Baroque murals and ornate wood paneling that have survived many years. The drive to the castle is impressive and lined with houses. The gardens have been replanted as a pleasant park.

Dutch Railway Museum Paintings

The Dutch Railway Museum, called Nederlands Spoorwegmuseum, is housed in an old railway station. Inside there are many carriages, engines and wagons to see up close and personal. You can view paintings, train films and moving models. There is even a multimedia section that focuses on high speed trains.

Central Museum Art

The central museum was once a convent and houses a very impressive collection of Dutch modern art. The modern art is from the De Stijl group. There are also excellent 16th century works from Jan van Scorel who started a genre that would dominate for 2 centuries. There are also plenty of historical artifacts such as a preserved  Viking longboat and dollhouse from 1680.