Discover Haarlem in 10,000 steps
Haarlem is known for its historic city center with restaurants, stores and culture, but there is more. Across the Spaarne is an area in development, full of creative hotspots. A beautiful walking route leads you to the Koepel, a new icon of meeting and innovation, and past old factory buildings and the former Pest- Dol- and Leprooshuis, where inspiring entrepreneurs are breathing new life into historic buildings. With 10,000 steps you will discover Haarlem off the beaten path, with plenty of catering establishments along the way for a break. Suitable for both new visitors and born Haarlemmers.
Welcome to the Grote Markt: the heart of the city. Admire the historic buildings around you and get ready to discover the versatility of Haarlem.
0 m
Start at City Hall. The city hall was built in 1250 and opened in 1370. The same location previously housed a hunting lodge of the Counts of Holland and the Dominican Monastery. Today, the Gravenzaal is open for weddings. Below the Gravenzaal, on the left side of the city hall, sits Anno Haarlem. This is a small museum where you will discover the history of the city.
Opening hours Anno Haarlem
Wednesday through Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
200 m
The Great or St. Bavo Church, a late Gothic cruciform church, was built between 1370 and 1540 on the site of a smaller church burned down in the 14th century. The church is also known as "John with the high shoulders. This is because the tower is on the small side in relation to the rest of the building. Inside the church, you can see the tombstones of Frans Hals and Pieter Teyler. You can also see the famous Christian Muller organ, which Mozart played on as a child.
Opening hours Church of St. Bavo
Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
200 m
To the right of the Great or St. Bavo Church, you will find another historical monument with a recognizable stepped gable. This is the meat hall. The building, designed by Lieven de Key, dates from the 17th century and was used for trading meat. Today, location HAL of the Frans Hals Museum is located here and the basement houses the Archaeological Museum.
Opening hours Frans Hals Museum Hall
Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
210 m
We leave the Grote Markt and walk between the Vleeshal and the Grote or St. Bavo Church into the Lepelstraat and turn left towards the Oude Groenmarkt. Look down the right side street. This is the Warmoesstraat, one of the seven Golden Streets. Here you have cozy stores and restaurants. Also on the Oude Groenmarkt you will find many catering establishments.
270 m
Once you arrive at the intersection, Klokhuisplein, you will see star restaurant and hotel ML on the left corner. ML is located in a special monumental building. Printing house Koninklijke Joh. Enschedé was located here for almost 300 years. This famous printing house was founded in 1703. At the end of the 18th century, Joh. Enschedé started printing bonds for the municipality of Haarlem. The company was responsible for printing all postage stamps for the Netherlands and Great Britain.
380 m
Walk straight ahead down Damstraat. Here you will come across the Pieter Teylers Huis on your left, at number 21. Pieter Teyler we mentioned earlier. The man buried in the Great or St. Bavo Church lived here with his wife. Teyler was a wealthy cloth and silk merchant, banker and philanthropist in the 17th century. The Teylers Museum is indebted to the collection and fortune of Pieter Teyler's will. Soon you will be able to admire the museum across the water.
Opening hours Pieter Teylers Huis
Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
390 m
Continue walking toward the Spaarne River. This more than 10 km long river separates the city center with Haarlem East. On the left corner you will see the Waag. This building was built around 1598 under the direction of city architect Lieven de Key. Until 1915, it was the place where goods were weighed and sold. Today, the first floor houses a café and the second floor has been home to artists' association KZOD since 1841.
Opening hours Tavern De Waag
Wednesday through Friday and Sunday 3 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.
400 m
There are several beautiful buildings on the Spaarne. Do you see those two identical buildings with stepped gables on the opposite left? Until 1668, beer brewery De Olyphant was located here. Today they are houses. Right across the street you see a national monumental city palace: the Hodshon House. This palace was built in 1794 by order of Cornelia Catharina Hodshon and designed by Abraham van der Hart. The property has been owned by the Hendrick de Keyser Association since 2008. Today, the Hodshon House serves as an event venue.
540 m
Walk to the right along the Spaarne. You'll come across several catering establishments. For example, get a coffee to go at Coffee Spot or an ice cream at Tante Saar when the sun is shining brightly. On the corner you will find Spaarne 66. Here on the other side is the Milk Bridge. Walk across the bridge and make the jump across the Spaarne. From the bridge you have a good view of the Grote or St. - Bavokerk and the Teylers Museum.
540 m
Walk left along the water. Now admire the monuments from the other side of the Spaarne! Follow the bend to the right and walk left into the Spaarnwouderstraat. Don't forget to occasionally look up at the special facades!
960 m
Spaarnwouderstraat is home to many fun businesses, such as Hello I'm Local, Lilo Ceramics and B&B Kenaushome. This B&B at number 59 does not get its name by accident. In the 16th century, the most famous woman in Haarlem lived on the plot where the B&B is now located: Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer. According to tradition, she fought manfully against the Spaniards during the Siege of Haarlem. Can you already see the tops of the Amsterdam Gate? Tradition has it that Kenau stood on the ramparts at the Amsterdam Gate to repel the Spanish attack during the Eighty Years' War.
1.24 km
You are approaching the Amsterdam Gate. Walk under the gate to see the front. The Amsterdam Gate is a well-known Haarlem landmark. The Haarlem city gate comes from 1486 and was part of the city wall. The gate is part of the old route from Amsterdam to Haarlem; hence the name Amsterdam Gate. The Amsterdam Gate is the only gate left of the fourteen city gates that Haarlem had.
1.42 km
Walk back under the gate and cross the street. Walk into the Koralensteeg and return to the Spaarne. Turn right and see the Koepel and Molen de Adriaan across the street. On the Houtmarkt you will see beautiful buildings and gable stones.
1.50 km
Take the first exit to the right. You will find yourself on Dijkstraat, where at number 8, on your right, you will find a remarkable old building.
1.70 km
Before the little square, turn left into Glasblazersstraat. Cross the Blekerstraat and continue your way to the Scheepmakersdijk. You walk past playground the Glasblazers. On your left, behind the playground, you can see the Teylershofje on the other side of the Spaarne. This hofje was founded by Pieter Teyler. Cross the Harmenjansweg and walk straight ahead on the Scheepmakersdijk.
You'll arrive at Restaurant Zuidam, where you can enjoy a snack or drink with a view of the Spaarne.
1.86 km
Not to be missed is Mill De Adriaan. Molen De Adriaan is an octagonal stage mill from 1779 and built by Adriaan de Boois. The Amsterdam entrepreneur built his mill on top of an old defense tower. The mill served various functions, including grinding tuff into tras. In 1802, the mill was converted to a tobacco mill and in 1853 to a grist mill. The mill burned down in 1932, but was finally rebuilt in 2002. Now it is a museum and you can get married there. When there is enough wind, the mill turns.
Walkers from Leap across the Spaarne can pick up a folding leaflet from the Panorama.
Opening hours Mill The Adriaan
March 1 to November 1
Monday through Friday 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
November 1 to March 1
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
2.2 km
Continue your way along the Papentorenvest. Turn left onto the Harmenjansweg and go with the curve. You will approach the Koepelplein on your left, where you will find the imposing monument the Koepel.
2.23 km
The Koepelgevangenis, also called the Koepel by Haarlemmers, is a former city prison. It was designed around 1890 by architect Willem Cornelis Metzelaar. The dome worked as a "panopticon," much like the pantheon in Rome. Efficient supervision and less mutual contact between inmates were cited as benefits. In 2016, the prison closed. It has since been completely remodeled, but many original details have been preserved in the process. You will now find a cinema, catering, office space and workplaces, among other things. Education is provided on the top floor.
Feel free to walk into the Dome. In the "corridor" to the Dome is the Menu Corridor restaurant. To the right in the Dome is the DeliCafé, where you can have a drink. In the basement of the building is the Film Dome. The former cells have been preserved. Today you can rent these spaces to work in. The Koepel also contains an escaperoom. On the first floor, you can take a look into the cell of resistance fighter Hannie Schaft.
Opening hours The Dome
Sunday through Thursday 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. - 11:45 p.m.
2.56 km
Leave the Dome and turn immediately right into Harmenjansweg. Take the first left onto Kaapstanderstraat. Then turn right onto Kelderwindkade. Then turn right onto Windasstraat. At the end of the street, turn left toward the Oerkap, which you will find on your left after the tunnel. The Oerkap is an urban beach. A nice place where you can eat and drink something with a view of the Spaarne.
Opening hours Oerkap
Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Thursday and Friday 10 a.m.-00:30 a.m.
Saturday 11 a.m.-00:30 a.m.
Sunday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
3.44 km
Cross Oudeweg at the traffic lights and go straight ahead into Kick Smitweg. You are in the Sportheldenbuurt. Thus, Kick Smit was also a sports hero: a famous Haarlem soccer player. Walk straight ahead. You will end up at the Energieplein.
2.87 km
To the right, you will see the New Vide. This is an art venue and incubator that focuses on experimentation and talent development. There is a workshop space, exhibition space, studio space and various activities are organized.
Straight ahead you see the Lichtfabriek. From 1902 Haarlem was supplied with light and heat from this building. Many of the buildings of this former municipal electricity and gas factory date from this period of origin. The factory operated until 1968, after which parts of the complex were demolished. The remaining buildings have been restored. Since 2000, parts of the Lichtfabriek have been used as a special event location.
On the right side of the Lichtfabriek, at Basecamp Haarlem, you can have meetings. During the day you can also have a cup of coffee or lunch there.
3.07 km
Walk left along the lawn around Basecamp Haarlem. You will approach Mooie Boules. Mooie Boules is a cozy place by the water where you can play bocce, sing karaoke, play games, have drinks and a bite to eat. Are you ready for a drink? Feel free to take a seat inside or on the terrace here!
Opening hours Beautiful Boules
Monday through Thursday 4 p.m. - 00 a.m.
Friday 3 p.m.-1 a.m.
Saturday 12 p.m.-1 a.m.
Sunday 12:00 - 00:00
3.05 km
Walk past the padel courts, along the Stokers path, toward the Figee Bridge. This is on your left. Cross the bridge. You're walking toward the Bakke Rij. This is an innovative place where you can rent workstations. Also here is the Figee Café. At the Figee Café you can go for coffee, lunch and drinks. Everything on the menu you can also take away.
Walkers of Leap across the Spaarne will be specially offered a ginger tea or piece of banana cake at Figee Café.
Opening hours Figee Café
Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
4.05 km
The Bakke Row is home to Loveli. You'll find it on the left side of the Figee Café. Loveli is a cosmetics brand that began by developing a deodorant without aluminum. The brand has since expanded and sells more cosmetics products that are 100% natural.
Walk back across the bridge.
A choice moment: you can choose to take some extra steps, towards the MAAK site. This is an inspiring place for a community of innovation and circular manufacturing companies in Haarlem. If you choose to return to the center, continue at step 29.
4 km
Coming from the Figee Bridge? Then walk straight down Mincklersweg. Are you at Beautiful Boules? Then walk back and follow the Stokers path past the padel courts. Turn right onto Minckelersweg and walk all the way down it.
2.97 km
On the Mincklersweg you will come across Skatepark Haarlem on your right. Here you can skate indoors. But you can do more than learn tricks here. In fact, various events are organized and there is a café and a sunny terrace.
Opening hours Skatepark Haarlem
Tuesday 3 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Wednesday 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Thursday and Friday 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Saturday 2:30 - 10 p.m.
Sunday 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
3.54km
At the end of Mincklersweg, turn left. On your left you will come across the MAAK site. Feel free to walk onto the grounds, there is a lot happening here. It houses 40 companies from the creative and circular manufacturing industry. From organic plant food to film effects. In the 3D Makers Zone, in the hall in the middle of the site, the latest technological developments in 3D printing, robotics and digital manufacturing take place.
Bouwlab is also on the MAAK site. Bouwlab focuses on innovative solutions for the construction and urban sector. Bouwlab acts as a "living lab" where new building techniques and materials are tested and developed in practice. Building technologies used include modular construction and the use of recycled materials.
There is also catering on the MAAK grounds. You can go to SMAAK for coffee and cake or lunch.
Opening hours SMAK
Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
2.79 km
Walk back to the Oudeweg and turn right. Take the second turn to the right; the Wim van Eststraat. At the end of the street you will come back to the Kick Smitweg.
3.21 km
Did you choose to skip the MAAK area? You are either at Mooie Boules, or at the Figee Bridge. If you find yourself at the Figeebrug, walk past the padel courts towards Mooie Boules. From here, walk straight ahead, past the Lichtfabriek to Max Euweplein. Turn right. You are at the Spaarne again. Droste is located on the left. You will see this building even better from the other side of the Spaarne.
3.68 km
Continue walking along the water. On your left you will come across Adriaan Paulenstraat. Enter this street and take the first right. You are back on the Kick Smitweg. At the end of the road, cross again at the traffic lights where you crossed earlier.
3.91 km
Once crossed, also cross to the right at traffic lights. Then go straight across the Prinsenbrug. On the left side of the bridge you will see Grote or St.-Bavokerk and Molen de Adriaan. On the right side you see the Drostefabriek. This former cocoa and chocolate factory dates back to 1911. The chocolate manufacturer was founded as early as 1863. The building was converted into housing in 2008.
The image with nurse carrying a tray with a cocoa can on it (Droste effect) was designed by the Haarlem-based Jan Misset in 1904. The Droste effect, a repetitive visual effect, is included in the Dikke van Dale.
4.08 km
At the end of the bridge, cross at the traffic lights to the other side. Then cross to the right at the traffic lights. Continue left through the green. Follow the path.
You are at city park the Bolwerken. The Bolwerken remained when the city walls were demolished in the nineteenth century. The park includes the former fortifications of Haarlem and was transformed in the 19th century into a city park in English landscape style by J.D. Zocher, a Haarlem garden architect known for, among other things, designing the Haarlemmerhout and the Amsterdam Vondelpark.
4.21 km
On the left you will see a yellow building: Huize Zocher. The history of Huize Zocher begins in 1865, when architect J. van Ek designed the neoclassical national monument. A notable feature of Huize Zocher is its architectural style, which resulted in eleven villas on the Prinsen Bolwerk bastions in Haarlem between 1864 and 1870. Originally intended as a residence in 1865, the building was soon used as an emergency hospital and took on the function of a school around 1930. Today the house serves as a nursing home.
4.5 km
After walking along Kloppersingel for a while, approach the Kennemer Bridge. Turn right here. On your right you will see fishmonger Leo van Rhijn. Fancy some fish? Then stop here for something to eat. Cross the Kennemerbrug at the flower kiosk. Walk straight ahead onto Schotersingel.
Opening hours Leo van Rhijn
Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
Saturday 9:15 a.m.-4 p.m.
4.64 km
On your left you will see Museum of the Spirit. The Museum of the Spirit | Haarlem is housed in the city's former Plague, Dol, and Leprosy House. For 700 years, the building has housed "lepers, lunatics, malcontents, alcoholics, prostitutes with syphilis, demented elderly, vagrants, people in crisis. Many old elements in the building complex have been preserved, such as the chapel from the 14th century, the Regent's Room from 1756 and a dolcel from the 16th century. Today, there is art and culture that discusses mental health.
Near the museum is catering establishment Thuys. Here you can go for a good cup of coffee, 'Thuys-made' lunch, sweet treats or a cozy drink. Thuys can also be visited when you are not visiting the museum.
Opening hours Museum of the Spirit and Thuys
Wednesday through Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
5.06 km
Walk around the museum, along the waterfront. Admire the beautiful buildings on Schotersingel. Continue your way along the water and cross the Noorderbrug on the left. Once across the Noorderbrug, turn left and walk toward the traffic lights. Cross here and go under the overpass.
Right on the corner you will see Westhoff. Here you can drink delicious coffee and eat something tasty with it or have an extensive lunch. You can also go there for a drink. Everything is also available for take-away. Westhoff is not only a nice place for eating and drinking, but you can also work and have meetings or store there. There are grooming products, books and kitchen accessories for sale, for example. Opposite Westhoff is the Waiting Room. This is a cozy eatery with a large terrace.
Opening hours Westhoff
Monday through Friday 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Opening Hours Waiting room
Monday through Sunday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
5.45 km
You had probably already seen it; Haarlem Station. The station was opened in 1839. Did you know that the first railroad line in the Netherlands ran between Amsterdam and Haarlem? The first train ran from Amsterdam to Haarlem at a speed of 40 km/h in 1839. That took the locomotive half an hour. Today, the train reaches a speed of 140 km/h. You can arrive at Amsterdam Centraal station in 15 minutes.
5.56 km
At Kruisweg 42, Blue Zone Espresso is located. This coffee bar is in a building with a special facade. This building was renovated first in the municipality's plan to bring back historic storefronts in the downtown area. The storefront was restored to its old style and completed in March 2024. For four years, the municipality will make available grants for retail and hospitality properties to restore the storefront.
Opening hours Blue Zone Espresso
Monday and Tuesday 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Wednesday through Saturday 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
5.61 km
Continue your way along the Kruisweg. On your left you will see FrietHoes. FrietHoes is a Haarlem entrepreneur who makes delicious, fresh, artisanal fries. French fries without processing or additives and sustainably produced. Pick up a cone to get through the last bits of the walk.
Opening hours FriesHoes
Monday through Sunday 12:00 - 8:00 p.m.
5.79 km
We go back a few steps on Kruisweg and take the first right. Walk into the Lange Herenstraat. Turn right at the end. You'll see Hofje van Staats across the street at number 39. The hofje Monday through Saturday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. is open to the public. Haarlem is known for its hofjes. There are 22 in the city today. Hofje van Staats was founded in 1730 and is one of Haarlem's larger hofjes. It has 30 houses and a large courtyard garden. Should you wish to visit the hofje, do not cause a nuisance and keep respect for the residents.
5.98 km
When you face Hofje van Staats, turn left. Take the first right onto Park Street. You will approach the Ripperdapark. Walk left around the park and enter the Gonnetstraat. On the right you will see Oceans Haarlem.
6.14 km
Oceans is a sustainable hub where you can work and host events. Dopper is also located here. Dopper makes sustainable, refillable drinking bottles.
6.88 km
Walk out of the Gonnetstraat. You will see the Spaarne again. Turn right and cross the Zanders Bridge. Then take the first right; the Zakstraat. Cross the Jansbrug and turn left. You are now walking along the Bakenessergracht. On the canal there are special monumental buildings. At the level of the Begijnebrug turn right into the Korte Begijnestraat.
7.14 km
At the end of Korte Begijnestraat turn left. On your left you will see the Barn. De Schuur is a vibrant place for culture in the center of Haarlem. With daily programming in theater, film, dance, talks, word art, DJs and music specials in the café. You are welcome to look inside.
Next to the Barn is PHIL Haarlem; the concert hall of Haarlem.
7.35 km
Turn right. Pass the cozy catering establishments and you will walk down to the Grote Markt: the starting and ending point of this walking route.
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