Utrecht
Eat
- The Dutch are not known for their food, and Dutch people will often talk dismissively about their cuisine. Luckily, this modesty says more about Dutch culture than it says about the food itself.
- Not a lot of the food is typically Dutch. Having a long history of trading with the rest of the world, the cuisine is filled with foreign influences, such as Indonesian spices, Belgian and French haute cuisine, German reliance on potatoes, and Italian ingredients (as typified in sandwiches and carpaccio). Wintertime favorites are stamppot variations (mashed potatoes with carrots and onions (hotspot), kale (andijviestamp), sauerkraut (zuurkool), or other vegetables) and pea soup.
- Many pubs also serve food. The quality differs greatly. Good places to go are Kafé België (southern part of Oudegracht), Olivier (near Vredenburg), and de Winkel van Sinkel. Expect to pay around EUR 10 for a main dish (USD 10). More culinary (and more expensive) options are Oudaen (in the central part of Oudegracht), Zakkendrager (just off Vredenburg), and de Veiling (west of the station, on the Veilinghaven).
- There is an array of famous Dutch snacks, including Dutch cheese (Gouda and Edam), Dutch syrup waffles (stroopwafels), Dutch sausage, and various breadcrumbed deep-fried dishes (kroket, bitterbal, kaassouflé, frikandel). On market days, they can be easily bought in the Vredenburg market. The deep-fried snacks can be bought in many snack bars around town.
Sleep
- Now that Utrecht’s profile has been steadily rising, several hostels have popped up, which charge around EUR 20 (USD 22) for a bed in a dorm. Private hotels, hotel rooms, and Airbnb prices start from EUR 50 per night (USD 55).
- Utrecht is small, so wherever you stay is likely to be close to or in the city center.
Transport
- Town:
Utrecht is a small town, and generally, all distances can be easily covered on foot. For larger distances, you can use the bus. You will need a public transport card to use this, which costs about EUR 7 (USD 8). The card will have a balance, and you will be charged for the precise amount of distance covered (usually around EUR 2-3 (USD 2-3)).
- Airport:
Utrecht does not have an airport, but Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is only 30 minutes away by train. The train ride will cost about EUR 9. You can buy individual tickets or use the public transport card.
Out of town:
Utrecht is the main train hub for the Netherlands. The train network in
The Netherlands is extensive and mostly convenient (although you may be able to save a small amount of money by taking buses).
- Warning: The public transport card in the Netherlands can be difficult to get used to. The main rule to remember is that you should always check in and check out. If you change buses (but not if you change trains, except if you change to a different train provider), you have to check out and check in again in the new bus. In buses, you can check in/out in the bus itself. For trains, you have to check in/out at the station on specially marked poles or gates.