Haarlem

Haarlem is the centre of a flower-growing district and a major export point for flower bulbs. However, with some 750,000 people visiting the city each year, tourism makes up an increasingly important part of the town's economy. With about 157,000 inhabitants, Haarlem is the 13th largest city in the Netherlands but when it comes to tourism, it's the 4th most visited city. As for most popular places, this may mean the incidental line and some crowds around main attractions in high season. However, the town is fairly quiet in off season and its growing popularity does come with ample opportunities to eat and sleep.

History

The first record of the name 'Haarlem' dates from the 10th century. Located on a busy north/south connection route, the city became the seat of the Counts of Holland. In 1245 the city was granted city rights by Count William II of Holland. Due to the heroic acts of knights from Haarlem during the fifth crusade and their contributions to the siege of Damiate in 1217, Haarlem was granted permission to show a cross and a sword in the city's coat of arms. Haarlem was known for its flower growing district, and also for its textiles, shipyards, engineering plants and textile mills. In 1573, the Spanish ended its charter. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Haarlem was a hotspot for Dutch painting. Frans Hals, Jacob van Ruisdael, and Adriaen van Ostade were all located here. Also in the 17th century it became a refuge for Huguenots.
In the beginning, all of the city's buildings were wooden and the risk of fire was always present. In 1328 most of the city was burnt down. When rebuilding began, yet again in 1347, another fire spread through Haarlem. This time though, it engulfed the Counts' castle and city hall. However, the Count decided that he no longer needed a base in Haarlem and decided to move to The Hague. With that, he donated the land to Haarlem and later a new city hall would be built in its place. It would take over 150 years for the city to be rebuilt.

• VVV Haarlem

  phone: +31 23-5317325
  address: Grote Markt 2

By train

Haarlem is well-connected by train, with intercity and sprinter trains running between Amsterdam and Haarlem Central Station roughly every 10 minutes. From Amsterdam, it's a 15-minute journey (€3.80) with trains usually leaving from platform 1 or 2. Pay a bit of attention: Haarlem is one of the stops on the main train line between Amsterdam and Dordrecht/The Hague, so it will likely not be the final destination for the train. However, as not all trains to those cities will stop in Haarlem, check the signs or ask a conductor to make sure you're getting into the right one.
Coming from Schiphol directly, you'll have to change once, at Amsterdam Sloterdijk (or at Amsterdam Central Station, but that will take you an extra 10 minutes or so). Trains are easy to use and you may be lucky enough to encounter one or more of the most entertaining ticket collectors in the country. They number singers and magicians among their members.

• Station Haarlem

  address: Stationsplein 11 L, 2011 LR
  The art nouveau railway station of Haarlem. Connections by train to Zandvoort, Alkmaar, Amsterdam, Leiden, The Hague, Rotterdam, and Vlissingen

• Haarlem Spaarnwounde

  address: 2033 AA Haarlem
  Haarlem Second railway station. connections to bus 2 (to city center) and line 80 to Zandvoort and Amsterdam.

By bus

A good alternative is to use the big red and grey "R-net"-bus, line 300. It runs every 6–10 minutes between Schiphol and Haarlem Central Station, or you can get out at Wulft/Centrum. There are a fair amount of stops along the way, but for a lot of the journey there is no traffic because the bus has its own dedicated lane. The trip is approximately 45 minutes. You will need to carry your luggage on the bus with you. As on all public transport in the Netherlands, you pay with a OV-chipkaart and a single trip costs €3.64. There are many bus stops clustered in this area—the one for the R-net 300 is across the street, and is indicated on the sign at the bus stop.

By bike

If you have – or rent – a bike, it takes between an hour and an hour and a half to cycle (depending on the cyclist) from the centre of Amsterdam, a fairly relaxing ride on typically level terrain.

Haarlem is best seen on foot: it's a 10- to 15-minute walk from the train station to the city centre. If you don't want to walk, bus lines 2, 73 and 300 will take you from the central train and bus station to busstop "Centrum/Verwulft" in about 5 minutes.
Although Haarlem's waterways aren't quite as numerous as those of Amsterdam, there are enough of them to make a tour of the city by boat a nice experience. Boats are operated by Post Verkade cruises (€9.50, Dutch only) and Haarlem Canal Cruises (smaller groups, open boat, €12.50) and leave from opposite Teylers Museum. It's best to call ahead.

Haarlem's main sights are its lovely historic centre and its fine art museums. You'll get a good idea of what the city has to offer by just wandering the streets in the centre for a while, as many monumental buildings and the most prominent museums are all there. The tourist information office can provide maps and walking routes as well as guides, if you don't want to miss anything.

Grote Markt

Haarlem's main market square, with the huge Saint Bavo church right on it, is the heart of the old city. Not only the church, but several monumental buildings can be found on different sides of the square and when the weather allows, it's lined with outdoor café terraces. You'll also see the statue of Laurens Janszoon Coster, locally called "Lautje", a pioneer of book printing who has become an icon of Haarlem.

• Grote Kerk

  address: Grote Markt 22 (north side) 2011 RD
  This impressive Gothic-style church has been the heart of the city and its main landmark for centuries. It was built in the middle of the Grote Markt as a Catholic church between 1370 and 1520. In 1559 it became the cathedral of the Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam, but less than 20 years later it was confiscated in the name of the Protestant Reformation and it has been a Protestant church ever since. Much of the antique interior remains, including the great Müller-organ that, according to records, has been played by Händel, Mozart, Mendelssohn and other famous people throughout its history. When built, this organ was the largest one in the world, leading Herman Melville in his famous novel Moby Dick to compare the inside of the whale's mouth to the many pipes of Haarlem's great organ.

• Stadhuis

  address: Grote Markt 2
  After fires destroyed the Count's castle on this location in the 14th century, this city hall was built. The current façade is slightly younger, and originates from the 17th century.

• Vleeshal

  address: Grote Markt 18
  From 1604 until the 18th century, the Meat Hall was the only place in town where it was permitted to sell fresh meat. Butchers had to pay rather steep amounts to be granted a spot in the Dutch Renaissance style building that had been designed and built for the purpose. It's now part of the Frans Hals Museum.

• Hoofdwacht

  address: Grote Markt 17
  Built in the 13th century, this is one of the oldest monuments in the city and the first century of its existence, it served as the first town hall. Later, it was used as private housing for several prominent Haarlem families. From April-Sept, the building is open to visitors but only on weekends.

Other sights

• Stadsbibliotheek

  phone: +3123 5115300
  address: Gasthuisstraat 32, 2011XP

• Hofje van Oorschot

  address: Kruisstraat 44
  The city is notable for its many hofjes (almshouses) built around courtyards. More than 20 of them still exist in the city. Some of them are open to the public.

• Amsterdamse PoortBuilt in 1355 and is the only remaining gate out of 12.

• Stedelijk Gymnasium Haarlem

• Van der Pigge

  phone: +3123 5312454
  address: Gierstraat 3 2011 GA
  An old drugstore built in 1849. It still features the original gaper at its facade.

• Vroom & Dreesmann Haarlem

  address: Grote Houtstraat 70, 2011 SR
  A building of the former Vroom & Dreesmann department store which opened in 1887 and went bankrupt in 2015.

• Villa Welgelegen

  phone: +3123 514 3143
  address: Kleine Houtweg, 2012 JE
  Parts are open to the public. Villa Welgelegen is a historical building in Haarlem, the Netherlands, which houses the offices of the provincial executives of North Holland. Located at the north end of a public park in the city, it is an example of neoclassical architecture, unusual for its style in the Netherlands.

• HaarlemmerhoutIt is the oldest public park of the Netherlands. With "Hertenkamp" (Deer-park)

• Rooms-Katholieke Kathedrale Basiliek Sint Bavo

  phone: +3123 532 30 77
  address: Leidsevaart 146
  This cathedral, confusingly named after Saint Bavo too, as is the much older church on the Grote Markt, was built by the Catholics from 1895 to 1930. It replaced the former Waterstaatskerk St. Joseph, which itself was built to replace the confiscated Sint-Bavo church, which had been converted to Protestantism in 1578. The Cathedral became the main cathedral for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam, and holds that function still today. A small museum has been created in the former sacristy, allowing visitors to see some historical artefacts from Haarlem's Catholic past.

• Molen De Adriaanthis beautiful windmill on the benches of the river Spaarne was of the main landmarks of Haarlem for centuries, until it was destroyed in a 1932 fire. Several plans to rebuild it failed due to lack of funds, but in 2002 the windmill was finally fully restored to former glory. It's functional, for tourist purposes, and holds a small museum. Guided tours are available.

Museums

With 14 large and small museums in town, you won't be hard pressed to get your art and culture here. The most prominent ones are listed here. Museumkaart accepted.

• Teylers' Museum

  phone: +31 23 516 09 60
  address: Spaarne 16
  Open since 1784, this is the oldest museum in the Netherlands. It's interesting collection is broad, reminding one of 18th-century curiosity cabinets. Apart from a fine collection of paintings and drawings, including works by Rembrandt and Michelangelo, it has a great collection of fossils, minerals and antique scientific instruments on display, but also medals and coins.

• Frans Hals Museum

  phone: +31 23 5115775
  address: Groot Heiligland 62
  Named after one of the great Dutch Golden age painters, this museum boasts a good collection of Dutch Golden Age art. In those days, Haarlem was one of the leading Dutch cities when it came to art and many thousands of works were produced here. This museum's collection holds about a dozen painting by Frans Hals himself as well as works by a list of other renowned artists, including Jacob van Ruisdael and Jan Steen. At a separate location on the Grote Markt, the museum also has several exhibition halls with modern art.

• Museum het Dolhuys

  phone: +31 23-5410670
  address: Schotersingel 2
  Het Dolhuys is a national museum for psychiatry in Haarlem, Netherlands. The museum was founded in 2005 in the newly renovated former old age home known as Schoterburcht, located just across the Schotersingel from the Staten Bolwerk park. The whole complex is much older than that however, having been a hospital for centuries known as the Leproos-, Pest- en Dolhuys.

• Ten Boom Museum

  address: Barteljorisstraat 19
  During World War II, the Ten Boom family, who lived and ran a watch shop in this house, used the top floor to hide Jews and others from the Nazis. After being discovered by the Nazis in 1944, only Corrie Ten Boom survived. She wrote several books about her experiences, which served as a basis for the museum that was opened after her death in the 1980s. It's in the centre of town and is run by volunteers. You will have to join one of the guided tours; starting times are indicated on the door. Since it's a small building, you can't wait indoors for the next tour to start.

• ABC Architectuurcentrum Haarlem

  phone: +3123 5340584
  address: Groot Heiligland 47, 2011 EP
  The ABC Architectuurcentrum Haarlem is a center for Architecture in Haarlem, the Netherlands, dedicated to promoting interest and conserving the architectural heritage of Kennemerland.

• History Museum

  phone: +3123 5422427
  address: Groot Heiligland 47, 2011 EP
  Across the street from the Frans Hals Museum, this small museum offers a glimpse of old Haarlem. During the city's Golden Age four centuries ago, Haarlem was a thriving commercial centre rivalling Amsterdam. Back then, the town was a port on the large Haarlemmer Lake, with the North Sea only about five miles away (threatened by floods, residents eventually diverted the lake into canals to preserve shipping business and then pumped the remaining land dry). As well as being the tulip capital, Haarlem was a manufacturing centre producing wool, silk, lace, damask cloth, furniture, smoking pipes (along with cheap, locally-grown tobacco), and massive quantities of beer. Haarlemmers were notorious consumers of beer. It was a popular breakfast drink, and the average person drank six pints a day.

• NZH Vervoer Museum

  address: A. Hofmanweg 35
  The museum displays a number of retired trams and buses, all once belonging to the now defunct NZH public transit company. Staff may be available to provide a narrated tour of the exhibits. There is a book shop within the museum.

• On summer days, hang out in the sun on Haarlem's Grote Markt (near the Grote Kerk) after a long day of shopping or go sightseeing in Haarlem's ancient city centre.

• Comic conventionIn the even years (2018, 2020, etc.) the biggest Dutch comic book convention 'Stripdagen Haarlem' takes place all over Haarlem. With events on the Grote Markt, in art galleries, Teyler Museum, de Toneelschuur and Patronaat.

• Cycling: Explore the Haarlem area by bike: Haarlem Dunes Cycle Route Coast, polders and nature reserves. Distance: 40 or 29 km.

• Keukenhof Cycle Route Tulip fields in springtime. Distance: 38 or 31 km.
• Rondje Haarlem is an cycling route along the beautiful place around Haarlem. The route is almost 50 km long and very worth while. Of course it's also possible to do parts of it.

De Toneelschuur

phone: +3123-5173910

address: Lange Begijnestraat 9 2011 HH

Haarlem is a popular city for shopping in the region. It has been voted many times as Best Shopping City in the Netherlands and boasts a very diverse range of shops. The Grote Houtstraat, the main shopping street, has most of the obvious shops. The surrounding streets (Kleine Houtstraat and Gierstraat) house smaller shops, where you can browse or buy everything from high-end bicycles to teapots.
Shops are open from Monday to Saturday. Opening times usually are from 09:00 to 17:00, except on Mondays when shops open at 13:00. Many shops in the city centre also open on the first Sunday of the month and usually shops may be open from 19:00 to 21:00 on Thursdays as well, the so-called "avondverkoop" ("evening sale") although no special discounts will be given).
On the main square (Grote Markt) there is on Saturdays a General Market and on Mondays a textile market.

Scattered through the inner city, you'll find a large number of restaurants. There's something for everyone and every budget, with many different styles of restaurants and a broad variety of cuisines.

Budget

• Eet-Biercafé Bruxelles

  phone: +31 23-5314509
  address: Lange Wijngaardstraat 16
  If you're on a budget, Bruxelles' or "dish of the day" is a good option. Besides the daily specials, there's a menu with plenty of options under .

• Restaurant het Pakhuis

  phone: +3123-5322810
  address: Gravinnesteeg 9
  The people behind Pakhuis restaurant have a vision. They want to sell tasty food for affordable prices. The food isn't spectacular but it's good enough and all menu items cost or less.

• Eetcafé de Linde

  phone: +31 23 5319688
  address: Botermarkt 21
  Typical Dutch "eat-café" with simple food for low prices. It's nothing special but you get a fair portion and it's good value for money. The unlimited spareribs for are popular, but you can also choose from steaks, pasta, fried chicken, veggie dishes and more. Good place for lunch, too.

• Babbels

  phone: +3123 542 3578
  address: Lange Veerstraat 23, 2011 DA

• El Pincho (tapas)

  phone: +3123 553 0288
  address: Riviervischmarkt 17-19, 2011HJ

• La-Plume

  phone: +3123 531 32 02
  address: Lange Veerstraat 1, 2011 DA

• Bagels & Beans

  phone: +3123 551 4554
  address: Gierstraat 49, 2011 GB

• SLA

  phone: +31 23 574 7939
  address: Kruisweg 68B
  Salads served in large bowls.

Mid-range

• Restaurant/Brasserie Stempels

  phone: +3123 512 3910
  address: Klokhuisplein 9, 2011 HK

• Restaurant Specktakel

  phone: +31 23-5323841
  address: Spekstraat 4, 2011 HM
  This place serves nice food from all over the world. Good quality for the price, modern establishment. There's also a good selection of dishes for vegetarians.

• De Kloosterkeuken

  phone: +31 23 533 88 85
  address: Hagestraat 12 2011 CV
  A nice restaurant in a historic setting. Throughout the centuries, this place served as a refuge and care centre for pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostela and later for the elderly and the poor. De Kloosterkeuken serves simple, pure food for a good price.

• Noor

  phone: +31 23 - 532 47 81
  address: Bloemendaalseweg 35 2061 CB Bloemendaal
  Popular, modern style restaurant. Not the cheapest place around but the service is good and the food is tasty. If you're not too picky, the surprise menu is good value for money.

• De Lachende Javaan

  phone: +31 23-5328792
  address: Frankestraat 27, 2011 HT
  Well-prepared Indonesian food in a remarkable setting. The combination of the old Dutch building and the Indonesian decorations are interesting at least. All in all, this place gets good reviews across the board.

• Brick

  phone: +31235511870
  address: Breestraat 24-26, 2011 ZZ

• Parck

  phone: +3123 54 20 91 1
  address: Frederikspark 2, 2012 DA
  Suitable for children.

• Sumo

  phone: +3123 7630521
  address: Riviervismarkt 11, 2011 HJ

• Wilma & Albert

  phone: +3123-5321256
  address: Oude Groenmarkt 6, 2011 HL

Splurge

• ML

  phone: +31 23 - 534 53 43
  address: Kleine Houtstraat 70, 2011 DR
  ML is one of two Michelin-star restaurants in town. As often in establishments like this, the menu is limited and prices are fairly high, but for that you get artistically plated, top class food. Calling ahead is a good idea.

• Ratatouille

  phone: +31 23 542 7270
  address: Spaarne 96, 2011 CL

Beerbrewing has been a very important industry for Haarlem. The historical Haarlems beer, recreated in 1995 is Jopenbier or Jopen.

• In den Uiver

  phone: +3123 532 53 99
  address: Riviervischmarkt 13, 2011 RZ
  Lovely old Proof Lokaal facing the side of the Bavo Kerk. Great choice of beers and friendly staff and customers. Free jazz sessions Sunday evenings and Thursday nights.

• Tierney's

  phone: +3123 202 0057
  address: Spekstraat 8, 2011 HM
  just off the Grote Markt, the only traditional Irish pub in Haarlem, friendly, nice crowd,show all major sporting events including Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Irish sports (if it doesn't clash with a soccer match), live Irish session every first Sunday of the month.

• De VijfHoek

  phone: +31 23 5317941
  address: Wolstraat 20 2011 ZA
  Cosy, local bar, highly recommended for atmosphere.

• Briljant

  phone: +3123-5512129
  address: Koningstraat 46 black, 2011 TD
  Good beer!

• Jopenkerk

  phone: +31 23 533 4114
  address: Gedempte Voldersgracht 2, 2011 VV
  Can there be anything more Dutch than changing a church into a brewery? The Jopenkerk just opened recently and already appears to be the place to eat and drink beer. Meet locals of all ages and drink special award-winning brew: Jopen beer.

• Stiels

  phone: +3123-5316940
  address: Smedestraat 21, 2011 RE
  R&B like is was supposed to be (hence not R'n'B). Expect blues performances, alternative bands and an occasional unexpected jam session. Good for an alternative dance night on Fridays or Saturdays.

• Club Stalker

  address: Kromme Elleboogsteeg 20, 2011 TS
  Dance, house and other electronic music. Famed for 'Anti Kinky' - a gay friendly night - however all the other nights are very straight.

• Coffeedate

  phone: +316 30053934
  address: Paarlaarsteeg 2, 2011 HL
  Coffeedate is a small and cosy coffeebar, used by students to take away or by workers to read and use the free wifi.

• The Patronaat

  phone: +31 23 517 58 58
  address: Zijlsingel 2, 2013 DN
  Haarlem's largest venue for live music. Their Fridays and Saturdays are dance nights and generally packed.

• Studentencafé de Koning

  address: Spaarne 78, 2011 CL
  If you want to see what the 14- to 18-year-olds do in Haarlem, go for a visit. Even though you won't want to stay long, you have to have seen this.

• Stay Okay Haarlem

  phone: +31 23 537 37 93
  address: Jan Gijzenpad 3, 2024 CL
  The Stay Okay Hostel chain generally offers simple and clean private rooms as well as dorm beds. It's popular with international youngsters and one of the cheapest options around. This one is located out of Haarlem, so you will have to take a bus, but connections are good. Line 2 stops right in front of the door. Alternatively, you can take a train to Santpoort-Zuid and walk 10 minutes.

• Ambassador Hotel & Joops Hotel

  phone: +31 23-5125300
  address: Oude Groenmarkt 20, 2011 HL
  Ambassador Hotel offers plain but fine rooms right in the city centre. Under the name Joops Hotel it offers cheaper, more basic rooms too. The location is great and service is friendly. Breakfast is not included in the price. The reception is open 24/7.

• Amrâth Grand Hotel Frans Hals

  phone: +31 23 5 18 18 18
  address: Damstraat 10, 2011 HA
  One of the best hotels in town, with good rooms and facilities right in the centre of town. Breakfast is rather expensive (€18.50) but good. If you're not on a budget, there are spcious deluxe rooms and junior suits available.

• Amadeus Hotel

  phone: +31 23 5324530
  address: Grote Markt 10, 2011 RD
  Friendly hotel with 15 small but clean rooms, located in a historic building on the main square. A rather steep stair will take you to the reception, which is located on the first floor. From there, an elevator is available to take you higher up in the building. Good value for money. Rooms on the square side have nice views but can be a bit noisy. Breakfast is included.

• Carlton Square

  phone: +31 23 531 90 91
  address: Baan 7, 2012 DB
  Classic, good hotel in the historic centre of town, with good rooms and spacious suites available. Rooms are equipped with all the amenities you would expact from a 4 star hotel and the staff is helpful. Here, as in comparable hotels, breakfast is extensive but doesn't come cheap, at .

• Haarlem Hotel Suites

  phone: +31 23-5407146
  address: Korte Veerstraat 40, 2011 CL (reception)
  This "hotel" offers a few lovely, individual apartments, all in the direct neighbourhood of the reception. Most are in old houses, all are adequately equipped with furniture and small kitchens, allowing for self-catering. Mind that they are on the first floor, with no elevator. Expect service like in a mid-range hotel, including towels, shampoo etc. Reception is shared with Lambermons suites and is not open 24/7.

20 km away, Amsterdam is an obvious tourist destination nearby. However, there are a number of other interesting options.

• SpaarndamQuaint old Dutch village, nice harbour, couple of restaurants and bars. This small village always had a strong relation with the water. It gained fame through the 1865 American novel Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates, in which a boy put his finger in a hole in the dike to prevent Spaarndam from flooding. Easy cycle from central Haarlem. Famous for its statue of Peter, the boy who put his finger in the dike and saved Haarlem from flooding. There you can find great places to enjoy a great cup of coffee or a cold glass of beer. It is a strictly people zone, meaning no cars or trolleys pass through.

• Zandvoort - one of the most popular Dutch coastal destinations is just 10 km away. You can take a train, or go by bike as it's a pleasant ride.
• Zaandam - is the biggest town in Zaanstreek-Waterland, with its typical old Dutch villages, windmills, dikes and wooden houses. It's a 20-min train journey, but you'll have to change at Amsterdam Sloterdijk.
• Zuid-Kennemerland National Park is just outside Haarlem. To enter, head to Overveen. It's no more than 3 minutes by train.
• Alkmaar - famous for its cheese market, has canals and a nice historic centre too. The direct train takes about 30 min.