Just 20 minutes from Amsterdam, this Dutch city charms with its 17th-century architecture, flower market, and winding canals. Explore local shops and cafes in its lively center.
Haarlem, located 20 km west of Amsterdam, is a city where you can walk through narrow streets, admire the towering St. Bavo Church, and view paintings by Frans Hals. In the compact center, you'll discover secluded courtyards, shop in local boutiques, and relax at cafes along the Spaarne River.
Exploring Grote Markt and St. Bavo Church
Grote Markt, the central square of Haarlem, is home to the Gothic St. Bavo Church. This 15th-century church houses a massive MĂĽller organ, which both Mozart and Handel played. On Saturdays, market stalls fill the square, selling local cheeses, fresh produce, and flowers. Surrounding the square are cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating, where you can observe city life on sunny days.
Discovering Haarlem's Secluded Courtyards
Haarlem has 21 hofjes - secluded courtyards surrounded by small houses. These calm gardens were originally built to house elderly women and now serve as quiet spaces within the active city. While many hofjes are private, some welcome visitors during specific hours. The Hofje van Oorschot, dating back to 1769, is one of the most well-preserved and accessible. As you explore these spaces, you'll see how Haarlem's past charitable efforts have influenced its present-day community life.
Shopping in the Golden Streets
Haarlem's shopping district, known as the Gouden Straatjes (Golden Streets), consists of seven interconnected streets filled with boutiques, vintage shops, and specialty stores. The Kleine Houtstraat, often voted the best shopping street in the Netherlands, has many independent retailers selling handmade jewelry, artisanal foods, and more. Visit the centuries-old Corrie ten Boom clock shop, now a museum about the family's efforts to hide Jews during World War II.
Exploring Haarlem's Museums
The Frans Hals Museum, spread across two locations, displays works by the Dutch Golden Age master alongside contemporary art. At the Hal location, you can see Hals' large group portraits of civic guards. The Teylers Museum, the oldest in the Netherlands, contains art, fossils, and scientific instruments in an 18th-century building. The museum's Oval Room, with its original wooden cabinets and marble floor, demonstrates how early museums displayed their collections.
Enjoying Local Food and Drink
At Jopenkerk, a brewery and restaurant in a former church, you can taste recreated medieval beer recipes while sitting among the restored church architecture. On Saturdays, visit the Botermarkt for the weekly organic market, where you can try local foods like stroopwafels and herring. Chocolaterie Pierre sells handmade chocolates and thick hot chocolate.
Exploring Nature Near Haarlem
Just outside the city, Zuid-Kennemerland National Park has dunes, beaches, and forests. You can hike, cycle, or take a guided safari to see wildlife like Highland cattle and European bison. For a nature experience closer to the city, visit the Haarlemmerhout, the oldest public park in the Netherlands. This green space south of the city center has walking paths, a small petting zoo, and a tea house.
Getting to and Around Haarlem
Trains run from Amsterdam Central Station to Haarlem every 15 minutes, with the journey taking about 15 minutes. You can explore the compact city center on foot or by bike. Bicycle rentals are available at the train station and various shops in town. If you're driving, use one of the park-and-ride facilities on the outskirts of the city, as parking in the center is limited and expensive.
