Haarlem Travel Guide

Not only has this 900-year-old town an historic center full of beautiful medieval houses, a 13th-century city hall and the oldest museum of the Netherlands, the Teylers Museum http://www.teylersmuseum.nl (science technology and Dutch art), but it is also the home town of the author.

The main square, called de Grote Markt, is on mondays and saturdays still home of a very lively market, where one can buy flowers, textiles and those delicious stroopwafels (A delicious molasses wafer) and much more...yes I almost forgot the fresh herring!

If that's not enough to satisfy your appetite, you can continue with the Nieuwe Kerk, the Frans Hals Museum (Dutch Masters) and the St. Bavo church.

Not only has Haarlem itself lots to offer, it also makes a nice stop on your way to Zandvoort, the beach resort closest to Amsterdam.

About the inhabitants (the Haarlemmers) themselves: compared to nearby "Amsterdammers' they have the reputation of being a bit less open and more formal. That being said: a lot of Amsterdammers move to Haarlem because of the cheaper houses, so that should be changing.

The very best views of the city are found from the roof of the 7 story department store - the cafeteria is wonderful and the views are spectacular.