Venture out from the market square by taking any one of the small winding streets. You will quickly discover the vast number of boutiques lining the streets full of unique specialty shops. Scattered throughout several streets you will find everything from antiques to small art galleries to big brands to local independent shops. Even for those non-shoppers, it is a great place to wander and no doubt something is bound to pique your interest.
But, for those serious shoppers, be sure to check out the best-known streets of Grote Houtstraat, the Barteljorisstraat, and the Zijlstraat. As well as, the streets of Schagchelstraat, Kleine Houtstraat, Anegang, Warmoesstraat, Koningstraat and Gierstraat. Be aware that most shops don’t open until 11:00 or 12:00pm.
71 Comments
JoJo Hall
Haarlem looks like such a lovely little town to explore! It reminds me of a town straight out of Harry Potter or a similar movie.
The.Holidaymaker
Yes, it definitely has a ancient town feel to it with its well preserved architecture.
Carolin
Harlem is picture-perfect and I can’t believe it’s only a 15-minute ride by train away. Lovely place with a charming Old Town. In general, I feel this town is a very “Dutch” place, all of the places I’ve been to in the Netherlands and Belgium have been absolutely gorgeous. The mews and secret gardens would do it most for me. I have a weak spot for historic gardens as they tend to have a lot of detail and are often cozy and intimate.
The.Holidaymaker
It sounds like you would really enjoy Harlem based on the charming Dutch old town and historic gardens.
Pam
Haarlem looks so beautiful! I love the windmill on the water and all of the colorful buildings! I always love finding secret gardens in cities – they’re like hidden places of peace in a world of chaos.
Barry Till
You do get to some marvellous places in Europe. I’d heard of Harlaam, as I know Amsterdam well, but have never been there. Now I wish I had – those houses are beautiful and sitting in that main square witha coffee and pastry just people watching would be my idea of an idyllic rest stop while exploring.
I never knew The Netherlands’ oldest art gallery was here – something that would entral me to visit.
I love how the modern gabled building in one of your pictures compliments, rather than jar against, the older one next to it. Town planning definitely has control here.
Haarlem is on the list to go and visit when I am next in Amsterdam.
The.Holidaymaker
Hopefully you’ll have a chance to explore Haarlem sometime in the future. It really is a delight city, with all the highlights of Amsterdam, only far less tourists.
Megan
What a beautiful city. I love being able to see a city from the water, so I’d love to do the boat tour of Haarlem.
The.Holidaymaker
The boat tour is a must! And it’s a little less busy than the boat tours in Amsterdam.
Leah
Haarlem looks stunning! I had to miss out on Amsterdam during my Europe trip due to covid, so will definitely be saving this for when I finally get to go to the Netherlands!
The.Holidaymaker
You’ll have to plan a day trip here when in Amsterdam.
Simplyjolayne
This is exactly the kind of place I would love to just wander around, explore, and take pictures all day long. Your photos are lovely.
The.Holidaymaker
It is a dreamy place for photographers, it sounds like it would be perfect for you!
Travel A-Broads
My girlfriends and I are planning a trip to Brussels this summer and were looking for fun day trip ideas. Now I’m wondering if this might be doable from there! Thanks for sharing all of this! Xx Sara
The.Holidaymaker
It’s a bit far from Brussels, but if you are looking for a Dutch town to visit, I recommend Maastricht.
Samantha
Haarlem is just so beautiful. I have visited before but didn’t nanange to hit up all these spots. Saved for next time! It really is so important to get out of Amsterdam to see it all!
The.Holidaymaker
If you want places to go outside of Amsterdam, Haarlem and Utrecht, are great options.
Lasma
I totally loved this guide! It brings back some very nice memories for me! I visited Haarlem during my Amsterdam trip and i used as a base to take a bike and exploring the flower fields until Lisse! Thanks a lot for sharing!
The.Holidaymaker
So happy you’ve been here and agree it’s a great day trip from Amsterdam.
Gustavo A Feliciano
We visited Haarlem for only half a day but loved the city! It truly is a perfect day trip and the architecture is just AH!
But also lvoe Amsterdam lol
The.Holidaymaker
Happy to hear you had a chance to visit Haarlem, even if only for half a day. It really is the perfect day trip from Amsterdam.
Emma
Haarlem looks so pretty, and as someone who hasn’t yet been to the Netherlands it’s nice to see somewhere other than Amsterdam highlighted too. The market sounds lovely, as do all those hidden gardens. I’d love to go exploring to find them all
The.Holidaymaker
I enjoyed the quaint Dutch towns just as much as I did Amsterdam. But you’re right, I think most don’t travel beyond Amsterdam, and are missing out.
Linda (LD Holland)
When we finally get Amsterdam on the travel plans, we will have to do a day trip to Haarlem. I love the idea os a spot with less tourists but all of the charm. We would love to stroll the streets or get a different view and some history from a guided boat tour. A museum in a windmill sounds like fun. Thanks for the coffee shop recommendation – even if we are not hipsters!
The.Holidaymaker
Hipster or no hipster…it’s great coffee at the end of the day! Thanks for stopping by Linda.
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Amy
We were fortunate to visit Haarlem on a cycling tour. Such a fascinating city. Hope we’ll get back to explore all these other places you’ve highlighted.
The.Holidaymaker
It’s such a beautiful city and what a way to see it, but through a bicycle tour.
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Jas
You had me at hidden courtyard gardens! Yoghurt Barn sounds like a delicious treat too. Seems like I will most certainly have to add this to my list for when I visit the Netherlands.
The.Holidaymaker
Thanks Jas, I am glad that you have been inspired enough to consider it for future travel plans.
Aditi Sharma
We visited Amsterdam over the summer but didn’t get a chance to visit Haarlem at that time during that trip due to time constraints. Definitely going to visit it next time we are in Netherlands – the architecture and the canals look amazing plus would love to visit the Ten Boom Museum when we are there. I didn’t know that Haarlem is considered the best place for shopping in Amsterdam – how cool. Thanks for sharing all the information.
WanderlustBeautyDreams
Haarlem looks so picturesque. Would love to visit here some day. I’ve been dying to visit Amsterdam, it looks like a gorgeous destination. Thanks for sharing this guide. I will include this day trip in mind whenever I get the chance to visit.
The.Holidaymaker
I was pleasantly surprised by Amsterdam, it was one of those destinations that you say to yourself “what took me so long”. Thank you so much for commenting.
Brianna
We were just in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, though we didn’t quite make it to Haarlem! We loved the entire area – the history, the architecture, the food! We’ll have to add Haarlem to our list for next time 🙂
The.Holidaymaker
It sounds like you fell in love with the Netherlands as much as I did! I would love to explore more of it too! Thanks for your comment Brianna.
Smita
Haarlem was on our list when we went to Amsterdam recently but we didn’t get a chance to visit. Reading your article I really regret not visiting! Your pictures are stunning – Haarlem looks like a supremely charming town. Love your little factoids in the middle too – so interesting that the NYC Harlem neighbourhood is named for this town.
The.Holidaymaker
Oh that’s too bad you didn’t get the chance to visit here. Always a reason to return! Thank you for your comment.
Josy A
Oooh great post! Haarleem looks like a gorgeous part of the Netherlands. I’d love to ride a bike through those winding streets.
p.s. I love your “did you know” points. I didn’t know any of them!!
The.Holidaymaker
Thank you so much Josy for your comment and kind words. Yes, biking is a great way to see the city, we did do that, just not in Haarlem. Glad to hear the Did you Know was new info! 😊
April Moreno
With international trip planning happening in my head currently- hopefully on the horizon of next year, I appreciate that you have dove into writing about a lesser known place. With Haarlem being such a short distance to Amsterdam, it could be such a neat side journey to take…away from the hustle and bustle of a big city. Thanks for the ideas!
The.Holidaymaker
I always try and look for those hidden gem places that are not necessarily on everyone’s radar. Trip planning is so much fun, enjoy and can’t wait to hear where you end up! Thanks for commenting April.
Elizabeth
We are actually visiting Haarlem in December. So these tips are helpful! Wish us luck – we may freeze!
The.Holidaymaker
How timely is that? I would love to see it at Christmas time, I am sure it will be the perfect spot for some shopping and the market square will definitely be filled with activity. Safe travels and enjoy!
April
I love learning about this country and this particular place. My most favorite part is the idea of riding a boat around the area while learning the history and at the same time able to relax our feet from walking around town. Thanks for sharing this as always very informative!
The.Holidaymaker
Thank you April for your comment. The boat ride is definitely a relaxing way to see the city!
Ciara
I didn’t know Haarlem in New York was named after this beautiful city! I absolutely love your photo’s – i’ve wanted to visit Haarlem for the longest time so bookmarking this for when I do!
Sheila Thomas
Love all the pictures. I have a friend who is a flight attendant and one of her flights was always to Amsterdam. She said she loves it there.
Nitin Singhal
Grote Kerk Cathedral is massive and beautiful structure. Haarlem looks like a city which is best explored on foot.
The.Holidaymaker
It is the perfect city to be enjoyed on foot, just the right size to do so! Thank you for your comment Nitin.
Dillon
You can do so much in just a day. Really like the photos!
Tania Muthusamy
I’ve not really heard much about Haarlem before, but your post has put it on the map for me. The architecture is beautiful. I hope to see it for myself.
The.Holidaymaker
It is definitely a hidden gem, where Amsterdam gets all the tourists and this city is just as beautiful. Glad to hear you have been inspired to add it to your list. Thanks for your comment Tania.
Yukti Agrawal
I love such charming, medieval city with ancient buildings and cobbled stone streets and therefore this Haarlem, a typical “Dutch” town, would really be my favorite. And it good that it is only 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam. It is truly photogenic.
The.Holidaymaker
I hope you get to visit it one day, thank you for commenting!
Sage Scott
While I do love Amsterdam, I really REALLY love exploring other Dutch towns. I lived in Maastricht for three years, so I know those towns a bit better than the ones up north, but I have been to Haarlem. Great place!
The.Holidaymaker
I absolutely loved visiting Maastricht, one of my favourite towns. How fortunate you are to have called that home. I agree, Amsterdam is wonderful, but I really enjoyed visiting those smaller towns too. Thank you for commenting Sage.
Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions
This is totally my kind of destination!! Easily accessible yet a world away from the major city nearby. The Grote Kerk looks stunning, especially that beautiful spire on top. The boat tour also sounds lovely. I am looking forward to the day when I get to explore more of Europe in depth and the Netherlands is absolutely at the top of that list. Thanks for sharing, Renee!
The.Holidaymaker
Thank you Kevin for commenting. Yes, the church is very impressive and is the center of this wonderful city.
Stephanie
I’m dying to see more of The Netherlands! It is the one country that I feel completely at home and comfortable in. Haarlem has been on my must visit list for some time, but your article REALLY locks it in for me.
The.Holidaymaker
You and me both! I am dying to return. I absolutely fell in love with Netherlands and would love to see more of it too! Thank you for your comment Stephanie!
Wendy
I have never heard of Harleem it looks like a beautiful city to visit. I can see why artist would flock to paint this plan. This will be in my most visit list.
The.Holidaymaker
Thank you Wendy for your comment. I am glad to hear that you would add this to your wish list. I hope you get there one day.
Ketki
Haarlem looks so cute! And I’m kicking myself for missing out on visiting this town when I lived in Rotterdam, couple of years back. I hope to make it back one day. Less tourists is such a plus point! You captured lovely photos 🙂
The.Holidaymaker
Thank you for your comment and your kind compliment. It is definitely too bad that you never had the opportunity to visit there while you lived in Rotterdam. That is one city I wish I have visited.
Cindy
Oh, I just love to wander in these kinds of less touristy, smaller cities. I could spend half a day in the market alone and the rest searching out those hidden courtyard gardens. Lovely photos!
The.Holidaymaker
Thank you Cindy for your comment. It indeed was a lovely city for just that!
Danik
I loved this small market town (I call it small even though it looks big on the map and is full of houses/apartments due to being a commuter town for Amsterdam) and I loved my summer day trip here a few years back. I remember eating cheese and biscuits outside a cafe in the main square. Reading this post and looking at the photos sure did bring back some good memories.
The.Holidaymaker
Thank you Daniel for your comment. I am glad that this post brought back some memories for you. It’s funny a lot of our memories are associated with food and relaxing. Proves we need to do more of that when traveling.
Lara Dunning
I so loved reading about Haarleem. We have friends that live there and hope to visit them one day soon. It looks like a fabulous city with tons of history. I really love all the secret gardens throughout the city and that they provided some solace for the women that lived near them. I definitely want to check out The Jopenkerk!
The.Holidaymaker
Thank you Lara for your comment. Haarlem is such a wonderful city that I hope you get the chance to visit one day. You are right, those secluded gardens are beautiful and so serene and continue to exist. We could learn from that compassionate city planning couldn’t we?