Harlem Things to Do

The 900-year-old charming town of Haarlem is practically neighbors to Amsterdam. Dutch are known for their love of flowers and Haarlem is the center for the exportation of flower bulbs. This authentic Dutch city displays beautiful bouquets of flowers and flower stands almost everywhere. From here you can take a 15 minute train or bus ride to Amsterdam, although there are numerous Haarlem things to do.

Town Attractions and Haarlem Things To Do

• Sint-Bavokerk Church: Sint-Bavokerk, an important architectural landmark for Haarlem, is located in the central market square in Haarlem and is absolutely amazing. The Bavokerk wonderfully portrays the life times in the 1400’s with its cobblestone floors and authentic wooden furniture. The ancient medieval atmosphere boasts breathtaking visions of stained glass. Take some time to enjoy its magnificent organ concerts.  
• Frans Hals Museum: This fascinating art museum displays lovely works of art from Frans Hals and fabulous artifacts. A 1750’s dollhouse almost replicates the likeliness of a merchant’s house. It is truly an unforgettable experience.
• Teylers Museum: This 200 year old historical museum hosts scientific works of arts and fossils, along with magnificent marble statues.
• De Adriann Windmill: Volunteers offer guided tours through this beautiful windmill.
• Bicycle Strolls: Enjoy the flowery scents and blooms as you bicycle along the many fields of bulbs.

Nearby Attractions

• City of Amsterdam: Only about 15 miles from Haarlem, Amsterdam offers beautiful panoramic museums and buildings, along with gorgeous waterways and canals.
• Amsterdamse Poort: From the 1400’s, the remains of the city wall can be seen at the base of the Amsterdam Gate.
• Efteling Theme Park: Efteling Theme Park is not only the oldest theme park in the world, but is the largest one in the Netherlands. At the start when it first opened, it was simply a fairy tale theme park, but it has now grown to a double-sized full Disneyland type park. This park is open from April to mid-January. The location is not in Haarlem itself, but is in Kaatsheuvel.
• Madurodam Miniature Village: This visit can be done in one day by train and hosts one of the most well-known miniature villages in the world. Both children and adults alike love this little village.

Haalem’s Parks and Gardens

• Haarlemmerhout: This beautiful park is the oldest park of Haarlem. It sits on the south side of the town. Bicycle along the paths to view the beautiful gardens, or just enjoy the strolls as you view the beautiful monuments and deer. 
• Keukenhof Gardens: Enjoy the lovely tulips and spring flowers in one of the largest flower gardens of the world. The indoor shows and exhibits present their most beautifully cut flowers. Bulbs are available to purchase.
• Zandvoort: Only a little more than 5 miles away, lies the area’s largest beach, with miles of beautiful sand and coastal sand dunes. Enjoy the gorgeous sunsets.

Shopping

Haarlem has been voted more times than once as having the best shopping in the Netherlands for its great variety of shops. The best shopping areas are the open markets. Many stores in Haarlem are closed on Sundays and Monday mornings.

• Grote Houtstraat: Grote Houtstraat is the main shopping street and runs through the center of the city. Grote Markt is considered the most popular market.
• Botermarkt: Botermarkt, in the small square of the downtown area, hosts factory outlets and many souvenir shops.
• Schalkwijk: The indoor mall of Schalkwijk in the south-east part of town attracts many shoppers and is known for its clothing and shoes, books and other merchandise.
• Haarlem Shopping Center: A beautiful architectural building houses the Haarlem Shopping Centre. Here you can find all sorts of things from clothing to food. You can even grasp a spectacular view when you dine from the top of this building.

Restaurants

• L'Anders: Your taste buds will sizzle at L’Anders as you dine on their wonderfully large terrace day or night. It is situated on the Grote Markt in Haarlem.
• Babbels: Babbels is found at Lange Veerstraat 23, 2011 DA Haarlem in the center of Haarlem. Enjoy the fabulous international cuisine for a pleasant dining experience.
• Erawan: Erawan is situated at Schagchelstraat 13, 2011 HW, Haarlem. This relaxing restaurant serves amazing and genuinely authentic Thai food. Enjoy the mouthwatering fish and mussel dishes and spicy salads.
• De Keuken: De Keuken serves a wonderful three course meal with French and Italian food. It can be found at Lange Veerstraat 4, 2011 DB Haarlem.
• Restaurant Willendorf: This restaurant serves delicious entrees in their informal cocktail bar and dining room. Their lobster is fantastic along with the fascinating “Sticky Milk Pie." It is located at Bakenessergracht 109, Haarlem.

Spas

Sauna van Egmond’s comfortable spa hosts sauna cabins, steam rooms and a reasonably priced restaurant. Find open roof tops for the summer time and beautiful stone walls. The saunas here are co-ed and people are nude. Cozy up on the big leather couches by the fireplace for your special relaxation retreat.

Cruises

One of the best Haarlem things to do and most beautiful ways to visit Haarlem is by boat. The departure for the canal cruises is close to the city center.

For those who follow the "Holocaust" and the history of the war etc, you might have come across one of the families who hid Jews from the Gestapo. This family lived in Haarlem, and owned and ran a clock/watch shop there. Thier family name was Ten Boom and you can go into thier home, now a museum and see, "The Hiding Place" .