City Centre Areas
The old town is the place to go out and do some shopping. You'll find there also two faculties.
- City Centre
The old town is the place to go out and do some shopping. You'll find there also two faculties. VIEW ALL Canoe rental Utrecht
Reserve a canoe in the center of Utrecht. Discover Utrecht from the canals, the ideal day out for everyone.- By Berne + 4
- Studentlife Team: “There is no better way to discover Utrecht than through canoeing!”
- Smaranda : “Canoeing is a more exciting way to get to know the city while also creating fun memories with your friends and family. ”
- Berne: “I especially enjoy canoeing on the Oudegracht where happy people are chilling out along the canals.”
Shopping centre Hoog Catharijne
The one-stop shop for everything you need in life.- By Fayruz + 4
- 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.”
- Berne: “Shopping mall Hoog Catharije is a meeting place for me and my friends, as we have the chance to do some shopping and then enjoy a coffee.”
- Fayruz : “This is easily my favorite place in Utrecht. I can get lost here for hours and always find something to do. I love that it has everything from Amazing Oriental, Bruna bookstore, and Action to clothing stores, Lush, and countless other shops, as well as great restaurants.”
Ananda
Embrace your spiritual journey at this very unique store in the city centre of Utrecht.- By Lobke + 1
- 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.”
- 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 Berne + 1
- Studentlife Team: “Grab your friends and enjoy your evening playing pool!”
- Berne: “If you want some good nachos and pitchers of beers to share with your friends over a game of pool, this is the place to go. Plus, it’s a great way to prove to your friends how good you are at pool, especially if they did not believe you at first”
Louis Hartlooper Complex
Former police station, now one of the coolest movie theatres in the city!- By Valerie + 2
- Studentlife Team: “Louis Hartlooper is a must-see for art cinema lovers!”
- Derin: “As a cinephile, I could not ignore this location! You could watch different works from Hollywood auteurs (not Marvel and Spiderman) to European Art House films in this awesome place! ”
- Valerie : “This cinema always gives me a warm feeling. It's so cozy! Grabbing a beer first and then watching a movie is fantastic here :)”
Music complex Tivoli Vredenburg
Tivoli is a hotspot for students and music lovers who meet there for concerts and events of any kind.- By Stephan + 4
- Isa: “Apart from parties, events such as the International Comedy Festival Utrecht are also organized in Tivoli.”
- Studentlife Team: “Tivoli not only hosts amazing concerts. It’s also a great place to go out dancing with your friends.”
- Stephan: “The concert of British singer Jess Glynne was a very nice experience that will stay with me forever!”
Board games shop Subcultures
One of the board game shops of Utrecht- By Hau + 2
- Studentlife Team: “Are you in need of a new board game? Subcultures has something for you!”
- Laura : “In addition to the extensive range of games and the expertise of the staff, they also have a fun escape room.”
- Hau : “At Subcultures, you can find fun games to play with your friends. They have a wide selection, so there's something for everyone!”
Restaurant Vapiano
Not just a nice restaurant, but also a great place to study!- By Stephan + 1
- Studentlife Team: “Come and taste Vapiano’s Italian food! In spring you can also dine on their roof terrace”
- Stephan: “If you don't know where you will make a reservation to eat out, Vapiano Hoog Catharijne is always a good choice! They have friendly service and the food is always good.”
University Library City Centre
The white furnishings and natural light make this a perfect place to concentrate.- By Jamal + 8
- Sarthak: “This place can be quite a maze, but there are study rooms located in Drifts 21 and 25 that many people are not aware of. These rooms are typically less busy than the main parts of the library, making them a convenient option to keep in mind.”
- Fayruz : “They say struggling with other people is better than struggling alone so I come to the library to remind myself that it is not just me. It is everyone and if they can do it, I can also do it. ”
- Jamal: “Persoonlijk vind ik deze bibliotheek veel huiselijker dan de universiteitsbibliotheek in het Utrecht Science Park. De inrichting van deze bibliotheek geeft mij rust.”
The AKT Office
Media and Culture: A second home- By Milan + 1
- Berne: “The AKT office feels like my second living room where I can always go and have a chat with my fellow students.”
- Milan: “A super nice place, where I feel like Mario Kart or Just Dance is played 24/7. So to spend a few free hours competitively in the AKT office where you need to be”
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 + 2
- Berne: “I think that Lebowski is one of the “must” places for students since it has a great atmosphere and organizes many events, e.g pub-quiz.”
- Manu : “Great ambience and great vibes. They also have really nice events every so often, so keep an eye out for that. ”
- Studentlife Team: “Its unique design, great music and lovely staff make it one of the coolest places in Utrecht. ”
De Ontdekking
The Discovery you need to make!- By Milan + 1
- Panagiota: “A very cozy café right across the University Library in the city center. It offers a variety of beverages as well as sweet and savoury snacks to get reenergised.”
- Milan: “When I moved to Utrecht a year and a half ago, I immediately started looking for nice coffee shops. Although places like Onz and Gys were well received, De Ontdekking takes the cake as far as I'm concerned”
University Hall
The most iconic UU building in the city centre- By Berne + 2
- 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.”
- Derin: “Every time I walk through this location, it always motivates me.””
- Berne: “It is such a beautiful building to visit and to take a picture of. As it is located nicely in the centre of the city, I love taking a walk around the area, visiting the building and proudly saying that I'm a UU student :)”
Plantjesmarkt
The place for plants!- By Fayruz + 1
- Milan: “Although I first ridiculed a friend of mine for her amount of plants, I now have eleven in my room…”
- Fayruz : “Flowers always remind me of my mom, hopping from one blossom to another like a little girl finding her happy place. There are so many beautiful flowers and plants on this market. Simply strolling amidst them makes my day better. ”
Griftpark
This park is a few minutes away from the the City Center University library and is a popular meeting spots for students.- By Ingmar + 5
- Laura : “The ideal place to have a BBQ with your friends in Utrecht, and you certainly won't be the only one!”
- Daphne : “Together with my group of friends, I have the tradition of having a barbecue every spring/summer in Griftpark, where we can sit by the water and enjoy ourselves.”
- Ingmar: “Contrary to other parks in Utrecht, Griftpark entertains all walks of life from your casual dog walker to skater and basketball enthusiast. ”
Wilhelminapark
This 122-year-old park is Utrecht's most favourite spot for a summer BBQ.- By Studentlife Team + 3
- Kees: “I have a very sweet dog who I love to walk and play with. When we go to the Wilhelmina Park together, she is as happy as a pup and runs/swims after everything.”
- Jiani : “We held our Welcome Week at this park, and there was plenty of space for a variety of outdoor activities. You can bring a blanket for a picnic, and there is also a beautiful view of the pond and trees, making it an exceptional place to enjoy a good time with friends in good weather! I met my classmates here, enjoyed some beer, and soaked up the sun on a lovely afternoon.”
- 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.”
De Neude square
Perfect place to have a drink, paced with bars and restaurants- By Berne + 1
- 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.”
- Berne: “Square De Neude is a meeting place for me and my friends, as it is located in the city centre.”
Studio M
Media and Culture: Make it practical!- By Derin + 1
- Milan: “If you ever want to work out a project but just don't have the right material or knowledge/experience, the members of Studio M are always eager to lend you a hand.”
- Derin: “Our gorgeous temple! Or at least a meeting place for everyone! Not only home for Studio M but also the location for other student associations like AKT! ”
It's a Present!
Struggling to find the perfect gift? Visit It's a Present!- By Sarthak + 2
- Valerie : “This is where I always come when I need a card because they have 2 entire walls filled with funny cards! There are also many other little things to discover!”
- 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.”
- Sarthak: “Imagine a store that's just like the Room of Requirement from Harry Potter. You never know what you might find inside, but one thing's for sure: it has something for everyone. ”
Coffeebar Anne & Max
In the summer, the courtyard garden is a great place to be.- By Berne + 2
- Jiani : “Anne&Max is a popular café in the city center, serving a delicious brunch. You need to try their croissant with scrambled eggs and salmon. It’s amazing! ”
- 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!”
- Berne: “Also a good location if you are looking for a place to study!”
Feestcafé De Vrienden
One of Utrecht's best-known student bars, right in the centre.- By Jamal + 1
- Berne: “In "De Vrienden" it is always busy, if you really want to dance well then you should not be here. But it's a good place to meet new people!”
- Jamal: “Maybe this is strange coming from a Med student, but life is more than studying. Sometimes your prefrontal cortex also deserves a night off. De Vrienden is perfect for that!”