Are you looking for a charming Dutch town to escape the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam? Look no further than Haarlem, a hidden gem just a short train ride away. Here are the best things to do in Haarlem make the most of your time in this captivating town.
Are you planning a visit to Haarlem?
Check out the best tours and activities in Haarlem to make the most out of your trip.
Best tours and activities in Haarlem:
1. Haarlem Walking Tour
2. Windmill De Adriaan tour
3. Boat cruise through the canals
4. Teyler’s Museum entry ticket
Best hotels in Haarlem:
1. Boutique Hotel Staats (High-end, very stylish)
2. Hotel ML (Mid-range, in the heart of Haarlem)
2. Hello I’m Local (Budget)
Since my partner is Dutch, we often travel to The Netherlands to visit his family. Every time we are there, we choose different towns to visit. So far Haarlem has been one of my favorite ones.
If you are visiting Amsterdam, you can easily include a visit to Haarlem. It’s less than a 20-minute train ride away from Amsterdam Central Station!
1. Explore the Grote Markt
This is the place to start your adventure in Haarlem. The Grote Markt in Haarlem is a medieval center market square that is the heart of the city. it’s located right under the Bavo Cathedral and surrounded by beautiful buildings, terraces and bars. You will also find one of the locations of the Frans Hals museum at this square.
The Grote Markt is especially lively on Mondays and Saturdays, the days of the open-air market. Those days, you can find all kinds of goods for sale, like cheese, breads, pies, plants, clothes, accesories, and more. Ideally plan your visit around those days.
The square is also home to the famous “Kerstmarkt” (Christmas market) in December and the “Haarlem Culinair” (food market) in September, which are great opportunities to get to know the local culture and products.
2. Drink a beer at a brewery in a church
If you’re looking for something unique, head to the Jopenkerk, a former church that has been converted into a microbrewery and restaurant.
From the outside, it looks like a normal church. On the inside, you will the bar, which its unique industrial design, high ceilings, large stained-glass windows, bustling with people and a very lively environment. Not for nothing it has won the title of “Best Looking Bar” in the Netherlands!
It’s easy to spend the whole afternoon there, so ideally leave it for the end of your day like I did.
Try one of their several types of beer, grab a bite, or go for their High Beer experience. This High Beer consists of 3 tasting glasses paired with 6 dishes. For this experience, make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance. They also take dietary requirements and allergies into account if communicated in advance.
The High Beer is offered every Friday and Saturday afternoon from 2 p.m. every half hour, the last starting time is at 4 p.m.
3. Visit the Ten Boom Museum
This museum is dedicated to the Ten Boom family, who helped Jewish people escape the Nazis during World War II. The house, where the family lived and hid Jewish people during the war, has been turned into a museum to commemorate their heroism and sacrifice.
Once there, you join a small group for a tour, you go room by room and learn about the Ten Boom family members and about the stories that took place in the house.
You also learn about the signals they had to use when a stranger would visit and everyone had to hide in a closet hidden behind a wall, or when it was safe for its occupants to walk around freely in the house.
If you are visiting The Netherlands, a visit to Anne’s Frank Museum will probably be part of your Amsterdam itinerary.
I don’t know if it’s because I visited the Ten Boom Museum before I visited Anne Frank’s Museum, or because it’s smaller and the visit feels more intimate, but I personally found it more impactful. I highly recommend visiting. The entrance and tours are free, but you have to book in advance online.
4. Visit the Molen de Adriaan
Built in 1779, it’s the Adriaan Windmill is the only windmill that still works in Haarlem.
Now transformed into a museum, it’s a great example of the Dutch windmills that were once used to grind grain or stone. If you have not been to a windmill before, I think it can be fascinating to see the mill’s inner workings and learn about the different parts and their functions.
The tour of the windmill is guided and I highly recommend taking the opportunity to climb to the top of the mill. Outside, at the little balcony, you will be close to the blades and can enjoy the beautiful view of Haarlem at 12 meters height.
They also have informational videos to learn more about the windmills and a permanent exhibition showing many detailed windmill models.
If you want to learn more about the history and culture of Haarlem, visiting the Molen de Adriaan is a must. It’s open to visitors every day, but to avoid waiting times, I recommend booking the tour to the windmill in advance.
5. Frans Hals Museum
The Frans Hals museum has two different locations. Its main location, the HOF, is a big building which was once a home for old men. This building portrays the works of the famous Dutch painter Frans Hals, who was born and raised in Haarlem (and actually spent his last years in that house for old men). Additionally, you can find works by other masters like Pieter Bruegel the Younger and Jacob van Ruisdael.
The museum also has a beautiful inner yard to relax. It’s a great place to take a break from the art and take a coffee and take in the beautiful surroundings.
The second location, the HAL, is just short walk away, at the Grote Maarkt. There you will find modern and contemporary exhibitions.
The entrance ticket is valid for both museums, but you will need to make your reservation in advance online.
6. Teylers Museum
The Teylers Museum is the oldest museum in the Netherlands, founded in 1778. A visit to the museum is a unique experience that offers visitors a glimpse into the past and immerse themselves in the Enlightenment period.
The collections are very varied, and include palaeontology, mineralogy, scientific instruments, medals, coins, paintings and prints; but together they make up a whole. Sometimes you might find some of their pieces of Rembrandt or Michaelangelo on display. They even have an archaeopterix fossil! You might compare the museum to an encyclopaedia, which helps you to understand the world.
Interestingly, many of the rooms are dimly lit, receiving only natural sunlight through the windows, immersing visitors in the atmosphere of its old days. They even organise sometimes special guided tours of the permanent exhibitions by torchlight.
You can buy your admission ticket in advance here. If you prefer to visit it with a guide, this walking tour includes a visit to the museum, and this city private tour as well.
7. Explore its 21 Hofjes
One of the most unique features of Haarlem is its abundance of “hofjes.” These are courtyards, surrounded by almshouses that have existed since the Middle Ages. They were established by wealthy members of society to provide housing for poor elder people (especially women). The women lived in small houses that all looked out on a shared courtyard garden (the hofje). Many of these hofjes have been modernized or removed over the years, but some of the old entrances can still be found, such as in the Jansstraat, opposite the court.
It is possible to visit the hofjes by yourself following this itinerary. If you just want to visit one, you can have lunch or a high tea at Hofje Zonder Zorgen.
Otherwise, I recommend booking a walking tour of the city or even a private tour, which include a visit to several hofjes. Most of Haarlem’s hofjes are open to visitors from 10:00 to 17:00 and are free to enter. However, it is worth noting that hofjes are closed on Sundays.
8. Visit the St. Bavo’s Church
First of all, do not confuse the St. Bavo Church (or Grote Bavokerk), which is located in the city center, with the Cathedral of St. Bavo, located 10 minutes away in a quiet neighborhood. The first dates back to the 14th century, while the cathedral was built in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The church is a 14th-century Gothic masterpiece with an impressive architecture and beautiful interior. The church features beautiful stained glass windows, a grand pulpit and an impressive organ.
The organ of the church is one of the most important in the world, and once was the biggest organ in existence. Many famous musicians have played this organ, including Mendelssohn, Händel and the 10-year-old Mozart. They have frequent concerts at the church so the public can walk in free of charge to listen to this famous organ in action.
The tower bells chime every night between 9pm and 9:30pm This was to give a signal for closing the city gates, and the tradition still remains.
9. Take a boat tour or drive your own boat
If you’re looking for a unique and relaxing way to experience Haarlem, I highly recommend visiting the city by boat. The tranquil waters of the canals provide the perfect setting to take in the picturesque architecture and historical landmarks that the city is famous for.
One option is to take a boat tour. You will be able to see some of the city’s main attractions, such as the Molen the Adriaan (the famous windmill), The Jopenkerk, the Teyler’s and the Frank Hals museum, as you cruise around the canals.
Just make sure to check the schedules and book a boat tour in advance as they are incredibly popular and fill up quickly.
A great alternative, if you are up for it, is renting your own boat and explore Haarlem being your own captain. It’s actually not that expensive, plus the boats are small and you don’t need a license. Have a look at Sloepdelen, Boot verhuur Haarlem or Club Spaarne to rent your boat.
10. Go to the Bloemendaal aan Zee Beach
If you’re staying for more than one day in Haarlem a fun activity can be renting a bike and visiting the beaches of Bloemendaal or Zandvoort.
Cycling to the beaches is an easy and scenic ride, taking only 30 minutes. During the summer months, the beaches and beach clubs can get crowded, but in the winter, they can be peaceful and you may even have the place to yourself.
Bloemendaal aan Zee is one of the most exclusive and upscale beach towns in the Netherlands, with several trendy beach clubs and restaurants and a lively party atmosphere at nights.
Closeby, you will find the “Zuid-Kennemerland” which is a protected area of dunes, forests and heathlands that you can explore by bike or foot. The dunes are also known for their rich wildlife. You can find fallow deer, Scottish Highland cows and wild Konik horses wandering around, plus several bird species.
Where to stay in Haarlem?
High end:
Boutique Hotel Staats: Stylish hotel with a great attention to detail. Very close to the train station and just a 9 minute walk to the city center.
Mid range:
Hotel ML: Boutique hotel located in a centuries-old building, right at the Grote Maarkt. Spacious room with every convenience. Great food.
Boutique Hotel ‘t Vosje: This charming boutique hotel offers exquisitely decorated rooms from mid-range to high-end, and a garden. It’s a 30 minute walk to the city center.
Budget:
Hello I’m Local: Shared dorms, nice atmosphere and close to the city center.
Stayok Hostel Haarlem: Good and affordable option in shared dorms. Nice outdoor areas, a billiard and a bar. It’s a 1 hour walk to the city center, but the hostel offers bike rentals.
As you can see, there’s a lot to see and to in Haarlem! It’s a great city to explore in a day trip from Amsterdam, being just a very short train ride away, or even a weekend trip from Amsterdam.
If you are looking into visiting other cities in the Netherlands near Amsterdam, other good ideas are visiting Utrecht for its old canals, Rotterdam for its modern architecture, or Alkmaar for its cheese market.
