Haarlem, the capital of the North Holland, is located between Amsterdam and the North Sea. Haarlem is a popular tourist destination because of its many outstanding historical buildings, such as the Grote Kerk and the Cathedral of St Bavo, and its proximity to Amsterdam. Here is a list of the interesting things to do in Haarlem for travelers to explore.
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Things to Do in Haarlem
Grote Kerk
The Grote Kerk, or St. Bavokerk, is Haarlem’s flagship church and one of the city’s most recognizable attractions, located in the Grote Markt Square.
The Grote kerk was built in the 1500s when the previous wooden construction was destroyed, and it has remained as an imposing edifice in the centre of Haarlem ever since.
This church is a fantastic religious construction with a multitude of stunning stained glass windows, a massive ornate Organ, and a beautiful design including wooden ceiling beams.
Frans Hals Museum
The Frans Hals Museum, which opened in 1913 in one of Haarlem’s most notable historic structures, the 17th-century Old Men’s Almshouses, is one of the country’s premier art galleries. The museum, which is divided into two sections — the “Hof” and the “Hal,” concentrates on the work of the Haarlem Academy, a group of artists founded by Frans Hals in the 1600s.
This magnificent museum now houses the world’s biggest collection of Hals’ works, including five of his monumental municipal guard sculptures. His ability to capture a moment and bring it to life in each of the faces is on display in these enormous canvases.
Landmark Windmill
The Netherlands is known for its windmills, and the country boasts a number of antique windmills that have weathered the test of time.
The Moeln De Adriaan Windmill, which was built in 1778, is located in Haarlem. The current structure, however, is a replica of the original, which was destroyed by fire in 1938. A guided tour of the windmill and its museum is available, during which you will learn about its history, the history of Haarlem, and the milling process.
City Hall
The City Hall (Stadhuis) is located directly across from the Grote Kerk and dates back to 1250. In the 1600s, further features were added, such as the external staircase, the north wing, and the Neoclassical façade. In 1913, the tower, Haarlem’s most famous landmark and symbol, was reconstructed according to original intentions.
The interior is especially worth seeing, with many great paintings, antiquities, and keepsakes, as well as fine woodcarvings.
Cathedral of Saint Bavo
There are few cathedrals in Western Europe that compare to the Cathedral of Saint Bavo in terms of opulence, sheer size, and design.
The façade features a number of turrets and towers, two front facing bell towers, and a massive central dome in a spectacular Neo-baroque design.
Teylers Museum
The Teylers Museum, a magnificent structure on the river Spaarne, offers a trifecta of attractions in the shape of an art, natural history, and scientific collection.
The oval chamber, which is floor to ceiling with wooden panels and décor, is a wonderful focal point of this museum.
This wonderful museum houses a variety of prehistoric fossils and minerals, as well as Michelangelo’s paintings and drawings and a huge library.
This diverse museum has exhibits to satisfy everyone’s preferences and is a wonderfully intriguing location to visit.
Amsterdamse Poort
The Bakenessergracht, which is home to some of the city’s oldest and most outstanding structures, is one of Haarlem’s most picturesque areas. Hofje van Bakenes, a charming tiny courtyard originating from 1395 and famed for its cryptic rhyme, is particularly lovely.
The River Binnen Spaarne located at the end of the Bakenessergracht, and it is bridged here by an elegant ancient drawbridge from which you can see the Amsterdamse Poort, Haarlem’s only surviving city gate.
Bloemendaal Aan Zee beach
The shore running parallel to Haarlem is particularly lovely, with extensive lengths of golden sand and well-kept beach resorts.
Bloemendaal Aan Zee is one of these resorts, and it can be reached by the important N200 highway, which goes past Haarlem’s city center.
You’ll arrive at this wonderful resort after only a 20-minute journey. There are almost 4.3 kilometers of sandy beaches, as well as a variety of bars, restaurants, beach stores, and amusements.
These are some of the best things to do in Haarlem that visitors shouldn’t miss during the trip.
