Gezellig is a Dutch word you will hear a lot in the Utrecht Region. This unique adjective is used to describe quality time with one’s family or friends in a cosy environment. You will find many opportunities in the Utrecht Region to experience gezellig activities yourself.
As is to be expected of a city with its roots in medieval times, Utrecht and the surrounding area has a long and rich cultural history. The region is home to a wide variety of museums, including several that focus on Dutch history and art. Fans of performing arts will enjoy the theatres and the variety of annual festivals that celebrate all forms of artistic expression. Music is also a key part of the artistic makeup here. The region’s long history perfectly lends itself to the Utrecht Early Music Festival every summer, plus there is also a wide range of quality music venues hosting regular live performances across all genres.
You will also find an abundance of leisure, fitness and health options in the Utrecht Region. The area is home to a wide variety of cutting-edge facilities including Kampong, the largest sports club in the Netherlands, as well as easily accessible rivers, lakes and nature areas that make for perfect natural playgrounds. On top of that, new sports facilities are being opened all the time to cater to the growing population of professionals, students and active youth.
How do I make new (Dutch) friends? what's the business culture like? Learn a bit more about the Dutch here.
Do you want to find out what's happening in the Utrecht Area? Check out the cultural agenda in English.
Of all the resources we've suggested, these are perhaps the most potent: Human connections to people who've experienced what you have, and are happy to lift up those after them.
The museum card (museumkaart) is a hidden gem, giving you access to hundreds of museums throughout the Netherlands for a single, exceptionally reasonable annual membership of about €60 for adults and €30 for children.
There are a lot of many surprising museums in the Utrecht Region. You'll find several prominent art museums, suited to both young and old. Gape at the revolving exhibits in the Centraal Museum and learn more about Christian art in the Catherijne Convent.
Heading out with the entire family? Then the little ones will be wild about the national military museum, the Nijntje Museum, the adventurous Railroad Museum (Spoorwegmuseum), the University Museum and the Sonnenborgh Observatory and Astronomy Museum.
Get your museumcard here
