A walking/rolling tour through Utrecht’s binnenstad
I’ve lived in the city of Utrecht for more than 10 years, and I am convinced that it is a hidden gem!
Less busy than Amsterdam with just as much unique archtecture and history, I give friends and family tours of the inner city (binnenstad, in Dutch) whenever I have a chance. As an occasional cane user with fellow disabled family members, I learned that the usual walking tours offered don’t really have barrier-free access in mind, and I want to change that.
Cost and duration: For 15 euros per person (8 euros for under 12s, free for under 2s), groups of up to 8 people, I will take you on a tour around the inner city for between 2 and 4 hours (depending on length or additional sights of interest). All tours are given in English. Preferred days are Saturday or Sunday or national holidays like Easter or Ascension Day. *note: holidays may impact what is open/busy
Accessibility: I want to work with you to make sure it suits your accessibility needs - for instance, interpreters and aides are at no extra person cost, and service animals are welcome. Furthermore, I will make the tour barrier-free or wheelchair accessible as needed, and there will be breaks built in (I know where all the accessible toilets are, too!). Extra requests welcome.
How to book: Bookings inquiries are welcome at least one week in advance (initial inquiry), with more details of cancellation or rescheduling discussed with the booking. Inquiries can be made via the contact page, with responses delivered in under 24 hours.
Example Tour:
The tour could start in Neude in the city centre and visit the Anne Frank statue at Janskerk, then head to the Pope’s House, followed by the Dom Kerk and Dom Tower. This is our halfway point, where we can take a longer rest or the group can book a tour at the Dom Tower with the official guides there. Those who don’t go into the Tower can hang out with me at a cafe where we talk more about Utrecht’s history. No interest in going up the tower? Then we continue down the Oudegracht and wrap up at either the Utrecht Archive or the Centrall Museum (depending on desired distance).
Throughout the tour, I’ll fill you in on various aspects of the history of Utrecht, including but not limited to the Roman empire, periods of siege, religion, LGBTQ history and culture, colonialism, and the multicultural fabric of Utrecht past and present. Ghost stories? I got ‘em (if you want ‘em).
The area around the Dom Tower is a packed full of shops and restaurants, and often hosts open air events. The Dom Tower dominates the skyline (in the picture, left of the Denham store), though currently iit is wrapped in scaffolding for a years-long restoration.
The Oudegracht cellars are unique to Utrecht, where the old stores built their loading docks right at the canals edge. Nowadays, they host restaurants and little shops but are in amazing preservation of their original quality, including stonework motifs and several bridges.
Arguably the most famous church in Utrecht is the Dom Kerk, with the garden shown here. This stunning cathedral and it’s accompanying tower is the centerpiece for the tour, and additional tours up the tower are possible with the official guides at the Dom Tower (plan in advance).
Unfortunately, the grachten are not wheelchair accessible (there are only stairs), but you can still see them from above.
There are several churches within the inner city of Utrecht, including the less famous ones, like the WIllibrord Kerk pictured here.
The courtyard between the Dom Kerk and the Dom Tower is a pedestrian friendly zone surrounded by historic buildings, often hosting events or markets.
Looking down Nobelstraat at Janskerkhof in the background, this busy street runs through the heart of Utrecht, near the older University buildings.