Haarlem
Sightseeing
Get to the heart of things at the Grote Markt
At the historic heart of Haarlem, this vast square is located underneath the imposing Grote Kerk, and is the image of the city that many people will recognise. Hosting regular festivals, concerts and markets, the Grote Markt is the hub of daily life in Haarlem and just happens to be one of the prettiest city squares in the country. Go there on a Saturday when the Netherlands’ finest street market rolls out its wares.
250 recommandé par les habitants
Grote Markt
Grote MarktGet to the heart of things at the Grote Markt
At the historic heart of Haarlem, this vast square is located underneath the imposing Grote Kerk, and is the image of the city that many people will recognise. Hosting regular festivals, concerts and markets, the Grote Markt is the hub of daily life in Haarlem and just happens to be one of the prettiest city squares in the country. Go there on a Saturday when the Netherlands’ finest street market rolls out its wares.
Marvel at the historic Grote Kerk
Don’t leave the Grote Markt without taking a look inside Haarlem’s magnificent cathedral, which dates back to the 14th century. The building’s turbulent history has seen it passed between different denominations of Christianity, damaged by fire and struck by lightning, yet still the beautiful giant towers high above Haarlem’s rooftops, dominating its skyline as it has done for centuries. Inside, the gothic interior is nothing short of breathtaking and is the final resting place of several famous Haarlemmers including Frans Hals and Willem Bilderdijk. Grote Kerk, Grote Markt 22
27 recommandé par les habitants
St.-Bavokerk
22 Grote MarktMarvel at the historic Grote Kerk
Don’t leave the Grote Markt without taking a look inside Haarlem’s magnificent cathedral, which dates back to the 14th century. The building’s turbulent history has seen it passed between different denominations of Christianity, damaged by fire and struck by lightning, yet still the beautiful giant towers high above Haarlem’s rooftops, dominating its skyline as it has done for centuries. Inside, the gothic interior is nothing short of breathtaking and is the final resting place of several famous Haarlemmers including Frans Hals and Willem Bilderdijk. Grote Kerk, Grote Markt 22
Climb a landmark windmill in the Netherlands
There are few sights more quintessentially Dutch than that of a windmill looming over a river, and the Molen (windmill) de Adriaan is one of the finest examples in the region. The imposing wooden tower has been a definitive feature on Haarlem’s skyline since the 18th century, although the existing windmill is actually a reconstruction (the original sadly burnt down in 1932). The mill is open for guided tours that include spectacular views across Haarlem’s rooftops from its riverside platform. Molen de Adriaan, Papentorenvest 1A
104 recommandé par les habitants
Windmill De Adriaan (1779)
1A PapentorenvestClimb a landmark windmill in the Netherlands
There are few sights more quintessentially Dutch than that of a windmill looming over a river, and the Molen (windmill) de Adriaan is one of the finest examples in the region. The imposing wooden tower has been a definitive feature on Haarlem’s skyline since the 18th century, although the existing windmill is actually a reconstruction (the original sadly burnt down in 1932). The mill is open for guided tours that include spectacular views across Haarlem’s rooftops from its riverside platform. Molen de Adriaan, Papentorenvest 1A
Look into the eyes of Haarlem’s former residents at the Frans Hals Museum
Golden Age portrait painter Frans Hals is one of Haarlem’s most famous sons, and his legacy can be seen all over the city. Nowhere more so than at the Frans Hals museum, a large gallery dedicated to Golden Age art and Hals’ portraiture, and home to the largest collection of Frans Hals portraits in the world. It's just one more reason why Haarlem is one of the most attractive cities near Amsterdam. Frans Hals Museum, Groot Heiligland 62
330 recommandé par les habitants
Frans Hals Museum - Hof
62 Groot HeiliglandLook into the eyes of Haarlem’s former residents at the Frans Hals Museum
Golden Age portrait painter Frans Hals is one of Haarlem’s most famous sons, and his legacy can be seen all over the city. Nowhere more so than at the Frans Hals museum, a large gallery dedicated to Golden Age art and Hals’ portraiture, and home to the largest collection of Frans Hals portraits in the world. It's just one more reason why Haarlem is one of the most attractive cities near Amsterdam. Frans Hals Museum, Groot Heiligland 62
Hit the shops
Haarlem has been voted as the Netherlands’ best shopping destination on several occasions, and a quick saunter around the boutique-lined streets will reveal exactly why. With everything from achingly cool concept stores to traditional markets and big brands to independent labels, as well as charming antique and curiosity shops around every corner, it’s no wonder that Haarlemmers call their shopping district ‘de Gouden Straatjes’ (streets of gold). Perhaps the best-known streets in Haarlem are the Grote Houtstraat, the Barteljorisstraat and the Zijlstraat. But don’t miss the chance to explore the smaller streets characteristic of this historic city, such as the Schagchelstraat, Kleine Houtstraat, Anegang, Warmoesstraat, Koningstraat and Gierstraat: all of which feature a selection of unique shops and specialist stores. Check out our top 10 shopping hotspots in Haarlem.
10 recommandé par les habitants
Grote Houtstraat
Grote HoutstraatHit the shops
Haarlem has been voted as the Netherlands’ best shopping destination on several occasions, and a quick saunter around the boutique-lined streets will reveal exactly why. With everything from achingly cool concept stores to traditional markets and big brands to independent labels, as well as charming antique and curiosity shops around every corner, it’s no wonder that Haarlemmers call their shopping district ‘de Gouden Straatjes’ (streets of gold). Perhaps the best-known streets in Haarlem are the Grote Houtstraat, the Barteljorisstraat and the Zijlstraat. But don’t miss the chance to explore the smaller streets characteristic of this historic city, such as the Schagchelstraat, Kleine Houtstraat, Anegang, Warmoesstraat, Koningstraat and Gierstraat: all of which feature a selection of unique shops and specialist stores. Check out our top 10 shopping hotspots in Haarlem.
Discover Haarlem’s hidden courtyards
Haarlem is a city known for its Hofjes (enclosed courtyard gardens), and there are beautiful green spaces tucked away behind many an unassuming street – most dating back to medieval times. The gardens are surrounded by charitable almshouses and were used to house poor, unmarried or widowed women. There are 21 main public hofjes in Haarlem, spanning from the ancient (the oldest was founded in 1395) to the very modern. But with the entrances to many hofjes being concealed behind modest doorways or down seemingly simple alleyways, these city oases are not always easy to find. Find out more about Haarlem’s hofjes.
Christiaan Hof
10 KeizerstraatDiscover Haarlem’s hidden courtyards
Haarlem is a city known for its Hofjes (enclosed courtyard gardens), and there are beautiful green spaces tucked away behind many an unassuming street – most dating back to medieval times. The gardens are surrounded by charitable almshouses and were used to house poor, unmarried or widowed women. There are 21 main public hofjes in Haarlem, spanning from the ancient (the oldest was founded in 1395) to the very modern. But with the entrances to many hofjes being concealed behind modest doorways or down seemingly simple alleyways, these city oases are not always easy to find. Find out more about Haarlem’s hofjes.
View Haarlem from the water
Amsterdam isn’t the only city famous for its canal cruises. Haarlem also has a close connection to water, with the Spaarne river meandering through the heart of city and various canals and waterways weaving their way between ancient monuments and sights. It’s a beautifully relaxed way to explore the city, and a great way to get your bearings before setting off to explore the sights in more detail. Discover more about the River Spaarne.
Spaarne
SpaarneView Haarlem from the water
Amsterdam isn’t the only city famous for its canal cruises. Haarlem also has a close connection to water, with the Spaarne river meandering through the heart of city and various canals and waterways weaving their way between ancient monuments and sights. It’s a beautifully relaxed way to explore the city, and a great way to get your bearings before setting off to explore the sights in more detail. Discover more about the River Spaarne.
Go beer tasting in a former church
All that sightseeing and shopping is thirsty work, so be sure to drop by this former church to worship at the altar of beer. Now converted into a brewery, grand café and tasting room, the beautiful church building is home to Haarlem’s famous Jopen beer, which is created using medieval local recipes. De Jopenkerk, Gedempte Voldersgracht 2
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Jopen
2 Gedempte VoldersgrachtGo beer tasting in a former church
All that sightseeing and shopping is thirsty work, so be sure to drop by this former church to worship at the altar of beer. Now converted into a brewery, grand café and tasting room, the beautiful church building is home to Haarlem’s famous Jopen beer, which is created using medieval local recipes. De Jopenkerk, Gedempte Voldersgracht 2
Go beer tasting in a former church
All that sightseeing and shopping is thirsty work, so be sure to drop by this former church to worship at the altar of beer. Now converted into a brewery, grand café and tasting room, the beautiful church building is home to Haarlem’s famous Jopen beer, which is created using medieval local recipes. De Jopenkerk, Gedempte Voldersgracht 2
370 recommandé par les habitants
Musée Teyler
16 SpaarneGo beer tasting in a former church
All that sightseeing and shopping is thirsty work, so be sure to drop by this former church to worship at the altar of beer. Now converted into a brewery, grand café and tasting room, the beautiful church building is home to Haarlem’s famous Jopen beer, which is created using medieval local recipes. De Jopenkerk, Gedempte Voldersgracht 2
Transport
Haarlem Spaarnwoude station
Nearest trainstation
Haarlem station
11 L StationspleinBurgemeester Reinaldapark
10 ReinaldapadBusstop to Amsterdam south
HOME, here do you stay
Van Zeggelenplein
Van ZeggelenpleinHome
Coffee
Mogador Cafe
48 GasthuisstraatCoffee
Native Haarlem - Koffie
23 BreestraatVascobelo V-bar Haarlem
94 ZijlstraatMusea
Musée Teyler
16 SpaarneFrans Hals Museum - Hof
62 Groot HeiliglandThe Dolhuys
In this historical building, you will get to peek inside the minds of artists, writers and scientists, sometimes with a disability or mental illness. You will meet people who function differently. Loners like Vincent van Gogh, who lived his life in a battle with himself and the rest of the world but who enriched us with his art. Other people that you will meet are the poet Gerrit Achterberg, the writer Myrthe van der Meer, the artists Anton Heijboer and Edvard Munch. You will also meet Willem van Genk, this country’s best known outsider artist. Was madness the source of his success? Be inspired by the surprising stories about their lives and be aware of the value of deviant behavior. Visit, meet and allow yourself to wonder about what is normal. Are you normal?
Museumcafé Thuys
2 SchotersingelThe Dolhuys
In this historical building, you will get to peek inside the minds of artists, writers and scientists, sometimes with a disability or mental illness. You will meet people who function differently. Loners like Vincent van Gogh, who lived his life in a battle with himself and the rest of the world but who enriched us with his art. Other people that you will meet are the poet Gerrit Achterberg, the writer Myrthe van der Meer, the artists Anton Heijboer and Edvard Munch. You will also meet Willem van Genk, this country’s best known outsider artist. Was madness the source of his success? Be inspired by the surprising stories about their lives and be aware of the value of deviant behavior. Visit, meet and allow yourself to wonder about what is normal. Are you normal?
Beach
Woodstock 69
beachclub (open from March-September)