If you are heading to Amsterdam, I highly suggest getting outside of the city a little bit! Though Amsterdam is a beautiful city, the Netherlands have some of the most picturesque smaller towns and villages. Haarlem is one of those! Here is what you need to know about visiting Haarlem from Amsterdam.
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Why Visit Haarlem, Netherlands?
Haarlem is a quaint Dutch town only about a minute train ride from Amsterdam central station If Utrecht is what I would consider the little sister to Amsterdam, Haarlem is like the baby sister. It has canals, but only about one small canal and one larger that surrounds the city. In addition, it is home to a traditional windmill that really adds to the charm of the city.
It is a perfect example of a charming, quaint Dutch town much different than the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam.
How to Get to Haarlem from Amsterdam by Train
Getting to Haarlem from Amsterdam is SO easy and one of the perks of adding Haarlem to your Amsterdam itinerary! From Amsterdam Central Station you can take multi intercity trains from Amsterdam central to Haarlem.
If you don’t know already, you need to download the “NS” app to get accurate train times, platforms and stops. If you, like me, typically use the Google Maps app or something similar when navigating trains, you won’t want to in the Netherlands. The NS app is SO MUCH EASIER!
On the app, it will be very clear which platform you need to choose and which direction you should be heading in.
No matter which train you choose, it is only a 15-18 minute ride to Haarlem from Amsterdam. Some of the train options have one stop between Amsterdam and Haarlem and some have a few. The NS app will be clear on which option you are choosing.
Cost: A one-way train ticket from Amsterdam central to Haarlem costs about 4.90 euros.
Where you will Arrive in Haarlem by Train
The Haarlem central train station is located on the northern outskirts of Haarlem (the red marker below). The walk from the train station to the “central” part of Haarlem is about 0.5 miles or a little less than 15 minutes.
The walk is relatively flat from the train station to the city center. However, if you are planning to stay in Haarlem, it can be a bit of a walk with your luggage.
How to Get Around Haarlem
Walk: Haarlem is a very walkable city. Again, the walk from the station on one side of the city is only about a 15 minute walk to the center. So you can walk from the Kloppersingel canal on the far side of the city to the Kampersingel Canal (along Gasthuiswest street in the map above) surrounding the other side in less than 30 minutes.
Bike: Another option is to make like the Dutch and explore via bike. Walking and biking are the two best ways to explore Haarlem.
Public Transportation: Haarlem does have a bus system, but, honestly, by the time you wait for a bus you could probably walk or bike to your next destination quicker.
- However, if you have trouble exploring via foot or bike due to physical reasons, the bus is.a reliable option.
- Haarlem does not, however, have an underground transportation or tram system.
Should you Day Trip to Haarlem from Amsterdam or Stay the Night?
Haarlem is definitely close enough to Amsterdam to have plenty of time for a full day trip. And, it is small enough and walkable enough of a city to see MUCH of the city in one day. So, if you are looking for an easy day trip from Amsterdam, this is definitely a great one.
However, I will say that Haarlem is super charming and is definitely worth a consideration for an overnight stay. It is also a great option if hotel prices in Amsterdam are high!
- This is how we ended up staying one night in Haarlem; Amsterdam was having a dance festival and the hotel prices were OUTRAGEOUS. So, instead of day-tripping, we decided to stay in Haarlem for a night and we honestly really liked it!
Where to Stay in Haarlem
There are loads of great hotels in the central portion of Haarlem. However, some of the hotels and rentals can get expensive in the center of the city.
- And, as I mentioned, Haarlem is very walkable city so you can stay just outside the city center to save some money and still be in walking distance of a lot of what Haarlem has to offer.
If you are looking for a specific recommendation, we stayed at The NIU Dairy– a Holiday Inn hotel that was once a milk and cheese production facility (hence the name).
- Though located just on the other side of the Kinderhuissingel canal (shown below), it was well-within walking distance of everything we wanted to see. In addition, it was clean, had a bar and restaurant and offers bikes for exploring Haarlem!
What to do in Haarlem
Weather you day trip to Haarlem or opt to stay a night, here are some things you should be sure to see and do while you are there!
1. Tour the MOlen de Adriaan
Molen de Adriaan is one of the highlights of Haarlem. It is a beautiful, working windmill located right off of the canal making it the prominent identifying landmark of Haarlem.
Just seeing the windmill from the outside is great, but you can also opt to do a tour inside the windmill. The tour is only about 7.50 euros and lasts about an hour.
- During the tour, you will see how the windmill worked to produce flour, oil, and other products with a super informative tour guide.
- Another perk to doing the tour is that you get to access the deck which gives you a nice view of Haarlem from above!
2. Walk along the Canals of Haarlem
When you are in a city with canals, you have to take a walk along them. Though Haarlem doesn’t have as many canals as Amsterdam, it does have a few and they are very picturesque. The main canals to be sure to check out are:
- Nieuwe Gracht
- Binnen Spaarme
- The Molden de Adriaan (Haarlem windmill) is located at the intersection of Nieuwe Gracht and Binen Spaarme canals
- Bakennessergracht
- Kinderhuissingel- Go to Kenaupark for the best views of this canal.
3. Visit the St. bravo of Ghent Cathedral and See the Müller Organ
St Bravo Cathedral is a Catholic cathedral located in Haarlem’s city center. The cathedral is beautiful, but it is really known for its Müller organ.
- Christian Müller was a Dutch organ builder and the organ inside St Bravo Cathedral dates back to around 1738. If you have the opportunity to hear the organ playing, take it! It can give you chill bumps to listen to an organ with so much history!
4. Take a Canal Cruise
If you have seen a map of Haarlem, you can see that it is encircled by a canal. So a canal cruise can get you a view of the city from all sides for a pretty affordable price.
5. Visit the Markets of Haarlem
Haarlem is home to two different markets. If you are visiting on the weekend, you should really visit! The two markets are :
- Grote Market (Aka Grote Markt)
- This market is the main market in the city center square.
- Open on Mondays and Saturdays from 9am to 4:00pm
- Here you will find things from flowers, to meats, cheeses, clothes trinkets and more
- Botermarkt
- This market is smaller, but is open 4 days a week, with each day offering different items
- Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Monday and Wednesday you will find clothes and books, respectively and Friday and Saturday you will find more food and farmer’s market products.
6. Have a Beer at a Church-Turned-Brewery
A unique restaurant to grab some food for a beer is the Jopenkirk Brewery. Once a church, you can still see the beautiful stain-glass windows and unique architecture of the church. Fair warning, it can get crowded, especially on the weekends, so time your visit right or make a reservation!
- Open 10am to midnight
- Reservations can be made here for the busier days of Wednesday through Saturday
Visiting Haarlem from Amsterdam Recap
Haarlem is such a great addition to an Amsterdam itinerary! I loved the calm vibes with the traditional Dutch architecture, windmills and canals. It is also a cost-effective day trip or overnight stay. Really, it has it all.
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