The city has a vibrant cultural scene. Dive into Teylers Museum: our country's oldest museum of art and science. And did you know that the city is full of historic hidden churches? Be surprised by Haarlem's rich history, art and knowledge.
10:00 a.m.: Breakfast at the Kweekcafé, the "living room" of Haarlem
Your mind-blowing program in Haarlem starts right away in an inspiring place: the Grow Cafe. A former greenhouse and carpentry workshop in the Haarlem Greenhouse, a green part of the city. Here you enjoy an organic and locally produced breakfast. Sweet tooths choose, for example, a vegan coconut yogurt bowl with homemade granola. For those who prefer savory, we recommend a shepherd's breakfast with saved bread and a fried egg. Nice to know is that the Grow Café is also a meeting place for lovers of food, innovation and design. As such, there are regular workshops and presentations.
You walk from Haarlem train station to the Kweekcafé in about 15 minutes.
- Opening hours Growing Cafe: Monday and Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- You enjoy breakfast here for +/- €8
Clay Lane 9, growcafe.com
11:00 a.m.: Browse through time at Huijsings Books
In the heart of Haarlem lies a bookstore full of secondhand and antique treasures: Huijsing Books. A true Valhalla for bookworms. The bookcases reach to the ceiling and are full of books on all kinds of subjects. Browse through the collection and find that one historical novel or that interesting religious specimen. Huijsing Books is a bookstore that feels like Haarlem's living room. There is a comfortable chesterfield sofa, fresh coffee and a relaxing music playing in the background. Here you can lose your sense of time for just a moment.
From the Kweekcafé you can walk to this Haarlem bookstore in 25 minutes. Renting an OV bike? Then you'll be there in just under 10 minutes.
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Vulture Street 6, huijsingbooks.com
12:30 p.m.: Clear your head at Hofje zonder Zorgen
Did you know that Haarlem is a true city of almshouses? Along with Amsterdam and Leiden, the city has the most hofjes in our country. Right in the center is the Proveniershofje. This is adjacent to Garden without worries: a place where you can enjoy a delicious lunch in peace. There are homemade sandwiches and cakes, but also a real Hofjes High Tea. You get unlimited tea with all kinds of savory and sweet snacks. When the weather is sunny you can enjoy the terrace. From here you overlook the lively square at the Grote Houtstraat.
Hofje zonder Zorgen is a short 5-minute walk from Huijsing Books.
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- You order lunch here for +/- €10
- A Hofjes High Tea costs €25 p.p. Reserve your high tea prior to your visit
Great Wood Street 142a, hofjezonderzorgen.nl
2:00 p.m.: Walk the shelter churches route
After your lunch, walk the hideaway churches route. The route takes in two hidden churches: the St. Anna Church and the church on the Grote Houtstraat. This is where Catholics secretly practiced their faith in the 16th century. In fact, Catholicism was forbidden at the time. Even during World War II, secret meetings of townspeople were held here. From the outside, you do not see that there are churches hidden in the buildings. It looks like you are walking past ordinary houses. The route also passes by the Dome Cathedral - one of the world's most important churches - and the St. Bavo Church. Did you know that painter Frans Hals is buried in the latter church?
The hidden churches route starts at the Sint Bavo Church. This is where you walk from Hofje zonder Zorgen in just over 5 minutes.
- Download the free route guide
- The route is about 2.5 kilometers long
- Opening hours St. Bavo Church: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Opening hours Dome Cathedral: Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday from noon-5 p.m.
St. Bavo Church, Grote Markt 22, honeyguide.com
3:30 p.m.: Visit the Teylers Museum
The Teylers Museum is the oldest museum in the Netherlands. The building opened its doors to the public in 1784. Teylers' nickname is "Museum of Wonder," a name that fits well. Here you marvel at a unique collection of art, science and history. There is work by the greatest artists and scientists of recent centuries. From Rembrandt and Michelangelo to Newton and Copernicus. A highlight is the neoclassical Oval Room. Here you can view a large collection of fossils and minerals. Did you know that the complete interior of this hall has remained intact since its opening in the 18th century? Unique for a Dutch museum.
From the Koepelkathedraal, the end point of the hidden churches route, you can walk to Teylers Museum in 20 minutes.
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Price: adults €15, children up to 17 years €2.50 Â
Spaarne 16, teylermuseum.com
6 p.m.: Dinner at the Green Feather Quarter
All day you have been hungry for knowledge. Not surprisingly, by now you have developed a big appetite. For dinner you leave for the Haarlem Spaarnwoude Park, to the Veerkwartier. Here the people of Haarlem escape from the hustle and bustle of their city. The menu consists of dishes to share together. Many options are vegan or veg, such as the kimchi salad and the lentil dahl. Tip: order a cup of New Resilience Tea. This blend was developed especially for the Veerkwartier by natural pharmacy Van der Pigge. You taste anise seed, ginger and rosemary, among other things. A nice nightcap.
From the Teyler Museum, you can walk to the Veerkwartier in just over half an hour. Do you have an OV bike? Then you'll be there in 10 minutes.
- Opening hours: Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- For a shared dining dish, you pay between €4.50 and €13.50
- View the calendar for most recent activities
A. Hofmanweg 62, ferryquarter.com
Hotel tip: Check-in at the Anegang Boutique Hotel
Anegang Boutique Hotel is one of the most unique hotels in Haarlem. The reason: the hotel has a self check-in concept. You check in via the digital platform at your convenience. That gives you a lot of freedom during your city trip. The rooms are modern, with a rain shower, smart TV and desk with laptop connection. Yet the historical character of the building is also still clearly visible. Just look at the characteristic facade and beams. Anegang Boutique Hotel is located in the center heart of Haarlem. A fine base if you want to go into town the next day. Perhaps to discover the green spots of Haarlem?
From the Veerkwartier you can walk to your hotel in 40 minutes. We recommend an OV bike, then you'll be there in just under 15 minutes. The next day you can walk back to Haarlem station in just over 10 minutes.
- Prices for a double room start from €80
Anegis 2, alys.co.uk
This blog was published by NS.
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