A little city called Haarlem is situated close to Amsterdam. Haarlem is a delight to visit with its cobblestoned alleyways, Gothic cathedrals, and bustling main square. It’s difficult to top Haarlem if you’re searching for the ideal day excursion from Amsterdam.
1. Haarlem is really lovely!
The Netherlands’ most iconic city is Haarlem. It boasts charming cobblestone alleys lined with old-style Dutch homes. The “Gingerbread Houses” are well-known in Amsterdam due to their distinctive design and canal-side location. There are a ton of similar homes in Haarlem, but with much fewer people.
No of the weather, you will see a ton of people cycling along the designated bike routes. The Netherlands has such a fantastic biking culture! It’s incredible to see the bike parking lots where practically everyone commutes on bicycles. In contrast to most other European cities we visited, it also makes the city incredibly calm.
2. Amsterdam is reachable in 15 minutes
Just over 30 kilometers separate Haarlem from Amsterdam. Driving takes about 30 minutes while taking the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Haarlem takes about 15-20 minutes. Because Amsterdam is so nearby The city of Haarlem is a great place to stay. You may explore Haarlem on your own while still being close enough to take the train to Amsterdam for a day or a few days and see both cities.
Due to Amsterdam Centraal’s size, it is also very simple to travel there from other European cities. From other locations in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, or indeed from any place, you can take a train to Amsterdam.
Actually, we traveled by rail from Amsterdam to Prague, Czech Republic. Although it was a long day of travel, it was made relatively simple by the fact that we could take the train to Amsterdam and then leave for Haarlem in only a short while.
3. There are so many cafes and restaurants
There are a ton of restaurants and stores in the city’s heart. We cherished how much there was to do while maintaining a great cozy atmosphere! Going in and out of all the stores and cafes in Haarlem could easily take a few days. Also, there are several restaurants, giving you plenty of choices for whatever food you could fancy!
4. It’s more affordable than lodging in Amsterdam
We really contemplated omitting the Netherlands entirely from our itinerary because it was so difficult to find lodgings that were within our budget. However, we are so happy we didn’t since we fell in love with Dutch culture! Both the food and the architecture in the Netherlands are exquisite.
Due to how well-liked Amsterdam is among tourists, staying in the city’s core may be very pricey. The cost of lodging was lower in Haarlem than in the center of Amsterdam. Hence, while staying in Haarlem, we were able to experience another location that we ultimately loved while also saving money.
5. A Windmill may be toured
A windmill named Molen De Adriaan was constructed in the 18th century and destroyed by fire in 1932. In 2002, it was renovated into a museum. You can visit the windmill and discover Haarlem’s past.
The windmill is only accessible via guided tour. Trips last between 45 and 60 minutes. For operating times and to make online reservations for tickets, go to the official website.
6. Hang out at the marketplace
The central square of Haarlem is known as Grote Markt. On warm days, cafes flow out into the square, where friends and family are seated at tables to enjoy a meal, a drink, and the pleasant weather.
There is an outdoor market held on Saturdays where you may buy food, produce, and flowers.
7. Corrie Ten Boom House
You shouldn’t skip this museum if you’re interested in the history of World War Two. The Ten Boom family’s home was used as a Jewish and Dutch underground hideout during World War II. This family is thought to have saved 800 Jews and refugees. On a tour, you can see this house, its original furnishings, and the hidden room.
8. Explore the historic buildings and streets
A tangle of historic buildings and cobblestone streets make up the city core of Haarlem. The focal point of Haarlem is the Church of St. Bavo, which features Gothic-style architecture. It dominates Grote Markt and has been a fixture in this location for many years.
The hofjes, which are little, obscure courtyards encircled by dwellings, can also be explored. It can be challenging to locate them because they are hidden. Therefore, the best way to see them is during a tour of Haarlem.
