What to do in Haarlem

Activities, attractions and tours

Haarlem which includes street scenes
Haarlem showing a river or creek and boating
Haarlem which includes a river or creek and a windmill
Teylers Museum featuring art and interior views
Frans Hals Museum showing interior views and art as well as a large group of people

Places to Visit in Haarlem

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Haarlem, North Holland while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Haarlem attractions from NZ$5, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Haarlem tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 709 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Haarlem. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

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Top places to visit

1. Grote Markt

Walk through the historic streets filled with ultramodern boutiques, hip fashionistas and trendy cafés of Grote Markt and then step back through time as you enter Haarlem’s main square. In the Grote Markt, you’re surrounded by historic buildings: the Gothic cathedral, the 17th-century town hall, the 13th-century Hoofdwacht building where the civic guard once met and the former meat hall which is now the Museum de Hallen.
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Grote Markt which includes street scenes and a statue or sculpture

2. Teylers Museum

Teylers Museum is the Netherland’s oldest museum, open to the public since 1784. This collection of art, science, history and oddities is fascinating. Inspect the structure, worth visiting for the stunning architecture alone. The façade’s beautiful neoclassical style, with columns and statuary, is echoed by the understated elegance of its interior.
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Teylers Museum which includes a bay or harbour, boating and a house

3. Cathedral of Saint Bavo

The grand Cathedral of Saint Bavo, designed by architect Joseph Cuypers and built between the 1890s and 1930s, displays an unusual mix of styles. Numerous towers topped with conical roofs give the church the look of a fairytale castle and lead your eye to the green copper dome. Look up to see the architectural flourishes, from neo-Gothic gargoyles to Romanesque arches.
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Cathedral of Saint Bavo which includes religious aspects, a church or cathedral and interior views

4. Corrie Ten Boom House

Visit Corrie ten Boomhuis to remember a time of great fear and brutality, but of great kindnesses and sacrifices too. The historic house commemorates the incredible bravery of the Ten Boom family in hiding Jewish fugitives and fighters in the Dutch resistance movement throughout World War II.
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Corrie Ten Boomhuis showing street scenes

5. Frans Hals Museum

Stroll down a narrow cobblestoned street lined with historic houses to visit the Dutch Master artists from Holland’s Golden Age at the Frans Hals Museum. This gallery has history and character. It’s housed inside a building from the early 1600s, which played a role as an almshouse, a retirement home for poor old men and an orphanage. Look for the painting of Haarlem orphans in their red and blue uniforms.
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Frans Hals Museum showing interior views and art

6. St. Bavo Church

At the entrance to the main square of Haarlem, stop for a moment and look up at the great church, Grote Kerk. The Gothic building with the crown-topped clock tower is the Protestant church, also known as St. Bavokerk. This church became the prominent feature on Haarlem’s skyline when it was built in the 14th century and has continued to play an important part in the life of the town.
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Grote Kerk which includes street scenes and a church or cathedral

Recommended things to do in Haarlem

Number of things to do
709
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Amsterdam off the Beaten Path A Self Guided Expedition: NZ$5
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Haarlem

Discover the most popular places to visit in Haarlem

Grote Markt featuring café scenes, street scenes and outdoor eating

Grote Markt

Try local delicacies of salted herring, buttery poffertjes and gooey stroopwafels and relax in a cozy café overlooking the buildings of this ancient town square.

Grote Markt
Teylers Museum featuring interior views

Teylers Museum

Experience the Enlightenment. Discover an 18th-century merchant’s collection of art, natural history, geology and science in harmonious neoclassical architecture.

Teylers Museum
Cathedral of Saint Bavo which includes religious aspects, a church or cathedral and interior views

Cathedral of Saint Bavo

See the unusual mix of architectural styles in this beautiful Catholic Church. Enjoy a performance by the choir, specially trained at a nearby musical school.

Cathedral of Saint Bavo
Corrie Ten Boomhuis showing street scenes

Corrie Ten Boom House

Visit the historic house where a courageous family hid about 800 Jews and underground resistance fugitives from the Nazis in a secret wardrobe compartment.

Corrie Ten Boom House
Frans Hals Museum featuring street scenes and a house as well as a small group of people

Frans Hals Museum

See the works of one of the most talented Dutch Master painters. Let the art transport you back to Haarlem as it was in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Frans Hals Museum
Grote Kerk showing heritage architecture and heritage elements

St. Bavo Church

Explore earlier times inside the 15th-century church, nicknamed “Jan with the High Shoulders,” that was at the heart of Haarlem’s community.

St. Bavo Church
Amsterdamse Poort

Amsterdamse Poort

Find out about the history of Oude Stad when you spend time at Amsterdamse Poort. Discover the area's shops or seek out its cycling trails.

Amsterdamse Poort
Molen De Adriaan

Molen De Adriaan

Enjoy an outing to Molen De Adriaan during your stay in Oude Stad. Discover the area's fascinating museums or seek out its cycling trails.

Molen De Adriaan

Corrie ten Boom House

You can find out about the history of Oude Stad with a stop at Corrie ten Boom House. Add the area's churches or shops to your travel plans.

Corrie ten Boom House

Explore areas of Haarlem

Haarlem featuring street scenes

Centrum

5/5(2 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Centrum, Grote Markt and Corrie ten Boom House are top sights worth seeing.

Centrum
Madame Tussauds featuring interior views as well as an individual male

Stationsbuurt

4/5(2 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Stationsbuurt, Hofje van Staats and Tmall History Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Stationsbuurt

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Haarlem

Zandvoort which includes street scenes

Zandvoort

Photo by Phia Bole

Bloemendaal

Photo by Jw

Heemstede

Photo by Matthew Rowe

Overveen

Frequently asked questions

Is Haarlem worth visiting?
One of the most common things to do in Haarlem is explore Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol. Tick this top attraction off your itinerary, then experience more of the area's culture and history.
How do I spend a day in Haarlem?
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol and Zandvoorts Museum are two good places to start your holiday adventures. Remember to check out the retail and dining options in Haarlem while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Haarlem?
The top tourist attraction in Haarlem is Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol, so be sure to include it on your sightseeing itinerary.
Is three days enough to stay in Haarlem?
Three days in Haarlem is plenty of time to enjoy the city's leading attractions. Many travellers spend three days on average. Frans Hals Museum, Zandvoorts Museum and Nationaal Park Zuid Kennemerland are among the most popular sights. Like to discover more? Stick around a little longer to check off nearby hotspots like Amsterdam.
Is Haarlem a walkable city?
It all depends on what you want to see and do in Haarlem. Several attractions, including Frans Hals Museum and NZH Public Transport Museum, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a stroll through some of Haarlem's best neighbourhoods, Oude Stad is 0.32 kilometres away from downtown, while Centrum is 0.16 kilometres away from the city centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Haarlem with kids?
If you're searching for activities and sights for all ages, we've got some fabulous ideas for what to do in Haarlem with kids.

What to do in Haarlem for adults?
Corrie ten Boom House and Corrie Ten Boom House are just two of the things to do in Haarlem. With loads of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Haarlem?
From visiting parks to strolling around exciting neighbourhoods, it's a breeze to discover free things to do in Haarlem. If you need inspiration, get some tips from a local tour guide. Grote Markt is a must for anyone looking to save on their travelling adventures.

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