Haarlem

Haarlem is the centre of a flower-growing district and a major export point for flower bulbs. However, with some 750,000 people visiting the city each year, tourism makes up an increasingly important part of the town's economy. With about 161,000 inhabitants (2019), Haarlem is the 13th largest city in the Netherlands but when it comes to tourism, it's the 4th most visited city. As for most popular places, this may mean the incidental line and some crowds around main attractions in high season. However, the town is fairly quiet in off season and its growing popularity does come with ample opportunities to eat and sleep.

History

The first record of the name 'Haarlem' dates from the 10th century. Located on a busy north/south connection route, the city became the seat of the Counts of Holland. In 1245 the city was granted city rights by Count William II of Holland. Due to the heroic acts of knights from Haarlem during the fifth crusade and their contributions to the siege of Damiate in 1217, Haarlem was granted permission to show a cross and a sword in the city's coat of arms. Haarlem was known for its flower growing district, and also for its textiles, shipyards, engineering plants and textile mills. In 1573, the Spanish ended its charter. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Haarlem was a hotspot for Dutch painting. Frans Hals, Jacob van Ruisdael, and Adriaen van Ostade were all located here. Also in the 17th century it became a refuge for Huguenots.

In the beginning, all of the city's buildings were wooden and the risk of fire was always present. In 1328 most of the city was burnt down. When rebuilding began, yet again in 1347, another fire spread through Haarlem. This time though, it engulfed the Counts' castle and city hall. However, the Count decided that he no longer needed a base in Haarlem and decided to move to The Hague. With that, he donated the land to Haarlem and later a new city hall would be built in its place. It would take over 150 years for the city to be rebuilt.

VVV Haarlem

( tourist information centre ),

Grote Markt 2

( at the Stadhuis (City Hall) ),

+31 23-5317325 ,

[email protected] .

Apr-Oct: M 13:00-17:30, Tu-F 09:30-17:30, Sa 10:00-17:99. In winter months limited hours, check website .

  ( updated Jun 2016 )

Get in

By train

Haarlem is well-connected by train, with trains from Amsterdam Centraal every 10 minutes. These take 15 min and may be for Leiden and Den Haag or for Alkmaar.

From Amsterdam Schiphol Airport ( AMS   IATA ), take the frequent train towards Amsterdam Centraal and change at Sloterdijk. The train to Uitgeest, Alkmaar and Hoorn also stops at Sloterdijk but the tracks diverge: you have to exit one part of the station and lump your bags 200 m along the street to reach the platform for Haarlem.

Trains from Hoorn run hourly via Alkmaar. They run every 30 min from Vlissingen via Rotterdam, Den Haag and Leiden, and every 30 min from Zandvoort aan Zee.

Station Haarlem ,

Stationsplein 11 L, 2011 LR .

The art nouveau main station, 1 km north of town centre. Use the main entrance east for tickets: west entrance is only for ticket-holders.   ( updated Mar 2026 )

Haarlem Spaarnwounde 3 km east and Bloemendaal 3 km north are halts for the trains from Amsterdam via Haarlem to Hoorn, and Overveen 3 km west is a halt for trains towards Zandvoort. Nothing of visitor interest nearby so you're unlikely to use them.

By bus

A good alternative is to use the big red and grey "R-net"-bus, line 300. It runs every 6–10 minutes between Schiphol and Haarlem Central Station, or you can get out at Wulft/Centrum. There are a fair amount of stops along the way, but for a lot of the journey there is no traffic because the bus has its own dedicated lane. The trip is approximately 45 minutes. You will need to carry your luggage on the bus with you. As on all public transport in the Netherlands, you can pay with a OV-chipkaart , or tap on and off with a credit or debit card, and a single trip costs €3.64. There are many bus stops clustered in this area—the one for the R-net 300 is across the street, and is indicated on the sign at the bus stop.

Haarlem bus station is the plaza south side of the railway station.

By ferry

DFDS operate an overnight ferry from Newcastle , UK to IJmuiden, which is only about 30 minutes from Haarlem by local bus. From the ferry terminal, it is a 1.5   km (1   mi) walk to Planetenweg (bus stop Zwaanstraat ). From here catch the "R-net"-bus, line 385, which runs every 15 minutes and takes you to Haarlem station, cost was €3.00 in 2026.

By bike

If you have – or rent – a bike, it takes between an hour and an hour and a half to cycle (depending on the cyclist) from the centre of Amsterdam, a fairly relaxing ride on typically level terrain.

Get around

Haarlem is best seen on foot: it's a 10- to 15-minute walk from the train station to the city centre. If you don't want to walk, bus lines 2, 73 and 300 will take you from the central train and bus station to busstop "Centrum/Verwulft" in about 5 minutes. Buses here are mostly operated by Connexxion . Arriva operates a local bus route to Leiden as well.

Although Haarlem's waterways aren't quite as numerous as those of Amsterdam, there are enough of them to make a tour of the city by boat a nice experience. Boats are operated by Post Verkade cruises (€9.50, Dutch only) and Haarlem Canal Cruises (smaller groups, open boat, €12.50) and leave from opposite Teylers Museum. It's best to call ahead.

See

Haarlem's main sights are its lovely historic centre and its fine art museums. You'll get a good idea of what the city has to offer by just wandering the streets in the centre for a while, as many monumental buildings and the most prominent museums are all there. The tourist information office can provide maps and walking routes as well as guides, if you don't want to miss anything.

Grote Markt

Haarlem's main market square, with the huge Saint Bavo church right on it, is the heart of the old city. Not only the church, but several monumental buildings can be found on different sides of the square and when the weather allows, it's lined with outdoor café terraces. You'll also see the statue of Laurens Janszoon Coster, locally called "Lautje", a pioneer of book printing who has become an icon of Haarlem.

Grote Kerk

( Sint-Bavokerk ),

Grote Markt 22 (north side) 2011 RD .

This impressive Gothic-style church has been the heart of the city and its main landmark for centuries. It was built in the middle of the Grote Markt as a Catholic church between 1370 and 1520. In 1559 it became the cathedral of the Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam, but less than 20 years later it was confiscated in the name of the Protestant Reformation and it has been a Protestant church ever since. Much of the antique interior remains, including the great Müller-organ that, according to records, has been played by Händel, Mozart, Mendelssohn and other famous people throughout its history. When built, this organ was the largest one in the world, leading Herman Melville in his famous novel Moby Dick to compare the inside of the whale's mouth to the many pipes of Haarlem's great organ.

€4.00 adults, €2.00 youth 12-16, free for children under 12 .   ( updated Mar 2026 )

Stadhuis

( City Hall ),

Grote Markt 2 .

After fires destroyed the Count's castle on this location in the 14th century, this city hall was built. The current façade is slightly younger, and originates from the 17th century.  

Vleeshal

( Meat Hall ),

Grote Markt 18 .

From 1604 until the 18th century, the Meat Hall was the only place in town where it was permitted to sell fresh meat. Butchers had to pay rather steep amounts to be granted a spot in the Dutch Renaissance style building that had been designed and built for the purpose. It's now part of the Frans Hals Museum.  

Hoofdwacht ,

Grote Markt 17

( Corner of Smedestreet ).

Built in the 13th century, this is one of the oldest monuments in the city and the first century of its existence, it served as the first town hall. Later, it was used as private housing for several prominent Haarlem families. From April-Sept, the building is open to visitors but only on weekends.

Free .  

Other sights

Stadsbibliotheek

( public library ),

Gasthuisstraat 32, 2011XP ,

+31 23 5115300 ,

[email protected] .

M Tu 10:00-20:00, Th-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 12:00-16:00 .

  ( updated Jun 2016 )

Hofje van Oorschot ,

Kruisstraat 44 .

The city is notable for its many hofjes (almshouses) built around courtyards. More than 20 of them still exist in the city. Some of them are open to the public.   ( updated Mar 2019 )

Amsterdamse Poort

( city gate ).

Built in 1355 and is the only remaining gate out of 12.   ( updated Jun 2016 )

Stedelijk Gymnasium Haarlem

( Latin School of Haarlem ).

  ( updated Jun 2016 )

Gapers (Black Moors Head)

These are an ancient symbol of pharmacy in the Netherlands. They look like people yawning (gapers means yawners in Dutch), but really they have their mouths open to take medicine. Sometimes a pill can be seen on their tongue. These symbols were once common in the Netherlands, especially in Amsterdam. Today they are very rare on buildings.

Usually the head is of a black or Moor man. This is because in the 15th-17th centuries, pharmacists would travel through the country with an assistant trying to sell their medicines. Before an audience the pharmacist would give a pill to his assistant. These were often Moors. The assistant would act better. So pharmacies became known by the assistant's head.

Van der Pigge ,

Gierstraat 3 2011 GA ,

+31 23 5312454 ,

[email protected] .

M 11:00-18:00, Tu-F 09:30-18:00, Sa 09:30-17:30 .

An old drugstore built in 1849. It still features the original gaper at its facade.   ( updated Jun 2016 )

Vroom & Dreesmann Haarlem ,

Grote Houtstraat 70, 2011 SR .

A building of the former Vroom & Dreesmann department store which opened in 1887 and went bankrupt in 2015.   ( updated Jun 2016 )

Villa Welgelegen ,

Kleine Houtweg, 2012 JE ,

+31 23 514 3143 .

M - F 08:00 - 18:00 .

Parts are open to the public. Villa Welgelegen is a historical building in Haarlem, the Netherlands, which houses the offices of the provincial executives of North Holland. Located at the north end of a public park in the city, it is an example of neoclassical architecture, unusual for its style in the Netherlands.   ( updated Mar 2019 )

Haarlemmerhout .

24/7 .

It is the oldest public park of the Netherlands. With "Hertenkamp" (Deer-park)

Free .   ( updated Mar 2019 )

Rooms-Kathol

[... truncated ...]

By train

Haarlem is well-connected by train, with trains from Amsterdam Centraal every 10 minutes. These take 15 min and may be for Leiden and Den Haag or for Alkmaar.

From Amsterdam Schiphol Airport ( AMS   IATA ), take the frequent train towards Amsterdam Centraal and change at Sloterdijk. The train to Uitgeest, Alkmaar and Hoorn also stops at Sloterdijk but the tracks diverge: you have to exit one part of the station and lump your bags 200 m along the street to reach the platform for Haarlem.

Trains from Hoorn run hourly via Alkmaar. They run every 30 min from Vlissingen via Rotterdam, Den Haag and Leiden, and every 30 min from Zandvoort aan Zee.

Station Haarlem ,

Stationsplein 11 L, 2011 LR .

The art nouveau main station, 1 km north of town centre. Use the main entrance east for tickets: west entrance is only for ticket-holders.   ( updated Mar 2026 )

Haarlem Spaarnwounde 3 km east and Bloemendaal 3 km north are halts for the trains from Amsterdam via Haarlem to Hoorn, and Overveen 3 km west is a halt for trains towards Zandvoort. Nothing of visitor interest nearby so you're unlikely to use them.

By bus

A good alternative is to use the big red and grey "R-net"-bus, line 300. It runs every 6–10 minutes between Schiphol and Haarlem Central Station, or you can get out at Wulft/Centrum. There are a fair amount of stops along the way, but for a lot of the journey there is no traffic because the bus has its own dedicated lane. The trip is approximately 45 minutes. You will need to carry your luggage on the bus with you. As on all public transport in the Netherlands, you can pay with a OV-chipkaart , or tap on and off with a credit or debit card, and a single trip costs €3.64. There are many bus stops clustered in this area—the one for the R-net 300 is across the street, and is indicated on the sign at the bus stop.

Haarlem bus station is the plaza south side of the railway station.

By ferry

DFDS operate an overnight ferry from Newcastle , UK to IJmuiden, which is only about 30 minutes from Haarlem by local bus. From the ferry terminal, it is a 1.5   km (1   mi) walk to Planetenweg (bus stop Zwaanstraat ). From here catch the "R-net"-bus, line 385, which runs every 15 minutes and takes you to Haarlem station, cost was €3.00 in 2026.

By bike

If you have – or rent – a bike, it takes between an hour and an hour and a half to cycle (depending on the cyclist) from the centre of Amsterdam, a fairly relaxing ride on typically level terrain.

Get around

Haarlem is best seen on foot: it's a 10- to 15-minute walk from the train station to the city centre. If you don't want to walk, bus lines 2, 73 and 300 will take you from the central train and bus station to busstop "Centrum/Verwulft" in about 5 minutes. Buses here are mostly operated by Connexxion . Arriva operates a local bus route to Leiden as well.

Although Haarlem's waterways aren't quite as numerous as those of Amsterdam, there are enough of them to make a tour of the city by boat a nice experience. Boats are operated by Post Verkade cruises (€9.50, Dutch only) and Haarlem Canal Cruises (smaller groups, open boat, €12.50) and leave from opposite Teylers Museum. It's best to call ahead.

See

Haarlem's main sights are its lovely historic centre and its fine art museums. You'll get a good idea of what the city has to offer by just wandering the streets in the centre for a while, as many monumental buildings and the most prominent museums are all there. The tourist information office can provide maps and walking routes as well as guides, if you don't want to miss anything.

Grote Markt

Haarlem's main market square, with the huge Saint Bavo church right on it, is the heart of the old city. Not only the church, but several monumental buildings can be found on different sides of the square and when the weather allows, it's lined with outdoor café terraces. You'll also see the statue of Laurens Janszoon Coster, locally called "Lautje", a pioneer of book printing who has become an icon of Haarlem.

Grote Kerk

( Sint-Bavokerk ),

Grote Markt 22 (north side) 2011 RD .

This impressive Gothic-style church has been the heart of the city and its main landmark for centuries. It was built in the middle of the Grote Markt as a Catholic church between 1370 and 1520. In 1559 it became the cathedral of the Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam, but less than 20 years later it was confiscated in the name of the Protestant Reformation and it has been a Protestant church ever since. Much of the antique interior remains, including the great Müller-organ that, according to records, has been played by Händel, Mozart, Mendelssohn and other famous people throughout its history. When built, this organ was the largest one in the world, leading Herman Melville in his famous novel Moby Dick to compare the inside of the whale's mouth to the many pipes of Haarlem's great organ.

€4.00 adults, €2.00 youth 12-16, free for children under 12 .   ( updated Mar 2026 )

Stadhuis

( City Hall ),

Grote Markt 2 .

After fires destroyed the Count's castle on this location in the 14th century, this city hall was built. The current façade is slightly younger, and originates from the 17th century.  

Vleeshal

( Meat Hall ),

Grote Markt 18 .

From 1604 until the 18th century, the Meat Hall was the only place in town where it was permitted to sell fresh meat. Butchers had to pay rather steep amounts to be granted a spot in the Dutch Renaissance style building that had been designed and built for the purpose. It's now part of the Frans Hals Museum.  

Hoofdwacht ,

Grote Markt 17

( Corner of Smedestreet ).

Built in the 13th century, this is one of the oldest monuments in the city and the first century of its existence, it served as the first town hall. Later, it was used as private housing for several prominent Haarlem families. From April-Sept, the building is open to visitors but only on weekends.

Free .  

Other sights

Stadsbibliotheek

( public library ),

Gasthuisstraat 32, 2011XP ,

+31 23 5115300 ,

[email protected] .

M Tu 10:00-20:00, Th-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 12:00-16:00 .

  ( updated Jun 2016 )

Hofje van Oorschot ,

Kruisstraat 44 .

The city is notable for its many hofjes (almshouses) built around courtyards. More than 20 of them still exist in the city. Some of them are open to the public.   ( updated Mar 2019 )

Amsterdamse Poort

( city gate ).

Built in 1355 and is the only remaining gate out of 12.   ( updated Jun 2016 )

Stedelijk Gymnasium Haarlem

( Latin School of Haarlem ).

  ( updated Jun 2016 )

Gapers (Black Moors Head)

These are an ancient symbol of pharmacy in the Netherlands. They look like people yawning (gapers means yawners in Dutch), but really they have their mouths open to take medicine. Sometimes a pill can be seen on their tongue. These symbols were once common in the Netherlands, especially in Amsterdam. Today they are very rare on buildings.

Usually the head is of a black or Moor man. This is because in the 15th-17th centuries, pharmacists would travel through the country with an assistant trying to sell their medicines. Before an audience the pharmacist would give a pill to his assistant. These were often Moors. The assistant would act better. So pharmacies became known by the assistant's head.

Van der Pigge ,

Gierstraat 3 2011 GA ,

+31 23 5312454 ,

[email protected] .

M 11:00-18:00, Tu-F 09:30-18:00, Sa 09:30-17:30 .

An old drugstore built in 1849. It still features the original gaper at its facade.   ( updated Jun 2016 )

Vroom & Dreesmann Haarlem ,

Grote Houtstraat 70, 2011 SR .

A building of the former Vroom & Dreesmann department store which opened in 1887 and went bankrupt in 2015.   ( updated Jun 2016 )

Villa Welgelegen ,

Kleine Houtweg, 2012 JE ,

+31 23 514 3143 .

M - F 08:00 - 18:00 .

Parts are open to the public. Villa Welgelegen is a historical building in Haarlem, the Netherlands, which houses the offices of the provincial executives of North Holland. Located at the north end of a public park in the city, it is an example of neoclassical architecture, unusual for its style in the Netherlands.   ( updated Mar 2019 )

Haarlemmerhout .

24/7 .

It is the oldest public park of the Netherlands. With "Hertenkamp" (Deer-park)

Free .   ( updated Mar 2019 )

Rooms-Kathol

[... truncated ...]

Haarlem is best seen on foot: it's a 10- to 15-minute walk from the train station to the city centre. If you don't want to walk, bus lines 2, 73 and 300 will take you from the central train and bus station to busstop "Centrum/Verwulft" in about 5 minutes. Buses here are mostly operated by Connexxion . Arriva operates a local bus route to Leiden as well.

Although Haarlem's waterways aren't quite as numerous as those of Amsterdam, there are enough of them to make a tour of the city by boat a nice experience. Boats are operated by Post Verkade cruises (€9.50, Dutch only) and Haarlem Canal Cruises (smaller groups, open boat, €12.50) and leave from opposite Teylers Museum. It's best to call ahead.

See

Haarlem's main sights are its lovely historic centre and its fine art museums. You'll get a good idea of what the city has to offer by just wandering the streets in the centre for a while, as many monumental buildings and the most prominent museums are all there. The tourist information office can provide maps and walking routes as well as guides, if you don't want to miss anything.

Grote Markt

Haarlem's main market square, with the huge Saint Bavo church right on it, is the heart of the old city. Not only the church, but several monumental buildings can be found on different sides of the square and when the weather allows, it's lined with outdoor café terraces. You'll also see the statue of Laurens Janszoon Coster, locally called "Lautje", a pioneer of book printing who has become an icon of Haarlem.

Grote Kerk

( Sint-Bavokerk ),

Grote Markt 22 (north side) 2011 RD .

This impressive Gothic-style church has been the heart of the city and its main landmark for centuries. It was built in the middle of the Grote Markt as a Catholic church between 1370 and 1520. In 1559 it became the cathedral of the Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam, but less than 20 years later it was confiscated in the name of the Protestant Reformation and it has been a Protestant church ever since. Much of the antique interior remains, including the great Müller-organ that, according to records, has been played by Händel, Mozart, Mendelssohn and other famous people throughout its history. When built, this organ was the largest one in the world, leading Herman Melville in his famous novel Moby Dick to compare the inside of the whale's mouth to the many pipes of Haarlem's great organ.

€4.00 adults, €2.00 youth 12-16, free for children under 12 .   ( updated Mar 2026 )

Stadhuis

( City Hall ),

Grote Markt 2 .

After fires destroyed the Count's castle on this location in the 14th century, this city hall was built. The current façade is slightly younger, and originates from the 17th century.  

Vleeshal

( Meat Hall ),

Grote Markt 18 .

From 1604 until the 18th century, the Meat Hall was the only place in town where it was permitted to sell fresh meat. Butchers had to pay rather steep amounts to be granted a spot in the Dutch Renaissance style building that had been designed and built for the purpose. It's now part of the Frans Hals Museum.  

Hoofdwacht ,

Grote Markt 17

( Corner of Smedestreet ).

Built in the 13th century, this is one of the oldest monuments in the city and the first century of its existence, it served as the first town hall. Later, it was used as private housing for several prominent Haarlem families. From April-Sept, the building is open to visitors but only on weekends.

Free .  

Other sights

Stadsbibliotheek

( public library ),

Gasthuisstraat 32, 2011XP ,

+31 23 5115300 ,

[email protected] .

M Tu 10:00-20:00, Th-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 12:00-16:00 .

  ( updated Jun 2016 )

Hofje van Oorschot ,

Kruisstraat 44 .

The city is notable for its many hofjes (almshouses) built around courtyards. More than 20 of them still exist in the city. Some of them are open to the public.   ( updated Mar 2019 )

Amsterdamse Poort

( city gate ).

Built in 1355 and is the only remaining gate out of 12.   ( updated Jun 2016 )

Stedelijk Gymnasium Haarlem

( Latin School of Haarlem ).

  ( updated Jun 2016 )

Gapers (Black Moors Head)

These are an ancient symbol of pharmacy in the Netherlands. They look like people yawning (gapers means yawners in Dutch), but really they have their mouths open to take medicine. Sometimes a pill can be seen on their tongue. These symbols were once common in the Netherlands, especially in Amsterdam. Today they are very rare on buildings.

Usually the head is of a black or Moor man. This is because in the 15th-17th centuries, pharmacists would travel through the country with an assistant trying to sell their medicines. Before an audience the pharmacist would give a pill to his assistant. These were often Moors. The assistant would act better. So pharmacies became known by the assistant's head.

Van der Pigge ,

Gierstraat 3 2011 GA ,

+31 23 5312454 ,

[email protected] .

M 11:00-18:00, Tu-F 09:30-18:00, Sa 09:30-17:30 .

An old drugstore built in 1849. It still features the original gaper at its facade.   ( updated Jun 2016 )

Vroom & Dreesmann Haarlem ,

Grote Houtstraat 70, 2011 SR .

A building of the former Vroom & Dreesmann department store which opened in 1887 and went bankrupt in 2015.   ( updated Jun 2016 )

Villa Welgelegen ,

Kleine Houtweg, 2012 JE ,

+31 23 514 3143 .

M - F 08:00 - 18:00 .

Parts are open to the public. Villa Welgelegen is a historical building in Haarlem, the Netherlands, which houses the offices of the provincial executives of North Holland. Located at the north end of a public park in the city, it is an example of neoclassical architecture, unusual for its style in the Netherlands.   ( updated Mar 2019 )

Haarlemmerhout .

24/7 .

It is the oldest public park of the Netherlands. With "Hertenkamp" (Deer-park)

Free .   ( updated Mar 2019 )

Rooms-Kathol

[... truncated ...]

Haarlem's main sights are its lovely historic centre and its fine art museums. You'll get a good idea of what the city has to offer by just wandering the streets in the centre for a while, as many monumental buildings and the most prominent museums are all there. The tourist information office can provide maps and walking routes as well as guides, if you don't want to miss anything.

Grote Markt

Haarlem's main market square, with the huge Saint Bavo church right on it, is the heart of the old city. Not only the church, but several monumental buildings can be found on different sides of the square and when the weather allows, it's lined with outdoor café terraces. You'll also see the statue of Laurens Janszoon Coster, locally called "Lautje", a pioneer of book printing who has become an icon of Haarlem.

Grote Kerk

( Sint-Bavokerk ),

Grote Markt 22 (north side) 2011 RD .

This impressive Gothic-style church has been the heart of the city and its main landmark for centuries. It was built in the middle of the Grote Markt as a Catholic church between 1370 and 1520. In 1559 it became the cathedral of the Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam, but less than 20 years later it was confiscated in the name of the Protestant Reformation and it has been a Protestant church ever since. Much of the antique interior remains, including the great Müller-organ that, according to records, has been played by Händel, Mozart, Mendelssohn and other famous people throughout its history. When built, this organ was the largest one in the world, leading Herman Melville in his famous novel Moby Dick to compare the inside of the whale's mouth to the many pipes of Haarlem's great organ.

€4.00 adults, €2.00 youth 12-16, free for children under 12 .   ( updated Mar 2026 )

Stadhuis

( City Hall ),

Grote Markt 2 .

After fires destroyed the Count's castle on this location in the 14th century, this city hall was built. The current façade is slightly younger, and originates from the 17th century.  

Vleeshal

( Meat Hall ),

Grote Markt 18 .

From 1604 until the 18th century, the Meat Hall was the only place in town where it was permitted to sell fresh meat. Butchers had to pay rather steep amounts to be granted a spot in the Dutch Renaissance style building that had been designed and built for the purpose. It's now part of the Frans Hals Museum.  

Hoofdwacht ,

Grote Markt 17

( Corner of Smedestreet ).

Built in the 13th century, this is one of the oldest monuments in the city and the first century of its existence, it served as the first town hall. Later, it was used as private housing for several prominent Haarlem families. From April-Sept, the building is open to visitors but only on weekends.

Free .  

Other sights

Stadsbibliotheek

( public library ),

Gasthuisstraat 32, 2011XP ,

+31 23 5115300 ,

[email protected] .

M Tu 10:00-20:00, Th-Sa 10:00-18:00, Su 12:00-16:00 .

  ( updated Jun 2016 )

Hofje van Oorschot ,

Kruisstraat 44 .

The city is notable for its many hofjes (almshouses) built around courtyards. More than 20 of them still exist in the city. Some of them are open to the public.   ( updated Mar 2019 )

Amsterdamse Poort

( city gate ).

Built in 1355 and is the only remaining gate out of 12.   ( updated Jun 2016 )

Stedelijk Gymnasium Haarlem

( Latin School of Haarlem ).

  ( updated Jun 2016 )

Gapers (Black Moors Head)

These are an ancient symbol of pharmacy in the Netherlands. They look like people yawning (gapers means yawners in Dutch), but really they have their mouths open to take medicine. Sometimes a pill can be seen on their tongue. These symbols were once common in the Netherlands, especially in Amsterdam. Today they are very rare on buildings.

Usually the head is of a black or Moor man. This is because in the 15th-17th centuries, pharmacists would travel through the country with an assistant trying to sell their medicines. Before an audience the pharmacist would give a pill to his assistant. These were often Moors. The assistant would act better. So pharmacies became known by the assistant's head.

Van der Pigge ,

Gierstraat 3 2011 GA ,

+31 23 5312454 ,

[email protected] .

M 11:00-18:00, Tu-F 09:30-18:00, Sa 09:30-17:30 .

An old drugstore built in 1849. It still features the original gaper at its facade.   ( updated Jun 2016 )

Vroom & Dreesmann Haarlem ,

Grote Houtstraat 70, 2011 SR .

A building of the former Vroom & Dreesmann department store which opened in 1887 and went bankrupt in 2015.   ( updated Jun 2016 )

Villa Welgelegen ,

Kleine Houtweg, 2012 JE ,

+31 23 514 3143 .

M - F 08:00 - 18:00 .

Parts are open to the public. Villa Welgelegen is a historical building in Haarlem, the Netherlands, which houses the offices of the provincial executives of North Holland. Located at the north end of a public park in the city, it is an example of neoclassical architecture, unusual for its style in the Netherlands.   ( updated Mar 2019 )

Haarlemmerhout .

24/7 .

It is the oldest public park of the Netherlands. With "Hertenkamp" (Deer-park)

Free .   ( updated Mar 2019 )

Rooms-Kathol

[... truncated ...]