Utrecht
Países Bajos.

Utrecht is the Netherlands' fourth-largest city (~360k residents) and the country's biggest university town with 37,000 students at Utrecht University. 30 minutes south of Amsterdam by train, with a medieval Binnenstad that still has the working sunken-canal Werven (stone wharves at water level under the streets) that Amsterdam paved over centuries ago. Two hostels in the centre — bohemian Strowis on Voorstraat and corporate Stayokay on the Neude — and the country's best mid-size concert hall (TivoliVredenburg). Backpacker base is the Binnenstad inside the Singel; Voorstraat is the student bar strip; the Werven on the Oudegracht are the unique-to-Utrecht social setting.