City Centre Areas

Music complex Tivoli Vredenburg
Tivoli is a hotspot for students and music lovers who meet there for concerts and events of any kind.

• By Isa + 2
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• Smaranda : “By far, my favorite place to enjoy music in a concert hall or a restaurant during the day and their many club-events during the night. ”
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• Studentlife Team: “Tivoli not only hosts amazing concerts. It’s also a great place to go out dancing with your friends.”
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• Isa: “Apart from parties, events such as the International Comedy Festival Utrecht are also organized in Tivoli.”

Oriental
Find all the oriental spices in the centre of Utrecht

• By Rina
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• Rina: “Since I live on my own, I like to try out new recipes. I like to get lost here among all the tasty herbs.”

Canoe rental Utrecht
Reserve a canoe in the center of Utrecht. Discover Utrecht from the canals, the ideal day out for everyone.

• By Studentlife Team + 3
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• Smaranda : “Canoeing is a more exciting way to get to know the city while also creating fun memories with your friends and family. ”
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• Camila : “This is the prettiest way of seeing Utrecht! Whether you’re new to town or a local, this activity doesn’t get old. ”
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• Studentlife Team: “There is no better way to discover Utrecht than through canoeing!”

UMTC
Meet the people of UMTC and become a part of this small-scale social club

• By Rina
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• Rina: “I think the great thing about UMTC is that everyone knows each other, since it is so small-scale.”

Shopping centre Hoog Catharijne
The one-stop shop for everything you need in life.

• By Studentlife Team + 1
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• Daphne : “ Whenever I need something, I visit Hoog Catharijne because with the wide selection of shops there, I always find what I'm looking for.”
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• Studentlife Team: “Apart from a myriad of stores, Hong Catharijne offers a lot of food options together with its convenient location just few minutes’ walk from Utrecht Centraal.”

Ananda
Embrace your spiritual journey at this very unique store in the city centre of Utrecht.

• By Lobke + 1
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• Thomas : “Personally, I don't care for the spiritual items in the store, but I visit Ananda regularly to buy beautiful stones. As gifts for friends and, of course, to expand my own collection of minerals and fossils.”
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• Lobke: “This is the ultimate store for everyone who loves spiritual matters, but actually also for everyone who doesn't. There is always so much to see, hear, and smell (lots of different types of incense). I always find great gifts here; lucky charms are my favorite.”

Pool cafe Hart van Utrecht
A cozy cafe where you can play pool with your friends, in the middle of the city centre.

• By Studentlife Team
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• Studentlife Team: “Grab your friends and enjoy your evening playing pool!”

Pandhof at the Dom
Nature in the city

• By Luiza
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• Luiza: “This hidden gem will transport you straight to the gothic halls of Hogwarts!”

St. Martin's Cathedral and The Dom
The Dom!

• By Luiza
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• Luiza: “Due to the construction work, I was only able to see the Dom in all its glory during my final year of studies, but I can assure you, it was worth the wait. ”

Drift 13 - Herman
Discover a vibrant life inside the Herman association room

• By Rina
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• Rina: “As a board member of the study association of German language and culture, our association room cannot be missed! From study sessions to socializing during pizza hours: everything is possible.”

De Rechtbank
In case you didn’t have any dinner plans, Rechtbank is a place to be

• By Dione
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• Dione: “I have been to De Rechtbank several times in the past year, both for dinner and drinks. I love it here every time had my way.”

Board games shop Subcultures
One of the board game shops of Utrecht

• By Hau + 2
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• Laura : “In addition to the extensive range of games and the expertise of the staff, they also have a fun escape room.”
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• Studentlife Team: “Are you in need of a new board game? Subcultures has something for you!”
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• Hau : “At Subcultures, you can find fun games to play with your friends. They have a wide selection, so there's something for everyone!”

Anan Saigon Streetfood
Anan offers delightful and tasty food, together with a friendly atmosphere to spend some quality time with friends.

• By Luiza
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• Luiza: “If you're there, you definitely should try the Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk. ”

Queen Piercing
Check this out and make your piercing appointment

• By Anouk
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• Anouk: “Thanks to this piercing shop I have a super nice nose piercing!”

De Ontdekking
The Discovery you need to make!

• By Luiza
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• Luiza: “A charming café located right across from the University Library in the city center. It's an ideal spot to study while enjoying their delicious beverages.”

Cafe West
Don’t miss West’s special beer for only €4

• By Maya
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• Maya: “You can find me at West almost every Monday or Tuesday, because then all bottled specialty beer is only €4. If you don't, you're a thief of your wallet anyway. As someone with eternal choice stress, I am also a real fan of the half dishes. The more food the better”

Instituto Cervantes
Become a member of Instituto Cervantes, Utrecht’s centre of Spanish language

• By Anouk
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• Anouk: “In this place I can practice my Spanish and have access to much more material than in other libraries.”

Louis Hartlooper Complex
Former police station, now one of the coolest movie theatres in the city!

• By Studentlife Team
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• Studentlife Team: “Louis Hartlooper is a must-see for art cinema lovers!”

De zakkendrager
Discover the mystical garden of De Zakkendrager

• By Dione
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• Dione: “With the beautiful courtyard garden and delicious food, I come here like for lunch, dinner or drinks with friends.”

Poke Perfect
Enjoy the variety of Poke options

• By Dione
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• Dione: “In addition to delicious bowls with sashimi, Poke Perfect also has vegetarian options, that's a big plus for me!”

Kafé België
Soooo many beers!

• By Studentlife Team
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• Studentlife Team: “Can't choose from the wide selection of beers on the menu? Be sure to ask the staff for their recommendations!”

Things I Like Things I Love
re in Utrecht where unique outfits await!

• By Isa
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• Isa: “The store not only has nice clothing, but also sells fun accessories”

Coffee Company
Brighten up your work day with a delicious cup of coffee

• By Dione + 1
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• Luiza: “Coffeecompany offers a great lunch deal - smoothie/coffee and toasties only for 8,40 Euro! ”
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• Dione: “I like to sit at the Coffee Company to to study. In addition to delicious coffee, there is also a very nice atmosphere to to work.”

Jansbar
Nightlife in the middle of Janskerkhof

• By Rina
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• Rina: “There are many places to go out in Utrecht, but Jansbar is and remains my favorite. I like to come here with friends to dance.”

Humprey's
Discover the breathtaking interior of Humphrey’s restaurant

• By Anouk
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• Anouk: “I love how luxurious this restaurant feels, the cosiness of the beautifully decorated wharf cellars always amazes me!”

Los Amigos
Perfect place for tapas fans

• By Rina
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• Rina: “I am a fan of tapas restaurants, because you can share snacks together and at the same time you do not have the stress of choosing just one dish.”

Shop Zuivelhoeve Utrecht
Zuivelhoeve is a famous shop selling mainly Dutch traditional cheese.

• By Studentlife Team
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• Studentlife Team: “Cheese fans will fall in love with this place for the variety of its options.”

The munt
Get your swimsuit and come here to swim and relax with friends or strangers

• By Maya
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• Maya: “Ever since I was a kid, I've been coming to La Monnaie in the summer. You're just outside the center, but right in the hustle and bustle. Swimming, relaxing, skating: everything is possible ”

Het gegeven paard
Snack in between Tivoli’s exciting events

• By Dione
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• Dione: “Before concerts it is nice to have a bite to eat or to have a quiet drink, highly recommended!”

Spaghetteria Korte Koestraat
Best pasta in town

• By Anouk
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• Anouk: “You can wake me up for pasta from the Spaghetteria!”

Cafe Orloff
Lunch in the heart of Utrecht

• By Maya
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• Maya: “I used to have dance lessons at the Dom as a girl, then I went to Orloff for a sandwich with my father. That's really kind of core memory for me. So now I still come here often! The sandwiches with croquettes, humus and tuna salad are recommended. And of course the toasties”

University Library City Centre
The white furnishings and natural light make this a perfect place to concentrate.

• By Dieudonnee + 7
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• Lobke: “I've had quite a few meetings, study sessions, and all-nighters here. I find the University Library to be a great place to truly focus. Additionally, it's such a beautiful building!”
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• Benjamin: “The city centre library is a striking blend of old and new, where modern and classical architecture come together seamlessly. Its halls and rooms hold stories of the past, as we learned in one of our first lectures: the building once served as a residence for one of Napoleon's puppet kings during the French rule in the Netherlands. This history makes the library particularly special, especially for students of the humanities.”
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• Dieudonnee : “There are a few hidden rooms with nice study spots. For example, there's a room with a beautiful view of the Voorstraat.”

Hofman
Food and drinks with immaculate vibes

• By Maya
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• Maya: “Everything is just fine and the vibe is nice. Lunch, food, drinks, snacks, everything is nice. Ideal place to sit down between lectures”

Bakkerswinkel
Craving red velvet cake? Visit Bakkerswinkel

• By Anouk
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• Anouk: “The cake here is very tasty, the red velvet is one of my favorites.”

Blackfish
The Variated Vintage Venue

• By Dieudonnee
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• Dieudonnee : “They have a nice collection of items, and on the ground floor, there is an arcade machine and free beer for while you're shopping.”

O'Panuozzo
You have to try the unique pizza breads!

• By Studentlife Team
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• Studentlife Team: “Tip, instead of a normal pizza, go for the unique pizza breads.”

University Museum Utrecht
The place in the city where science and culture meet

• By Studentlife Team
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• Studentlife Team: “This unique museum encourages people’s participation in the scientific research.”

Centraal Museum
A little piece of culture in the centre of Utrecht. They have different kind of expositions, from both old and modern art.

• By Studentlife Team
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• Studentlife Team: “Explore beautiful art collections in the city centre of Utrecht!”

Café de Poort
Between the oraganizational lectures, take a break at De Poort

• By Studentlife Team
• 
• Studentlife Team: “Between classes, grab a coffee with your friends on their sun-drenched terrace at Ledig Erf. And after a long day of lectures and tutorials, unwind at this charming café with a refreshing drink or treat yourself to a delicious meal. It's the perfect place to relax and enjoy your student life!”

Comptoir Libanais
Hidden gem with Lebanese food inside the Hoog Catharijne shopping mall

• By Anouk
• 
• Anouk: “I wasn't sure what to expect, but the food here pleasantly surprised me!”

Bar Lebowski
Lebowski is one of the “must” places for students due to its funky atmosphere and its frequent events like pub-quiz nights.

• By Studentlife Team + 1
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• Manu : “Great ambience and great vibes. They also have really nice events every so often, so keep an eye out for that. ”
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• Studentlife Team: “Its unique design, great music and lovely staff make it one of the coolest places in Utrecht. ”

Municipal Theatre (Stadsschouwburg)
This theatre building and its fun architecture is a cultural hot spot for students and teachers alike.

• By Studentlife Team
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• Studentlife Team: “You don’t need to call yourself a theatre fan to enjoy the events at Stadsschowburg. It has everything from dance, comedy to opera!”

University Hall
The most iconic UU building in the city centre

• By Studentlife Team
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• Studentlife Team: “It’s a historical place where the Union of Utrecht was signed in 1579, eventually leading to the formation of the Dutch Republic! Now this is where all academic ceremonies take place.”

Restaurant Vapiano
Not just a nice restaurant, but also a great place to study!

• By Studentlife Team
• 
• Studentlife Team: “Come and taste Vapiano’s Italian food! In spring you can also dine on their roof terrace”

Plantjesmarkt
The place for plants!

• By Thomas + 1
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• Nicole : “On every Sunday the Janskerhof square is filled with plants and flowers. I enjoy strolling around and admiring all the different flower arrangements, it is a great study break from the Drift library! ”
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• Thomas : “Every Saturday you will find Jonathan and his coffee bike at the flower market at Janskerkhof. His “slow coffee” is the perfect way to decelerat and start your weekend. ”

Griftpark
This park is a few minutes away from the the City Center University library and is a popular meeting spots for students.

• By Miguel + 4
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• Studentlife Team: “Griftpark has so much to offer, from a basketball court to skate park and a “city petting zoo”!”
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• Thomas : “A beautiful park, perfect for a picnic with friends. It also has an interesting history. Until 1960, it was the most polluted place in Utrecht due to the gas factory that was built there.”
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• Miguel : “Best park in the city. Beautiful lake and animal farm inside where you can pet the animals.”

Canal Oudegracht
Located in the heart of the city, passing by the canal is a daily activity for most Utrechters.

• By Studentlife Team
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• Studentlife Team: “Oudegracht, the picturesque canal in Utrecht, is where students love walking around with their friends, discovering new cool shops, and sometimes just sitting by the water and enjoying the view.”

Wilhelminapark
This 122-year-old park is Utrecht's most favourite spot for a summer BBQ.

• By Luiza + 1
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• Studentlife Team: “It is a perfect spot for a date or quality time with friends. Located between the International Campus and the city centre, Wilhelminapark is always full of students having picnics or going for walks. In the summer you should definitely try ice cream from Vorst, which is just around the corner.”
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• Luiza: “I have a soft spot for this place as many social events during my first year in Utrecht took place there.”

De Neude square
Perfect place to have a drink, paced with bars and restaurants

• By Studentlife Team
• 
• Studentlife Team: “Neude is the place that pops into your mind when someone asks to go for drinks. Among students, it has become a popular meeting point, while going out with friends.”

Nijntje Museum
Reliving childhood — the legacy of Nijntje

• By Maya
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• Maya: “For me, this is really reliving my childhood. I think we all grew up with Nijntje, so this goes back to that time.”

Plant store Rood en Bloem
A cute little shop full of plants and everything you would need to take care of them

• By Studentlife Team
• 
• Studentlife Team: “Apart from a beautiful collection of plants and flowers, everyone appreciates their friendly and helpful service!”

Mick O'Connells
A little bit of Ireland in Utrecht!

• By Studentlife Team
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• Studentlife Team: “Discover Irish charm in the city center of Utrecht. Grab some beers and watch football with your friends at Mick O'Connells!”

Japanese dining Kounosuke
An authentic Japanse restaurant

• By Studentlife Team
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• Studentlife Team: “They offer an authentic Japanese cuisine - it also includes vegan options!”

Janskerkhof 3 Studyplace
Hidden study spot in one of the faculty buildings

• By Manu + 1
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• Vito : “ I studied here very well with fellow students for my Spanish minor. It's not completely silent here, but also not very noisy.”
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• Manu : “The law faculty building’s reading room are where I am most productive, and the coffee machine in the kiosk is actually really good!”

Bookstore Bijleveld
This monumental book store in the heart of the city provides beautiful books not only for Dutch but also international students.

• By Studentlife Team + 1
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• Benjamin: “This bookstore feels personal and welcoming, with great staff who are eager to help you find a book and are even willing to order one on demand. Even if you’re not looking for something specific, this bookstore invites you to browse and explore for a while.”
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• Studentlife Team: “You can’t miss this charming bookstore at Janskerkhof! International students will also love their rich collection of books in English.”

It's a Present!
Struggling to find the perfect gift? Visit It's a Present!

• By Vito
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• Vito : “Here you can buy nice gifts, gadgets and cards for your friends and family. It is a cozy and colorful shop where you see something new every time you are there.”

Coffeebar Anne & Max
In the summer, the courtyard garden is a great place to be.

• By Studentlife Team
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• Studentlife Team: “Anne&Max is one of the best breakfast places in Utrecht. They also offer delicious coffee which now you can enjoy in their beautiful outdoor patio!”