What to Do in Haarlem: 11 Best Activities

Enjoying a meal on the water

Sailing with a BBQ boat, pizza boat or a drinks boat is a unique way to enjoy the water and a delicious meal. The BBQ boat offers the opportunity to grill while sailing and enjoy a barbecue on the water. The pizza boat, on the other hand, offers the opportunity to enjoy freshly baked pizza while sailing. Both options are a fun way to spend an unforgettable day on the water with friends or family.

Sail along with Bootuitjes

Cruising along the Spaarne with Bootuitjes is a relaxing and fun activity for the whole family or group of friends. You can enjoy the beautiful views of the city and its surroundings from the water on the Spaarne, while sitting comfortably in the boat. It is certainly recommended to do this during a visit to Haarlem.

2. Discover museums in Haarlem

There are several museums in Haarlem that are worth a visit. One of the most well-known museums in the city is the Frans Hals Museum. The museum is housed in a beautiful 17th-century building and exhibits works by the famous Haarlem painter Frans Hals.

Other interesting museums in Haarlem include the Teylers Museum, which was founded in 1778 and is the oldest museum in the Netherlands, and the Historisch Museum Haarlem, which shows the history of the city from the Middle Ages to today.

The oldest museum: Teylers Museum

The Teylers Museum is the oldest museum in the Netherlands and was founded in 1778 during the Golden Age. The museum contains an impressive collection of art, science and history.

The museum is named after Pieter Teyler van der Hulst, a wealthy textile merchant and scientifically interested man, who used his fortune to establish the museum. The museum is an important cultural heritage from the Golden Age and offers visitors the chance to discover more about Haarlem.

Visit the Frans Hals Museum

The Frans Hals Museum is a museum in Haarlem, North Holland where visitors can enjoy beautiful monuments and artworks by the famous Dutch painter Frans Hals. The museum is housed in two beautiful monumental buildings. One of the buildings is the old town hall where Frans Hals himself lived and worked. In the museum, visitors can admire artworks by Frans Hals, including his famous paintings of the Haarlem bourgeoisie and the Man with the Beard. The museum also offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the life and work of this important painter from the Golden Age.

3. Walk across the Grote Markt

The Grote Markt in Haarlem is the historic heart of the city and a popular destination for visitors. It is a cosy and lively place, surrounded by beautiful monumental buildings such as the Sint-Bavokerk and the town hall. On the Grote Markt you will find numerous stalls with all kinds of products, from fresh flowers and fruit to fun souvenirs. There are also various terraces where you can enjoy a snack and a drink.

Events are regularly organised on the Grote Markt, such as markets, music performances and other cultural activities. It is definitely worth a visit when you are in Haarlem. There is always something to do and see on the Grote Markt and it is a nice place to take a walk and soak up the atmosphere of the city.

4. View medieval churches

In the Middle Ages, Haarlem was an important city in the Netherlands and there were many churches to be found in the city. These churches were beautiful buildings with tall towers and beautiful facades. Many of these churches date from the 14th and 15th centuries and can still be admired in Haarlem.

Sint-Bavokerk

The Sint-Bavokerk is a church building in Haarlem, the Netherlands. It is dedicated to Saint Bavo, the patron saint of Haarlem. The church dates from the 13th century and is one of the most important Gothic cathedrals in the Netherlands. It serves as the final resting place of several famous Haarlem residents, including Frans Hals and Willem Bilderdijk. Both famous masters are buried in the Sint-Bavokerk.

It is known for its beautiful interior, including a fine organ and a beautifully painted ceiling. This historic building is an important cultural heritage site and is still used for religious services and events.

Jopenkerk

The Jopenkerk in Haarlem is a former large church that has been converted into a brewery and restaurant. The city brewery is located in this church and brews various beers according to historical recipes.

The history of the Jopenkerk is interesting and that is why it is a popular destination for tourists and local residents who love beer. The unique character of the church, combined with the brewing activities, make it one of the fun outings in Haarlem.

5. Discover the courtyards of Haarlem

The courtyards of Haarlem are a unique feature of the city and date back to the Middle Ages. The courtyards were small communities of houses located around a square or inner courtyard.

These courtyards were often used as living space for unmarried women or as back yards for merchants. Many of the medieval courtyards can still be visited in Haarlem and offer a unique glimpse into the city’s past.

Hofje Bakenesserkamer

The Hofje Bakenesserkamer in Haarlem is an old medieval courtyard dating from the 16th century. The courtyard was originally intended as living space for poor families and was financed by the wealthy merchant Hendrick de Keyser.

The courtyard consists of two rows of houses around a small inner courtyard, and is surrounded by a high wall with a large gate through which one can enter. Today, the courtyard is an important historical monument in Haarlem and is still used as housing for people with low incomes.

6. The Adriaan Windmill

The Adriaan Windmill is a historic mill building in Haarlem, the Netherlands. It dates from the 17th century and is named after Adriaen Pauw, a wealthy Amsterdam merchant and city administrator who had it built. The mill was built in the style of the Dutch smock mill and was designed to grind grain for the local population.

Over the years, the Adriaan Windmill has had various functions. It has been used as a fire mill, as a sawmill and even as a residence. Today it is a popular tourist attraction and is open to the public to visit and see how a windmill works. Regular guided tours are also given and there is a small museum dedicated to the history of the mill and the role that windmills have played in Dutch culture.

7. Discover the Haarlem nursery garden

This nursery garden is one of the nicest spots in Haarlem to visit during a weekend away. The garden is an organic self-harvest garden and offers visitors the opportunity to harvest their own vegetables and fruit. In addition, there are other attractions to be found in the garden, such as a petting zoo and various vegetable gardens with all kinds of plants. It is a unique and relaxing place to visit and it offers the opportunity to relax in nature while at the same time learning about organic farming.

In addition to the opportunity to harvest your own vegetables and fruit, the Haarlemmer Kweektuin also offers various activities and workshops. Visitors can, for example, take part in a guided tour of the garden or a workshop on organic farming.

There are also regular events and markets in the garden, where visitors can taste and buy products from the garden. It is certainly worth a visit, for both local residents and tourists who want to learn more about organic farming and nature in Haarlem.

8. Visit the historic centre of Haarlem

The centre of Haarlem is a beautiful place with a rich history to visit during your weekend. The city is only 20 minutes by train from Amsterdam Central Station and is therefore easy to reach for a day trip or weekend away. In the historic centre of Haarlem you will find numerous sights, such as the Grote Kerk, the Teylers Museum and the Frans Hals Museum.

There is a lot to see and do in the centre, so it is certainly worth paying a visit. You can, for example, admire the beautiful canals, stroll along the cosy shops and terraces or visit one of the many museums. The centre is a nice place to discover and to enjoy the rich history of the city.

The seven golden streets

The seven golden streets are named after the seven goldsmith shops that were once located there. The streets are situated in a historic area and are surrounded by beautiful monumental buildings and houses.

Today, the Zeven Gouden Straatjes are a popular shopping area, with all kinds of small boutiques and shops selling unique and handmade products. There are also many nice cafes and restaurants where visitors can enjoy a cup of coffee or a tasty snack. The Zeven Gouden Straatjes are a must-see for everyone visiting Haarlem.

9. Shopping in the city

Haarlem is a popular destination for shopping enthusiasts and is known as one of the best shopping cities in the Netherlands. In the heart of Haarlem (the city centre) you will find an abundance of fantastic home shops, ranging from trendy concept stores to well-known retail chains and specialist boutiques. Moreover, Haarlem offers numerous cosy dining and drinking venues, including atmospheric restaurants and excellent cafes.

Haarlem has been voted best shopping city in the country multiple times and for good reason. Whether you are looking for clothing, accessories, gifts or other products, Haarlem has something for everyone. So if you are looking for a perfect day full of shopping pleasure and culinary delights in the heart of Haarlem, then you have come to the right place.

10. View the Amsterdamse Poort

The Amsterdamse Poort in Haarlem is a historic structure and one of the oldest city gates in the Netherlands. It dates from the 14th century and was originally part of the city wall of Haarlem. The gate has two towers and is made of brick and other stone.

The Amsterdamse Poort is nowadays an important cultural heritage site of Haarlem and is a popular destination for visitors. It is a fine example of medieval architecture. The gate has been well preserved and is certainly worth a visit during a trip to Haarlem. The tall tower of the gate is a striking and impressive element of the structure.

11. Nature areas

When you come to Haarlem there are several nature areas nearby, such as the Kennemerduinen National Park and the Westfriese Omringdijk National Park. Both areas offer the opportunity to walk, cycle or horse ride, and to enjoy nature.

There are also various bird sanctuaries in the area, where visitors have the chance to spot different species of birds. The nature around Haarlem thus offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

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