Utrecht - Grachten

Old Utrecht is surrounded by the Singel, the old defensive moat, along which extend attractive promenades. On the west side it has been filled in to make way for a fast road. The central area is traversed by the Oude Gracht and the Nieuwe Gracht or Drift, the water level in which is so low that the vaults in the embankment walls are used as store rooms; some of them have been converted for use in summer as cafe-restaurants. In summer too there are attractive motor launch tours of the grachten. The Oude Gracht is part of the Kromme Rijn, which divides in the city center into the Oude or Leidse Rijn (to the west) and the Vecht (to the north).