Location: Haarlem
Top Things to do in Haarlem
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10 Things to do Good for Kids in Haarlem That You Shouldn't Miss
Though often overshadowed (especially for tourists) by its much larger and more famous neighbor Amsterdam about ten miles east, Haarlem’s history actually goes back further. And with about 150,000 people, it’s the capital of the Noord-Holland region. The Teylers Museum, with its unique collection of art and artifacts, is the oldest museum in the Netherlands. The fantastic Frans Hals Museum has many works by the artist and other Haarlem schoolers. Grote Markt, the main town square, is a must-see.
Restaurants in Haarlem
1. Haarlem Canal Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 299 reviews
Haarlem Canal Tours offers scheduled open boat canal tours, private cruises & corporate events in the historical center of the beautiful city of Haarlem NL. You will experience a great tour with a unique view on Haarlem. During the tour your skipper and host Jeroen Hagen will explain you everything about the history and development of the city and about the architecture and art objects along the route. Ticket price €14.- p.p. Reservations via the Haarlem Canal Tours website are recommended. You also can buy a ticket aboard; we accept cash, PIN/Meastro, Mastercard, Visa & American Express.The tours are in Dutch and English. Please visit the website for additional information, actual tour schedules and bookings.
2. Holland Bike Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 160 reviews
Holland Bike Tours | The best way to explore the Netherlands Visit historic towns and enjoy picturesque villages while gliding through beautiful Dutch landscapes. Holland - or the Netherlands - is the number one cycling destination in Europe with countless separated bike paths on comfortable flat terrain. Holland Bike Tours has over 20 years of experience in creating tailor made bike tours. We know the many hidden gems that can only be seen from the seat of a bicycle. Based on our local expertise we craft the most scenic and safest routes, and we only select centrally located accommodations with character. Enjoy your private bike tour on high quality bicycles with easy door-to-door GPS navigation and let us take care of your luggage. A unique cycling experience, creating memories that last a lifetime! With our personalized tours we can always create the perfect bike trip for you. Feel free to contact us for a tailored proposal for your bike tour in the Netherlands!
3. Lunchroom Cat Cafe Jippies
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 78 reviews
Cat Cafe Jippies is a cosy lunchroom and also the residence of 7 cats named Eva, Spooky, Arie, Hanna, Simba, Manouschka and Whitney. All cats come form several shelters in the Netherlands. The atmosphere is nice and quiet, ideal for relaxed conversation and just like home. You may enjoy a good cup of coffee or tea, fresh juice and lovely sweets, cakes and sandwiches. while socializing with the cats or watching them play around on the special toys that are built for them. Ideal to combine a visit with a walk trough the historic center of Haarlem. You are welcome from 10:00 till 17.30 hours from Wednesday up to Saterday. At Sunday open from 11.30 till 17.30 hours. Are you from abroad? Please make a reservation at our website so you can't be disappointed.
Reviewed By katylw1
We visited here and had such a lovely time. Simba really made the experience for us; he was so playful and was very good company. The staff here are welcoming and friendly and there is a great range of food and drinks (with a menu available in English). We had the espresso surprise and lemon poppy seed cake, both delicious. The cafe is amazingly clean; I have been to many cat cafes and there is always a distinct odour of cat food/litter boxes/animals, but here, if you were blindfolded, you wouldn't know it was a cat cafe! Highly recommended!
4. Teylers Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,049 reviews
Anyone who opens the museum's heavy door on the bank of the River Spaarne sees at a glance what it is that inspires such enthusiasm. The museum breathes the atmosphere of the 18th and 19th centuries - the Age of the Enlightenment - when people were busily gathering knowledge about the world. Teylers Museum, museum of wonder, is a world in itself, one that you will never forget. Teylers Museum is the best-preserved 18th-century public knowledge institution for the arts and sciences in the world. It has been open to the public since 1784, welcoming all those who are eager to look at paintings and drawings by the Old Masters, magnificent minerals, ingenious scientific instruments, precious books, and centuries-old fossils. The museum's interior alone, with the monumental Oval Room as pièce de resistance, is a truly remarkable attraction. It is the only authentic 18th-century museum interior in the world.
Reviewed By Yolalindsay - Brooklyn, United States
Definitely worth a stop if you have some time in Haarlem! Lots of natural history here, as well as major scientific advancements - really a cool little museum with a GREAT audio guide. I think if you were very interested in geology or archaeology, you could spend a very long time here.
5. Molen De Adriaan Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 546 reviews
Reviewed By TheGoodShag
This was great. A tour around a working windmill with a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. Lots of info not only about this windmill but also other windmills in The Netherlands. Don't miss itt.
6. Greenjoy
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
Rent your own electric boat to explore the lovely Haarlem canals! Enjoy the vibrant city or relax in the beautiful nature around the city in a 6-8 person boat. You can sail the boat yourself and rent as long as you'd like, from 2 hours to a whole day. Book online & enjoy!
7. Grote Markt
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,190 reviews
Reviewed By springlering - Marietta, United States
We have been in Haarlem for several days, and have visited the Square each day. Our own home has a classic town square, and we’ve grown to appreciate how they change character each visit, as does this one. Surrounded by excellent shopping, quaint streets and alleys, with a stunning church and historic buildings, there are nice restaurants to hang out at, a bustling Saturday market, and for those of you who might share our secret vice, lots of Pokestops to hold your interest. The VVV (tourist information) on the square has several nice brochures featuring historic or memorial walks. Or (and this is the nuttiest tourist tip you’ll ever get) download Pokemon (a free app). Real world locations (or “Pokestops”) are points of interest that locals have added to the game. Particularly in Haarlem, we’ve found all kinds of local buildings, small statues, architectural features and more unique and easy to miss features and oddities we never would have noticed had other players not flagged them on the easy to follow 3D map that is part of the game. Pop into St Bavo’s and see if you are lucky enough to catch an organ rehearsal or concert. The little visitors center next to the big visitors center has a beautifully produced film with a history of Haarlem that is worth seeing.
8. Draaiorgelmuseum
9. Haarlemmerhout
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By grimsdyke1881 - Lithuania, null
It’s a small beautiful place. Not far from Amsterdam, it will take you 20-25 min by train or car . Haarlem is also notable for the fact that it is located very close to the main tourist places and cities of Holland: from Schiphol, Kekenhof, Leiden, The Hague, the North Sea. For this reason, in my opinion, staying in Haarlem during a trip to Holland is a good idea.And if you do not mind drinking a glass of real Dutch beer, be sure to visit Jopenkerk, a brewery located in the building of the former church. Your eyes and taste buds will thank you! :)
10. Club Spaarne
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 34 reviews
Club Spaarne, previously called Rent a Rib, is the cheapest boat rental in Haarlem. We are sociable company where you can rent boats with a group and sail them through the (centre) of Haarlem. We have also made a few routes for those who want to make for example a tour along the windmills of Haarlem.
