Writer’s Travel Guide to Utrecht, the NL: Writing Spots

Most of my Writer’s Travel Guides were inspired by shorter trips I took to the featured destinations. But this city holds a more special sentiment for me, as I lived here for a year. Because of this, I can offer deeper insight on the best writing spots in Utrecht.

While many people may opt for Amsterdam on their trip to the Netherlands, I found Utrecht to be a much more writer-friendly city. Find out why!

Keep reading to learn where to go for the best writing inspiration, where to take writing breaks and where to write in the charming little city of Utrecht and its surrounding area.

[This article contains affiliate links, which means I may receive commission at no extra cost to you. That being said, I would never recommend anything I didn’t or wouldn’t use myself.]

 Where to Get Inspiration: Utrecht

Dom Tower

There is perhaps no better way to get a new perspective on a city than to see it from above. The Dom Tower is hands down the best way to get that perspective in Utrecht.

Located in the middle of the city center, it is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands, so you can see very far from the top!

Wandering the tiny, cobblestone streets is nice, but seeing them from above lets you view them differently. Can this new perspective of Utrecht’s streets inspire any writing creativity in you?

DOMunder

Want another interesting perspective of the city? This time, see the city from underground!

This underground attraction takes you into excavations of this ancient city, showing you archeological finds dating back 2,000 years. See if exploring the ancient history of Utrecht inspires any writing ideas for you.

Pandhof Domkerk

While you’re in Dom Square, stop by one of my favorite places in Utrecht. Why do I love this little garden courtyard connected to the Dom church?

Because it makes me feel like I’m at Hogwarts!

The medieval, gothic style of the courtyard is seriously straight out of a Harry Potter movie set (not really, but it feels like it!).

And even if you don’t want to write there (there aren’t many seating options), it’s still a nice place for a mini walk and escape from the city. It’s not always open, so make sure you look up its hours before going.

Oudegracht

This word means “old canal” in Dutch, and as the name suggests, it’s an old, medieval canal running through the city center.

What makes Utrecht’s old canal the most unique in the country is that it’s two-tiered, meaning you can take steps from the street down to a lower level closer to the water. The original purpose for these platforms was for boats to unload their cargo onto them and move them into the adjoining cellars.

Nowadays, these cellars host cozy bars, restaurants and cafés with terraces next to the water. They’re great places to relax and people watch. The food is definitely more expensive in these places, but it’s worth an occasional splurge to enjoy the experience of relaxing by this ancient canal.

Lewis Bookcafé

I wish I could recommend this place as a writing spot, because it used to be my favorite in Utrecht. There was no better place for a writing session than the cozy basement of this café, complete with comfy chairs and tables surrounded by books and relaxing music.

Unfortunately, halfway into my year in Utrecht, Lewis Bookcafé rebranded itself into a high tea place where no laptops are allowed. The decision was made to remake the café into a place to relax, not work.

So, if you need a break from your writing, this is actually a great place to do it. Enjoy some tea, read a book and there are no rules against bringing notebooks…so you won’t be completely cut off from writing if inspiration strikes!

Kasteel de Haar

This castle isn’t technically located in Utrecht, but it’s easily reachable by bus or a pretty bike ride.

It’s the largest castle in the Netherlands with huge grounds filled with gardens. The interior of the castle is very beautiful, and I’m sure you can conjure up stories about the people who walked through those halls.

Forts

If exploring old historical military structures inspires your writing, there are plenty of forts and fort ruins surrounding Utrecht. They’re great places to bike to while exploring the surrounding countryside.

Fort Ruigenhoek is located north of the city, and to the southeast there are lots more, like Fort Rhijnauwen and Fort Hoofddijk.

[Tip: the southeast forts are great to explore if you’re staying at Stayokay Utrecht – Bunnik; keep reading for more info!]

Culture Boat

If you’d like to try writing after sampling some infamous Dutch weed, the Culture Boat is definitely the most unique place to do it.

This coffeeshop is located- as the name suggests- on a boat docked in the canal that loops around the city center. The interior is very cozy, with big colorful rugs and pretty lights.

[By the way, if you don’t want to accidentally end up in a place where people smoke weed, be aware that’s what a “cofeeshop” is in the Netherlands. Sure, you can buy a coffee there too, but if you don’t like writing next to people smoking, stay away from “coffeshops.” Go to a “café” instead.]

Where to Write

University Library

Utrecht University has two campuses, and it has libraries on both. I preferred the one in the city center since it was closer to my house and because my classes were held at the city center campus.

The library does get crowded, so make sure to arrive early to find a spot at one of the tables cozily nestled amongst the row of bookshelves.

If you can’t find a spot there, you can head to the café or cafeteria located in the library. You can grab a cheap lunch from the cafeteria on weekdays, or just grab a coffee from café.

For me this was probably the most convenient place for writing in Utrecht, thanks to the cheap food and beverages on hand, with cozy areas to find a place to sit. It’s also centrally located in the city center, making it easy to get to.

Ludwig Coffeebar

Just down the street from the library is this café. It’s a great spot to set up your laptop if you like to people watch while writing, since its big windows overlook a main street that’s always crowded with people.

From the windows you can also see Janskerkhof Square, lots of parked bikes and a canal next to that main road, giving you a very typical Dutch city view.

It’s often busy with students since it’s located right near the university buildings, although I never had a problem finding a seat.

Het Muzieklocaal

Are you a fan of classical music? Then this café is for you!

In addition to the feast for your ears, you can enjoy a feast for your eyes as you look out at the canals across the street. This street is really tiny and often very calm, so it’s a peaceful spot to write.

Bagels & Beans

I didn’t know this, but bagels are hard to come by in Europe. Bagels & Beans is an exception.

This country-wide chain has multiple locations in Utrecht, and I most often frequented the one on Amsterdamsestraatweg since it was closest to my house. But every Bagels & Beans I’ve been to had a cozy, inviting interior, so you can’t go wrong with any.

If you’re hungry, head here for free Wi-Fi, yummy bagel sandwiches and interesting beverages.

Parks

If you happen upon Utrecht on a sunny, warm day, that’s rare, so enjoy it outside. Utrecht has many nice parks, and I spent so much time lounging and occasionally writing in them.

Get your laptop fully charged or take a notebook, and lots of snacks and a blanket to sit on. And then write the day away!

Wilheminapark– This park is a popular one, and it’s especially busy on sunny days. So if you like the company, make sure to join the crowds! Grab a spot near the pond where a large weeping willow tree reflects against the water.

Griftpark– I frequently visited this park during sunny summer days. It’s a great place to lay out on the grass and watch the sunset over the pond.

Julianapark– This one is located a bit out of the city center, but I was there almost every day for a walk or run because my house was just across the street! This park feels the most like a forest, with plenty of benches along the tree-lined paths. And if you’re an animal lover, there’s a free mini zoo!

Maarsseveense Plassen– This isn’t really a park, but it’s a nice nature spot to find a quiet place to write. Lay out your blanket on the grass next to the lake and get writing!

The 5th

Even if you’re not staying at Stayokay, they have a very nice café on the second floor where anyone can enjoy a coffee, tea or beer while working.

With big windows overlooking a busy square and one of the main streets of Utrecht, it’s great place to settle down for some writing.

Where to Stay

Stayokay Utrecht Centrum

Not only is its café (The 5th) a nice place to write, but this is the best hostel to stay in Utrecht due to its amazing location and nice rooms. The free breakfast for guests is a perfect excuse to spend the morning in the café writing.

The Netherlands is expensive, so it might make sense to book a hostel even if you’re not used to dorms. If you’re used to writing in hotel rooms, switch things up and go down to the café to write!

And there are private rooms available too.

Stayokay Utrecht – Bunnik

So, this one isn’t technically in Utrecht but rather in the nearby village of Bunnik. It’s about a half hour bike ride into the city (and you can rent bikes at the hostel).

This was probably my favorite spot for writing in Utrecht. At the very least, it was definitely the best place the stay in Utrecht if you enjoy writing in nature.

Even though I lived in the city, I often fell into the temptation of biking to this area to find relief in the countryside. It feels like a whole other world with the tree-lined bike paths, green fields with grazing farm animals, forts to explore and a stream to walk along.

The hostel building itself is located in an old mansion, with a dining area on the first floor where you can enjoy delicious free breakfast each morning.

I had such a great writing session in here one time when I lucked out with having a dorm room all to myself. I sat myself down at the desk, looking out the window as it rained on the green countryside. It was such a peaceful view, and I wrote the whole evening and into the night.

There’s also a carriage house now serving as the reception and housing a café. I spent some time writing in there too once when I got stuck in rain.

It’s the best place for a writing retreat in Utrecht if you require a peaceful retreat into nature to write.

Teahouse Rhijnauwen is located just down the path through the forest, where you can order a delicious pancake to fuel your writing and activities. And if you ever need to run into the city for supplies you can rent a bike or take a bus.

And like the other hostel, there are private rooms available too.

Mother Goose Hotel

This centrally located hotel is not only in the perfect location, but the rooms will make you want to stay in and write all day!

Decorated in a very hip and trendy style, you’ll also have a writing desk to lay out your laptop, notes and journals on.

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And if you are a writer who enjoys good beers, Utrecht is an amazing city to reward yourself with one (or a few) after a long day of writing. Check out my favorite bars in Utrecht here.

Do you have any other favorite writing spots in Utrecht? Let your fellow writers know in the comments below!

And if you’ve never been to Utrecht or never written there, which spot would you choose as your writing spot?

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