Are you headed to Amsterdam and wondering if the neighboring city of Haarlem is worth visiting as a quick day trip? If so, you’ve come to the right place. This article will go over all the things to see and do in Haarlem and discuss if adding the little Dutch city to your trip is worth it or not.
I lived in Haarlem for two years while I was working in Amsterdam. So to start with my personal opinion, I absolutely adore Haarlem and I think it’s worth at least a half day trip when visiting Amsterdam or elsewhere in the Netherlands. It was such a neat little city to call home and I have very fond memories of my time there.
Now of course visiting a city is totally different than living there. But there are plenty of fun things to do in Haarlem to keep you entertained. After reading through all the info on this page you will have a pretty good idea if Haarlem is in your future or not!
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An Introduction to Haarlem
Haarlem is a small Dutch city that is often overlooked as compared to its bold, internationally famous neighbor Amsterdam. Just 20 km (12.5 miles) from central Amsterdam, it’s practically a suburb of the Dutch capital city. In fact, most people who live in Haarlem work in Amsterdam, as it’s only about a 15 minute train ride between cities.
In the United States, Haarlem is probably most known for being the namesake for the traditionally African-American neighborhood of upper Manhattan, which dropped one the a’s when branding itself as Harlem.
If you’re not familiar with the entire history of New York City, we won’t get into it here, but New York used to be New Amsterdam, a Dutch colony, before the Dutch traded it to the Brits for the tiny Indonesian island of Run that was known for nutmeg. Nice one Dutch East Indies Company!
Outside of that, Haarlem is not too well known internationally, and enjoys its place as a quiet alternative to Amsterdam. But Haarlem has its own charm and offers plenty of reasons to visit, which we will explore in this article.
How to get to Haarlem
Getting to Haarlem is as simple as can be. Coming from Amsterdam it’s a 15-minute train ride to Haarlem Central Station. If you’re coming from The Hague, then it’s about a 35-minute ride. The Dutch train system, NS, is superb and trains run between Amsterdam and Haarlem about every eight minutes
If you’re going directly to Haarlem from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, it’s a little more complicated. You can take the #300 bus about 45 minutes or take the train to Amsterdam Sloterdijk Station then change trains to Haarlem. The train is a bit quicker, albeit a bit more difficult with the transfer.
If you’re on a road trip around the Netherlands, Haarlem is also small enough to park outside the city center and walk into. If you have a rental car, just be sure to drive the speed limit because speed cameras are literally everywhere in and around Haarlem.
Click here to find a great rate on a rental car in the Netherlands!
Weather and when to visit
The Netherlands is not exactly known for its amazing weather. No one comes here for warm, sunny days. The country, in general, is often rainy, gloomy, and windy, and Haarlem is no different. Rain falls throughout the year on average about 10-13 days per month. The sunniest month is May, which often has better weather than the summer months.
Summer temperatures are mild, borderline chilly, with the average high being around 73 degrees (22.5 C). But summer days are long, with light in the sky till around 11 PM. Winters are mild too, usually with daily highs around 43 degrees (6 C) and overnight lows just above freezing. The hardest part of winter is the darkness and the grayness of the skies.
The best month to visit Haarlem is May and that is based on the weather and the crowds. While not nearly as crowded as Amsterdam, Haarlem is a popular place for the Dutch to go shopping on the weekends, so it can be quite crowded in the little city. May also features long days and comfortable temperatures, which makes it a great option.
If you want to read more about the best time of year to visit the Netherlands I have an entire article dedicated to it. You can read that here!
Language and money
The Dutch are some of the best English speakers in the world and you’ll be hard pressed to find someone in Haarlem that doesn’t speak fluent English. So you will be able to get by just speaking English, although it’s nice to know a few phrases in Dutch to be polite to the locals.
The currency in the Netherlands is the euro and you don’t need to carry any cash unless you think you might go to a supermarket. For whatever reason, Dutch supermarkets don’t take credit cards and only take cash or local debit cards. Everywhere else will accept your credit card.
Food in Haarlem
The Netherlands is one of those countries that doesn’t really have an internationally known cuisine. That isn’t to say that the Dutch don’t have their own food. On the contrary, there are actually quite a few unique Dutch foods and you’ll find all of these in Haarlem.
There is no particular food the city is known for, but you’ll find many delicious cheeses, pastries, and other goodies at the Haarlem Saturday Market in the city’s main square. There are not really any particularly amazing restaurants in Haarlem, but if you want a neat experience check out the Jopenkerk, an old church turned into a brewery and restaurant by local brewer Jopen.
Haarlem city tours
One easy way to see all of the main attractions in Haarlem is to take a walking tour or a canal cruise with a local tour guide. The walking tour will take you all around the old city and teach you a little about the history of Haarlem. The canal cruise will be less hands on and informational, but will be far more relaxing. You can check out some tour options for these types of tours below.
- Guided small group Haarlem walking tour
- Haarlem sightseeing boat tour (with drinks!)
- 50-minute Haarlem canal cruise
Travel insurance
When traveling around the Netherlands, it’s advised to have travel insurance so that you’re protected in case of unexpected circumstances or illness. We use World Nomads when we travel internationally. Word Nomads provides coverage to travelers in over 100 countries. You can search for a coverage plan using the link below.
Things to do on a Day Trip to Haarlem
Most people choose to visit Haarlem as a day trip or half day trip from Amsterdam. While there are hotels in Haarlem, this is by far the most popular way to see the city. So let’s now go through the best things to do on your day in Haarlem, in no particular order.
Grote of St. Bavokerk Haarlem
The Grote of St. Bavokerk Haarlem is the city’s main landmark and the second largest cathedral in the Netherlands. The church dominates the skyline of the city with a 78-meter tall bell tower. It’s located right on the main square right in the center of the city. The current church dates back to 1479 although records indicate that a church was on the site as early as 1307.
The church is magnificent to observe from the outside but can also be visited inside. Entrance costs only 4 euros and the church is open to visitors Monday – Saturday from 10:00 – 17:00. On Saturdays you can also join a guided tour of the church for 7 euros more, where you’ll be taught about the history of the church as well as the Muller Organ. The organ is one of the most historically significant in the world and was the world’s largest upon its completion in 1738. It’s been played by the likes of Mozart and Handel and was even mentioned in the famous book Moby Dick!
Teyler’s Museum
Teyler’s Museum is the oldest museum in the Netherlands. Established in 1778, the museum showcases an eclectic combination of contemporary art, natural history, and science.
Pieter Teyler was a wealthy merchant and banker from Haarlem who spent his life amassing a great fortune. With no children, he left his fortune to establish a foundation for theological studies and scientific studies. After his death the museum was formed in his honor and a visit to the museum today takes you through his old house as well.
Entry to the museum costs 16.50 euros and can be booked online ahead of time for easier access. The museum is not large, but if you’re going to visit you should plan to spend at least an hour or two inside. It’s the ideal rainy day activity in Haarlem.
Jopenkerk Haarlem
The Jopenkerk Haarlem is a marvelous old cathedral in the city center that has been turned into a brewery and restaurant. Jopen is one of the more popular craft beers in the Netherlands, tracing its beer recipes back hundreds of years. In 2010 they opened the Jopenkerk and it has been a Haarlem staple ever since.
If you’re visiting Haarlem as a day trip from Amsterdam, the Jopenkerk is a great place to get lunch while you are out exploring the city. If it’s a nice day they have an outdoor terrace you can enjoy your food and beer on. But really, nothing beats being inside the old church in all its glory.
Visit the best brewery in the Netherlands
Speaking of beer, the Amsterdam region has a ton of great breweries, and arguably the best brewery in the Netherlands is in Haarlem. In the industrial part of town you’ll find the Uiltje Brewery. Uiltje means quite literally “little owl” and their brewing mission is to make the best beer in the Netherlands. They certainly have succeeded!
A visit to the Uiltje brewery will allow you to try all their amazing beers that are currently in production and enjoy a laid back environment away from the city. It’s a bit of a pain to get to if you want to rely on the bus, but it is doable. If you want something closer, Uiltje runs a brewpub in the city center that’s the perfect place for a happy hour beverage.
Bike around the city
You’re in the Netherlands so you might as well do some biking, right? Renting a bike for the day is also the perfect way to easily get around the city to do the other things discussed on this page. Like the rest of the country, Haarlem has fantastic biking infrastructure. And the bike paths are not nearly as crowded as the paths in Amsterdam.
For renting a bike, head to Rent a Bike Haarlem. It’s right by Haarlem Central Station and a full day rental will only set you back 14.50 euros. Reserve in advance to save some time once you get there.
Visit Zuid-Kennemerland National Park
Haarlem is pretty close to the beach. Close enough for a nice bike ride to Zandvoort aan Zee or Bloemendaal aan Zee. But between the city and the North Sea lies a wild land of vegetated sand dunes and Scottish cattle. Here in Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, you can walk or bike up paths built over the dunes or have a picnic by a pristine lake.
Now, don’t go expecting some amazing natural landscapes here. This is the Netherlands after all. There are 21 national parks in the country and the Dutch government is quite generous with its designations. Not a single one of them would pass the criteria for an American National Park.
But of all the mostly flat, mediocre parks, Zuid-Kennemerland is probably the best. Hills are hard to come by in the Netherlands, but you’ll see some in the park thanks to the vegetated sand dunes. It’s actually a beautiful place to ride your bike around on a nice sunny day.
The park is perfect for a stop on the way to the beach (since it’s literally right on the way), but you can also just take a slight detour from your city ride to visit the park. Without a bike or a car, however, visiting the park might not be worth the effort, as you’ll either have to take the bus or get a taxi there and back.
Brederode Castle
Just north of Haarlem and near Zuid-Kennemerland National Park you will find Brederode Castle. The 13th century castle is in ruins, but still a remarkable place to visit. Entrance is 6 euros and you’ll get to explore the castle grounds and walk amongst the ruins.
Getting to the castle takes about 20 minutes by bike from Haarlem Central Station. You can also take a quick hop on the train to Santpoort Zuid station and walk one kilometer from there. If you have a full day in Haarlem the old castle can definitely be worth a visit!
Kathedrale Basiliek Sint Bavo
Haarlem has another another giant cathedral that you’ll find just outside the city center. Kathedrale Basiliek Sint Bavo features a double tower and a central dome. Built between 1895 and 1930, it’s a young church by European standards. But no one could argue that it’s not one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the Netherlands.
You can visit Sint Bavo Wednesday – Sunday from 1-5 in the afternoon. Entry costs only 4.50 euros, or 7.50 if you’d like to climb to the top of the tower. From the top you get a great view of central Haarlem, including The Grote of St. Bavokerk. When spending a day in Haarlem, Sint Bavo should not be missed.
Take in the view from Molen de Adriaan
Another place to get a great view of the city is from Molen de Adriaan. This is a historic Dutch windmill on the banks of the Spaarne River. From the top level of the windmill you look west towards the beautiful city center of Haarlem.
Although the current windmill was built in 2002, it’s an exact recreation of the famous windmill from 1779 that was destroyed in a fire in 1932. Molen de Adriaan has various uses over the years until the fire, most notably as a flour mill.
Visiting the windmill requires a 45-minute guided tour. The tour costs 7.50 euros and can be booked online ahead of time to avoid any potential wait. It’s a good idea to book in advance since the windmill can also be privately rented out for events. Tours run daily from 1-5 in the afternoon, but from 10:30 AM on weekends.
Shop till you drop
Haarlem is one of the Netherlands’ premier shopping cities. Not that it has a larger range of stores than other cities or anything like that. The city just had a nice retail district. People from all over North Holland come to Haarlem to shop on Saturdays. So if you’re visiting on a Saturday, just know that the shopping district can get really crowded.
It comes as a surprise to most Americans that shop hours are not as extensive as US stores. Everything pretty much closes at 6:00 and many stores are not even open on Sunday. So Saturday is shopping day. Go to the retail district on Saturday afternoon and you’ll see what I mean!
Is Haarlem Worth Visiting?
So now that we have gone through all the things there are to do and see in Haarlem, you should have a pretty good idea if Haarlem is worth visiting or not. You’ve seen that there are a number of things to do in Haarlem and that it’s so close to Amsterdam that you can just hop on over on a 15-minute train ride. You don’t even really need to do a day-trip if you want to conserve time. A half-day in Haarlem is great too!
Verdict
So is it worth visiting Haarlem? In this author’s opinion, yes it totally is! Haarlem is a neat little city that offers visitors a chance to explore some charming streets, see some historic gothic cathedrals, and get in touch with a little nature at the same time.
Haarlem is so close to Amsterdam that you could even just head over for lunch or dinner. Or stop there on your way to The Hague or Rotterdam. The possibilities are endless!
Where to stay if you want to spend a night in Haarlem
Want to spend longer in Haarlem and turn that day trip into a cozy overnight experience in the city? That’s not a bad idea! Haarlem is a charming place to spend the night. While it might not have international brand name hotels, there are a few nice accommodation options in the city. Mostly small, independently operated boutique hotels.
Where to stay in Haarlem
More budget option: ibis Styles Haarlem City
Where to stay in Amsterdam
If you’re visiting Haarlem as a day trip from Amsterdam you’ll be most likely staying in Amsterdam. Below are some of my recommendations for hotels in Amsterdam, of which there are plenty to choose from.
Where to stay in Amsterdam
Budget: The Flying Pig Hostel
Affordable: Mercure Sloterdijk
Mid-range: The Hendrick’s Hotel
Luxury: Andaz Amsterdam
Haarlem – Frequently Asked Questions
How much time should I spend in Haarlem?
One day in Haarlem is the ideal amount of time to spend. Most people do this as a day trip from Amsterdam, The Hague, or Rotterdam. It’s also possible to see the highlights of Haarlem in 4-5 hours on a half-day trip.
Is Haarlem the oldest city in the Netherlands?
While Haarlem is quite old, tracing back to the 10th century, it’s not nearly the oldest city in the Netherlands. That honor goes to Nijmegen, which was first founded in Roman times and recently celebrated 2000 years of existence.
What is Haarlem most known for?
Haarlem is known for having a high concentration of cathedrals per capita in its city center and for being the namesake of Harlem, New York. Locally, it’s known as a great place to shop and a quiet alternative to busy Amsterdam.
Was Harlem New York named after Haarlem Netherlands?
Yes, the Harlem neighborhood of New York City was named after Haarlem, Netherlands. All of New York used to be Dutch. In fact, New York was once New Amsterdam before the Dutch traded Manhattan to the English for a small island in Indonesia. Score one for the English!
Final Word
So is Haarlem worth visiting? I certainly think so! But in the end it’s your call to make. Most people who visit Amsterdam skip Haarlem, but as you’ve seen now there are tons of cool and exciting things to see and do in Haarlem. So make that day trip and enjoy Haarlem!
