Discover Haarlem in 10,000 Steps
Haarlem is the city of historic buildings and cozy cafes. Of impressive museums and beautiful shopping streets. In fact, too much to mention. So where to start if you want to get to know the city (even) better? The answer to this question is simple: with taking the first step of this 10,000 step walk. Or rather, it's more of an exploration. We will take you to the city's well-known and lesser-known spots and make you look at everything you encounter in a different way. And yes, of course we have made sure that the route passes by cozy catering establishments. So, whether you were born and raised in our city or are coming there for the first time, with this walk the city is at your feet.
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. Stand with your back to City Hall and walk to the right into Koningstraat; one of Haarlem's Golden Streets.
Opening hours Anno Haarlem
Wednesday through Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
174 m
Koningstraat connects the Grote Markt with the Botermarkt. See the medieval building of Koningstraat number 20, where the Inrichting Van Bijzonder onderwijs voor Katholieke Meisjes was located. The building now houses apartments. The middle part of this building is monumental. Above the building is a maria statue. Feel free to walk into the building and be surprised by the courtyard garden.
197 m
Continue down King Street, occasionally looking up to see the historic facades.
261 m
At the end of Koningstraat, cross Gedempte Oude Gracht. You are now walking into the Gierstraat. This street is also part of the Gouden Straatjes. On your right is the Botermarkt and on your left, at number 3 in the Gierstraat, you will find Drogisterij A.J. van der Pigge with an imposing gaper above the door. The drugstore dates back to 1849. In 1910 department store V&D came to this spot. All the buildings around Van der Pigge disappeared, but owner Anton refused to close his business. Now you can still see how the department store was built around Van der Pigge.
Opening hours Drugstore A.J. van der Pigge
Monday 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Tuesday to Friday 09:30 - 18:00
Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
411 m
Walk past Van der Pigge straight ahead and continue your route into the Gierstraat. Halfway down the Gierstraat, turn right into the Breestraat and enter the authentic neighborhood of the Vijfhoek. In the Breestraat you will find plenty of cute stores and a delicious coffee shop on your right: Native.
Opening hours Native
Tuesday to Friday 08:00 - 17:00
Saturday 09:00 - 17:00
510 m
Admire the beautiful old buildings as you continue down Breestraat. You come to the point where five streets come together. This is where the name Vijfhoek comes from. Are you a little later in the afternoon? Then you can settle down here at Café de Vijfhoek for a nice drink.
Opening hours Café The Pentagon
Monday to Thursday 16:00 - 01:00
Friday 15:00 - 02:00
Saturday 13:00 - 02:00
Sunday 14:00 - 01:00
693 m
Ready to continue walking? Keep left at Café de Vijfhoek and walk down Lange Raamstraat. This street brings you to the Nieuwe Kerksplein with the Nieuwe Kerk there. The church dates from the 17th There are regular concerts in it. The church was designed and built as the first Protestant church in Haarlem and has a unique architecture. The Protestant Congregation of Haarlem-Centrum uses this church as a winter church because in winter it is too cold in the Grote or St.-Bavokerk.
726 m
Walk past the church straight into the Oude Raamstraat. Enjoy all the greenery and authenticity of this historic street.
831 m
At the end of the street, turn right onto the Raamvest. Did the coffee tip in the Pentagon come too soon, but are you ready for it now? Further down on your right you will find Maeva. Feel free to sit down here.
Opening hours Maeva
Monday 08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday to Friday 08:00 - 16:00
Saturday 09:00 - 17:00
Sunday 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
930 m
Once you pass Maeva, you will see Stadsschouwburg Haarlem looming before you. Cross the Wilhelminastraat at the traffic lights and walk towards the theater. Admire this more than 100-year-old theater.
976 m
While enjoying the extraordinary architecture of the Haarlem City Theatre, you may have already caught a glimpse of the imposing KoepelKathedraal. This basilica with its green domes can be easily seen from the City Theatre. Ready to walk on?
1.05 km
Walk past the theater toward the waterfront. Got an appetite? Here you will find a picturesque fish stall called Willy's Vis. Immediately past the fish stall, cross the water and cross the road at the traffic lights. Walk left onto the Leidsevaart towards the Westergracht.
Opening hours Willy's Fish
Tuesday 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Wednesday through Friday 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Saturday 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
1.24 km
Immediately cross the Westergracht at the next traffic lights and walk towards the Dome Cathedral. Before you reach the church take the last path on the right, walk past the church flags and keep the church on your left. Walk into the Jos Cuypersstraat.
1.38 km
A little further down Jos Cuypersstraat, you will find Hofje Beresteyn on your right. The hofje was founded in the 17th century and served as a place for poor, Roman Catholic men and women to live.
1.43 km
Opposite the courtyard is the Bishop Bottemanne Square. There on your left you will find the entrance to the Dome Cathedral.
1.46 km
The KoepelKathedral is one of the largest churches in the Netherlands. Its dome is 65 meters high. Along with the Sagrada Família in Barcelona and the Sacré-Coeur in Paris, among others, the KoepelKathedraal is in the top five most important European churches built between 1850 - 1950. Starting March 20, the cathedral will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., if enough volunteers are available. You must purchase a ticket to enter the church. Inside the cathedral is a catering facility where you can go for a cup of coffee. There is also a museum that includes paintings, sculptures and silverware of Louis Napoleon.
1.50 km
As you leave the church, turn left and walk back toward the water via Emmaplein.
1.67 km
Cross the Leidsevaart and walk directly over the Emmabrug across the water. Then turn diagonally right into the Tweede Emmastraat.
1.79 km
Turn right at Klinkhamer Pharmacy into the Koninginneweg and then left into Olieslagerslaan.
1.94 km
Halfway down Olieslagerslaan you will find on your left the Coen Cuserhof, a former orphanage that has been completely renovated and now houses private residences. A beautiful building to behold. From the street you can admire the turrets and gable clock.
2.16 km
Continue on Olieslagerslaan and turn right at the end onto Wagenweg. Fancy a snack? Walk about 150 meters down Wagenweg and find Café de Tapuit or in the building next door coffee shop BOEM.
Opening hours Café de Tapuit
Mon to Sun 15:00 - 02:00
Opening hours BOEM
Mon - Fri 08:30 - 16:00
Za 10:00 - 17:00
2.32 km
From this catering establishment, cross Wagenweg via the crosswalk towards Flora Park. Continue along the gravel path in the park. At the end of the path by the busy road you will find the statue of Frans Hals.
2.39 km
The statue of Frans Hals is 2.25 meters high. In 1898, painter Frans Hals was honored with a statue by sculptor Scholtz. Frans Hals was a 17th-century painter who lived all his life in Haarlem. He was buried in the Grote or St. Bavo Church on the Grote Markt. Hals is known for his vivid portraits of people from all walks of life.
2.67 km
After admiring the statue of Frans Hals, keep right and continue towards the large intersection. Cross the Dreef at the traffic lights and walk into the monumental city park the Haarlemmerhout. Halfway down the path, look over your left shoulder and admire the Provincial House of North Holland, Paviljoen Welgelegen.
Need to enjoy some more nature and feel fit enough for some extra steps? Then walk to the right and make a right turn around the deer. Halfway, cast a glance at the fountain, the Hildebrand Monument, and continue your way past the deer, the petting zoo and finally Theehuis de Haarlemmerhout. Another wonderful place to take a break. Then continue walking for a bit and return to the point where you deviated from the route for the extra round trip. Continue at point 25 of the walk. Note: since you are now coming from the other side, keep right at point 25 to leave De Hout. Then you can pick up the description of the route again.
Opening hours Tea House the Haarlemmerhout
Mon - Sun 09:30 - 17:00
Are 10,000 steps enough and can't wait to explore the rest of the route? Then skip the extra step and continue at point 25.
3.12 km
Keep left to leave the Wood again. Once you reach the intersection, cross left at the traffic lights and walk into Kleine Houtweg. Walk slightly left here through the park but keep walking parallel to the Kleine Houtweg to continue it again. Also at the intersection keep walking straight ahead so that you stay on Kleine Houtweg.
3.4km
Walk all the way down Kleine Houtweg toward the center. Walk past Hart Haarlem, at number 18, on your left. Hart Haarlem is committed to enabling cultural and creative developments. Hart shares knowledge and experiences in the field of cultural education and participation. The monumental building of Hart Haarlem used to house the Orphanage of the Mennonites.
3.54km
Continue walking down Kleine Houtweg, cross the water and turn left onto Gasthuisvest.
3.61 km
On the Gasthuisvest you will find the Egelantier at number 47. This is the former Sint Elisabeth Gasthuis. The building served as a hospital complex from 1973 to 1991. The building is now empty and is being converted into HOF Haarlem with a hotel, artist residences, culture and hospitality.
3.65 km
3.68 km
On your right you will see a number of Gasthuis houses. The Gasthuis houses were built between 1608 and 1612 by order of the St. Elisabeth Gasthuis that stood around the corner. Older people with some savings could register here as proveniers. They bought in once and had shelter and care until the end of their lives.
3.71 km
On your left you will see the world-famous Frans Hals Museum. The Frans Hals Museum was founded in 1862. It is known as the museum of the Golden Age. The collection is based on the rich collection of Haarlem. Naturally, the museum owns a collection of Frans Hals' paintings. Near the museum is catering establishment Cleeff Frans Hals. Here you can go for coffee, lunch and cake; even without visiting the museum.
Opening hours Cleeff Frans Hals
Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
3.76 km
The Sint Elisabeth Gasthuis, also called the Groote Gasthuis, was a hospital mostly for poor Haarlemmers. In the great fire of Haarlem in 1576, the hospital was lost. The hospital moved to this location, a former convent where it served as a hospital until 1971.
3.77 km
Further on the right you will find two museums. ABC Architecture Center Haarlem was founded in 1989. The museum is a platform for architecture and urban planning of Haarlem and its surroundings. Verwey Museum Haarlem is a museum about the history and cultural heritage of Haarlem and Zuid-Kennemerland.
Opening hours ABC Architecture Center Haarlem
Tuesday to Saturday 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday 13:00 - 17:00
Opening hours Verwey Museum Haarlem
Monday 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sunday 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
3.84 km
Look through the beautiful side streets on the Groot Heiligland, such as the Omvalspoort and enjoy the beautiful facades.
4.04 km
At the end of Groot Heiligland, cross Gedempte Oude Gracht and walk straight into Schagchelstraat. You probably already feel by the liveliness around you that you are back in the city center. In the Schagchelstraat you will again find plenty of fine catering spots for a quiet moment.
For coffee and pastries, lunch or drinks you can go to Brownies&downieS. At House of Pancakes you can eat fresh pancakes. Jámon Jámon is a well-known tapas bar in Haarlem. Delicious sandwiches are available here.
Opening hours Brownies&downieS
Monday to Sunday
09:00 - 17:00
Opening hours House of Pancakes
Monday
10:00 - 19:00
Wednesday through Friday 10:00 - 19:00
Sunday
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Opening hours Jámon Jámon
Wednesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday 09:00 - 16:00
4.13 km
At the end of Schagchelstraat, go straight ahead into Warmoesstraat.
4.15 km
Welcome to the Warmoesstraat. Perhaps the most enchanting little street in the city with a beautiful view of the tower of the Great or St. Bavo Church. On your right you will find Hofje In Den Groenen Tuyn. The hofje is open for visits on weekdays from 10:00 to 12:00.
Haarlem wouldn't be Haarlem if you weren't once again generously served in terms of hospitality in this little street. Have fries at Friethuis La Petite or lunch at Metzo or Dijkers.
Opening hours Chip shop La Petite
Tuesday and Wednesday
11:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday
11:30 - 20:00
Friday to Sunday
11:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Opening hours Metzo
Monday through Saturday
11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Opening hours Dijkers
Tuesday through Friday
11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 - 22:00
Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
4.29 km
Walk down Warmoesstraat. Don't forget to look up occasionally at gable stones and beautiful facades. Turn right onto the Oude Groenmarkt. Enjoy the atmosphere of all the terraces and restaurants located at the back of the church. Among other things, admire the monumental building of hotel and restaurant ML on your left. This used to be the printing office and residence of the Johan Enschedé family. Walk straight ahead into the Damstraat. You can have a drink and a bite to eat at star restaurant ML.
Opening hours ML
Monday through Sunday
10:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
4.41 km
On Damsstraat, admire on your left at number 19 the former home of Pieter Teyler.
4.48 km
Continue your way toward the Spaarne and glance at the historic building on your left at the corner, Taverne De Waag. De Waag was built in 1594. Its location on the Spaarne was favorable in connection with the supply and removal of goods to be weighed. At De Waag you can take a break provided with a drink.
Opening hours tavern de Waag
Wednesday through Friday 15:00 - 22:00
Saturday 12:00 - 22:00
Sunday 15:00 - 22:00
4.50 km
Turn left and walk along the Spaarne. The Spaarne is a 10.5-kilometer-long river that flows through the center of Haarlem to Spaarndam. There are 12 bridges across the Spaarne. The river played a major role in the removal and delivery of goods and facilitated the city's trade.
4.54 km
Are you just enjoying the beautiful Spaarne? Get ready for another highlight, because on your left at number 16 you will find Teylers Museum: the oldest museum in the Netherlands. A museum of science and art, it was founded in 1778 by Pieter Teyler van der Hulst.
Opening hours Teylers Museum
Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
4.58 km
Are you starting to feel the feet yet? Hang in there a little longer because we have more beauty in store. Continue your way along the Spaarne and see the beautiful historic lift bridge on your right, the Gravesteenbrug. Behold also the beautiful stepped gables on the other side of the water where beer brewery the Olyphant used to be located. Don't cross over because we will continue walking a little further towards the Bakenessergracht. First cross the small canal and then turn left onto the Bakenessergracht. This canal runs from the Spaarne to the Nieuwe Gracht. Three bridges connect the west quay with the east quay.
4.73 km
Enjoy the beautiful and historic properties on Bakenessergracht. Before you turn right towards the Vrouwestraat, walk through two more buildings. Here at number 71 you can see the monumental building of the Bread and Flour Factory The building comes from 1876. Until 1946 it served as a bread and flour factory. Today it houses apartments.
4.79 km
Walk back a short distance and enter the Vrouwestraat on your way to the Bakenesserkerk. You will find this at the end of the street on your right. The church dates from the 15th The tower is 48 meters high. Remarkably, the tower is almost identical to the tower of the Grote or St. Bavo Church on the Grote Markt.
4.83 km
Walk out of Vrouwestraat and turn right. Continue through the first street on the left. Walk out of the Valkenstraat and turn right. The first building on your right is Teylers Hofje on Koudenhorn 64.
4.95 km
The Teylers Hofje is open to visitors Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. The hofje was founded by the founder of Teylers Museum Pieter Teylers van der Hulst. The hofje was intended for elderly, poor women of all denominations. The latter was special in the 18th century.
5.0 km
Leave the Teylers Hofje and re-enter the Koudenhorn. On the far left you will see the green Bridgekeeper's House. Walk towards it.
Prefer to shorten a bit anyway? Then stay on this side of the water. Keep the bridge keeper's house on your right and walk straight ahead. Admire Molen de Adriaan from a distance, pass the police station on your left, then turn left onto Nieuwe Gracht. Pick up the route again at number 53.
5.27 km
Take the bridge over the water here. Follow the road as it curves to the right, you will see the Dome come into view. Cross the street and visit the former penal prison. Note: Walk left around the first building to get to the entrance of the Koepel.
5.27 km
The Dome opened in 1901 as a penal prison and closed in 2016. It contained 240 cells. The former penal prison has been converted into a campus, business complex and cinema, among other things, while retaining authentic details of the prison. Inside the Dome you will find the DeliCafe where you can grab a coffee.
5.47 km
Leave the Dome and keep diagonally to the right. You can already see the mill. That is where we are going. Turn into the Papentorenvest and walk up to the monumental mill. Molen de Adriaan was opened in 1779. The mill initially ground tuff, shells and oak bark. In 1932, the mill went completely up in flames. So the mill you see today is not the original mill. Today, the Adriaan houses a museum. Weather permitting, the mill runs. The Adriaan is an official wedding location. Next to the mill is restaurant Zuidam. Take a seat here for lunch or drinks by the water.
Opening hours Zuidam
Every day 11:00 - 22:00
5.63 km
We will leave the mill and the beautiful terrace of Zuidam behind us. We keep to the right and continue our way back across the bridge. At the end of the bridge, turn right.
5.79 km
Admire the mill again on your right, pass the police station on your left, then turn left onto the Nieuwe Gracht.
5.89 km
Just right on the corner you can take a look at Hofje van Noblet. One of the many almshouses in Haarlem. The hofje is open to the public. The hofje dates from the 18th century. It housed unmarried women from Amsterdam and Haarlem. On the east side lived Amsterdamers and on the west side Haarlemers. Continue your route along Nieuwe Gracht and turn left at the first bridge into Jansstraat.
Opening hours Court of Noblet
Monday through Friday
10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
