Utrecht

Utrecht ( YOO-trekt; Dutch: [ˈytrɛxt] ; Utrecht dialect: Ut(e)reg [ˈyt(ə)ʁɛχ]) is the fourth-largest city of the Netherlands, as well as the capital and the most populous city of the province of Utrecht. The municipality of Utrecht is located in the eastern part of the Randstad conurbation, in the very centre of mainland Netherlands, and includes Haarzuilens, Vleuten and De Meern. It has a population of 378,140 as of January 2026. Utrecht's ancient city centre features many buildings and structures, several dating as far back as the High Middle Ages. It has been the religious centre of the Netherlands since the 8th century. It received city rights in 1122. In 1579, the Union of Utrecht was signed in the city to lay the foundations for the Dutch Republic. Utrecht’s historic centre is characterised by the Dom Tower and a medieval canal system with wharves and cellars below street level. Today, Utrecht is a major national railway hub and a centre for higher education, research, healthcare and culture. The municipality contains the Rietveld Schröder House and components of the Lower German Limes and the Dutch Water Defence Lines, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage properties. In 2025, Lonely Planet selected Utrecht as one of 25 destinations featured in its Best in Travel 2026 guide.