A lonely tower in Utrecht

Lonely tower

While in Utrecht, you should definitely climb the Domtoren, the highest church bell tower in the Netherlands (112 meters). When the visibility is good, apart from the whole city - one of the largest centers in the country, with a unique history and atmosphere - you can also see Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Utrecht owes its largely specific, artistic and intellectual climate to the oldest university in the city, the university founded in 1623. Masses of students pass through the streets and you can hear intellectual conversations in different languages.

The aforementioned tower is part of a Gothic cathedral from the 13th century. A separate part - as a result of historical turmoil, the structure was built for almost 300 years, and later it was destroyed during the Reformation, gradually separating the tower from the rest of the cathedral. Today he stands alone, several dozen meters from the building.

However, the city itself is full of clubs and pubs and those who come here will not complain about loneliness.

Tourist attractions in Utrecht

Utrecht is situated on the Amsterdam-Rhine canal in the middle of the country. The downtown itself is quite intimate and we can easily get to know it while walking along the cobbled streets. However, you can use a bicycle popular in the Netherlands and visit attractive tourist spots. History makes itself felt at every step. The most beautiful, historic part of Utrecht is surrounded by deep 14th-century canals, and tourists eagerly take advantage of the possibility of crossing them during a cruise. The visitors are particularly attracted by the Old Canal, which catches the eye with its bridges and quays.

One of the most important monuments in the city is the Retvield House. Its modernist structure resembles a large spatial sculpture. It was built in the 1920s according to the idea of the Dutch architect Gerrit Rietveld, and was inhabited until 1985. In 2000, the Retvield House was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which is a clear confirmation of how unusual and valuable this structure is.

Another interesting place is the 13th-century St. Martin's Cathedral, one of the largest Gothic temples in the Netherlands. It stands next to the aforementioned tower, which, by the fate, separated it from the building, which resulted in the creation of two separate monuments. Both are equally worth knowing. The interior of the cathedral is modest - the building consists of the former canon's monastery, presbytery and transept.

Polish war cemetery

There are also Polish accents. Tourists from the country on the Vistula can visit the Polish war cemetery in Utrecht - the resting place of compatriots who remained in exile after the war, as well as soldiers who died during World War II, who fought for the freedom of the Netherlands.

Those who wish to return to the past will surely be interested in De Haar Castle, located approx. 12 km from the center of Utrecht. It is a 14th-century neo-Gothic castle surrounded by a moat, forest, ponds and old gardens. About 100 years ago it was completely renovated and today it can only be visited in groups and with a guide. It is extremely picturesque, so take advantage of this opportunity.

Campings near Utrecht

A great idea for a trip to Utrecht would be to come here in your own motorhome. For tourists who value the independence of traveling, there are several campsites where they can stay. About 2 km from the city center lies Camping De Berekuil (Ariënslaan 5, 3573 PT Utrecht), a nice place where we will pay approximately 25 euros for the accommodation of 2 adults, a place for a vehicle and access to electricity.

A little less, about 17 euros, costs such a stay on another campsite - De Boomgaard (Parallelweg 9, 3981 HG Bunnik). It is located 8 km from Utrecht, it is open from April to October, and there is a washing machine and a clothes dryer on site. There is also a bike rental, you can play mini golf, and the campsite itself is very popular with children - they have a playground here and daily animations are provided.

Another camp is worth paying attention to - Bos Park Bilthoven (Burgemeester van der Borchlaan 7, 3722 GZ Bilthoven). It is open from March to October, the entire area has wireless Internet, there is a bar on site, the nearest store is approx. 1.5 km away, and the restaurant - 1.3 km. Of course, you can use a dryer and a washing machine here, young mothers will find a special place for changing babies, and the toilets are fully adapted for the disabled. For an accommodation for 2 people, a motorhome parking space and access to electricity, the approximate price is approx. EUR 28.5 / day.

City nightlife

Regardless of whether we come to the city with a camper or as a so-called ordinary tourist, we will be delighted with the beauty and atmosphere of Utrecht. In addition to historical buildings, there are also places where you can spend time with friends. Shopaholics will find the huge Hoog Catharijne shopping center, and at night you can go crazy in one of the many clubs - for example, in Tivoli (Oudegracht 245) or in Monza (Potterstraat 16).

A weekend spent in this atmospheric place will be an unforgettable weekend. That's for sure.