Top 5 Best Spots to Spend a Sunny Afternoon in Utrecht
It’s hard to believe that in this rainy place on earth called the Netherlands, we have also have sunny days. And they’re very welcome, because we all need some vitamin D. Luckily, Utrecht is a city full of beautiful spots to get some sun tan!
Below our top 5 best spots to spend a sunny afternoon in Utrecht:
1. SOIA
SOIA is short for Strand Oog In Al (Beach Oog In Al). It’s a beach quite close to the city centre, and it’s a great place to sit and relax! There’s a café where you can enjoy a nice lunch, dinner or just a (craft) beer. SOIA also hosts some events, like a Liberation Day party on the 5th of May or In Het Zand Festival (In The Sand Festival) on August 11. In short, SOIA is the best place to enjoy the sun while you’re relaxing and partying.
2. Ooster- en Westerkade
The Ooster- en Westerkade are the streets on both sides of the Vaartsche Rijn canals. These streets might not seem the best place to tan, but never judge a book by its cover. It’s possible to descend towards the water and sit down on the wharf. While the life on the street is passing by, you can enjoy the relaxed ambiance a floor below.
3. Haarrijnse Plas
The Haarrijnse Plas is not as close to the city centre as the sunny spots mentioned above, but it’s worth the trip! It’s a beach, with a real beach house: the Key West Beachhouse. And if it’s warm enough, you can swim in the Haarrijnse Plas. If it’s almost warm enough, you can swim in the Haarrijnse Plas and get a hot tea or coffee at Key West Beachhouse afterwards. It’s also possible to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner there. After dinner, you can enjoy the lovely sunset and forget that you’re actually in a really rainy part of Europe.
4. Maarsseveense plassen
The Maarsseveense plassen form a big recreation area. It’s a great place to go for a walk or run or relax. There are several sunbathing areas and you can even go to the spa. In addition, this is also the perfect place to feel young again: you can play on the so called play island, with a waterslide and a climbing frame.
5. Zocherpark/Singelgebied
If you’re too active to just sit or lay down to tan, you should take a walk through Zocherpark and Singlegebied. This is the green area around the Singel in the city centre. It’s the perfect place to stroll around or go for a run. It’s peaceful, but also very centrally located. During the summer all the trees and flowers bloom. You are surrounded by green, weirdly enough almost literally in the middle of Utrecht!
