Canals, Utrecht

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The thing that we enjoyed most was being able to eat along the canals. There are numerous restaurants and you really have a varied choice. Everywhere we ate, the food was good, and the atmosphere is amazing. There is nothing quite like watching a boat row right past your table while you enjoy a delicious meal or a duck coming to ask for a titbit.

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Taking a cruise on the canals will set you back 7.95 euro's. The cruises depart from Oudegracht and when the weather permits, they open the roof. There is a guide on board that will inform you of the area that you are cruising through and give you quite a bit of information. Duration is one hour and the boats depart every hour on the hour from 11 am to 5 pm.

During late spring and summer a nice and alternative way to experience Utrecht canals is by canoe! you can rent canoes or boats at the Botenverhuur de Rijnstroom and starting from there you can go either to the historical city center or more to country. We went to the green country around Utrecht and after paddling for a couple of hours we stopped at Theehuis Rhijnauwen B.V. for a pancake. This is a pancake house right on the canal, so you can step out and leave your canoe on the bank.

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Running through the centre of the old city are Utrecht's pair of canals - the Oude Gracht and the Nieuw Gracht (old and new). In addition to the canals the old city boundary still has its water filled moat looping in a rough semicircle on the western side.

The old city centre is pretty much traffic-free and so wandering the canal and moat banks makes for a pleasant way to get a feel of the place. The canals are built below street level and have their own walkways which during the summer bustle with cafes and restaurants. On my autumn visit on a midweek morning I had the double bonus of the place being virtually tourist-free and the trees in their resplendent seasonal foliage which my camera took full advantage of - see travelogue below: Some "arty" Photos

A funny and active way to discover Utrecht is by boat or canoe.

Beside the guided boat tour or the cycling-boat in the city center, you can rent a canoe, kayak or boat near the University campus de Uithof.

From there you can either go via canals to the city center or, if looking for green and nature, to the outskirts of Utrecht.

Along the canal there are many nice spots where you can stop for a pic-nic. About 1 hour and a half canoing towards Bunnik you'll find also a very good pancake house right on the canal. You can simply leave your canoe/boat and treat yourself with a delicious pancake before heading back.

Have fun!

Oudegracht is a canal going through the heart of the city, with shops and restaurants on both sides.
This canal is unique because of its many pittoresque cellars on water level. Centuries ago they were used for storage and commerce. Nowadays, many of them host fine restaurants and pubs. In the summer you can find nice terraces at the water here.

Although not as famous as the canals in Amsterdam a boat ride on the Utrecht old canals is very enjoyable.

Along the route you will get to see and hear the history of the very old building, some of which are from the middle ages. I find it a very good relaxing way to learn the history of the city and its important buildings.

The tour I took lasted about 45 minutes. It costs 7.5 Euro for adults.
The tape is in four different languages (English, Dutch, German and French).

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Oude Gracht houses some of the best pubs and restaurants in Utrecht. Its an excellent, relaxing place to sit outside on a warm summers night to enjoy a drink with mates, or a wonderful place for a romantic meal. Best of all is a joyous walk amongst trees to shade yourself from the sun (see photo 3 for an idea of the length of the gracht).