A few kilometres from the country’s capital, we find the city of Haarlem: a lesser-known but equally beautiful city to see in Holland. Be amazed by the unique style of its facades, its lively rhythm, its windmills and the delicious Dutch cuisine. Discover all the things to do in Haarlem, the Netherlands, with us.
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What to see and do in Haarlem
Haarlem train station: the start of your journey
If you’re arriving from Amsterdam, the start of your adventure in this bustling city will most likely be at its train station, and we think this is the first place you need to see in Haarlem, Netherlands.
Originally a wooden building, it was renovated in the early 20th century, at the time with elements of art noveau.
It grew in importance as the city grew in importance and received more and more visitors. This was the junction between Haarlem and Amsterdam on the country’s first railway line.
Its brick facade, typical of the Dutch style, is also an architectural delicacy that you’re sure to fall in love with.
From here you can start your tour of the city and continue with our list of things to see and do in Haarlem.
Grote Markt, the central square to visit in Haarlem
A must on any city tour is a visit to its central square, so your next stop should be the Grote Markt, Haarlem’s central square.
Iconic buildings such as the Stadhuis and St. Bavo’s Church can be found here, as well as Haarlem’s central market, a bustling and charming enclave where you can immerse yourself in the rhythm of the city.
As the nerve centre of the city, you’ll also find plenty of restaurants and entertainment venues, making it a great place to spend a few hours.
And if you’re lucky, you might even find a festival going on at the time of your trip to Haarlem, Netherlands.
The Stadhuis: the city hall of Haarlem
A sober building that combines different architectural styles and is the seat of Haarlem’s current town hall, from where the city is governed.
The Stadhuis is located on the Grote Markt square itself, on one of its corners, and was built in the 14th century, where once stood a noble castle that burned down in a fire.
It also formerly housed the Frans Hal museum and the city’s public library. It’s certainly a building that matches the charm of the Grote Markt and the city itself, so we recommend you add it to your list of things to see in Haarlem.
Grote Kerk: the church of St. Bavo
Also located on the Grote Markt square is the beautiful Gothic church of St. Bavo, a religious building that is one of the city’s most interesting sights.
Initially a Catholic Church, since its construction in the late 14th century, it was the main religious representation of the city. It was later converted to a Protestant church.
It is one of the most remarkable buildings, both for its height and its design, and inside there are various works and objects of value, such as its huge old organ, which has been played by great artists such as Mozart
The Frans Hal Museum, a museum to see in Haarlem
In case you are not familiar with the great Frans Hal, he was a renowned portrait painter, who spent much of his life in Haarlem. In fact, he was of such importance to the city, that his remains lie in the church of St. Bavo.
This museum is a delight for art lovers, as it contains the vast majority of his most outstanding works. It also contains works by other great artists of the Dutch Golden Age, dating from the 16th-17th century.
Frans Hal was a leading figure in his time, and even if you are not a great fan of this art form, we recommend that you add it to your list of things to see in Haarlem, as it will not disappoint you.
The Mill of Adriaan
Something different from the items mentioned in your list of things to see in Haarlem, is without doubt the Adriaan Mill.
Built in 1779 (though built two centuries later after a fire) it is a windmill of unique charm and one of the most magical spots in the city.
Windmills are part of the decorative landscape of many Dutch towns and cities, and we think you’ll love visiting this windmill by the river.
We also recommend a visit inside, as you’ll learn about its history and usefulness, as among other things, this mill is used to make cement. The entrance fee is around €4.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Haarlem?
The Beach at Zandvoort and Zee
A 9-kilometre-long beach that you must visit, especially if you are travelling to the city of Haarlem during summer.
And while you might not think of Haarlem as a tourist destination because of its beaches, it’s actually a great place to enjoy the sun and a variety of seaside activities.
Returning from the train station takes just a few minutes, and you can relax after a stroll around Haarlem, sipping a drink in one of the many beach bars while being caressed by the sea breeze.
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands
Amsterdam is one of the most visited cities in the world, and with good reason. If you’re in Haarlem, don’t miss the chance to get up close and personal with the capital of this beautiful country
It has become a sometimes overwhelming tourist destination, but it has all the makings of one. Filled with art, criss-crossed by its many canals lined with houseboats and beautiful monuments, Amsterdam is a city you have to visit at least once in your life.
Getting there from Haarlem is very easy, as all you have to do is take a train from the central station, which will drop you off in about 20 minutes.
What to see in Haarlem, the Netherlands, in 1 day?
Haarlem is a city with a lot of charm, and the proximity of its most iconic sights makes it easy to visit in a day trip. Here are the main sights to see in Haarlem in one day:
- Haarlem train station
- Grote Markt
- The Stadhuis
- The Adriaan Mill
- The Frans Hal Museum
If you have more time, a great idea is to visit Amsterdam, as you can get there in less than an hour by train.
Sleeping places in Haarlem
In this short list, we offer you some of the many options that the city has to offer and from which you will be able to access all the things to see in Haarlem:
- Bed & Breakfast Hotel Malts: In the heart of Haarlem, you’ll find this bed & breakfast hotel, where you can enjoy fantastic rooms and a Dutch-style décor that you’ll love. The price is €190 per night.
- Stayokay Hostel Haarlem: If you prefer something more affordable but still charming and comfortable, this hostel is an excellent choice. The price is around €92 per night.
- MAF Haarlem Boutique Hotel: A four-star hotel with an excellent location and charming rustic décor make this hotel a great option for a stay in Haarlem. It’s priced from €150 per night.
- Amadeus Hotel: A very central but more austere option is the Amadeus Hotel. This two-star hotel has nothing to envy from other, more expensive options. You can stay here for around €78 per night.
These are all guide prices and are based on a search around the dates in May and June, which is when we most recommend visiting the city of Haarlem.
Places to eat in Haarlem
It goes without saying that if you travel to Haarlem, an important part of your trip will be sampling the local cuisine.
We’ve put together a short list to help you arrive in Haarlem with a few options in mind:
- Chez Bastijan: This intimately decorated restaurant is an excellent choice for a taste of what Dutch cuisine has to offer. The price is a little higher (around €30 per head) but it doesn’t disappoint.
- By Lima: Specializing in brunch-style meals, this Haarlem eatery has a delicious range of dishes, including vegan options. It’s priced at around €20 a head for lunch.
- Bruxelles: A somewhat tucked-away eatery, with austere décor, but serving very good food at a competitive price. Try a range of Dutch as well as Mediterranean cuisine. You can have lunch or dinner for a price of €10-20.
How to get to Haarlem in the Netherlands?
Haarlem does not have its own airport, so the easiest option to get to the city is to fly to Amsterdam, as they are only a short distance away.
There are flights from all major cities in Spain to Amsterdam for around €130 and from there you have a number of options for getting to Haarlem.
The most recommended option is to take a train from Amsterdam Central Station, which will drop you off in about 20 minutes in Haarlem.
Another option for travelling to Haarlem is to take the bus, although the journey time is twice as long.
Tips about a trip to Haarlem
- The currency in Haarlem is the Euro.
- If you are travelling from a country with another currency, we recommend that you exchange currency in advance.
- We recommend travelling in spring, because of the temperatures and the vegetation that grows at that time: it’s really beautiful.
- The city is safe, but as with any tourist destination, it’s best to be careful with your belongings.
- Be prepared for medical emergencies: travel with insurance.
How do I organize what to see in Haarlem?
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all the possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates according to your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need, and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Haarlem, The Netherlands.
If you have questions on how to do this, you can check out our post: How to create a travel itinerary on Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Haarlem
We recommend flying to Amsterdam and taking a train or bus from there to Haarlem.
Although you can visit all year round, we recommend the spring months between April and June.
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