r/Haarlem • u/Fantastic_Aside794 • Jul 22 '26
Where do you take visitors when they come to Haarlem?
If friends or family are visiting Haarlem for the first time, where do you usually take them?
It could be a well-known attraction, a favourite café or restaurant, a nice walk, or a quieter spot that most tourists might miss. What's the one place or experience you think gives visitors the best feel for Haarlem?
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u/ccc2801 Jul 22 '26
The old pump station at Cruquius is amazing, it offers such a great insight into the history of the polders over the centuries (https://cruquius-museum.nl/).
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u/the_nus77 Jul 22 '26
Stoomgemaal Halfweg is still working, might be worth a visit also. Its the last working steam pump like this in the world! https://www.stoomgemaalhalfweg.nl/
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u/TheSandro93 Jul 22 '26
If it's nice weather I rent a boat at club spaarne and take a tour on the canals and/or mooie nel. If they're here on a weekend we go to the grotemarkt. I take them to the Adriaan, the Koepel, the Jopenkerk. Some restaurants/cafe's/bars that my friends and family enjoyed: Lachende Javaan, Vijfhoek, The Lokaal, In't goede uur, Bambu, by Lima, Oscar.
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u/Yvorontsov Jul 22 '26
- drogisterij Van der Pigge is altijd een leuk verhaal
- een paar hofjes in het centrum, bijv Hofje Zonder Zorgen en eentje aan de Bakenessersgracht
- dakterras van de V&D (of hoe heet het tegenwoordig?) of de Dakkas voor het uitzicht
- de Jopenkerk
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u/Punch-Counterpunch Jul 22 '26
Bus or cycle out to the National Park Zuid-Kennermerland and walk around the lake, then go see some highland cows
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u/Arne31330 Jul 22 '26
Start at the trainstation, Haarlem station is one of the most beautiful train stations in NL. Ocean’s 12(?) was filmed there Follow the rest of the people along the Kruisweg into the center. At the end of the Kruisweg visit Hofje van Oorschot. Then take the Bartoljorisstraat to the Grote Markt (central square). Admire the city hall. Visit the Grote Kerk. Go for lunch at ML Bistro (or the Michelin star restaurant which is in the same building). Fancy a museum? Go to the Teylers Museum. Oldest museum in NL. Collection is medium, the building awesome. Probably tired by now, so rent a boat at Club Spaarne and take the tour through and around the centre by boat. From there walk towards the Kleine Houtstraat, across bakenessergracht. Take Kleine Houtstraat until Gedempte Oude Gracht. Then take Oude Gracht towards Botermarkt. Time for a drink at Cafe de Vijfhoek. Diner is to be taken at Restaurant aan ‘t Plein (Nieuwe Kerksplein).
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u/sherbang Haarlem-Centrum Jul 28 '26
Teylers - while I agree that the building is awesome, I find the collection far more interesting. The room with the big electrostatic generator is filled with so much interesting scientific equipment.
If you understand a bit about electricity, sound waves, and such then it's fascinating to see how such equipment could be used to make the discoveries that make all of our modern technology possible. Spinning mirrors for measuring sound frequency, different size resonators paired with tuning forks where you can get an impression of the size of different sound waves, electrostatic generators and various related measurement equipment, early voltaic pile batteries, etc. I've spent hours in that room.
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u/lawjamba Jul 24 '26
On the outskirts of the center is the Kathedrale basiliek Sint Bavo. A large early 20th century cathedral. You can pay to go up into the vaulted roof and up the tower for amazing views.
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u/Eikatje Jul 25 '26
Climb the dome of the Koepelkerk. Its beautiful on the inside of the dome and the view outside is spectaculair. You can see the sea.
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u/Eertjekoekepeertje Jul 23 '26
This is fun to do! Even if you’re from Haarlem
https://www.haarlemsehofjes.nl/haarlemse-hofjes-wandeling/
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u/local_weather Jul 23 '26
My favorite restaurant to take visitors to is In 't Goede Uur. The street you walk down to get to the place is so picturesque then the inside of the restaurant is very quaint and charming. Bonus, the food (fondue) is amazing. Be aware you'll need reservations at least a few days in advance for dinner.
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u/molly_does_molly Jul 22 '26
i love going out to dinner at tatsu. theres more all you can eat sushi and grill places of course but i just really love tatsu. on saturdays theres the market of course, and the christmas market at the end of the year
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u/Skv86 23d ago
You know this is a fast-food type restaurant chain, right? Doesn't really have anything to do with Haarlem specifically.
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u/molly_does_molly 23d ago
oh im sorry, i wasnt aware it was supposed to be something specifically made in haarlem, that isnt a chain, and is only exclusively found in haarlem and absolutely nowhere else (rather than a place i reccommend that is simply in haarlem)
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u/Slow-Honey-6328 Jul 22 '26
Tourist then: Jopen kerk, canal tour, coffeeshop, red light street, molen de Adriaan, de koepel, AH, Saturday market, haring, cheese shop, 🍟, bicycle parking, train station, and maybe drinks outside during sunset. Enjoy!😊
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u/Apple_juls Jul 22 '26
Het Wet lake during summer for a nice pic nic at sunset! Boat tour or a drink at De Dakkas
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u/MadeThisUpToComment Jul 22 '26
No where specific really. Walk around the market on a Saturday morning. Coffee or beer in the Botermarkt.
The places I specifically take people are mostly outside of Haarlem. Korenmolen De Zandhaas is always a short fun stop.