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ATTRACTION GUIDE · UTRECHT

Oudegracht & wharf cellars

Utrecht's unique two-level canal, with cafés in old wharf cellars at water level.

Tickets & tours Open in Google Maps

Time needed: 2 hours
Entry: Free
Best time: Evening
Area: Centre

The main canal with flowers and terraces.

Where it is & how to get there

Address: Oudegracht, Utrecht

On foot: Runs through the centre, 5 minutes from the station.
Boats: Canal cruises and pedal boats.
Wharves: Stairs lead down to the waterside terraces.

Open in Google Maps Get directions

The story of the Oudegracht

The Oudegracht, the "Old Canal", has a unique design: below street level, medieval merchants built wharves and cellars right at the water's edge to unload goods.

Today these old cellars house cafés and restaurants with terraces just above the water, giving Utrecht a different atmosphere from Amsterdam.

Best time to visit

Best season

May to September for terraces.

Best time of day

Evening, when the canal is lit.

Weekends

Lively with students and locals.

Tips before you go

Eat at a wharf-level café.
Have a drink on a wharf terrace by the water.
Rent a pedal boat to explore the canal.

Best hotels near the Oudegracht

Well-known hotels within easy reach. Check prices and availability for your dates.

Grand Hotel Karel V

Hotel in a former medieval monastery.

See prices

Mother Goose Hotel

Boutique hotel by the Oudegracht.

See prices

All hotels near the Oudegracht

What's around the Oudegracht

Dom Tower5 minutes away.
Utrecht CentraalMain station.
Miffy MuseumChildren's museum.
Rietveld Schröder HouseUNESCO design house.

Questions travellers ask

What makes the Oudegracht special?

Its two-level design with wharf cellars at water level.

Can I take a boat?

Yes, cruises and pedal boats.

Is it close to the station?

Yes, about 5 minutes.