Your Essential Travel Guide To Haarlem
Discover Things To Do In Haarlem
Haarlem is the provincial capital of North Holland and sits on the River Spaarne. Known as the City of Flowers because it's at the heart of the world famous Dutch tulip fields, Haarlem is also a place of historical architecture and culture, and has been described as a smaller, more relaxed version of Amsterdam.
Recently, however, Haarlem tourist attractions haves become more and more popular with tourists visitors as they can enjoy wonderful architecture and excellent shopping reminiscent of the capital, without the hustle and bustle of the big city.
Getting there
It’s just 12 miles outside Amsterdam, and just 7 miles away from the DFDS port in IJmuiden, so it’s easy to travel to Haarlem after taking one of our Newcastle-Amsterdam sailings.
What to see in Haarlem?
The city’s centre is a maze of narrow winding streets and medieval buildings interspersed with canals and waterways. The Teylers Museum is the oldest museum in Holland which stocks a collection of paintings from the Dutch Masters, as well as a range of fossils, minerals and scientific exhibitions.
The Ten Boom Museum tells the story of the Ten Boom family who saved the lives of a number of fugitives hiding from the Nazis during the holocaust. Frans Hals Museum houses works by the portrait artist.
Grote Markt is the central market square with great architecture and outdoor cafés.
The shopping in Haarlem is excellent, with traffic-free streets packed with everything from designer boutiques to popular chain stores.
At the end of April go to a spectacular flower festival and October is “Children’s Month”. There’s also a famous Christmas market held in the middle of December.
Haarlem, bulb fields and the Bollenstreek
Just north and south of Haarlem lie vast bulb fields that attract thousands of tourists every spring. In just 15 minutes by bike from the centre of Haarlem, you are already among the colourful flower fields and surrounded by millions of tulips, crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths.
The biggest flower event in the Bollenstreek is the annual flower parade from 21 to 22 April 2023.
A convoy of dozens of floats forms a colourful procession from Noordwijk to Haarlem. After their arrival in Haarlem, they are displayed for a day on the Grote Markt so that they can still be admired there!
Our Routes to Holland
Newcastle - Amsterdam ferries
Travel overnight in your own private cabin from Newcastle to Amsterdam, enjoying the fresh sea air, dining options and onboard entertainment. Bring your car and embark on your European road trip – you deserve it!
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Dover-Dunkirk Ferry Crossings
Our short, convenient sailings from Dover to Dunkirk are the perfect way to start a trip to Europe.
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Dover-Calais Ferry Crossings
Our fastest and most popular ferry crossing, our Dover to Calais route takes only 100 minutes, allowing you to explore Europe at your leisure.
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Travel Guides
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Take your kids on an unforgettable journey to Holland! Enjoy the perfect blend of sightseeing, theme parks, and kid-friendly attractions.
Holland in Bloom
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The Hague
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Gouda
Come explore Gouda and the Dutch countryside! Its storybook charm knows no bounds with its canals, windmills and, of course, delicious cheese.
Delft
Made in Delft - the classic blue Dutch porcelain. Discover the culture of this beautiful city, located between The Hague and Rotterdam.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is one of Holland’s coolest cities with a constantly changing skyline.
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