Orientation

Arriving at Utrecht Centraal, you’ll enter the city through the gargantuan Hoog Catharijne shopping center. Unless you’re tempted to do some shopping, follow the signs toward Vredenburg and eventually emerge at a square about a 5min. walk from the city center, or Museumkwartier. This part of town, a long strip bordered on the west by Oudegracht and on the east by Nieuwegracht canal, contains the most points of interest in the city. Domtoren, Utrecht’s most easily recognizable landmark, is located smack-dab in the middle of the two canals (well, in the middle of where Nieuwegracht would be if extended just a little bit farther). The primary east-west street is the many-named Vredenburg/Lange Viestraat/Potterstraat, which then becomes Nobelstraat after Janskerkhof. While Utrecht is an affluent and peaceful city, the area around Utrecht Centraal is best avoided at night.