Best Areas To Hire A Boat In Utrecht
Utrecht’s compact city centre is a pleasure to explore from the tree-lined beautiful canals, but there is even more to see along the river Vecht and the iconic Hollandse IJssel that connects Utrecht to Gouda.
Utrecht Centrum
There are numerous boarding locations around Utrecht Centrum with options to rent everything from canoes to app-based electronic motorboats, but most rentals begin on the Oudegracht, a perfect starting point for touring the leafy canal rings around the city centre.
Catharijnesinge
Quieter Catharijnesingel, between the train station and the old town, is essentially a 900-year old moat that was filled in as a road until 2020 but is again open for boats and swimmers. A lovely spot for a canal cruise - you'll find a peaceful stretch of parkland and some of Utrecht's modern architectural projects here, such as the Hoog Catharijne shopping centre rising from the ruins of Vredenburg Castle.
IJsselstein
A major commuter hub, charming IJsselstein is best used as a base to explore Utrecht and the bucolic waters of the Hollandse IJssel. Hire a motor yacht and sail along the river to see the historic churches and the remnants of the ruined castle poking up from the belly of the old town, and if time permits, visit iconic Gouda — *home of the cheese* — via the antique streets of Oudewater.
Harmelen
Just outside of Utrecht, Harmelen offers a scenic entry point to the nature reserve at de Kievit, and a perfect starting point for sailing to Woerden and the sublime ‘Green Heart of the Netherlands’.
Oud-Zuilen
From the historical heart of Oud-Zuilen, it’s possible to sail either through the canals of Utrecht’s richly adorned city centre, or further north to the stunning, tranquil lakes of Loosdrecht.
Maarssen
Maarssen provides a perfect base from which to explore the 17th-century estates of the Dutch Golden Age and the pretty countryside along the River Vecht. Quieter than Utrecht, this part of the river flows along picturesque villages marked by traffic lighted draw bridges and colourful gardens filled with dutch floras.