Haarlem has a picturesque old-world charm, with cobbled streets, winding waterways and gabled houses. Though rich in historic architecture, it’s a lively city packed with culture, nightlife, dining hotspots and some of the best shopping streets in the country. All that vivid history inspires plenty of entrepreneurial vision too, with young digital businesses and agencies gravitating to Haarlem, while rejuvenation is a key characteristic (just look at the Jopenkerk, a former church in the centre, transformed into a thriving brewery, café and restaurant).
Haarlem and Heemstede are situated between Amsterdam, the North Sea coast and the green areas of Zuid-Kennemerland. Amsterdam’s centre can be reached relatively quickly by train or car, while the beaches at Zandvoort and Bloemendaal and nearby nature reserves are also within easy reach.
Several cultural institutions are located in Haarlem. The Teylers Museum, the oldest museum in the Netherlands, focuses on art, science and natural history. The Frans Hals Museum houses works from the Dutch Golden Age. In addition, the city has theatres, music venues and galleries that host exhibitions and performances throughout the year.
International School Haarlem is close by. It’s a partially-subsidised school which offers primary education and will host a secondary extension from 2018. The area is also within easy reach of the schools in Amsterdam, Amstelveen and Haarlemmermeer.
Haarlem's large international community has a well-established group: expatsHaarlem, an English-speaking social and business network that provides support services for international newcomers and hosts frequent community events.
IN Amsterdam’s one-stop-shop registration is available for international newcomers in the municipality of Haarlem.
Municipal departments and services in Haarlem can be contacted by calling 14 023 from Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, from abroad you call 00 31 23 511 5115.
For more information, please see other articles on the Haarlem Area.
