Everybody is aware of about Amsterdam, however not everybody has been to Haarlem; an important metropolis for procuring, museums and tradition only a 20-minute practice trip from the capital. In the event you’re staying in Amsterdam or have a stopover in Schiphol Airport, benefit from it with my listing of the finest issues to do in Haarlem.
Haarlem is round 12 miles from Amsterdam, however is far much less visited compared. Nonetheless, it nonetheless has the identical iconic canals, cobbled streets and cultural issues to do because the capital. It’s additionally dwelling to the nation’s oldest museum and its latest hofjes (courtyards), in addition to an infinite possibility of bars and eating places.
Town is positioned near the River Spaarne (which is the place it will get its nickname of ‘Spaarnestad’ or Spaarne Metropolis. Traditionally, Haarlem was the principle buying and selling metropolis within the province, however then Amsterdam took place and form of took over. However immediately, Haarlem is a mixture of plenty of historical past with cool, trendy locations to hang around.
It’s very easy to get to Haarlem from Amsterdam, the place the practice takes round 20 minutes (though the quickest ones are round 9 minutes) and may price beneath a fiver. Haarlem can be very easy to get to from Schiphol Airport, the place the practice journey additionally lasts round 20 minutes and is pretty low cost. You may as well simply get a bus. In case you have a protracted visit Schiphol, heading to Haarlem is a good way to go the time.
So whether or not you’re planning to go to town for a couple of hours, a day journey, every week or longer, it’s helpful to know the finest issues to do in Haarlem. From wandering across the conventional windmills to grabbing a pint at an area brewery, you’ll discover a vary of Haarlem actions in my listing to fill any journey length.
11 Prime Issues to Do in Haarlem
A number of the finest actions in Haarlem embody visiting museums, historic squares and homes, or attempting totally different native beers, catching a movie and searching for antiques!
1. See masterpieces and trendy artwork at Frans Hals Museum
Named after the seventeenth century portrait artist Frans Hals, the museum showcases historic works in addition to trendy items by different Dutch artists. It’s unfold throughout two places (HAL and HOF) which you can attain simply by strolling throughout the historic city in lower than 10 minutes.
The Frans Hal HOF Museum location is an previous courtyard constructing that homes plenty of historic items from the Golden Age. Throughout the best way, the HAL location has extra modern artwork, akin to images and video artwork. Each are value seeing with equally spectacular collections – if not for the stunning scenic stroll to go from one to the opposite. Your tickets additionally cowl you for each museums too.
2. Take a guided tour of Corrie Ten Growth Home
The Ten Growth Household dwelling was the place the place many Jews took shelter throughout World Conflict II. You’ll have to e-book a guided tour to go around the open house-museum, however you’ll be capable to see previous household pictures and totally different objects, in addition to the home in its unique situation.
The excursions additionally present a little bit of background to Corrie Ten Growth and her household, in addition to particulars of how they had been in a position to conceal Jews in the course of the warfare. They happen in Dutch or English day-after-day from Tuesday to Saturday and final about an hour. You’ll want to order at the least 5 days prematurely although.
3. Wander round Grote Markt
The Grote Markt has been the guts of Haarlem for hundreds of years. It has many nice buildings round it like the previous Fleshers’ Corridor, constructed by Dutch architect Lieven de Key within the early fifteenth Century. There’s additionally the city corridor (Stadhuis), which was once a palace for the counts of Holland, and the Frans Hals Museum – HAL.
For my part, one of many nicest methods to expertise all of the structure surrounding the Grote Markt sq. (and among the finest issues to do in Haarlem usually) is by grabbing a espresso or beer and simply taking all of it in. It’s such a pleasant space to simply be in, and you are able to do this at a number of little bars and eating places like Fortuyn Haarlem or Cafe Studio.
4. Go to church
Haarlem has plenty of historic church buildings that every one have lovely structure. A number of the most distinguished ones are Grote Kerk or St. Bavokerk in Grote Markt, Waalse Kerk Haarlem, Baknesserkerk and Nieuwe Kerk.
All of them have their very own tales too, such because the St Bavokerk’s conversion to cathedral standing however reverting again in the course of the Protestant Reformation and its well-known Müller Organ. And the function of Waalse Kerk Haarlem in housing refugees from Wallonia in Belgium and French Huguenots. Quite a lot of them even have beautiful interiors, organs and artworks to see too.
In the event you like seeing Gothic or Dutch Renaissance structure, then planning to go to the church buildings of Haarlem is likely one of the high issues to do throughout your journey.
5. Go to the Netherlands’ oldest museum
Teylers Museum is the oldest museum within the Netherlands. It homes an intensive assortment of work, historic fossils, minerals, devices, and books, and the 200-year-old Oval Corridor is an attraction in itself.
In different areas of Teylers Museum, you’ll additionally be capable to see unique sketches from well-known artists like Rafael, Rembrandt, and Michelangelo.
The museum was inbuilt 1778, and is the one one on the earth with an genuine 18th-century inside (The Oval Corridor). This neoclassical space was designed for use for analysis, public demonstrations, particular viewings of works, and nonetheless serves these functions immediately. Usually, the museum was meant to be a temple and muse for students, which makes it fairly a particular place to go to.
6. Go on a windmill tour
Windmills are one of many stereotypical photographs you conjure up when fascinated by The Netherlands. There are nonetheless over 1,000 within the nation, with many nonetheless in use immediately. So in case you’re visiting, among the finest issues to do in Haarlem is to go on a tour of town’s iconic windmill – De Adriaan.
The unique windmill was constructed by Adriaan de Booys, an industrial producer from Amsterdam. Over time, it modified homeowners and makes use of, working to provide cement, tobacco, and extra. But it surely was fully destroyed throughout a fireplace, resulting in a reconstruction of the unique in 2002.
As we speak the windmill continues to be in use, and you’ll study extra about it with guided excursions that final about 45 minutes. There are numerous flooring to discover with exhibitions and interactive experiences, in addition to panoramic views from the highest.
7. Pattern native Haarlem beers at De Jopenkerk Brewery
In the event you love beer, a visit to the De Jopenkerk Brewery is certainly a must-visit for you. It’s an previous church that was transformed right into a brewery, the place you possibly can see Jopen beers being made.
Jopen Beer was first made in 1992, the place Stichting Haarlems Biergenootschap (Haarlem Beer Society) appeared to revive previous Haarlem beer recipes they found within the metropolis’s archives. You’ll little doubt get to attempt the entire totally different variations made right here in case you’re visiting.
You’ll be able to select from totally different experiences too, akin to lunch, dinner, and beer-tasting classes. The brewery additionally encompasses a Grand Café, an open terrace, a store and a restaurant on the primary ground that caters to teams.
8. Take pleasure in dwell music at Philharmonie Live performance Corridor, Haarlem
Haarlem’s predominant live performance venue is the Philharmonie Live performance Corridor, which often hosts performances by the Dutch Philharmonic Orchestra and the Dutch Chamber Orchestra. It’s a Nineteenth-century corridor which makes seeing dwell music there further particular and among the finest issues to do in Haarlem general.
9. See some tulips within the surrounding fields of Haarlem
Haarlem lies within the Bollenstreek, a well-known bulb-growing area, so is surrounded by plenty of lovely fields of flowers. Throughout tulip season, which spans from the tip of March to the start of Might, you possibly can go to the Bollenstreek and see infinite fields of tulips. There’s additionally hyacinths, crocuses, and daffodils.
One of the vital Dutch methods to see tulips is by renting a motorcycle in Haarlem and heading out to the fields. That is such an exquisite technique to discover town and wider countryside when the solar’s out and flowers are blooming.
10. Watch a movie at Toneelschuur
This isn’t at all times on the listing of touristy issues to do in Haarlem, nevertheless it’s one I actually like. Toneelschuur is a theatre with two cinemas and two theatres. It has a little bit of a unusual exterior following its renovation and redesign by Dutch cartoonist Joost Swarte within the late Nineties/early 2000s.
It’s nice to look at basic and artwork home motion pictures or the newest releases, or performs and one-off performances. Toneelschuur additionally has a restaurant that serves wonderful espresso and beers too.
In the event you don’t converse Dutch – don’t fear. They often have a screening, organised in collaboration with expatsHaarlem as a part of their Expat Cinema, the place movies are proven with English subtitles.
11. Go antiquing at Antiekmarkt de Dreef
Among the best issues to do in Haarlem is vintage procuring, so you possibly can take some souvenirs dwelling out of your journey.
The Antiekmarkt De Dreef takes place alongside the pathway subsequent to De Dreef, stretching from Houtplein to Paviljoenslaan. This bustling market operates yearly, sometimes throughout 9 Saturdays spanning from June by early October.
There’s round 90 totally different stalls the place you’ll find something from silverware, porcelain, and ceramics to work, graphics, and ethnographic items. It’s vital to notice that this isn’t simply a typical flea market; the standard of things accessible is usually excessive – as are the costs. You’ll be able to nonetheless haggle although and may come away with an important cut price.
In the event you’re on the lookout for inspiration on what else to purchase in Haarlem, try my publish on the high souvenirs in Amsterdam for what one of the best issues to purchase within the North Holland area.
Issues to do in Haarlem
The historic city in North Holland Province is usually overshadowed by the extraordinarily widespread Amsterdam. Nonetheless, my listing of one of the best issues to do in Haarlem showcase simply how a lot there may be to do on this metropolis. Plus, it’s very easy and low cost to get to from Amsterdam or Schiphol Airport.
It actually has plenty of what you’d anticipate from a Dutch metropolis; historical past, artwork, tradition, city squares, beer, tulips, windmills and so forth. Plus some issues you possibly can’t discover anyplace else, just like the oldest museum in The Netherlands.
However on a smaller scale to Amsterdam, Haarlem may be achieved in a shorter period of time. In the event you’ve solely obtained a day in Haarlem, merely wandering across the historic Grote Markt gives you loads of alternatives to see world-famous museums and structure, pattern native beers, and calm down (or folks watch in case you’re that sort) out there sq..
Quicklist of one of the best issues to do in Haarlem
- See masterpieces and trendy artwork at Frans Hals Museum
- Take a guided tour of Corrie Ten Growth Home
- Wander round Grote Markt
- Go to church
- Go to The Netherlands’ eldest museum
- Go on a windmill tour
- Pattern native Haarlem beers at De Jopenkerk Brewery
- Take pleasure in dwell music at Philharmonie Live performance Corridor
- See some tulips (and different flowers) in surrounding fields of Haarlem
- Watch a movie at Toneelschuur
- Go antiquing at Antiekmarkt De Dreef
Is Haarlem in Netherlands value visiting?
Haarlem is certainly value visiting. It’s a basic Dutch metropolis with cobbled streets, historic buildings, grand church buildings, famend museums, cosy bars and cafes, and exquisite canals. Positioned only a 15-20-minute practice trip from Amsterdam, it affords a much less tourist-saturated expertise too, which is right in case you hate crowds. Town can be near the coastal dunes of the Zuid-Kennemerland Nationwide Park and the favored seashores of Zandvoort and Bloemendaal aan Zee.
Learn how to spend a day in Haarlem Netherlands?
A day in Haarlem may be well-spent exploring its wealthy historical past, lovely structure, and distinctive points of interest. It’s value heading to the Grote Markt first, the place you’ll find museums, church buildings, bars and eating places, and historic homes. You possibly can then (you probably have time) head additional out to parks or surrounding tulip fields.
Is it cheaper to remain in Haarlem than Amsterdam?
This usually will depend on the place you wish to keep. Each cities supply a variety of lodging from cheaper hostels to higher-end resorts. Haarlem is simple to get round by foot because it’s smaller, nevertheless you possibly can at all times select to hire bikes in each cities to chop down on prices.
What number of days do you want in Haarlem?
Whereas Haarlem is a comparatively small city with its historic centre being compact, you possibly can simply go to it on a day journey from Amsterdam.. Nonetheless, to completely benefit from all of the issues to do there and see its historical past, structure, museums, cafes, and pure environment, it’s higher to remain for 2-3 days. It’s smaller than Amsterdam so that you usually don’t want as lengthy (though you possibly can nonetheless do Amsterdam in 24 hours).
