5 things to do in Haarlem

Haarlem is a Dutch city full of culture, history and cosy vibes. From the oldest museum in the Netherlands to some of the country’s best shopping streets, there are a lot of things to see and do in Haarlem.

Activities to make the most of a day in Haarlem

There’s one Dutch word that is often used in the same sentence when talking about Haarlem: gezelligheid (cosiness). If you want to experience the gezelligheid, beauty and history of this city for yourself, here are some of our favourite things to do in Haarlem that would make for the perfect day out:

1. Head to De Adriaan windmill

Begin your day in Haarlem with a visit to the city’s best-known windmill: De Adriaan. Just a 15-minute walk from the station, Molen De Adriaan is quite a sight to see on the banks of the Spaarne River.  

If you pop in while a miller is present, you could see the windmill in action! You can also take a 45-minute tour to learn about the history and operation of Dutch windmills and see models of different types of windmills, while also getting a spectacular view of the city and the river below. 

2. Visit Teylers Museum - the oldest museum in the Netherlands

Next stop: the oldest museum in the Netherlands. Just 10 minutes away from De Adriaan windmill, you can visit the Teylers Museum, which was the first Dutch museum opened to the public in 1784. 

From fossils and art to science and books, the Teylers Museum collections are still displayed as they were in their original galleries. The museum’s Oval Hall is pretty spectacular, with its collection of old books and minerals. Visitors can also walk through the monumental home of museum founder Pieter Teyler. The house has one of the best-preserved interiors from 18th-century Dutch history. 

If you haven’t quite filled your museum fix, you can also visit the Frans Hals Museum, named after the famous Dutch painter. This is Haarlem’s museum of fine arts, housing the largest collection of Frans Hals paintings in the world.

3. Take a stroll along the Gouden Straatjes

Ready to do some shopping? Take a walk along the famous Gouden Straatjes (Golden Streets) where you can find countless unique boutiques, vintage shops and artisanal speciality shops.

The Gouden Straatjes include Zijlstraat, Koningstraat, Gierstraat, Schagchelstraat, Anegang, Warmoesstraat and Kleine Houtstraat. Each street has its own atmosphere and attraction, but Kleine Houtstraat has been named the best shopping street in the Netherlands for a reason, with its diverse selection of shops. 

All the streets are located around the Grote Markt, the central square of Haarlem, where the local market is held every Saturday. Here, you can also catch a glimpse of the stunning St. Bavo Church. While you’re strolling around the streets, you’re bound to see and smell something delicious too, as Haarlem has a lot of great culinary offerings. Why not drop by a cafe to grab a cup of coffee and a snack to fuel your adventures!

4. Have a cold beer at Jopen Brewery

After a lot of walking through the cosy streets of Haarlem, you might be ready to sit down and enjoy a nice cold beverage. Jopenkerk is the perfect place to go for beer lovers - located in a church turned brewery!

Visitors can enjoy craft beer and food pairings while watching beer being brewed at the same time. The Jopen Brewery is a popular spot in Haarlem for a reason, with the warm atmosphere and selection of beers being a big draw. Fret not if you don’t drink - you can still enjoy a non-alcoholic beverage and some delicious food while your beer-lover friends geek out over the beer selection. 

5. Visit the beach in Bloemendaal or Zandvoort

Haarlem is conveniently located near the coast, which means that you can also take a quick trip to the beach while you’re in the area. Whether you want to take a dip on a warm summer’s day or walk along the sand in the brisk winds, while Haarlem may not have its own beach, it is just a quick cycle ride away from several hotspots. 

Bloemendaal beach, also known as Bloemendaal aan Zee, is just a 20-minute bus journey from Haarlem station, while Zandvoort beach is about 30 minutes away by bus and 10 minutes by train. Each beach has its own perks: Bloemendaal has several beach clubs to enjoy, while Zandvoort has a boulevard where you can walk and enjoy a stunning beach view.

No matter which one you choose, you’ll be able to find a nice spot to sit and soak up some rays or have a bite of seafood with friends. The Spaarnwoude is also located nearby, where you can enjoy hiking, biking, canoeing and swimming. 

Plan your day trip to Haarlem

Ready to head out for a fun day in Haarlem? There is a lot to discover in the city, with its cultural hotspots, tasty food locations and historical centre, so get out there and explore - you’re sure to find new gems around every corner.