Haarlem
Haarlem is a city full of culture and just 15 minutes from Zandvoort.
The most Flemish city of the north
Haarlem is also known as the most Flemish city in the north. The many nice cafés and restaurants therefore immediately appeal to the Burgundian in you. And the many unique concepts, artisanal products and enthusiastic entrepreneurs also make Haarlem a unique city. Combine that with the historic buildings of master builder Lieven de Key and some of the most beautiful museums in the Netherlands and you have a wonderful day trip on your hands.
Fantastic place
Haarlem is a super nice and cosy place with nice shopping streets, pretty courtyards that you should definitely discover and cosy market. Lots of nice restaurants, but you have to discover them for yourself, that’s personal. Of course, also visit the Sint Bavo. A very cosy place to be.
– Carla –
The best places in Haarlem
Easily accessible from Zandvoort
Haarlem is easily accessible from Zandvoort. After 10 minutes by train, you are from Zandvoort station at the beautiful Haarlem Station. You immediately fall head over heels. Haarlem station is in fact the only Dutch station in Jugendstil style. Characteristic of this more than 100-year-old station are the many tile panels and the various entrance and exit buildings. A popular location for film shoots, including the blockbuster Ocean’s Twelve and Paul Verhoeven’s Zwartboek.
City full of culture
Haarlem is truly a city for culture lovers. It has a rich history with the Grote Markt as the beating heart of the historical centre, great churches, a cathedral, the windmills, the town hall and the famous Haarlem courtyards; cosy, peaceful paradises in the middle of the city. And don’t forget the many museums! Explore this beautiful city with atmosphere.
Monuments in Haarlem
The Amsterdam Gate, a city gate from 1355, is another beautiful monument. As are the buildings on the Grote Markt, including the city hall from 1250, the magnificent Vleeshal by master builder Lieven de Key and the Sint-Bavokerk. Haarlem’s largest church with a tower that can be seen from afar. Not to be confused with the Cathedral Basilica Sint Bavo, the main church of the diocese of Haarlem, built between 1895 and 1930 and accessible on some days for an exciting vault tour. Another unusual building is the domed prison, built in 1901. In the circular space, all four layers of cells can be seen at a glance.
Mill The Adriaan
On the river Spaarne, which winds through Haarlem, is the Waag from 1599 where traders weighed cheese and butter. The striking Molen de Adriaan towers twelve metres above the Spaarne. This museum mill shows how the rotating sails set the ingenious wooden interior in motion.
A fun city
Haarlem is one of the nicest and most beautiful cities in North Holland. Its historic centre, quaint shops and cosy streets give it an almost village-like character. The city centre full of monuments is surrounded by canals and canals, making Haarlem also known as Amsterdam’s little brother.
Seeing in Haarlem
There are a number of places you absolutely must have seen during your day trip to Haarlem. Some of these ‘must sees’ are Molen De Adriaan, Teylers Museum, Sint Bavokerk, Frans Hals Museum and the secret courtyards in the city centre. More tips for a day trip