Things to do in Haarlem

Experience art and science at the country's oldest museum

The oldest museum in the Netherlands, a trip to the Teylers Museum is like venturing through the back of a cupboard and into a strange new land. Whether delving into art or science, the museum’s extensive collection includes masterful paintings and drawings (many of which are by artists from The Hague School or the Dutch Romantics), ancient fossils and minerals, and instruments and books. It also hosts a changing line-up of fascinating exhibitions showcasing awe-inspiring science and art, and the building’s magnificent 200-year-old Oval Hall is an attraction in itself.

Don't forget that this museum is free to visit with a City Card!

Step back in time at Grote Markt

Flanked by convivial cafés and restaurants – plus plenty of historic buildings – Grote Markt, previously called ’t Sant, is the original centre of Haarlem and is considered by many to be the most beautiful urban square in the country. In the 13th and 14th centuries, gallows loomed over ’t Sant, jousting tournaments were held in the square, and traders pedalled their wares. The City Hall which also houses the Haarlem Tourist Information (VVV Haarlem) stands on the spot of the Counts of Holland hunting lodge. The wooden building was almost entirely destroyed by a fire in the 14th century but was rebuilt in a flamboyant style. Opposite the City Hall on Grote Markt looms the Gothic Grote Kerk, or St. Bavokerk, whose 50-metre steeple has dominated Haarlem’s skyline for centuries. An exceptional farmer’s and trinkets market packed with local vendors is held on the Grote Markt square on Mondays and Saturdays, from 9:00 to 16:00 and in August, the annual culinary festival, Haarlem Culinair, takes over the market square, serving up an array of delicious (and affordable) dishes made with local produce.

Marvel at extravagant church architecture

The skyline of Haarlem’s market square is dominated by the Gothic, cross-shaped Grote Kerk (St. Bavokerk) which was completed in 1520. The church is UNESCO-protected and contains beautiful Renaissance artworks. Famous painters Frans Hals and Pieter Saenredam are buried here, and the renowned Müller organ with about 5,000 pipes – was once played by Mozart at the age of ten. Another unmissable sight is the KoepelKathedraal - a unique dome cathedral which is listed in the top five most important churches in the world built between 1850 and 1950. The mighty monument, designed by Joseph Cuypers, has 12 large and small towers and a 65-meter-tall dome. Explore it fully by taking a guided tour or admire all the artefacts at the church’s museum.

Find your favourite local beers

Beer is definitely a religion for some, but former church-turned-brewery De Jopenkerk takes this concept to extremes—Brewing craft beers onsite according to old recipes and modern innovations. Find your favourite tipple amidst the beautifully restored surroundings – with vaulted ceilings and the original stained glass windows left intact. Nearby, hidden amongst the city’s 17th-century brick interior, is the nifty little Uiltje Bar. This hoppy paradise is the city’s first craft beer bar, with a constant carousel of 30 draught beers and more than 120 bottles.

Explore the history of windmills

No visit to Haarlem is complete without a guided tour of the Molen de Adriaan, a windmill close to the town centre. Set in a picturesque location alongside the Spaarne River, this tower mill has been one of the most striking features of the Haarlem skyline for centuries. A museum inside uses models and visual installations to explore the history of Molen Adriaan and other Dutch windmills. For the whole experience, you can take a guided tour. Soak up the stunning views of Haarlem from the windmill’s deck.

Discover Haarlem's most famous native

17th-century portrait painter Frans Hals is one of Haarlem’s most famous sons, and his legacy can be seen all over the city, nowhere more so than at the Frans Hals Museum, a large gallery dedicated to 17th-century art and Hals’ portraiture, and home to the most extensive collection of Frans Hals portraits worldwide. Offering a stimulating mixture of Haarlem’s 16th and 17th-century modern and contemporary art, the museum is split between two locations—Groot Heiligland and HAL— a seven-minute walk apart through a beautiful section of Haarlem.

Shop your way through the Gouden Straatjes

Haarlem has been voted the Netherlands’ best shopping destination on several occasions, and a quick look around the boutique-lined streets will reveal precisely why. With everything from achingly cool concept stores to traditional markets and big brands to independent labels, as well as charming antique and curiosity shops around every corner, it’s no wonder that Haarlemmers call their shopping district ‘de Gouden Straatjes’ (the streets of gold). Perhaps the best-known streets in Haarlem are the Grote Houtstraat, the Barteljorisstraat and the Zijlstraat. But don’t miss the chance to explore the smaller streets characteristic of this historic city, such as the Schagchelstraat, Kleine Houtstraat, Anegang, Warmoesstraat, Koningstraat and Gierstraat, all of which feature a selection of unique shops and specialist stores.

Explore Haarlem’s hidden courtyards

Haarlem is a city known for its hofjes (enclosed courtyard gardens), and there are beautiful green spaces tucked away behind many unassuming streets – most dating back to medieval times. The gardens are surrounded by charitable almshouses that were used to house poor, unmarried, or widowed women. There are 21 main public hofjes in Haarlem, spanning from the ancient (the oldest was founded in 1395) to the very modern. But with the entrances to many hofjes being concealed behind modest doorways or down seemingly simple alleyways, these city oases are not always easy to find.

Experience Haarlem from the water

The picturesque River Spaarne winds its way through the historic city of Haarlem, and on a sunny day, it brims with sailing and boating enthusiasts bobbing along its waters. If you fancy setting sail yourself, take a cruise along the historic canals and River Spaarne with an experienced skipper, leaving plenty of room for explanations about the city's history, art and important landmarks. The various tour operators - including Smidtje Canal Cruises, Haarlem Canal Tours and Luxe Sloepen Haarlem - offer boats in different styles with optional refreshments packages. It’s a beautifully relaxed way to explore the city and a great way to orientate before exploring all the sights in more detail. 

Relax at Sauna van Egmond

Health and beauty spa Sauna van Egmond has been top of the list for wellness across the Netherlands for almost 40 years. Housed in a large, stately building with oh-so-stylish art deco furnishings, the spa retreat offers indulgent pampering in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The extensive spa facilities include sauna cabins, a Roman pool, a Turkish steam bath and the country’s only Caldarium Maximus – a natural stone room heated to around 60 degrees. Tucked away in a quiet Haarlem neighbourhood, the spa offers luxury beauty treatments and massages, delicious and healthy meals, and films at the onsite cinema.