Utrecht, Netherlands - Dom Tower

Utrecht, Netherlands

Amsterdam's mellow cousin: wharf cafes below the canals, no tour boats

Soar is your personal travel advisor over text. Ask it why Utrecht is worth the trip.

Best time to go
May, June and September
Budget
Mid-range
Good for
City, Food
Don't miss
Dom Tower

Still under the radar: Utrecht hasn't hit the mainstream circuit yet.

Why it made the lists

A canal-laced Dutch city with a medieval core, buzzing cafe culture and cycling ease, offering an authentic alternative to overtouristed Amsterdam.
Lonely Planet: Best in Travel 2026

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Soar curates this catalog of 405 destinations by hand, with seasonal windows and budget tiers maintained by our travel team. Photo by Barkalı on Pexels .