Set off on a cultural and historical journey by foot of Utrecht and discover the magnificent architecture and cultural life of this non-touristy city. Located conveniently in the middle of the country, Utrecht can be reached by direct train from Amsterdam (30 min), Rotterdam (45 min), Amersfoort (15 min).

Start your private tour from Vredenburgplein, conveniently located in the heart of the city center. On Wednesday, Friday and Sunday the square houses a market. Notice the many fish stands on the market and the stands with delicious stroopwafels that are prepared right in front of you. Since this is a private tour, you can let your guide know if you want to discover the market as well.

The former moat Oudegracht is a 2-km long canal crossing the city from north to south. Maartensbrug, the bridge nearby the Dom Tower, crosses the part of the canal that already existed in Roman times. It is the oldest still existing bridge, dating back to the early 1400s (1404). There are over 730 wharf cellars along the canals of Utrecht with cellars bordering the wharfs so goods could be stored immediately after unloading ships. As far as known, the oldest wharf dates from 1150, when a merchant dug a tunnel from the basement of his house up to the bank of the canal. Later, the cellars were also used as brewery and marketplace. From 1900, lots of wharf cellars fell into despair because of the increase of road freight. After WWII, restorations of the cellars, wharfs and quay walls began. I Notice the many restaurants besides the canal. They are based in the cellars and use the wharfs as terraces. The atmosphere is fantastic, especially in the evenings with all the different lights.

Pandhof was originally a 15C monastery garden but today it is a public place where you can still find serenity. This hidden part of Utrecht is a lovely ornamental garden with authentic elements of a monastery garden. In previous centuries it was used as a fairground, guard room for soldiers and as a meat market. Culinary herbs, dye-producing and medicinal plants now grow there. Together with the statue of the reading canon (a clergyman), the courtyard is a beautiful picture.

Until the end of the 15th century, this square was a swampy area. There was a need for land, so the swampy ground was strengthened and raised with sand, stones and debris. From 15th until the 19th centuries the square served was a market square. Executions also took place here. Until the 1990s the square used to be a parking lot, but now it’s a festival square and there are lots of cafés. Translated the name means “swampy ground”.

The Dom Tower is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. It was part of the Cathedral of Saint Martin, also known as Dom Church, but the cathedral was never fully completed due to lack of money. Since the unfinished nave collapsed in 1674, it has been a free standing tower, located on the spot where the city of Utrecht originated nearly 2,000 years ago.

The standard final stop of this walking tour is Vredenburgplein, the square from where the tour also started. However, you can also continue with your guide to city castle Oudaen for a beer tasting (excluded). This city castle was built in 1276 and is one of the most important monuments of Utrecht. Enjoy three different beers and learn more about the history of this incredible building. Naturally you can stay at Oudaen after your guide has left.