Things to Do in Haarlem: A Guide to History, Markets and Dutch Charm

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Haarlem, this small Dutch city is just 15 minutes from Amsterdam but feels like a different world. The historic center is full of canals, old brick streets and a main square that’s always buzzing. We’ve come here for both day trips and weekends, and even though it’s smaller than Amsterdam, there’s always something to see.

Haarlem is easy to explore without a plan. You can wander from the Grote Markt to the river, stop into cafés and shops, or spend time in one of its museums. It has the charm of a historic Dutch town without the overwhelming crowds, which makes it a place we keep coming back to.

Grote Markt

At the heart of Haarlem is the Grote Markt, the main square that always has something happening. The square is surrounded by old brick buildings, the Gothic-style St. Bavo’s Church, the town hall and plenty of cafés that spill out onto the cobblestone sidewalks. On weekends there’s usually a market where you can pick up Dutch cheeses, fresh bread and flowers, and during the week it’s just a great spot to sit with a coffee and watch the city go by.

We’ve come mainly during King’s Day week and the holidays. It is always busy. It’s also the best place to start exploring Haarlem because all the small streets lead off from here.

    • St. Bavo’s Church

    You can’t really miss St. Bavo’s since it dominates the center of Haarlem. The church dates back to the 1300s and is famous for its massive pipe organ. Mozart played here when he was just a boy, and later Handel and Mendelssohn followed. The organ fills almost the entire wall and even if you’re not into music history, seeing it in person is impressive.

    The church itself feels quiet and cool inside, and the painted ceilings and old tombstones in the floor remind you just how old Haarlem really is. We like stopping in when the market is going on outside because it feels like stepping back in time for a few minutes before heading back into the square.

    Teylers Museum

    Teylers Museum is the oldest museum in the Netherlands, and it looks it in the best way. Founded in the 1700s, it was designed as a place for art and science, so you’ll find fossils, old scientific instruments, coins and paintings all in one place. The Oval Room, with its wooden bookcases and cabinets, is worth the visit alone.

    Walking through feels like stepping into the Enlightenment era, when people were collecting everything they could to understand the world. We’ve found it to be one of the most unique museums in the Netherlands.

    • Windmill De Adriaan

    Just outside the center along the river is Windmill De Adriaan. It’s a reconstruction of a mill that originally stood here in the 1700s, and it’s one of Haarlem’s most recognizable landmarks. You can go inside for a tour to learn how the mill worked, but even if you don’t, it’s worth walking down the river for the view.

    We often take friends visiting to lunch next to the windmill because in late afternoon when the light hits the water and the mill, it makes for some of the best photos of Haarlem. The riverfront is lined with old houses and feels quieter than the center, so it’s a nice way to end the day.

    Shopping Streets

    Haarlem is also one of the best shopping cities in the Netherlands. The streets between Grote Markt and the river are filled with boutiques, bookshops and concept stores. Grote Houtstraat is the main street with bigger brands, while smaller streets like Kleine Houtstraat and Schagchelstraat are where you find unique shops.

    We’ve picked up everything from Dutch design pieces to secondhand books here, and it’s easy to lose track of time wandering in and out of the small stores. Even if you’re not a big shopper, the streets themselves are beautiful with their brick facades and historic details.

    • Know Before You Go

    Getting There: Haarlem is only 15 minutes from Amsterdam by train, which makes it one of the easiest day trips in the Netherlands.

    Best Time to Visit: April and May for tulips, December for Christmas markets.

    Getting Around: The historic center is walkable, with buses and bikes if you want to explore farther out.

    Tickets: Reserve museum passes ahead of time if you want to visit the Frans Hals Museum or the Corrie ten Boom House.

    Local Tip: Haarlem’s Saturday market in Grote Markt is one of the best in the country, so try to plan your visit around it.

    If you are visiting the Netherlands, you might also like:

    Things to Do in Amsterdam – Canals, museums and historic neighborhoods
    Things to Do in Rotterdam – Modern architecture and food halls
    Things to Do in Delft – Canals, Delftware and historic churches

    Haarlem is one of our favorite day trips, but it’s just a piece of what the Netherlands has to offer. For more cities and travel tips, head to our complete Netherlands Travel Guide here.