The southern end of the street used to terminate at the Utrechtse Poort, a gate to the nearby city of Utrecht, hence the name. This popular artery, stocked with enticing shops, designer bars and cosy eateries, seems a world away from the gaudy lights of Rembrandtplein, a stone's throw to the north.
Lack of space becomes a charm as the trams, confined to a single line apart from passing points on the bridges, play a game of stop and go, and passers-by marvel at the choreography of it all. Many stores on Utrechtsestraat stay open even on Sunday, making this a prime weekend shopping-eating-drinking trinity.
