Haarlem | Shopping place, culinair, food and drink

Shopping city

Haarlem "the best shopping place in Holland". Welcome to Haarlem! Even from far away, the Gothic St. Bavo church dominates the city's skyline. You should come and visit Haarlem and take a stroll through the historic streets. Admire the picturesque facades, the monuments and the museums. Haarlem is just 15 minutes drive from Zandvoort by car or train.

Architecture 

In Haarlems historic city centre all places of interest are within walking distance. Enjoy the city by strolling or taking a break in one of the many cosy cafes. If you are looking for food, the choice is virtually unlimited. Haarlem even has a culinary walking route for the real gourmets! For going out at night what do think about the Schouwburg, the Toneelschuur, Concertgebouw, a cinema, café or club. You are bound to notice something else as well, when walking through Haarlem's city centre: the great variety of shops. It should not surprise you that Haarlem has been officially designated as best shopping city in Holland. The city owes this title, among other things, to the wide range of specialised stores and exclusive shops. And - not to be overlooked - the enjoyable market, every Monday and Saturday, at the Grote Markt.
The city centre is virtually car-free. You can park your car conveniently in one of the covered car parks in the centre. The Grote Markt is just a ten minute walk from the railway station. Haarlem welcomes you with beautiful flower arrangements on street corners, colourful parks and squares. In early spring the bulb fields stretching out for miles to the south-west of the city show off their unique colourful splendour.

Culinair

Dining Haarlem is also known for its many tasty and modern restaurants. Most restaurants and cafés are in the city centre. Haarlem culinair is a huge culinary festival (70.000 visitors). Various restaurants present themselves during this event. Visitors can enjoy their tasty bites for a nice price.

Haarlem Culinair

Takes place in the beginning of August. De Grote Markt is then transformed into one big culinary field. Do you like art and culture? In 1784 Holland's first museum, the Teylers Museum, opened its doors on the banks of the Spaarne. See and admire the architecture of the building and be impressed by its unique, multifaceted collection.

Musea in Haarlem

You should certainly visit the Frans Hals Museum, with its intimate, secluded garden. Pause to contemplate the impressive "Schutterstukken" (paintings of the city's armed guards of honour) by the haarlem master painter Frans Hals. Museums Frans Hals Museum: Groot Heiligland 62, 2011 ES Haarlem. Call: 0031(0)23 5115775. More info: www.franshalsmuseum.nl.

Teylers museum: Spaarne 16, 2011 CH Haarlem. Call: 0031(0)23-5160960. More info: www.teylersmuseum.nl.

Short history Haarlem

Haarlem History City of a thousand monuments. In the old days the Grote Markt was the designated tournament ground for the Counts of Holland. And this beautiful square still constitutes Haarlem its throbbing heart. Look around you, at the mediaeval town hall complex, the St Bavo cathedral, the Fish Hall, the Hoofdwacht. Can you imagine a nicer starting-point for a tour of discovery through Haarlem? Don't hesitate, once you are en route, to ask Haarlemmers what you should not be missing out on. They will proudly point you to several of the city's 1000 listed monuments. And, while wandering through Haarlem in this way, you may suddenly find yourself in one of its 20 mediaeval almshouses. All around you is silence: you are transported back to the year 1395. More information? Tourist Board Haarlem, Verwulft 11 2011 GJ Haarlem.