5 Things You Only See From the Water (And Don't Want to Miss!)

Think you know Utrecht because you’ve walked through the city center? Think again. The real magic of Utrecht reveals itself only when you change your perspective. Once you step aboard and head out onto the canals, the city unveils its best-kept secrets.

Here are 5 adventurous spots and eye-catchers that you can only truly see when navigating the canals:

1. The Secret Cellar Door of the Vaartsche Rijn Bridge

While the rest of the city rushes over the bridge, you’ll be gliding right underneath it. Keep an eye out for the cellar door near the old bridge-keeper’s house. This was once the command post for ships trying to enter Utrecht. See those weathered colors and hidden details? This is where the real history of Utrecht’s shipping traffic began.

2. The ‘Crashed UFO’ (Spot the Alien!)

Forget the Dom Tower; the real adventurous eye-catcher is perched on the roof of 'De Inktpot' (the ProRail headquarters). This massive brick fortress—built with no less than 22 million bricks—has a very unusual resident: a crashed UFO. You can barely see it from the street, but from the water, you have the perfect view of this extraterrestrial visitor on the Utrecht skyline.

3. The Walls of Vredenburg Castle

Did you know that a grim fortress once stood right in the middle of the city? The people of Utrecht hated this castle so much that they tore it down themselves just fifty years after it was built. From the water, you can still see parts of the historic foundations and walls that remind us of this rebellious history. Do you dare sail past the spot where the city rose up in revolt?

4. The Mishap of the City Crane

Watch your head! The historic city crane is a reconstruction of how goods were hoisted out of ships in the Middle Ages. But be careful: the original was notorious. Legend has it that a previous crane, cargo and all, crashed into the canal right in front of the famous 'Winkel van Sinkel'. A word of warning: the quay walls are beautiful, but they weren't built for today's heavy loads!

5. Urban Explorers: The Wharf Cellars

You won't find a canal system like this anywhere else in the world. While the terraces above are packed with people, you’ll be cruising through the 'belly' of Utrecht. The wharf cellars were once storage spaces for trade goods that were hoisted directly from the boat. If you look closely, you can still see the old iron rings in the walls where ships were moored. This is the raw, historic side of Utrecht that you only discover as the ‘captain’ of your own boat.

Ready for adventure?

Explore Utrecht from the water and discover these hidden treasures yourself.

your spot on board with Canal Cruising Utrecht and make sure your camera is ready for that UFO!