Things to do & places to visit in Haarlem, North Holland Province, The Netherlands

Though often overshadowed (especially for tourists) by its much larger and more famous neighbor Amsterdam about ten miles east, Haarlem’s history actually goes back further. And with about 150,000 people, it’s the capital of the Noord-Holland region. The Teylers Museum, with its unique collection of art and artifacts, is the oldest museum in the Netherlands. The fantastic Frans Hals Museum has many works by the artist and other Haarlem schoolers. Grote Markt, the main town square, is a must-see.

Haarlem city in , North Holland Province, The Netherlands. Timezone: Europe/Amsterdam, current date and time: Thursday, May 16, 2024, 1:38.

Haarlem Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in May

59°F - 49°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Moderately chilly and breezy

Feels like

22%

Chance of rain

69.0 millimeters

Amount

15.8 mph

Wind speed

75%

Humidity

15.7

Daylight length

5:47 AM

Sunrise

9:28 PM

Sunset

47%

Cloud cover

Sweater

What to wear

Top things to do (16)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Raaks Halle (18 reviews)
- indoorshopping. a variety of 40 cool shops under 1 roof.
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Shopping Malls

Raaks Halle is a shop-in-shop in the citycenter of Haarlem and contains 40 small shops of local entrepreneurs. The range of products in Raaks Halle is therefore very diverse and unique. Thes products vary in the range of design, gifts, fashion, house and living, art and food. There is also a coffee corner. They serve high quality coffee and often homemade pastry. In the spacious basement is a art gallery called Kunst Kelder. The store organizes several cultural events, workshops and live-performances . Finally they also have two escape rooms. Altogether Raaks Halle is a must see in Haarlem. See more..
4.5 Grote Markt (1.225 reviews)
- Very attractive medieval city square
Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Walking Areas

Flanked by the monumental city hall, art museum formerly meat hall, and Majestic St. Bavo’s Cathedral, the market square oozes history. There are several historical and contemporary sculptures, and of course plenty restaurants with outdoor seating. A must visit location in the gorgeous city of Haarlem. See more..
4.5 Frans Hals Museum - Hof (1.119 reviews)
- A great museum with lovely staff
Thursday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Art Museums

The Frans Hals Museum and De Hallen Haarlem came together to form the renewed Frans Hals Museum: one museum at two locations. Where old meets new. Historical works hang alongside contemporary installations, and the Golden Age sits alongside the modern day. The meeting of Old Masters and contemporary art lets you look in a different way and see more. See more..
4.5 Sint-Bavokerk (Church of St. Bavo) (1.115 reviews)
- Simply breathtaking candlelight service
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites

We visited St Bavo’s for the Easter Vigil service and the whole experience was just amazing. The church was candlelit and the atmosphere was just so peaceful and holy feeling. The service was in Dutch but that hardly mattered as it was so beautiful and the choir with the amazing acoustics made the whole experience just magical. We also visited the church in the daytime later in the week for the official tour as well so we got to experience it in a different way but it couldn’t top the candlelight service experience we had. One downside was that the organ was under construction so we didn’t get to view the massive organ. Also, weirdly, there was a carnival set up outside for kings day celebration for a week so getting pics of the outside is the church was difficult as it had carnival rides in the way! But visiting here for the Easter service was one of the highlights of our trip. See more..
4.5 Teylers Museum (1.087 reviews)
- Worth it!
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums

Anyone who opens the museum's heavy door on the bank of the River Spaarne sees at a glance what it is that inspires such enthusiasm. The museum breathes the atmosphere of the 18th and 19th centuries - the Age of the Enlightenment - when people were busily gathering knowledge about the world. Teylers Museum, museum of wonder, is a world in itself, one that you will never forget. Teylers Museum is the best-preserved 18th-century public knowledge institution for the arts and sciences in the world. It has been open to the public since 1784, welcoming all those who are eager to look at paintings and drawings by the Old Masters, magnificent minerals, ingenious scientific instruments, precious books, and centuries-old fossils. The museum's interior alone, with the monumental Oval Room, is a truly remarkable attraction. It is the only authentic 18th-century museum interior in the world. Recently the historical house of founding father Pieter Teyler was added to the museum. See more..
4.5 The Corrie ten Boom House (999 reviews)
- Not to be missed!
Thursday: Speciality Museums

This is a fantastic, must-see. You do have to book in advance and space is limited for each tour because it is a small house. I failed to get the name of our guide, but she was really great. This story needs to be better known. It is actually known more in America and Canada than in The Netherlands. See more..
4.5 Molen De Adriaan Museum (572 reviews)
- Fantastic educational windmill museum
Thursday: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

Fascinating educational tour of this historic windmill and of windmills’ role in Dutch history and development. We were the only ones on our tour, and our volunteer guide was incredibly knowledgeable, demonstrating using small models how different types of windmills worked and how they were reworked depending on what needed to be milled. It was awesome to see the huge sails and to learn about how the miller had to climb them to set the sails to catch the wind, and how the sail positions were used as messaging for the miller and community. Very worthwhile, especially for only 7.5 Euros each! See more..
4.5 Cathedral of Saint Bavo (363 reviews)
- Beautiful! DO NOT MISS!
Thursday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Churches & Cathedrals

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Bavo (New Bavo) was designed by J.Th. Cuypers and built in the period from 1895 to 1930. The Cathedral Basilica is based on the classic form of a three-aisled basilica with chapels along the aisles and chapels along the choir. Because construction took a lot of time and a period of lack of funds in the diocese building temporarily brought, Cuypers was given the opportunity to present his designs several adjustments during construction and perform. The building therefore has an eclectic style, mainly neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic elements alongside Moorish and Assyrian ornament shapes and influences of Art Nouveau and the architect H. P. Berlage. Recently artworks of Jan Dibbets, Gijs Frieling and Marc Mulders were added to the interior. Without doubt a very special building. Activities at this monument: KathedraalMuseum, Willibrord Organ plus periodically vault tours and climbing the towers. See more..
4.5 Haarlem Railway Station (118 reviews)
- Good Old Railway Station
Architectural Buildings

The first railways in the Netherlands were built from Amsterdam to Haarlem. As a result a nice old station was built and I am glad to see that it is still in place to this day. Although it is a traditional station there are modern facilities including lifts to all the platforms for those that need it. There is a nice shop on the central platforms that sells gifts and food and drink as well. You can get trains from here to Amsterdam, Den Helder, Utrecht, Den Haag, Rotterdam, Vlissingen and the local area. Staff I met were all friendly, polite and professional. If you admire railway architecture then this train is worth checking out. See more..
4.5 Haarlemmerhout (51 reviews)
- Harlem in Netherlands lovely place to be
Spent 1-2 hours Parks

It’s a small beautiful place. Not far from Amsterdam, it will take you 20-25 min by train or car . Haarlem is also notable for the fact that it is located very close to the main tourist places and cities of Holland: from Schiphol, Kekenhof, Leiden, The Hague, the North Sea. For this reason, in my opinion, staying in Haarlem during a trip to Holland is a good idea.And if you do not mind drinking a glass of real Dutch beer, be sure to visit Jopenkerk, a brewery located in the building of the former church. Your eyes and taste buds will thank you! :) See more..
4.5 Hofje van Bakenes (39 reviews)
- Concealed retreats
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Haarlem has dozens of concealed retreats ('hofjes'), many of which can be visited during day time. Just open a door and a different world is at your feet - you can download a brochure from the Haarlem municipal website. Van Bakenes is my favorite! (entrance via Bakenessergracht) See more..
4.5 Spaarne (31 reviews)
- Its a river.
Bodies of Water

Yep. Its a river alright. Boats, kayakers. Ducks. Swim races. Bridges. I’m not sure how to rate a river, but it doesn’t reek and isn’t full of garbage so, a very nice river. See more..
4.5 Vleeshal (23 reviews)
- Intricate Architecture
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

Amazing building with great detail in the facades and roof. We didn't go in as we didn't have time but the old meat hall is definitely worth a look See more..
4.5 Proveniershof (23 reviews)
- Oase of peace and quiet
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

We have been searching for this court for a while and finally found it. You walk straight from a busy shopping street through a gate into the court and you enter an oase of peace and quiet. The people who live there are happy here. There is a beautiful image in the middle. See more..
4.5 Draaiorgelmuseum (22 reviews)
- The famous organs can be listened to every sunday afternoon
Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

One needs to be a Street and pub organ enthusiast, interested in Mechanical Music Instruments to go here. Hard to get there, long walk or better rent a bike or a cab. The bar has beer and croque-monsieurs See more..
4.5 Teylers Hofje (20 reviews)
- A must see if in Haarlem!
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

Such an interesting man and a very eclectic collector! The fossils and collection of bones alone were more than interesting but then add to that the beauty of the structure and arrangement of the rooms ! Gorgeous. See more..
4.5 Gasthuis Huisjes (van het vroegere St. Elisabeth's Gasthuis) (19 reviews)
- Back in the old days
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

When you enter this lovely street, you are back in time. The small houses with redbricks are pure art! See more..
4.5 De Olyphant (19 reviews)
- Rijksmonument "De Olyphant";Architecture dating from 1606
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

Opposite the Teylersmuseum on the other side of "Spaarne"river are the double gables of this former brewery dating from 1606.The name Olyphant means Elephant in old Dutch and the animal is presented on a 17th century gable stone.The white drawbridge over Spaarne river brings the pedestrian or cyclist to a quarter called"Spaarnwouderbuurt".This historic area is called after the Spaarndammer Poort later called Amsterdammer Poort. See more..
4.5 NZH Vervoer Museum (10 reviews)
- Музей транспорта. Харлем. Нидерланды
Thursday: Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums • History Museums

More than 100 years of NZH history about Public Transport in North and South Holland. The NZH is known for the Blue Tram and by 1970 it was by far the largest regional transport company in the Netherlands. In 1999 the NZH merged with Connexxion. In the museum you will find four historic trams and many historic buses, which can be viewed inside and outside. In a spacious hall, the museum displays a large number of photos of the trams and buses on the many lines operated by the NZH, scale models of different vehicles, signs, attributes and clothing, and even complete bus and tram stops. There is also plenty to do for children: playing a driver in a large bus, model tram, coloring pages, a scavenger hunt and a play corner. See more..
4.0 Museum Van de Geest (190 reviews)
- Nuts
Thursday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums • Historic Sites • Art Museums

Museum of the Mind has two locations; one in Haarlem and one in Amsterdam. In the Dolhuys museum in Haarlem you can discover more about your own mind and those of others in an interactive way. In the historical building, you will get to peek inside the minds of artists, writers and scientists. The museum invites you on an interactive voyage of discovery into your own mind, and those of others. A museum bursting with personal stories, surprising art and an expansive historical collection, straddling the boundaries between healthcare, art and science. A visit to the museum, located in a centuries-old former leprosarium, plague hospice and madhouse, is an experience focused on the wonder and versatility of the mind. Come visit and allow yourself to wonder about what is normal. Are you normal? See more..
4.0 Museum Haarlem (104 reviews)
- A hidden treasure of Haarlem! Definitely worth a visit!
Thursday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums

This museum is one of the hidden treasures of Haarlem. If you want to see how the city came to become as it is now it is definitely worth a visit. Two rival cities during the Dutch Golden Age period - Haarlem and Amsterdam fought for their own right and, occasionally, with each other - for fame, power and influence. Current permanent exposition will take you through those ages to our modern times. Very cosy museum locatedon the same street just 50 meters from the Frans Hals museum! Another part of the museum hosts temportary expositions - the one I visited this summer had a fantastic photo selection from the 20th century; I guess it is still there until the end of October! See more..
4.0 Archeologisch Museum Haarlem (67 reviews)
- Free, little curio musuem
Natural History Museums

In het souterrain van de beroemde Vleeshal, op de Grote Markt van Haarlem ("Hollandse renaissance", bouwmeester Lieven de Keij) is een klein maar bijzonder aardig museum voor de oudste geschiedenis van Haarlem, met allerlei in de grond gedane vondsten, en goede displays, o.a. een nagemaakte opgraving. See more..
4.0 Stadhuis Haarlem (47 reviews)
- Very Old and Lovely
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites

The City Hall includes some lovely very old brick buildings, an art space, a green courtyard and the functions of the city. Loved the design. See more..
4.0 De Vishal (39 reviews)
- Worth a visit
Spent < 1 hour Art Galleries • Art Museums

The building was elegant in its exterior and magnificent. There was a free art demo that you can see the modern art of Netherlands. Just there for some photos taking and experience the sensational feel of the building itself. See more..
4.0 Toneelschuur (38 reviews)
- Alternative cinema/theatre house
Thursday: 1:30 PM - 9:30 PM Theaters

This modern cinema/theatre building has an interesting design. According to information, when it was renovated in 1998-2003, the design was by a Dutch cartoonist, assisted by the architecture firm Mecanoo. No wonder it looks fun and lively outside. Because I wanted to see a film I had missed back home there, so I went and discovered this lovely place. The cinema screens more arthouse types of films. There are also theatre productions staged. There's a cafe inside. See more..
4.0 Artisklas (30 reviews)
- Educative
Zoos

This is a super nice tiny zoo, with some species which you are not likely to see in bigger zoos. There is plenty of staff who are eager to tell you everything about the animals they care for. See more..
4.0 Haarlemmer Kweektuin (29 reviews)
- A green refuge in the city
Spent 1-2 hours Parks

Playgrounds, cafe, events, goats. Do you need anything else? Its a lovely bit of the city, and there’s really something for everyone. Check their site to see what’s on. See more..
4.0 Frederikspark (16 reviews)
- nice place to spend evening or morning
Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent < 1 hour Parks

The Frederikspark is just in front of Carlton square hotel where I was staying. The park is maintained and clean. Green colourful nature just impart relaxing effect. A lot of locals come here with their children and dogs. Lovely place over all. See more..
3.5 Amsterdamse Poort (142 reviews)
- Pretty cool vestige of Haarlem's past
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Certainly worth a visit if you're in the area, but not a reason to go to Haarlem (fortunately there are plenty of other reasons to go to Haarlem). It is a great representation of what the walls of Haarlem used to be and just how tall they were. You can walk under the gate, but that's about it (it appears that someone may actually live in the tower... but there are no tours that I know of). See more..
3.5 Frans Hals Museum - Hal (133 reviews)
- Good that it is included
Thursday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums

The Frans Hals Museum and De Hallen Haarlem come together to form the renewed Frans Hals Museum: one museum at two locations. Where old meets new. Historical works hang alongside contemporary installations, and the Golden Age sits alongside the modern day. The meeting of Old Masters and contemporary art lets you look in a different way and see more. See more..