Location: Alkmaar
Top Things to do in Alkmaar
Countries
Top 10 Things to do in Alkmaar, The Netherlands
Alkmaar [ˈɑl(ə)kmaːr] ( listen) is a city and municipality in the Netherlands, located in the province of North Holland. Alkmaar is well known for its traditional cheese market. For tourists, it is a popular cultural destination.
Restaurants in Alkmaar
1. Grote Sint Laurenskerk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 145 reviews
Reviewed By WorldTravelOne - Breukelen Ut
This landmark church building is now in use as a huge exposition center for art work. The church is even part of the Dutch 'museum card' (museumkaart; costs about 60 euro's for a year) with which you can visit museums in almost every town of Holland.
2. Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 150 reviews
Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar, which opened in 1875, is one of the oldest museums in the Netherlands. The museum manages the Alkmaar City Council collection, with more than 12,000 objects. The collection of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century paintings is outstanding, with masterpieces of national significance. The museum is also known for its large collection of Bergen School works. Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar is the city of Alkmaar’s memory and the starting point for anyone who wants to experience and discover the history and art of Alkmaar and the surrounding area. This is presented in a topical and personal way in changing and interactive Exhibitions for young and old.
Reviewed By springlering - Marietta, Georgia
I was expecting a bit of a bore of a museum, sort of a red headed stepchild housing the back of the closet items of of the parent museum in Amsterdam. I cheerfully admit, I was totally and unexpectedly wrong. The “Victorie” exhibition of the...MoreThank you so much for your review. We are glad you enjoyed our museum. It is very good to read what we can improve, for example the route inside the museum. Best regards, Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar
3. Cheese Market
Overall Ratings
4 based on 586 reviews
Reviewed By Eyekaytoo - Leverkusen, Germany
We had read all the reviews and did our best to arrive a early as possible to get a good place to see the activities. We parked in an incredibly tight multistory car park adjacent to the Red Light district and, after having scratched the car made the short distance to the cheese market on the large Waagplein. Arriving ca. 09:45 we got a good second row, standing place which was OK as both my friend and I are tall. With his 2 year old daughter on his shoulders we all got a good view into the square which was full of hundreds of the round north Dutch cheeses. At 10:00 precisely two local dignitaries rang the cheese bell which seemed to galvanise the cheese officials into action.
A smart lady guided us through the activities in four languages as well as interviewing a number of VIPs including someone whom we assumed was the mayor. This was simultaneously broadcast onto a large video screen. Then guys in different cheese carrying uniforms started to run around placing the cheese onto trolleys presumably to take them to be weighed. To be honest we soon lost the plot and therefore our interest, particularly with an impatient 2 year old in tow. So we gladly gave up our precious places at the front to the grateful, short people behind us.
Getting out of the scrum was a challenge. The place was completely packed but we eventually escaped across the canal for a welcome coffee and pancake.
At least we can tick this one off the proverbial bucket list. Whilst we weren't so impressed it must be said that Alkmaar is, indeed a delightfully pretty town - a sort of mini Amsterdam and we thoroughly enjoyed a late afternoon visit a day later when the crowds had died down.
4. Beatles Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
The largest Beatles museum in the world. You get to see the biggest Beatles collection collected by one person. With merchandise, LPs original clothes and gold albums. There is also a museum shop where your can score nice Beatles items. And we have a coffee corner where you can recover from the huge collection with a cup of coffee or tea.
Reviewed By CloggieUsa2001 - The Netherlands
This is a cute museum , the person who set it up has all sorts of mementos and things that are Beatle related,,, they also sell DVDs of certain films that the Beatles were in like HELP and YELLOW SUBMARINE,, and of course their music :-)
5. Dutch Cheese Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 160 reviews
On the 6th of March 2014 the Dutch King Willem-Alexander reopened the redesigned Dutch Cheese Museum. The museum received its millionth visitor since 1983, in 2013, marking the start of the complete redesign. In 2014, the story continues 'From Cow to Cheese ' intact, but in a new setting, in the beautiful Weigh House. Both regional day visitors, tourists and children on a schooltrip experience the world of cheese through historical objects, interactive games and audio-visual stories. A great experience for young and old! Follow the Dutch Cheese Museum on Facebook, but above all bring a visit to this friendly museum in Alkmaar.
Reviewed By WorldTravelOne - Breukelen Ut
This museum tells you about the history of cheese making. They have a short movie in Dutch and English (they will start if if you ask a staff member). Friendly staff. Part of the museum is geared towards children, but (grand)parents will find interesting stuff about cheese they did not know before too.
6. AFAS Stadium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By MijnlieverdFH - Amsterdam
Seen from the highway overlooking the stadium, it catches our attention and urged us to try a look. There was no game so lanes were open and parking was easy.
Cafes, and restaurants were around and some other offices and apparel stores. The area is at the outskirt of Alkmaar center going to the next town. It is very must noticeable
as one drives from north to south of Noord Holland.
7. Alkmaar City Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
8. Molen van Groot (Piet)
Overall Ratings
4 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By WorldTravelOne - Breukelen Ut
The 'Molen van Piet' (as it is called by locals) is the windmill owned by the 'Piet'-family. It has been in that family for a very long time, generation after generation. It is now not open for the public any longer, but of course you can walk the path around it and admire the beauty of it from a distance.
9. Nationaal Biermuseum De Boom
Overall Ratings
4 based on 75 reviews
Reviewed By DusanMih - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Biermuseum tells the brewing story via the three-storey exhibition. By comparison, similar exhibition in Pilsner/Plzen is a bit more thorough and interactive. If you're a craft brewer you won't be blown away by the content. But there are some excellent archaeological artifacts, including the well-preserved Minerva bar, which testify about the brewist legacy of this Dutch region. Unfortunately, brewing on site ceased in the 18th century.
10. Alkmaarderhout en Westerhout
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By bas k - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Alkmaarder Hout offers large mature beech and oak trees around a dear-enclosure and aviary.The first trees were planted in 1607 and were replaced over the centuries.L.A Springer designed the current park between the old centre of Alkmaar and the woodland"Bos van Heiloo".Both the Alkmaar cemetery and the MCA Alkmaar Hospital are situated inside the large park causing a considerable amount of visitors.Ienjoyed the first crocusses of spring in february.
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