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Haarlem was one of our top destinations in the Netherlands during our last Europe backpacking trip. It was a must-see for us, an itinerary set in stone, mainly because we wanted to see the Müller organ at the Grote Kerk van St Bavo.
The Müller organ is a magnificent and gigantic piece of great craftsmanship with 5000 pipes and 30 meters in height that was once played by famous composers like Handel, Franz Liszt, and Mozart. Mozart was only 10 years old then. Another reason why we wanted to visit Haarlem was that we’d heard how beautiful this Dutch city is.
Why is Haarlem famous?
Haarlem, Netherlands, is famous for its rich cultural heritage, including historic architecture, such as the Grote Kerk (Great Church), and notable museums like the Frans Hals Museum. It’s celebrated for its tulip fields and vibrant market squares, contributing to its status as a picturesque Dutch destination.
Haarlem Day Trip
We were in Haarlem on our third day in the Netherlands, after we visited Volendam, Edam, and Marken the previous day. We specifically set that day as our Haarlem day because there was going to be a Müller organ show or recital occurring then, and organ shows of that kind were hard to come by, especially when you’re only there for a visit as we were.
Haarlem, Netherlands from Amsterdam
Haarlem is just a few minutes’ train ride from Amsterdam’s Centraal Station.
On a side note, a funny thing happened on our way to Haarlem: we got lost! Or to be more precise: we got off the train a station earlier than we were supposed to. We should have disembarked at Haarlem Station, but instead, we got off at Haarlem Spaarnwoude, a small railway station east of Haarlem. So instead of seeing the historic cobbled streets of Haarlem, we were greeted by a large modern, and quite sterile industrial structure of IKEA! Really funny, if we weren’t so flustered at that time. We asked around, but nobody seemed to know how we could get to the town center using public transport.
At any rate, after an hour of futile searching and asking questions, we just retraced our steps back to the station, studied the maps on the boards (under the sweltering heat of the sun because the station wasn’t covered with a roof), and managed to figure out that we were indeed one station short of Haarlem Central Station. So we boarded another train (a good thing we bought a day ticket with unlimited train rides for the day) and eventually found our way to Haarlem. Whew!
Related Reading: Day Trips from Amsterdam: 5 Awesome Destinations
Exploring Haarlem
Haarlem is Europe at its finest. This classic Dutch city is brimming with majestic canals and cobbled streets and is home to historic buildings, magnificent churches, grand museums, cozy cafes, and fine bars. It’s the perfect day trip from Amsterdam, only around 20-30 minutes by train. Also, since it’s not a very large city, the center can easily be explored on foot.
Grote Kerk
Our first stop was, of course, the Grote Kerk van St Bavo, the Gothic cathedral with a 50m-high steeple, located opposite the town hall. It’s a definite must-see when you’re in Haarlem. It’s difficult to miss since it’s located in the main town square.
We paid homage to the grand Müller organ, listened to the show (beautiful music!), and enjoyed a free hour-long and very educational tour generously provided by a very helpful manager of the church.
Corey ten Boom’s House
The next stop was Corey ten Boom’s house a few blocks away. Corey ten Boom is a popular figure because back during World War II she helped many Jews and Dutch resistors by hiding them in a secret compartment in her bedroom in that house. Her story is told in the well-known book The Hiding Place; we wanted to see the famous tiny secret hiding place. The ground floor of the house is now a watch store; we had to use the side entrance to gain access to the daily tour in English.
Weekend Market
As it was the weekend, a bustling weekend market was underway. We were happy to see that (who doesn’t love shopping!) and joined the crowd in browsing the food, flowers, clothes, and many other bits and pieces on sale.
People-watching was one of the things we did. Many were doing the same, so we just followed suit, doing it in one of the street-side cafes in the Grote Markt.
We took a walk around afterward, enjoying the panoramic view of grand canals, colorful gabled houses, cobbled streets, and magnificent windmills.
Activities in Haarlem
Is Haarlem worth a visit?
Yes, Haarlem is worth a visit. Its charming canals, historic buildings, and vibrant cultural scene offer a delightful experience. From exploring museums to strolling through flower markets and enjoying the cozy atmosphere of its cafes, Haarlem offers a quintessential Dutch experience just a short distance from Amsterdam.
Hotels in Haarlem, Netherlands
Haarlem is a great place to make your base when visiting Amsterdam and exploring the neighboring areas. Why? First, it’s because it’s near Amsterdam enough to reach the latter easily. Second, it’s large enough to have all the necessities and amenities you need like grocery stores and shops. And third, since it isn’t the capital, hotel prices are not as expensive as those in Amsterdam.
For great hotel deals in Haarlem, just click the image below:
Wrap Up
Don’t miss Haarlem when you’re in the Netherlands, much more when you’re just a stone’s throw away in Amsterdam!
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such beautiful ornate architecture!
It’s a gem of a city 🙂