Budget-Friendly Utrecht: The Best Free Experiences in the City

Although Utrecht is a city full of local and international students, it has a long history connected to religions. The following list covers a couple of things to do in Utrecht for free, and many of them involve buildings, museums, more or less crowded touristy places, and some additional hidden treasures nearby.

Churches

Faith played an important role in Utrecht’s history. The first person to bring Catholicism to the region was Saint Willibrord 1500 years ago. After that, Utrecht slowly turned into one of the most significant religious centers in Northern Europe. There are around 24 churches, but only half of them are in good condition.

Domkerk is the biggest and most dominant of them all, right in the city center. It is open daily, usually during the noon hours until 3 or 4 PM. The church has been dedicated to St. Martin since the 7th century, and its people built it in the Northern French Gothic style.

If you walk south from Domkerk, you will come to St Catherine’s Church, which used to belong to the Carmelite Friary. The Knights Hospitalers built it until the mid-sixteenth century. For a short period, it belonged to Protestants, but later, in 1840, it returned to Catholics.

If you continue further south towards the Nijntje museum, you will also find the Nicolaïkerk or Klaaskerk. It belongs to one of the four medieval parish churches in Utrecht. People built it in the 12th century, but some of its parts, like the web part with two towers, are from the first period of its construction.

If you walk north from DomKerk, check out St. Willibrordkerk, a prominent example of a 19th-century Gothic-style revival. Its author is architect Alfred Tepe. From outside, it might be less easy to spot, but from inside, interiors rich in furniture await you. Some windows and walls cover artworks depicting the life of St. Willibrord, who converted many people in the Netherlands to Christianity and founded the See of Utrecht. It is open from Friday to Saturday during the afternoon hours from 1 PM to 5 PM.

On the east of DomKerk is Pieterskerk, a church from the 11th century, open only on Saturdays from noon until 4 PM. It hides the crypt with Bernold’s sarcophagus. The northern chapel is Romanesque, while the southern is Gothic, with an original mosaic floor.

Parks

The most popular park is Griftpark, which has a skate park, picnic area, and children’s playground. If you are in Utrecht in the summer, you can attend some of the free events and open-air concerts it hosts.

Near Utrecht University are the botanical gardens, which are open to explore and stroll for free. If you hold some of the cards, they offer free entrance (check on their site).

If you would prefer to explore the surroundings outside Utrecht, try Maximapark. It is perfect for cycling, walking, and skating. There are some facilities for children, like a playground. The park is large, with lots of free space for outdoor activities. Lily Pond and Butterfly Garden have their special place inside it, too.

Julianapark is another one outside the city center in Zuilen borough. It dates back to 1903 and offers tranquil paths, picnic areas, a playground, and animals like deer, chickens, and ducks at the lake or some other animals you can watch or even pet. It is basically a mini Zoo, and you can feed the animals, too.

Museums

Museum Voor Het Kruideniersbedrijf is a grocery museum with free entry. It is open during the week from around 11.30 or 12.30 AM until 4.30 or 5 PM. It is an old-fashioned store whose history dates back to 1873, and it lies near the Domkerk in the city center.

Hoge Woerd is an archeological museum outside the city center. It occupies the site of a Roman fort called Castellum Hoge Woerd. Visitors can admire a 2000-year-old Roman ship and climb the fort’s walls. Admission is free of charge, and the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Another one located outside the city center is the local Museum van Zuilen, which is in the Zuilen borough. It maps the area’s history and features historical objects (photos, stories, articles) and exhibitions. It is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. There is also an escape room, but the entrance fee is 15 EUR per person. The place is easily accessible by bicycle or public transport, like train or bus number 3 from Utrecht Central Station.

Hike the Soester Dunes

Soester Dunes lies on the outskirts of Utrecht, and you can reach the place in 30 minutes by car or in one hour with public transport or bicycle. They belong to the Soest municipality in central Netherlands. The dunes formed during the last ice age and cover around 500 ha and divide into Long and Short Dunes. The dunes consist of sand drifts with areas of plants, trees, and forests. One of the most remarkable plants is the juniper bushes. Since 1967, the area has been a National Heritage site.

Mosque

Mosque Ulu Camii lies near the Utrecht central train station, and it is hard to miss it when you step outside towards the Lombok borough. It is a Turkish mosque with pencil-shaped minarets and a large dome, but it has a modern and futuristic vibe. Its interiors are even more impressive, including a prayer hall, balconies, and ornaments on the main dome. It is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from noon to 3 PM.

Fleamarket Lapjesmarkt

The market lies on Breedstraat and is open only on Saturdays from 8 AM – 1 PM. There is some serious history behind this place. The market offers fabrics and textiles, but it is unique because it is also the oldest in the Netherlands. The first one happened in 1597. Nowadays, dozens of stalls are packed with fabric, haberdashery, and sewing accessories like zippers, buttons, threads, etc.

Inktpot Building

Another impressive building is near the central train station or just outside it towards downtown. Once, it belonged to the Dutch Railways and functioned as the headquarters. Its name represents its shape. If you look closely at the structure, you will see a square shape with another smaller square in it. It is reminiscent of the old-fashioned inkwell with a cap. Its interiors are monumental, too, with massive staircases, big meeting rooms, and Art Deco elements.

Since the beginning of the century, a flying source has been lying on one of its tops. It was left there as part of the art manifestation “Panorama 2000,” which consisted of many objects around the Utrech that could be seen from a distance. Nowadays, the places host art and cultural events.

Miffy’s Traffic Lights

Traffic lights with the Miffy character, the white rabbit from children’s books, and a rainbow zebra crossing are other activities on the list of things to do in Utrecht for free. It is only a five-minute walk from the main train station, located on Vredenburg Street in front of the Bijenkorf store.

Canal Stroll

You can start the world with the most iconic canal, the Oudegracht, which stretches right into the city’s heart. On your walk, you will see a lot of traditional wharves, cellars, cafes, boutiques, and art galleries. The canal system in Utrecht includes a lower-level canal, which people used to transport goods in the past. Today, many have a new function and offer a cozy atmosphere in cafes or restaurants. You can stroll down to Neude Square, an ideal place for people-watching. You can also visit smaller and less popular canals like Nieuwegracht, which runs parallel to Oudegracht and offers a more serene vibe with fewer people.

Want to explore more of Utrecht? Check out The 12 Best Coffee Shops in Utrecht for a Perfect Chill or discover the magic of Castle De Haar, a true fairytale fortress!