Imagine hopping a train and exploring a completely new city without having to leave your fur baby at home. Until we moved to Amsterdam, that was just a dream for us. Sure, we’ve done numerous road trips in the states but having to drive a car can be limiting in a lot of ways (and I don’t find the U.S. to be as dog friendly as some countries in Europe). I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been bummed not to be able to bring our girls with us somewhere amazing. Every summer we’d take a trip to Europe and see dogs and their families just enjoying the good life together. Now that we live in Amsterdam, I am thrilled to be able to take Lola pretty much anywhere we want to go. It means not having to face those sad puppy eyes when we leave, and it means a more enriched day for us because Lola brings so much happiness to everything she does (insert all the heart eyes here!). We love giving her the best life possible, which lately has included some day trips to other parts of The Netherlands. A day trip to Utrecht was our latest adventure. If you live in Amsterdam or are planning a visit with your dog, I hope this little itinerary helps you get the most out of your own day trip to Utrecht.

I am a big fan of day trips, but even more so now that we live in The Netherlands. It’s very easy to get on a train and/or tram with your fur baby. A day ticket for your dog is just €3.30 (as of August 2022) and can be purchased online the morning of your trip.

We got on the tram by our house and took it to Amsterdam Centraal where we took a train to Utrecht. The train left around 10:15 am which put us at our first stop close to 11:00. Lola is so good on the busy trams and trains. She sits or lays at our feet and we make sure not to block any aisles. 

Day Trip to Utrecht With Your Dog

I made this itinerary in an order that makes the most sense after you leave Utrecht Centraal. We visited on a Saturday, so if you go any other day of the week certain things may not be open. This is not an all-inclusive list of things to do in Utrecht, but rather things that are outdoors and enjoyable for you and your dog.

On your way to your first stop, head down Lange Viestraat from the train station to see traffic lights with Miffy on them. It’s a cute little nod to the home of Miffy, a little rabbit from the picture books drawn and written by Dutch artist Dick Bruna.

First stop: Market Vredenburg – This market is right outside the train station on the other side of the Hoog Catharijne shopping mall. It’s an open air farmers market selling fresh produce, snack food, and some clothing and other flea market type finds. We were really impressed with the selection of meat, seafood, bread, and cheese here. If we lived in Utrecht we would definitely be here every time they’re open (which is 3 days a week). We bought some really incredible bread rolls from a bakery stand to take back with us. Lola was all about the smells! Don’t forget your reusable shopping bag! You’ll also see flower stalls, but save your floral dreams for the next stop. 

Second stop: Janskerkhof Bloemenmarkt – This is a huge flower market only open Saturdays from 8-5. I was stunned at the quantity and variety of flowers as well as the incredibly low prices. I’m so used to overpaying in the U.S. for flowers, I guess. Each of the vendors is happy to make a unique bouquet to suit your needs on the spot. There are also gorgeous premade bouquets ready to take home. Not only are there flowers galore, but you can also purchase seeds and bulbs to plant your own garden. Ukiyo Koffie bike was set up with a variety of hot and cold coffees and teas. We enjoyed a morning coffee break while sitting on his crates and taking in the incredible smells of the market. I love a good strong cup of joe, and Ukiyo Koffie nailed it.

Third stop: St. Martin’s Cathedral (Dom Kerk), Dom Tower, Pandhof Garden – Several churches have stood in this spot since the seventh century. Its current French-style Gothic structure was completed in the 16th century and was once the largest church in The Netherlands until a tornado collapsed the nave in 1674. The cathedral tower is still the tallest one in the country and it’s over 465 steps. We did not climb the tower, plus it was completely covered in scaffolding on the day of our visit. Don’t miss the Pandhof Garden, a stunning monastery garden you can walk through, which is accessible through the gate on Domplein. It feels like a secret garden with many little alcoves for sitting and admiring the gothic details above you. 

Fourth stop: Time for lunch!

We found several highly recommended places and landed on Dogma Hotdog Bar. The guys here are super nice and the food is both fun and delicious. The hot dogs are definitely gourmet and the fries are a very close second to our favorite, Frietboutique, back in Amsterdam. We had a table outside and they brought water out for Lola (she had some fries too, let’s not kid ourselves). Other recommendations given to me included Stadskasteel Oudaen (brewery on the canal with lunch/dinner options), Croquetten Boutique (unique and large selection of croquettes and sandwiches, Kimmade (top-rated Vietnamese street food), and Talud9 (coffee and wine bar).

Fifth stop: Explore the Oudegracht (“old canal”) of Utrecht – The main canal running through Utrecht is the 800-year-old Oudegracht and it is worth a stroll. It looks much different than the canals you’re used to in Amsterdam. The Oudegracht is much lower than the street and a number of cafes, bars, and shops now utilize the waterfront space that medieval warehouses used to occupy. It reminds me of the San Antonio Riverwalk in a lot of ways. You have your pick of places to grab a beer or glass of wine and watch boats and people go by. It can be a bit crowded, so we opted to head back to Amsterdam and grab a drink on the water where Lola could really stretch out. 

Back in Amsterdam…I highly recommend Hannekes Boom for waterside sips and snacks at the end of your day trip! There are tons of picnic tables or you can pull your boat right up to the dock and order. A bottle of rosé for us and a patch of soft turf for Lola made for the perfect end to a great day!

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xo – Erin

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