Houten

Travel Guide

Photo by Marc De Vos
Photo by Marc De Vos
Photo by Marc De Vos
Photo by Marc De Vos
Photo by Marc De Vos

This city is the perfect destination if you want to combine a day of shopping in Utrecht with bicycle tours, walks and other activities in the area.

Because of its location, Houten has something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a destination where you can enjoy nature or for an affordable base for a weekend in Utrecht, Houten is the perfect choice!

Houten is a centuries-old settlement but wasn't recognised as a municipality until the 19th century when the Netherlands was part of the French empire. Today, it's a picturesque city where you can still see traces of its past.

Start your visit to Houten with a walk around town. Stroll through the picturesque city centre, go shopping and then relax at a sidewalk café. And don’t forget to visit the only remaining city gate, the Steenen Poort (stone gate) in Tiellandt. Houten once had 15 such gates which were annexes to big farms.

There's also a lot to see around Houten, including a castle! You'll recognise the impressive Kasteel Heemstede by the different towers sticking out in the countryside. The castle is currently home to a Michelin-star restaurant.

The bicycle tour along the Lek is the perfect way to spend a day outdoors. Houten also has a few parks, such as Kooikerspark and Imkerspark.

If you’re looking for more of an urban experience, Utrecht is around the corner, making it the perfect destination for a day of shopping or an evening performance. Climb the famous Dom tower for a spectacular view of the area.

Houten has a train station, so you can get almost anywhere very quickly. It takes just 9 minutes to get to the centre of Utrecht! Public transport is the fastest and cheapest way of visiting the city. Houten itself is easy to explore on foot, and if you want to go out into the countryside, you can hire a bicycle.

Houten is in the centre of the Netherlands and easy to reach by car. And, because it has a train station, it's also easy to reach by public transport.

Houten is located in the centre of the Netherlands and has a lot of history and nature to discover and enjoy.

Where to stay in Houten

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Leebrug

While Leebrug may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like New Galgenwaard Stadium and Rietveld Schroder House.

Leebrug
Van Der Valk Hotel Houten - Utrecht

Van Der Valk Hotel Houten - Utrecht

4.5 out of 5
Hoofdveste 25, Houten
The price is RM617 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
RM617
RM672 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Houten. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (404 reviews)
"Really excellent."

Reviewed on 12 May 2025

Van Der Valk Hotel Houten - Utrecht
Fletcher Hotel Amsterdam

Fletcher Hotel Amsterdam

4 out of 5
Schepenbergweg 50, Amsterdam, Noord Holland
The price is RM399 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
RM399
RM485 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star boutique hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
7.8/10 Good! (995 reviews)
Amazing, but boiling.
"We really enjoyed our stay. Abit far from the train station, however that’s our fault. However the room was far too hot, and got uncomfortable. However the bed was like sleeping on a big cushion, absolutely lovely."

Reviewed on 2 Sep 2024

Fletcher Hotel Amsterdam
Carlton President

Carlton President

4.5 out of 5
Floraweg 25, Utrecht
The price is RM501 per night from 8 Aug to 9 Aug
RM501
RM588 total
8 Aug - 9 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Utrecht. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (731 reviews)
"We traveled all over on during our two week vacation and this hotel was one of our favorites."

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

Carlton President
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
2L De Blend

2L De Blend

3.5 out of 5
Vleutensevaart 100, Utrecht, UT
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Utrecht. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Central Studios ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (192 reviews)
Great location
"Great place to stay in the area, near Pathe cinema and many shopping options over the bridge. Cycle into the city center is very convenient."

Reviewed on 24 Jul 2025

2L De Blend
Visserslust Rooms, Appartments and Houseboats

Visserslust Rooms, Appartments and Houseboats

2.5 out of 5
196 Baambrugse Zuwe, Vinkeveen, UT
Stay at this aparthotel in Vinkeveen. Enjoy free WiFi, a marina, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Ziggo Dome and Johan Cruyff Arena are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (9 reviews)
"Very clean property and friendly, helpful receptionist"

Reviewed on 7 May 2025

Visserslust Rooms, Appartments and Houseboats
Loosdrecht Rien van den Broeke Village

Loosdrecht Rien van den Broeke Village

3 out of 5
Nieuwloosdrechtsedijk 212, Loosdrecht
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Loosdrecht. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a marina. Popular attractions Kasteel-Museum Sypesteyn and Kasteel de Haar are ...
6.8/10 (18 reviews)
Row row row your boat... with all the luggage
"We stayed in the island lodge. The lodge itself is very nice, only downpoint of the actual lodge is lack of storage space in the kitchen. My biggest complaints about this place were 1. When making the booking it NEVER mentioned that the only way to access your lodge is via a small rowing boat. I ..."

Reviewed on 5 Apr 2024

Loosdrecht Rien van den Broeke Village
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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