Haarlem | Shopping place, culinair, food and drink

Shopping city 

Haarlem
“Officially the most fun shopping city in the Netherlands”
Haarlem is only a 30-minute drive away from Noordwijk. Haarlem is full of old buildings and has been the most fun shopping city in the Netherlands for years. And you don’t just get that name for nothing. Of course, there’s only one way to find out: going there yourself! 

Architecture

Haarlem still has many architectural tour de forces from the past. The large church or St. Bavo church is one of many, next to the magnificent front of the Vleeshal (meat-hall) and the old town hall on the Grote Markt. But the nice little gardens in the old city centre are also more than worth a visit. A lot of the old city can be seen alongside the street ‘het Spaarne’ and in the old city centre. Haarlem has won the title ‘most fun shopping city of the Netherlands’ more than four times already. To discover this, it is best to start at the Grote Markt and work your way to the three most important shopping streets. The Grote Houtstraat, the Zijlstraat and the Barteljorisstraat, that you will also encounter on the Monopoly game. The Grote Markt houses a market twice a week. Haarlem’s train station originates from 1908 and is a listed building. It was built in an Art Nouveau style and designed by architect Mardagant. Furthermore, Haarlem has plenty of monumental factory buildings and industrial warehouses and more than 1200 (!) listed buildings. The oldest garden of the Netherlands is located in Haarlem, called ‘het Hofje van Bakenes’ from 1395.

Culinary

Haarlem also has plenty of culinary facilities. There are many high-profile and modern restaurants, but you’ll find your classic meals here too.

Haarlem culinair

(culinary Haarlem) is a great flavour festival with 70.000 visitors. Various restaurants from Haarlem and surrounding areas present themselves during this event to the visitors and for a good price you can enjoy the culinary supply of the many restaurants. Haarlem Culinair takes place in the beginning of August and for this, the Grote Markt is turned into a true culinary terrain.

Museums in Haarlem

Het Frans Hals Museum has a total collection of old pieces of art amongst which are 600 paintings, part of it being on permanent display. The rest is lend out, being restored or stored. Furniture, closets, chests, benches, ceramics, glass and silver are also on display. Address: Groot Heiligland 62, 2011 ES Haarlem. Phone: 023 – 5115775. More info: www.franshalsmuseum.nl. 

Teylers Museum is the oldest museum in the Netherlands and continuously open to the public since 1784. The collection covers art and science: fossils and minerals, scientific instruments, special books and a splendid collection of paintings, drawings, coins and tokens. Address: Spaarne 16, 2011 CH Haarlem. Phone 023-5160960. More info: www.teylersmuseum.nl.

Short history Haarlem

Archaeological research has shown that 1500 years before out era, there were already people living near Spaarne. Apparently, the river was already attractive in those days. In literature, Haarlem is mentioned for the first time in the 10th century. Haarlem became the seat of the counts of Holland and received its privileges in 1245, granted by Count Willem II. Haarlem’s economy centred mainly on the shipping industry in the 13th and 14th century, as well as the brewing of beer and the textile industry. After a restless 15th and 16th century, Haarlem’s economy experienced unruly growth after 1577. In 50 years time, the population doubled, which made Haarlem one of the largest cities of that time. Canals were dug between Amsterdam and Leiden and gave the city a new impulse. The 18th century was mainly dominated by the decline of the textile industry, which halved the population again. The 19th century was dominated by the railway. In 1839, the Amsterdam – Haarlem railway was completed, in 1843 the railway between Haarlem – Leiden. In the second half of the 19th century, Haarlem was back on its feet.