Haarlem
This is where we live, no more than 15 minutes by train outside of Amsterdam and we LOVE it here. If you are looking for somewhere a little quieter out of the tourist madness, come stay here. We are still discovering the city as we speak and we are falling more in love with it every day. In my opinion, this is the food capital of the Netherlands, the incredible food choices are endless.
I have to admit, I wouldn’t call myself yet a full expert on this city but just being here is magical enough.
Best Tourist Spots:
Corrie Ten Boom House - The famous book from the war called The Hiding Place, is about this specific house. You can tour inside & see everything you have possibly read about. If not - see a very cool piece of WW2 history.
Boat Tour - Just like in Amsterdam, Haarlem offers many really neat canal tours. A great way to see the city and enjoy a drink on the water!
Windmill - Visit this one you see pictured here! it’s right in the center and has a very cool history
Kopelgevangenis - right near the windmill is this former prison in a super unique circular shape. Head inside, and check out the history of this building. Also while inside you can sign up for some fun escape rooms or even go see a movie!
Teylers Museum - I haven’t been yet but it’s on my list and a Haarlem tourism must! This is literally the oldest museum in the country. Within its collection, you’ll find Michelangelo’s and Rembrandt’s artwork, together with a fantastic natural history collection
Grote Markt - Half the restaurants on the list below are here as well as the iconic church & view of Haarlem. So make sure you come to this square.
de Gouden Straatjes - Really cool shopping streets!
Frans Hals Museum - One of the most famous Dutch painters (we have a lot of them) The museum is located in the building from the 17th century, built as a home for elderly citizens of Haarlem. Frans Hals Museum has two locations. The one dedicated to Frans Hals’ work, Hof, is located at the old building on the Groot Heiligland 62. The other one, Hal, where you can see modern painters inspired by his work, is at the Grote Markt 16.
Walk Around - I know I always say this but in this city that is my FAVOURITE part. Every time you see a tiny street of houses, walk down it. This city has the absolute cutest tiny side streets where you can’t believe people actually live there! When we signed our marriage papers we just walked down any tiny road we saw, took a photo with my phone and it looked like we got professional photos done. All because we live in one of the most beautiful spots in the country.
Best Food:
Nice Restaurants
Genuinely I think Haarlem has the best food scene I’ve found so far in this country. There is so many incredible restaurants I haven’t even discovered them all myself yet but this is what we’ve tried and loved thus far.
In ‘t Goede Uur - OMGGGGG. We went here for my birthday and it was such a cool experience. It’s an old house in a tiny street where you get served only cheese fondue and wine. I can’t wait to go back here.
The Wolfhound Irish Bar & Kitchen - best burger in the city. Hands down. It’s huge so beware come hungry. Get a Guinness and enjoy!
The Golden Bull - if you canadian’s are missing steak, this is the best in the city. Their entire menu is steak, wine, whiskey, and sides. It’s incredible.
Cafe Collette - Right in the center by the church. Great french food, amazing patio views.
Dakkas - when you enter here you enter in a parking garage so you will think I am joking but it’s a super cool greenhouse style rooftop lounge. Great veggie / vegan options, & drinks.
De Lachende Javaan - You can’t come to this country and not eat indonesian food. This place is the most authentic i’ve ever eaten (other than at my Tante Mini’s house). Get a rijstafel for your group and eat eat eat.
Napoli - this is an old italian place from the 1960’s that has never moved or renovated (lol). But it’s authentic Italian for a great price and a super fun place to bring a group. We went here with our parents after we signed our wedding papers.
Fortuyn - great place dead center, with lots of just great eats and a really nice vibe inside like you are in a forest.
Louisiana Lobstershack - A super fun hole in the wall place which has insane cocktails and literal bags of seafood. It’s a super fun concept.
This is a tiny piece of the many, many incredible restaurants in this city. So feel free to just explore this on your own as well, we are in the process of the same!
Quick Bites
Chidoz - amazing authentic mexican right next to the train station. We order burritos here at least once a month!
Shalom Grillhouse - the most authentic shoarma you can find in the city. We love to eat here before we go to the movies. It’s been in this old house in the center for years.
Frietkamer - The best snackbar / fries tent in the city. Order 2 kroket, 2 fries with peanut sauce & mayo and you are set.
Lastly - we are known for our beer in Haarlem! The Jopenkerk is a famous beer that we have the brewery restaurant literally located in an old church. It’s an experience you can’t get anywhere else. Also the Uiltje bar is also a great brewery to visit!
Places to Stay
There are many places at different price points. I have just added some I know from experience are a safe bet I thought I would share for inspiration. There is thousands to choose from though so please do your research on what works best for your price point!
HotelML is a perfect location and I’ve heard the restaurant is also worth raving about.
MAF is in the perfect area as are all of these. It’s a really beautiful boutique hotel experience.
Airbnb. If you are with your family please look at houses on Airbnb. There are tons of great deals for full houses where many can stay together. If you want me to check location, please let me know!
Hotel Lion d’'Or is more budget friendly but perfect location if this is what you are looking for.
To be clear, there are so many hotels in this city and many you can get for even cheaper. I just wanted to give you a good variety that if you are going to spend money on this these are ones I know you won’t be dissapointed. Don’t be afraid to check AirBnb (especially since there are so many of you, team up and rent a bigger space) and the best site Booking.com as that was born here in Amsterdam they always have the best stuff in my opinion.
If you want me to check where the hotel you like is located & if it is a good place, let me know and I’m happy to take a look!
Just outside of the city day trip.
I would barely even consider this not a part of Haarlem but we are ALSO right next to the sea as they are in Den Haag.
You must visit either Zandvoort (yes this is also where the formula 1 track is) or Blomendaal en Zee and sit at a beach club for a drink or spend a day in the sand.
If you are feeling really outdoorsy it’s super cool to bike through or walk through the sand dunes.
Getting to Haarlem from Schiphol Airport
I would actually recommend Uber to get to Haarlem. By train you have to go via Amsterdam so it’s not worth the transfer. Generally I would always advise train but here I think you get more for your money with Uber.
Follow the signs to ‘‘Ride Share Pick-Up Area’’ it’s this designated area where Ubers can ride in to pick you up. It’s super easy to locate and a really clean and clear system. Should cost you maximum 40 euros, usually around 20 when it’s not busy. It will only take 15-20 mins to get into Haarlem.
Taxi is also always possible as is the train. Taxi will be way more expensive than Uber. Train is great, just you need to transfer at Amsterdam Sloterdijk so you will need to drag your luggage off and on the train.