Things to do & places to visit in Gouda, South Holland Province, The Netherlands

Lying about 15 miles northeast of Rotterdam, Gouda is most famous for its eponymous cheese. One of its most prized attractions, De Waag on the town square, was once a weighing house for cheese traders and now features an exhibit detailing the entire cheese making process. Also on the square is the 15th-century town hall, one of the oldest in the Netherlands. On Thursday mornings during the summer, the town’s Markt turns back into a traditional cheese market, something not to be missed.

Gouda city in , South Holland Province, The Netherlands. Timezone: Europe/Amsterdam, current date and time: Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 22:08.

Gouda Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in May

62°F - 47°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Moderately chilly and breezy

Feels like

22%

Chance of rain

69.0 millimeters

Amount

15.0 mph

Wind speed

73%

Humidity

15.6

Daylight length

5:48 AM

Sunrise

9:26 PM

Sunset

46%

Cloud cover

Sweater

What to wear

Top things to do (22)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 StadswandelingenGouda (10 reviews)
- Great tour of the city!
Tuesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas • Monuments & Statues • Scenic Walking Areas

A historic city walk in the historic center of Gouda. You will walk in a small group of max. 15 people. The experienced guides show you the most beautiful and interesting places in Gouda. The small scale of the city is attractive for walking. You will be surprised what Gouda has to offer. You are welcome. Robert See more..
5.0 De Theaterbakkerheij (4 reviews)
- De Theaterbakkerheij
Spent 2-3 hours Theaters

Altijd gezelligheid! Laagdrempelig en acts van hoge kwaliteit. Zeker een plek waar je Gouda moet zijn geweest. See more..
5.0 Molen 't Slot (2 reviews)
- A pietra circolare
Tuesday: Points of Interest & Landmarks

Il mulino è un monumento nazionale. Costruito sui resti del castello Gouda. Il mulino a pietra circolare è uno dei quattro rimanenti mulini In Olanda
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4.5 Sint-Janskerk (559 reviews)
- Beautiful but too pricey.
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

THE LONGEST CHURCH OF THE NETHERLANDS The great fire of 1552 destroyed much of the medieval church of Saint John. Shortly after the disaster, the council commissioned the reconstruction of the most startling church of Holland. With 123 meters it is also the longest church in The Netherlands THE 72 STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS ARE WORLD-FAMOUS Entering the Church of St. John, one falls silent at the sight of the majestic space with the 72 world-famous stained-glass windows. That first experience will only get stronger when you see the marvellous light by the 'Dutch Masters' invading the Church. The rich history of Holland can be read in the large windows. It is a beginning of an impressive discovery along biblical and historical scenes of human emotions. Then you understand that the Gouda St. John is one of the highest rated attractions in the Netherlands! See more..
4.5 Stadhuis Gouda (City Hall) (474 reviews)
- Where my parents were married.
Architectural Buildings • Government Buildings

The city hall of Gouda was completed in 1450 and is the oldest gothic city hall in the Netherlands. See more..
4.5 Gouda Cheese Market (425 reviews)
- Gouda, South Holland.
Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • Farmers Markets

Gouda, South Holland. Gouda is an incredible adventure in a small friendly town and the namegiver to the famous Dutch cheese. Gouda is a city and municipality in the west of the Netherlands, between Rotterdam and Utrecht, in the province of South Holland. Gouda is a small town but its history is interesting. On the main square near old City Hall you can visit the Cheese Market on Thursdays, from April onto the end of August. The traditional market dates back from 1395. You can buy tasty cheese and watch wonderful folkloristic performances. There is a modern and free toilet in the central square. Also in the city there are Dutch-style urinals a bit similar to Amsterdam ones. You can go outside the city and visit the Reeuwijkse Plassen, or the Goudse Hout, lakes in and around Gouda for a good picnic outside the town. Lakes are in an hour walking away from the centre of the town or even less. A city also famous for its Gouda cheese, stroopwafels (dutch waffles) and candles many... See more..
4.5 Plaza Markt. (234 reviews)
- Huge triangular plaza
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks

Apart from the gothic town hall and the Cheese Weighing House (‘De Waag’, both reviewed elsewhere) there are no important sights on the central plaza of Gouda, simply called ‘Market’ (‘Markt’ in Dutch). Many old houses have clearly been altered and some have particularly ugly shop fronts. We had a quick look at the 19th century façades of the former Hotel De Zalm (now a restaurant) at N. 34 and at the former courthouse and art school (hence the inscription ‘Arti Legi’) at N. 27. There is little of interest for architecture buffs here. Yet, the overall impression is rather charming and there are lovely views towards St John’s church. See more..
4.5 Gouda Cheese Experience (52 reviews)
- Everything a cheeselover dreamed off :)
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

If you say Cheese, you say Gouda “Say Cheese Say Gouda” The whole world knows it, the whole world eats it. But do you also know the story of Gouda Cheese? This is your chance, experience Gouda Cheese in the one and only Gouda Cheese Experience. In our beautiful building in the heart of Gouda you will go on a unique and interactive journey through a golden yellow universe. See more..
4.5 Red Lion Windmill (Molen De Roode Leeuw) (29 reviews)
- Interesting City Centre Windmill
Historic Sites

We love visiting mills, especially working ones where you can buy flour, semolina, etc. In the UK they are invariably out-of-town so you can imagine our surprise to find two in the city! It's possible to enter the mill (€1.50 at the time of writing) and climb to the platform that runs around the outside. The mill is in good working order but the ladders are steep. There are good views of the city from the platform. The mill was turning when we visited so it's sensible to avoid going near the sails. The adjacent shop sells many types of flour, such as wheat, rye and oat, mainly as bread mixes. Taste the difference from flour produced by industrial roller mills. Stone-ground flour is nuttier and retains more of the oil from the husk. Recommended. See more..
4.5 Kinderboerderij De Goudse Hofsteden (28 reviews)
- Great place to visit with your kids!
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Zoos

Petting Zoo 'De Goudse Hofsteden': a nice day out for the whole family! Feeding the geese, hugging a goat, playing in a natural environment or discovering new plants in the vegetable garden - it's possible! Petting Zoo 'De Goudse Hofsteden' is a perfect day out for the whole family. See more..
4.5 Gallery Honingen (14 reviews)
- Great collection, friendly atmosphere
Spent < 1 hour Art Galleries

Honingen Gallery is since 1997 specialized in contemporary realism and exclusively represents a carefully selected number of established artists. You're welcome to view the collection. See more..
4.5 Museum De Moriaan (6 reviews)
- Amazing musea
Historic Sites

I have come to this musea since I was a young boy. The pipes always amazed me. This is highly recommendable to all tourists. See more..
4.5 Museumhaven Gouda (3 reviews)
- Lovely corner of Gouda
Spent 1-2 hours History Museums

We had a short walk around Gouda’s museum harbour (‘museumhaven’ in Dutch) on a grey and rainy day in early March. Despite the weather it was a very atmospheric place offering lovely views on moored sailing and other boats, old warehouses, the Barbara Tower (1501) and two windmills. But as architecture buffs we were not in the area to see Holland in a nutshell but to have a look at the former red-brick spinning mill (1914) at Turfsingel 31 - 34, which has been converted into a cultural centre called ‘Cultuurhuis Garenspinnerij’ in 2014. Only the outer walls of the factory have been kept but the majestic aspect of the industrial site has not been lost. We were allowed to roam freely and were truly impressed. We also had a look at (the outside of) the director’s house right next to the factory. From there it was only a short walk along Turfsingel to the harbour. See more..
4.0 Museum Gouda (190 reviews)
- Typical pleasant city museum with café
Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums • History Museums

Museum Gouda recounts the history of the wonderful city Gouda. You will see unique sixteenth century altarpieces, instruments of torture from the Middle Ages, seventeenth century civic guard group portraits and Gouda pottery, which is famous all over the world. See more..
4.0 Waag (Weighing House) (185 reviews)
- Fun little museum - definitely book the wine & cheese tasting
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Fun little museum - definitely recommend taking the audiotour as it explains the history of Gouda and the cheesemaking history & process. You would not pick this up without the audiotour. The star of the visit was definitely the wine and cheese tasting with Rick! You can book this separately and I would 100% recommend! You get to try 4 types of Dutch cheese with a wine pairing. The host Rick was great and able to explain so much about cheese & Gouda in general. The wine & cheese tasting was only £12.50 per person and was amazing, would have paid a lot more! See more..
4.0 Goudse Hout (37 reviews)
- Swimming, biking , walking and food all in the same area
Spent 1-2 hours Parks

If you are staying in the are of Rotterdam or Utrecht this area is the place where you have to spent a day, there is a small beach if you want to go for a swim , you can also go for surfing or diving. Great place to start a walk around the one on the lakes or to hire a bike and make a nice tour into the green heart of Holland. You can close the day with a nice diner at the water. You can rent bikes and boats or canoe at the Landal bungalow park. Bonus , there is plenty of parking space See more..
4.0 Stadsbibliotheek Gouda (23 reviews)
- library with very broad opening times and a place to drink or eat is there too
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Libraries

We like this library. It is open every day from early morning till nine in the evening. You can sit down and read newspapers, magazines or borrow books or other media. But in the same space there is also a full fledged place to drink or eat called Kruim. It is a very good match. Relaxing welcom and warm atmosphere. Well done Gouda! The building has the weird name 'chocolade fabriek' (Dutch for: chocolate factory). It is in a short walk from the inner city. See more..
4.0 rijksmonument Houtmansplantsoen uit 1829 (11 reviews)
- Fine little park
Spent 1-2 hours Parks

Houtmansplantsoen is an attractive little park with a variety of tall trees and winding footpaths on a sloping terrain. When we visited the weather was bad and we only made a quick tour but, on a sunny day, it could be a nice spot for a picknick. The park is dotted with monuments. High up, at the top of some stairs, there is a fine windmill (1832) called Castle mill (‘t Slot’ in Dutch). It was built on the site of the castle of Gouda, which was demolished in 1577. There is a (disused) fountain memorial (1895) to a former mayor of Gouda. We liked the contemporary bronze water spout in the form of a cormorant by artist Ineke Van Dijk. A second monument (1880) is a tribute to the brothers Cornelis and Frederik Houtman, after whom the park is named. The seafaring brothers discovered the maritime East Indies route in the 16th century. In the lower part of the park there is an elegant cast-iron bandstand (‘De muziektent’ in Dutch, reviewed elsewhere). See more..
4.0 tuin van het Willem Vroesenhuis (9 reviews)
- a peaceful small park next to Sint Janskerk
Spent < 1 hour Parks • Gardens

This small public garden offers a statue of Erasmus by artist Hildo Krop and is a suitable place for a picknick .The gardens offer views on historic Jeruzalem-kapel build in the year 1500 in the style of the Jeruzalem Holy Grave Church.I enjoyed the view towards the Willem Vroessenhuis(build1555,enlarged1644) and Verenigd Wees en Aalmoezeniershuis dating from 1599. See more..
4.0 Oud-katholieke kerk Gouda (7 reviews)
- beautiful building being kept up well
Tuesday: Spent 1-2 hours Churches & Cathedrals

This church has been kept up very well. When we were there they were working on the upkeep. It is a beautiful building. See more..
4.0 Van Bergen IJzendoornpark (7 reviews)
- wonderfully peaceful park with water features and places to sit and relax
Spent < 1 hour Parks

This park is a hidden gem of Gouda. It is a ten minute walk from the central market square and Saint John's Church. It is also very near Gouda's train station. Worth stretching your legs. See more..
4.0 De Vier Gekroonden (5 reviews)
- Attractive old house
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

Walking down Naaierstraat we admired this cute little house with its late gothic tracery and large, colourful frieze representing stone masons and bricklayers at work. There probably was a statue in the empty space between the panels, otherwise there would have been some tracery. Maybe a Madonna? The name of the house, ‘The Four Crowned Ones’ (‘De Vier gekroonden’ in Dutch) refers to four men who, according to Christian tradition, were killed on order of Roman emperor Diocletian because they refused to sculpt a pagan statue. They became the patron saints of stonemasons, stonecutters and bricklayers. It is not known for certain who crafted the frieze but historic data confirm both a bricklayer and a stonemason lived in the house. Architecture lovers may want to have a look at other interesting houses on Naaierstraat, dating mainly from the 17th and/or the 18th century (for instance at Numbers 2, 5, 12, 13-14, 15, 16, 21-22). See more..
4.0 Galerie Montulet (5 reviews)
- gallery with a selection of fine art
Tuesday: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Art Galleries

Nice little gallery to browse and see the works of art up close. The portrait of famous soccer player and trainer Johan Cruyff in the shop's window is really something. See more..
4.0 Atelier de Vrouwentoren Gouda (2 reviews)
- quaint tower with art entrepreneur inside
Tuesday: Spent < 1 hour Art Galleries

Translated from Dutch this building is called the Gouda women tower gallery. It is in good shape on the outside and worth a look. It is rather odd, because you just know that something is missing, it used to be part of a chapel with pews, but that hasn't been the case for many centuries. It is now in use by an artist/entrepreneur. See more..
3.5 Rijksmonument De Visbanken (17 reviews)
- Old Fishmarkets
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

Next to the Gouwe old fish markets are now in summer used for lunch or dinner. A special place for a drink or a good bite. See more..
3.5 Monkey Town Gouda (16 reviews)
- Best kids play EVER!!!
Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Playgrounds

Come and play in the best indoor playground in Gouda and the surrounding area. Slide down the exciting slides, jump on the trampolines with a view over the playground, a crazy laser game arena and much more. For parties full of excitement but without any mess in the house, you are also at the right address. See more..
3.5 Verzetsmuseum Zuid-Holland (13 reviews)
- Why the Jews disappeared from Gouda
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

from 15 till 23th of September the Museum for Peace and Non-Violence presents the Week of Peace. A week filled with workshops and activities around the themes: peace and happiness. Look for the current program on our site. And join us in Gouda! See more..
3.5 Agnietenkapel Gouda (9 reviews)
- 15th century religious architecture ;Agnietenkapel Gouda
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Churches & Cathedrals

Agnietenkapel Gouda was build in 1450 and after the reformation was converted to a cloth manifacture in the 17th century.The chapel has,like many former churches in the Netherlands, lost its religious function for centuries.The situation across HEMA department store in the shopping district of Gouda makes it a familiar landmark in Gouda.I enjoyed walking the area and reading the info sign on the monument. See more..
3.5 Gouwekerk (8 reviews)
- Very impressive architecture
Tuesday: Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals

The stained glass windows are exquisite. The scale of the building sure to make you feel tiny. Although our information said the church is open everyday, on Sunday it is only open for a service in the morning, no sightseeing. See more..
3.0 Dino Experience Park (38 reviews)
- Niet alleen voor kinderen
Tuesday: Spent 2-3 hours Amusement & Theme Parks

In the Dino Experience Park you will encounter over 70 species of dinosaur. By walking the Dino Trail and answering the questions in your Ranger Passport you will become a true Dino Ranger. Feel like a researcher at the simulated excavation or compare yourself to the dinosaurs in the Dino Gym. Along with our many other activities this will give you both an educative and thrilling dino-experience. See more..