Haarlem from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Haarlem.

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In cheerful Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, it is easy to get tired of the bustle and influx of tourists. I want to be in peace and quiet, to feel the spirit of antiquity away from the metropolitan whirlwind. And it's not far to go for all this! Just 20 km from Amsterdam is Haarlem, which has all the listed advantages. And not only as a means of changing the scenery, this sweetest city deserves attention, many people go to the capital of North Holland to thoughtfully examine all the local beauties.

How to get to Haarlem

Of course, it is most convenient to go from Amsterdam, trains to the destination go very often (5-6 times per hour) and only 15 minutes. Traveling in second class will cost you 4.30 EUR one way, and in first class - 7 EUR. You can take the train at Amsterdam Central Station or at Schiphol Airport. In this case, the trip will take about half an hour and cost 6 EUR (9 EUR in first class), but the main thing is that you will have to transfer to another train at Amsterdam Sloterdijk station. So, when leaving Schiphol for Haarlem, it is better to use bus number 300. (It also passes through Amsterdam, by the way.) The large red Zuidtangent express trains are distinguished by high comfort and speed, which is achieved by specially designed routes along bus lines not busy with city traffic jams. The whole journey to Haarlem will take 40 minutes maximum and will cost about 4-5 EUR. Please note: a ticket that allows you to travel all day costs 7 EUR, there is a benefit if several trips are planned. Prices on the page are for September 2018.

Don't forget that you are in the Netherlands. Here you can rent not only a car, but also a bicycle. It will take you longer to get to Haarlem on it, depending, of course, on your capabilities, but hardly less than an hour, but you will be more mobile in your movements around the city. But you can’t ride a bike in the Keukenhof flower park, located not far from the city, but in Haarlem - please!

Search for flights to Leiden (nearest airport to Haarlem)

Cuisine and restaurants in Haarlem

Traditionally, most cafes, patisseries and restaurants are concentrated around the Grote Markt, the historic center of the city. The most curious of them is Het theehuis, which has preserved almost untouched furnishings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The food in all cafes is very high quality, the prices are not much higher than in similar establishments in other parts of the city. Again, you can always have a snack on the go with the most delicate herring from the stalls painted in the colors of the Dutch flag - they are distributed throughout the country.

If the soul asks for something sweet, then it makes sense to visit the Rykenberg confectionery, where you can buy a cake for literally 2-3 EUR. This cafe-shop is clearly liked by the townspeople: many buy pastries to take away. In the Ringers confectionery there is less excitement, and the products are no worse, moreover, they are supplemented with all kinds of chocolates and sweets. For a quick snack, the ubiquitous McDonald's or the local Broodmand is suitable. Those who are going to dine at the restaurant can be offered a luxurious Subliem, but only if you are ready to pay an average of about 16 EUR per serving for national dishes. An alternative could be Falafel Land, Jacobus Pieck, Grand Cafe Nobel and others.

Weather in Haarlem

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Shopping and shops

From large shopping centers in Haarlem, you can highlight Wikelcentrum Schalkwijk and many large malls like Dekamarkt (Centrum stop) where you can buy food, clothes, shoes, household goods (pay attention to De Kunstboer) and much more. Cheese, of course, can be bought at any supermarket or market, or you can go to the cozy Kaas Winkeltje shop. And eating the purchased product is especially tasty with coffee, which is an excellent choice here. You can verify this in the De Kale Jonker shop on Zijlstraat, coming from the Grote Markt.

And on this square, in fact, there is a paradise for tourists who pick up gifts and souvenirs. On Saturday and Monday, an extensive market unfolds here, where, like in the good old days, you can buy whatever your heart desires. On Monday (here it is generally a market day) and Friday, the same transformation takes place with the Botermarkt square, turning into a farmers' market. Flower growers, attention: it is in the markets that you can buy tulip bulbs.

Guides in Haarlem

Popular hotels in Haarlem

Entertainment and attractions in Haarlem

The sights of Haarlem literally begin with railway station. It has been rebuilt several times, and last time in the Art Nouveau style, which made an ordinary building a real monument of architecture.

Further on the list of obligatory historical objects is the Grote Markt market square with the Town Hall, which is obligatory for all European cities, and the monumental Cathedral of St. Bavo. Do not confuse it with the Gothic church of St. Bavo (aka the Church of Sint Bavo, aka the Grote Kerk), which houses a huge organ that Mozart, Handel and Liszt once played. By the way, both buildings deserve attention. Just like St. Anne's Church, Villa Velgelegen, Hadrian's Mill, Amsterdam Gate, St. Elizabeth's Hospital, which now houses the Historical Museum.

Not so long history - the second world war- you can remember in the museums of Anne Frank and Corrie ten Boom. Visit the Teyler Museum, the Museum of Industrial Art and the Museum of the Franz Hals painter, which is not far from some of the narrowest and most beautiful streets of the city. And if possible, go to Haarlem in the spring, when the flower parade takes place there in April.

Haarlem, a small provincial town in the Netherlands, located on the Spaarne River just 7 km from the North Sea coast and 20 km from Amsterdam, is the capital of the province of North Holland. This city may eventually become one of the cultural capitals Old World and take a place on a par with London and Paris.

Despite the fact that Haarlem is located in the heart of the Dutch industrial region, the city lies in a very picturesque place near the coastal dunes and the world-famous Dutch tulip fields. Haarlem, known as the "City of Flowers", is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands.

The population of this suburb of Amsterdam is about 147,000 people. The municipality of Haarlem also includes part of the village of Spaarndam, more new district residential development, which is part of the municipality of Haarlemmerliede in Sparmwood.

The earliest mention of Haarlem dates back to the 10th century. The city's name comes from "Haarlo-heim" or "Harulahem" which means "a place on the sand covered with trees and higher than others". A small river, called "De Beek", originating in the peat bogs west of the Spaarne River, was used as a drainage channel by the townspeople. Over the centuries, Beek was turned into an underground canal as the settlement grew larger and there was more and more need for an area to build on. By the 12th century the settlement had become a fortified city and Haarlem became the seat of the counts of Holland. On November 23, 1245, Count William II granted the Charter of the city to Haarlem.

The life of Haarlem has always been difficult: natural disasters and war have been added to the daily struggle against the eternal enemy - the sea.

The first buildings of the city were built of wood, and fires were a big problem for the city. In 1328, almost the entire city burned to the ground. Sint-Bavokerk was badly damaged and it took more than 150 years to rebuild. The next fire, on June 12, 1347, again destroyed the city, and the third great fire, in 1351, destroyed many buildings, including the count's castle and the city hall.

The siege of the city during the Protestant uprisings is memorable for its duration and tragic episodes: the son of the Duke of Alba, Don Federico, besieged the city from December 11, 1572 to July 13, 1573. Haarlem, relying on the promised help of William the Silent, courageously resisted throughout the terrible winter, but soon the famine became unbearable. The murder of William of Orange by the Spaniards, the defeat of his fleet and the decline of morale in the army, whose help was so counted on, led to the capitulation of the city, which, however, hoped for an honorable peace. This did not happen: the Duke of Alba made him pay dearly for the seven months of the siege and the casualties he suffered, he brutally cracked down on the 1800 survivors of the siege.

But the city was able to quickly revive and in 1577 received the army of the States General. Thus began a golden age of prosperity for Haarlem, which reached its climax in the 17th century. The city owes its prosperity to trade. After the liberation from Spanish domination, the city cash desk from the 17th century began to replenish with income from the tulip trade. The most important employers of the city are large enterprises of the chemical industry and workshops that perform graphic work.

At this time, he became famous for the artists who were born or lived in it, their most prominent representatives are Frans Hals and Jacob van Ruisdael. It was Frans Hals, his great son, that Haarlem dedicated the museum, founded in 1862, but finally settled in 1913 in the Oudemannhaus, a former nursing home built in 1608 (architect Lieven de Kay), where Hals himself died. Also in the 17th century, more precisely in 1636, tulip culture was born in Haarlem: the endless "blomenvel-den" - flower fields, spreading south of the city, from April to May, are an unimaginably beautiful sight.

In addition to this natural beauty, there are many more beautiful monuments in Haarlem and, above all, the Stathaus - the old residence of the counts of Holland, founded in the middle of the 16th century. and completed in 1620-1630. (architect Liven de Kay), although tradition dates it to the 13th century.

The city is known for its hofjes: almshouses that were built in courtyards. They were mostly privately funded buildings for elderly single women. There are currently 19 hofjes in Haarlem; many are open to the public on weekdays. Many hofjes still belong to their original holdings, and are still primarily for single (older) women.

The center of the historic city core - the Grote Markt square - is surrounded by representative medieval and Renaissance buildings. In that historical center, rises the majestic Grote Kerk, better known as St. Bavo's Cathedral, built in the late Gothic Brabant style on the site of a previous building of a more modest size, burned down in 1328. A real treasure has been preserved in the interior: the famous organ with three keyboards, 68 registers and 5000 pipes, created in 1738 by Christian Müller with a decorative finish of the case, designed by Daniel Marot. This organ was played by Mozart, Handel, Dr. Albert Schweitzer. Next to the cathedral is Vleishal (or Vishal) - an old meat market: a brick and red stone building built in the Renaissance style (architect Lieven de Kay, 1602-1623).

To touch the glorious military history of Haarlem, admire the majestic Amsterdam Gate - this is all that remains of the city walls of the XV century: a square tower with two octagonal towers on the sides and protruding forward, two powerful round towers connected by a passage. Another curious detail rich history cities: here in the second half of the 15th century, at the same time as Johannes Gutenberg in Germany, Laurens Janzon Koster invented printing.

You won't be bored in Haarlem. In the city center is the Toneelschuur Theatre, a building made of wood, brick and glass, which one of the leading magazines called “the most beautiful theater in the Netherlands”. The author of the project is the famous cartoonist and a native of these places, Joost Schwart. Not far away is the restored building of the Philharmonic, in which at the beginning of the twentieth century. conducted by Ravel and Stravinsky.

According to national surveys, Haarlem has the most restaurants per capita and the best shopping compared to other cities in the Netherlands. Not to mention the most attractive feature of Haarlem: it is the greenest and safest city, located on the very North Sea. In the same place, on an area of ​​​​2500 hectares, national park Kenmerland, where among sand dunes, quiet backwaters and deserted beaches live herds of wild horses.

Brewing was a very important industry for Haarlem. The heyday of brewing in Haarlem was in the 1400s, when there were no less than 100 breweries in the city. The beer brewed in the city is called Jopenbier, or Jopen for short, after an old type of beer barrel.

Jopen Koyt and Jopen Adriaan are based on old recipes from 1402-1407 respectively. Jopen Adriaan is named after the windmill, which was reopened in 2002.

The oldest buffet in Haarlem is Het theehuis, but it's not the only one with a long history.

Haarlem is in no way inferior to neighboring Amsterdam - it has its own canals and museums, tulip fields around, and only 10 minutes from the sea with beaches. Haarlem attractions on the map, canal cruise, shopping, hotels, restaurants. Where to go from Haarlem.

Haarlem is the capital of North Holland and the fourth most visited city in the country. Despite this, it gives the impression of a cozy provincial town in which you so want to linger. We started our morning with coffee at the train station and ended in the evening at the historic brewery church. In one day, we managed to explore Haarlem on foot and from the water, have lunch, go shopping, see the flower platforms of the Blumenkorso parade and go to the sea.

How to get to Haarlem from Amsterdam

Haarlem is located 20 km from Amsterdam. Trains from Amsterdam to Haarlem run from Amsterdam Central Station every 10 minutes and take 15 minutes. If you are traveling to Haarlem in one day, it is advantageous to buy a round-trip ticket at a discount. We traveled to Haarlem with the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket, which provides free travel on all types of public transport in Amsterdam and the region (for 1 day - €18.50, 2 days - €26.00, 3 days - €33.50).
Haarlem from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol can be reached by bus 300 in 40 minutes.

Attractions in Haarlem

Haarlem attractions map

In the Middle Ages, Haarlem was the second most important city in the Netherlands. Immigrants from the south moved here, among whom were artists and entrepreneurs. Economic growth contributed to the development of art and culture. In the 17th century, Haarlem was one of the major art centers of the country; at that time, the main historical buildings that have survived to this day were built. All of Haarlem can be explored on foot.

Central station Haarlem was opened on September 20, 1839. This is the only Art Deco building in Holland. The station is decorated with tiles, stained glass, wood carvings and wrought iron.

Grote Markt- the central market square of Haarlem, considered one of the most beautiful squares in the country. On the Grote Markt stands a monument to Laurens Janszoon Koster, who is credited with the invention of printing and the modern statue of the "Zonnevechter" (Solar Fighter). Before the birthday of the king, the Grote Markt turns into an amusement park, at Christmas a Christmas tree is set up on it.

Around market square historical buildings of Haarlem are located:

• Church of Saint Bavo(XIV century). The monument, protected by UNESCO, is famous for its 80-meter tower and the organ on which Mozart played.
• town hall(XIV century) places city ​​government and the Haarlem Tourist Information Centre.
• meat rows erected in 1602-1604. Dutch architect Lieven de Kay for the needs of the meat market, which is reminiscent of the bull's head on the facade. Now it is a branch of the Frans Hals Museum with a collection of contemporary paintings.
• City guard house(XIII century) - the oldest building in the city got its name in 1765, when it was bought by the authorities for the headquarters of the city guard and the prison.

Museums in Haarlem

There are two famous museums in Haarlem, which have rich collections of works of art. Free entry with the I amsterdam City Card.

Taylor Museum Created in 1784 with the money of a wealthy patron Peter Taylor. Works by Michelangelo, Raphael, Rembrandt, Goltzius, Lorrain, natural science collections are exhibited in 12 exhibition halls.

Frans Hals Museum presents paintings by the famous native of Haarlem Frans Hals and other outstanding masters of Flemish painting. Located in the historic building of the former almshouse (XII century).

Cruise the canals of Haarlem

After walking around the center, we continued to explore Haarlem from the water. Haarlem Canal Tours picks up passengers in front of the Taylor Museum and rides through the canals for 75 minutes (5 cruises per day). A small open boat "Cornelia" for 12 people passes under all bridges. Captain Zherun talks about the sights of Haarlem that are encountered on the route, slows down for the best photos and answers questions. We enjoyed the boat trip and communication with the captain! book your seats in advance

Riding through the canals, we saw:

• former Hospital (De Egelantier)
• New Church (de Nieuwe Kerk)
• City Theater (Stadsschouwburg)
• Hadrian's Mill (Molen De Adriaan)
• Cathedral of St. Bavo (Kathedraal St.Bavo) and other historical and modern buildings of Haarlem.

Online tickets without queues

Food and shopping in Haarlem

If you want to drink coffee in a historic setting, take your time to leave Haarlem Central Station. The cafe is right on the platform.

Jopenkerk(Gedempte Voldersgracht 2) - a brewery in a former church. An attraction and the best Haarlem beer in one place. Hoppenbier branded beer has been brewed according to an old recipe since 1501. If you are not sure which variety to choose, you can order a tasting (€12.50 per person). We sat at a table outside, inside a modern industrial design and restaurant. In early August, a beer festival takes place in Haarlem.

Where to find the best ice cream in Haarlem was suggested to us by Captain Jeroen. Garrone IJssalon located at the end of the shopping street (Grote Houtstraat 179). It has the largest selection of gelato imaginable, but you have to stand in line.

For lunch we went to Dijkers(Warmoesstraat 5) which was included in our canal cruise. Nice family restaurant next to the Grote Markt, there is a children's menu.

Haarlem received the title of " Best City for shopping in the Netherlands. Here you can shop in a relaxed atmosphere, just walking along the central streets. Haarlem's main shopping street, the Grote Houtstraat, is lined with international brand shops. The neighboring Kleine Houtstraat, Schagchelstraat, Drossestraat and Gierstraat are home to small shops, antique shops and boutiques where you can buy everything from bicycles to teapots. There is a market on the Grote Markt on Saturdays.

Haarlem Hotels

Thanks to easy transport accessibility and reasonable prices, many prefer Haarlem hotels to expensive Amsterdam. It's nice to come back here after the noisy capital and the cost of living is 2 times lower.

Hotels in the center of Haarlem with good reviews:

• Carlton Square Hotel 4 * - a comfortable hotel near a park and a shopping street, in the rooms there is a kettle and a coffee machine, good restaurant, underground parking.
• Brasss Hotel Suites is a luxury hotel in the heart of Haarlem, luxurious rooms and services.
• Bloemendaal-aan-Zee beach

  Zandvoort — popular resort with 9 km of coastline, Formula 1 track, club life and water sports. From Haarlem to Zandvoort can be reached by train (10 minutes) or by bus 81 (30 minutes). Zandvoort hotels

  Bloemendaal aan Zee– the closest beach to Haarlem, the bike path passes by national park. On the shore there are beach cabins, a cafe, Poort Beach Bloemendaal apart-hotel overlooking the sea and the dunes. During our stay, the weather was unusually hot for April - everyone was relaxing by the sea. Most sunbathed, and some even went swimming in wetsuits.

  Keukenhof. The Royal Flower Park is located 16 km south of Haarlem. During the park season, bus 50 runs between Haarlem and Keukenhof. The road passes through tulip fields. This scenic route many prefer to ride a bike. ends in Haarlem and all the next day (Sunday in mid-April) flower platforms stand in the center of the city for all to see. In the evening they are taken apart and flowers are given to everyone. We specially came to Haarlem on this day - we got to a colorful holiday with a fair.

For small town, Haarlem is teeming with cultural attractions, and the city's size means eager sightseers can visit several of its amazing sites in a single day. These museums, galleries, restaurants and attractions are located in the medieval center of Haarlem, a place that is an architectural treasure in its own right. Haarlem was the birthplace of Dutch Golden Age painting. AT Frans Hals Museum the largest collection of paintings of that period is kept, with a special focus on the work of the master, after whom the museum was named. These fabulous works of art are displayed in the museum's huge gallery, which is located in a former nursing home founded in the 17th century.

After World War II, the Frans Hals Museum decided to relocate its growing collection of contemporary art. These paintings and sculptures are displayed in a former 17th-century meat market that has been converted into an exhibition space and renamed "De Hallen". Today, the museum specializes exclusively in contemporary fine art, with a collection of more than 10,000 exhibits. De Hallen aims to showcase promising talent and regularly hosts solo exhibitions of pioneering international artists.

Taylor Museum was founded in 1778 after a local wealthy merchant named Pieter Teyler van der Hulst bequeathed his fortune and private collection to a foundation dedicated to the development of religion, science and the arts. Since then, the museum has preserved an incredible amount of fossils, engravings and artifacts in its original form. The museum was originally part of the Taylor estate and the building itself is a marvelous example of 18th century architecture.

Haarlem has always been a prosperous city and in the past was an important trading center. One of its main exports was beer, a drink that had been perfected by the city's master brewers. AT jopenkerk the fascinating history of this foamy drink is presented, the local tour of the brewery ends with a beer tasting. Molen De Adriaan Museum located under the largest windmill in Haarlem and provides a fascinating insight into the history of these iconic Dutch machines. The mill is located on the side of the Haarlem canal and has been part of the urban landscape since 1778. The visit includes a guided tour of this colossal landmark and access to the twelve-meter windmill balcony overlooking the medieval center of Haarlem.

Ancient church of john was turned into a museum by the Dutch government in 1936. It was originally used by the Catholic Church as an archive that contained hundreds of priceless religious paintings. Many of these objects have survived and are currently on display along with other important sacred artifacts. Het Dolhuis Museum dispels myths around mental illness. His exhibitions challenge the perception of the boundaries between sanity and insanity and contribute to the formation of new, forward-looking views on psychiatry. The museum's collection reveals the history of this relatively new scientific discipline, presenting large collection tools related to this area. It also hosts regular temporary exhibitions that focus on the aspect of mental illness.

Main square of Haarlem Grote Markt with a huge Church of Saint Bavo located in the heart of the old city. Not only the church, but also several monumental buildings can be found on different sides of the square, and when the weather permits, outdoor cafes fill it. The impressive Gothic-style Saint Bavo Church has been the heart of the city and its main attraction for centuries. Situated right in the center of the Grote Markt, it was originally built as a Catholic church between 1370 and 1520. In 1559, the building finally became the cathedral of the Diocese of Haarlem, but less than 20 years later it was confiscated in the name of the Protestant Reformation and has been a Protestant church ever since. In the interior of the church, most of the ancient interior has been preserved, including the great Müller organ, which was played throughout its history by Handel, Mozart, Mendelssohn and other famous personalities. When this organ was built, it was the largest in the world, prompting Herman Melville in his famous novel"Moby Dick" compares the inside of the whale's mouth to the many pipes of Haarlem's great organ.

Haarlem is only 20 kilometers from Amsterdam. Therefore, a trip to the city by bike is an exciting idea for the weekend. The cycle route between the cities crosses several scenic spots, including a rural town called Zwannenburg. In addition, Haarlem borders on a huge national park which extends all the way to the sea. Cycling through this vast green space is a pleasure.

Haarlem (Netherlands) - the most detailed information about the city with a photo. The main attractions of Haarlem with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Haarlem (Netherlands)

In 1572-1573, Haarlem was besieged by the Spaniards. During a long seven-month siege, the city was captured and plundered. In 1576, Haarlem was again almost destroyed by fire. Interestingly, despite all the troubles and destruction, the city was constantly reborn and rebuilt.

In the 16th and 17th centuries there is a rapid economic growth that marks the golden age of Haarlem. The city becomes one of the centers of the textile industry, famous for its shipyards and manufactories. During this period, Haarlem was chosen by many famous artists: Adrian van Ostade, Jan Steen, Isaac van Ostade, Job Berkheide. In the 17th century, the city became one of the centers for the cultivation and sale of tulips. With the rise of Amsterdam and the decline of the textile industry, Haarlem's importance declined. After that, he was always in the shadow of the magnificent capital of the Netherlands.

Attractions

Big market (Grote Markt) - main Town Square Haarlem and the heart of the old city. The area is surrounded by beautiful old buildings. The central building is the church of St. Bavo.

Church of St. Bavona is an impressive Gothic-style medieval church that has been the heart of the city and its main attraction for centuries. The current building was built between 1370 and 1520. After the Reformation, the church became Protestant. This late Gothic cruciform basilica with 15th-century transepts, choir and pulpit from 1499. Its most interesting feature is its magnificent organ, which is considered one of the finest detailed instruments in the world. This organ was played by the brilliant Mozart.

Opposite the church of St. Bavona is home to the town hall (Stadhuis), the oldest parts of which date back to 1250. Later elements such as the outer staircase, the north wing and the neoclassical façade were added in the early 17th century. The tower was rebuilt in the style of historical authenticity in 1913.

meat hall

Meat Hall (Vleeshal) - another interesting Historical building on the Great Market, built in the 17th century in the style of the Dutch Renaissance. This building was the only place in the city where fresh meat was allowed to be sold.

The Amsterdam Gate is one of the oldest and most impressive sights in Haarlem. This is the only surviving city gate of the 20 similar structures of the old city. They were built at the beginning of the 15th century and are a national monument. The gate has two octagonal towers and two round towers. Also here are the remains of the old city walls.

Catholic Church of St. Bavona is a basilica built between 1895 and 1906. The church has fine stained glass windows as well as sculptures and paintings by famous Dutch artists. A small museum has been created in the former sacristy, allowing visitors to see some historical artifacts from Haarlem's Catholic past.

The New Church is an old religious building from the 17th century with an elegant Renaissance clock tower from the 18th century. Inside is the magnificent baroque tomb of William of Orange (although he himself is buried in Delft).

The windmill on the Sparna River is a replica of the original windmill from 1778, built on the foundations of an ancient defensive tower.