Top Things to do in Gouda
What to do and see in Gouda, The Netherlands: The Best Places and Tips
Lying about 15 miles northeast of Rotterdam, Gouda is most famous for its eponymous cheese. One of its most prized attractions, De Waag on the town square, was once a weighing house for cheese traders and now features an exhibit detailing the entire cheese making process. Also on the square is the 15th-century town hall, one of the oldest in the Netherlands. On Thursday mornings during the summer, the town’s Markt turns back into a traditional cheese market, something not to be missed.
Restaurants in Gouda
1. Church of St. John
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 393 reviews
THE LONGEST CHURCH OF THE NETHERLANDS The great fire of 1552 destroyed much of the medieval church of Saint John. Shortly after the disaster, the council commissioned the reconstruction of the most startling church of Holland. With 123 meters it is also the longest church in The Netherlands THE 72 STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS ARE WORLD-FAMOUS Entering the Church of St. John, one falls silent at the sight of the majestic space with the 72 world-famous stained-glass windows. That first experience will only get stronger when you see the marvellous light by the 'Dutch Masters' invading the Church. The rich history of Holland can be read in the large windows. It is a beginning of an impressive discovery along biblical and historical scenes of human emotions. Then you understand that the Gouda St. John is one of the highest rated attractions in the Netherlands!
Reviewed By Brian65 - Edinburgh
Worth a visit to see the stained glass windows which are amazing. Good visitor audio system in different languages.
2. Stadhuis (City Hall)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 336 reviews
The city hall of Gouda was completed in 1450 and is the oldest gothic city hall in the Netherlands.
Reviewed By Leeanne G - Halkidiki Region, Greece
The city hall is in the heart of Goudas market area. When we first arrived it was surrounded by the Wednesday markets. But by 6 o'clock they had packed up and we were able to see the whole building. It's nice to walk all around the building.
3. Plaza Markt.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 167 reviews
Reviewed By Les L - St. Petersburg, Florida
I went on a Saturday morning and the market was bustling with food and other vendors. Great location on the main square.
4. Gouda kaasmarkt
Overall Ratings
4 based on 264 reviews
Reviewed By kacytjobb - Lund, Sweden
I chose to spend a day in Gouda to get away from Amsterdam. It was an easy one hour trip from Amsterdam by train. I arrived just as the cheese market was starting at 10am. There are all kinds of booths on the market square. I enjoyed some warm pofridges (sweet mini pancakes). There is a vairety of items for sale. . . shoes, clothing, wooden shoes, food, brass items, etc. There was a dixieland band playing and the performance of the buying and selling of cheese. Afternoon activites start at 1 so I spent my afternoon and evening with other activities in Gouda.
5. Museum Gouda
Overall Ratings
4 based on 126 reviews
Reviewed By Tanja S - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
I loved the layout of the museum. It's a real treasure trove. A place to enjoy and explore. From ceramics to landscape paintings to a very good film about the life of Erasmus in Gouda. Not to mention the pharmacy of days gone by and the clay pipes. As well the 4 rooms with paintings by contemporary artist. The mixing is refreshing as is the presentation of the treasure trove. There's no audio tour. But there are several short films running on a continuous basis. The museum cafe is also a real pleasure. Lovely crockery and flower arrangements. A joy for the eye. There are lockers, free of charges. The museum is right behind St John's church, as walking distance from the railway station.
6. Waag (Weighing House)
Overall Ratings
4 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By Pamela W - St Austell, United Kingdom
It really isn't worth visiting the cheese museum in Gouda. The market was lovely (Thursday), but the cheese museum upstairs in the weighing house is grossly overpriced and not worth the visit. Just a few shabby exhibits and a man mumbling in 3 languages about how to make cheese. He mumbled such a lot that you couldn't tell immediately what language he was speaking. Not worth the money.
7. Goudse Hout
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By SonomaTrekker - Northern Cal
This is Gouda's larger park on the northeast edge of town (heading toward Reeuwijk). It's an expanse of 100+ acres, criss-crossed with walking and biking trails which take you over and along little canals, through open fields of wild flowers, and under leafy swaths of forest. Like the rest of Holland, this is flat, green, somewhat manicured and largely unadorned. It's the place to go if you want to be surrounded by trees, flowers, birds and open sky. Expect to see geese, ducks, and locals walking their dogs, but don't expect to be crowded or worry about getting lost (it's large, but all paths loop around). Look for Heemtuin (botanical garden) in the center of the park, open during summer months, and enjoy its blooms, modest hedges and quaint stone path. If you venture out along the larger canal look for the man-made storks' nest, which rises like a monolith from the open meadow. If you have a few hours and want a taste of Dutch nature in Gouda, I encourage strolling here.
8. Red Lion Windmill (Molen De Roode Leeuw)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By Father-Brian - Bungay, United Kingdom
We love visiting mills, especially working ones where you can buy flour, semolina, etc. In the UK they are invariably out-of-town so you can imagine our surprise to find two in the city!
It's possible to enter the mill (€1.50 at the time of writing) and climb to the platform that runs around the outside. The mill is in good working order but the ladders are steep. There are good views of the city from the platform. The mill was turning when we visited so it's sensible to avoid going near the sails.
The adjacent shop sells many types of flour, such as wheat, rye and oat, mainly as bread mixes. Taste the difference from flour produced by industrial roller mills. Stone-ground flour is nuttier and retains more of the oil from the husk. Recommended.
9. Kinderboerderij De Goudse Hofsteden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Petting Zoo 'De Goudse Hofsteden': a nice day out for the whole family! Feeding the geese, hugging a goat, playing in a natural environment or discovering new plants in the vegetable garden - it's possible! Petting Zoo 'De Goudse Hofsteden' is a perfect day out for the whole family.
Reviewed By James C - Wollongong, Australia
An amazing 300+ year old wind mill used mainly for water management purposes. The folk are happy to show you around and do not make you feel as though you are visiting a fake or put on experience.
10. Stadsbibliotheek Gouda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By WorldTravelOne - Breukelen Ut
We like this library. It is open every day from early morning till nine in the evening. You can sit down and read newspapers, magazines or borrow books or other media. But in the same space there is also a full fledged place to drink or eat called Kruim. It is a very good match. Relaxing welcom and warm atmosphere. Well done Gouda!
The building has the weird name 'chocolade fabriek' (Dutch for: chocolate factory). It is in a short walk from the inner city.
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