What to do and see in Haarlem, North Holland Province: The Best Historical & Heritage Tours

March 29, 2022 Major Galusha

Though often overshadowed (especially for tourists) by its much larger and more famous neighbor Amsterdam about ten miles east, Haarlem’s history actually goes back further. And with about 150,000 people, it’s the capital of the Noord-Holland region. The Teylers Museum, with its unique collection of art and artifacts, is the oldest museum in the Netherlands. The fantastic Frans Hals Museum has many works by the artist and other Haarlem schoolers. Grote Markt, the main town square, is a must-see.
Restaurants in Haarlem

1. 2 Hour Private Walking Tour of Haarlem

Starbucks, Stationsplein 11, 2011 LR Haarlem, Netherlands Personalized private tours, discover Amsterdam
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Explore the medieval Dutch town of Haarlem on this 2-hour, private walking tour with a local guide. Your tour is customizable, so you can see the attractions that most interest you at a pace that is most comfortable. Wander past (and peek into) the city's most iconic historical landmarks like the town hall, houses from the 16th and 17th centuries, and St. Bavo Church — where Mozart performed during his visit to Haarlem. Discover hidden gardens and courtyards ("hofjes"), as your personal guide shares insider's tips about Haarlem's unique culture and character.

Inclusions: Professional guide, Hotel pick-up (selected hotels only), All taxes, fees and handling charges

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks

Reviewed By Leeanne C

An absolute must. Our tour guide Hemelinde was brilliant and extremely accommodating. There was a confusion as to the meeting point however she rearranged her schedule to fit us in later in the day . Extremely informative and knowledgeable. Gives you good ideas of what else to do. Brilliant guide thank you

2. The rise of Haarlem: Culture, History, Art and Architecture Walking Tour

Grote Markt 17, 2011 RC Haarlem, Netherlands Haarlem Walking Tours
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5.0 based on 8 reviews

Discover the fascinating story of Haarlem in a relaxed small group with a local native English speaking guide. Haarlem has a long and colourful history. Originally famous for Beer, Linen and Tulips, the city has been repeatedly besieged, fought over, burnt down and rebuilt several times over. This tour has a little bit of everything from Art and Architecture, Life, Death and High Culture in Late Medieval and Renaissance times. The tour will also help you to make the most of your time in Haarlem with sightseeing tips, the best things to do and places to eat pointed out along the way. Half way through the tour we will stop for a quick 15 minute coffee break in a secret spot high up above the city, this also makes a great photo opportunity. If you are going elsewhere in Holland after Haarlem you will enjoy it much more after taking this tour as you will be able to recognise the famous architecture styles, know what the buildings were for and a little more about the people behind them.

Inclusions: Walking tour, Certified English-speaking guide

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3. Delightful Haarlem

Haarlem, Station, 2012 VP Haarlem, Netherlands Toms Travel Tours
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

This is time to visit Haarlem! This ancient city makes the perfect get away from Amsterdam. Haarlem dates back to pre-medieval times. With its ancient buildings, cobbled streets and winding waterways, it’s one of the most photogenic places in the whole country. Our excellent guides will make sure that with this two hours walking tour you will get to know a big deal of it's culture and history and that you would definitely wish to come back!

Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: St Bravo Church entrance tickets: 2,5 euros pp; 1,25 euros youth (12/16 yo); under 12 yo free.)

Reviewed By Travsonia

Me and my mom had the best time during our visit in Amsterdam. Tom welcomed us with great smiles, and a lot of great snacks! The weather was not perfect at the first, but all the small town that we visited were so great. I am still thinking of the sausage in the meat shop that he took us, also the cheese factory which gladly I bought a smoked cheese! Tom has a lot of great knowledge and local tips for Holland, and thanks to him it was the best part of our trip.

4. Haarlem Walking Tour. Unknown and Surprising

Stationsplein, 2011 LR Haarlem, Netherlands Independer Tours Amsterdam and more..
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Lovely hipster and cosmopolitan architectural city. Not for nothing Haarlem has earned the title of the most beautiful city in Holland. I will take you to explore the most beautiful places in the city. And its architecture stories and the perfect mix between old and modern will make this tour something charming.

Inclusions: Licensed Tour Guide

Exclusions: Food and drink are not incluided

5. Highlight Bike Tours Haarlem

Haarlem, Haarlem, North Holland Province Bike Tours Haarlem
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4.6 based on 11 reviews

A great way of experiencing Haarlem with the Highlight Haarlem Bike Tour. During this bike tour - which takes approx. 2hr - our tour guides will show you the real Haarlem by Bike. We will visit many great places of the Old City, such as small hidden streets, old churches, visit 'Hofjes' and our guides will tell great interesting stories about living in Haarlem and the history. We will start our bike tour from our location in the middle of the city center in Haarlem (Drossestraat 2 Haarlem). The bike tour costs 25 euro per person, bicycles and guide is included.

Inclusions: Local guide in English & Dutch, Price included bike rental, Bottle of fresh water, Free Bitterball snack afterwards, Helmets available on request for free, Limited group size, Bottled water

Exclusions: The listed price does not include a parking fee

Reviewed By Alicia J

Our guide led us on an informative and fun trip through the city. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to explore the city and get the real Nederlandse experience!

6. Haarlem Day Trip from Amsterdam with a Local: Private & Personalized

Amsterdam, Netherlands CityUnscripted

Just a 15-minute train ride outside of Amsterdam is the charming, historic city of Haarlem. Join one of our local Amsterdam hosts on a personalized experience of the city. See the most iconic attractions like the Grote Kerk and Grote Markt as well as hidden gems like Hofje van Bekenes. Marvel at the gothic-style churches, Molen de Adriaan and tranquil canals as you explore this picturesque city. Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.

Inclusions: Private and personalised experience, 2 course meal, 1 beer, a glass of wine or soft drink of choice, Transportation cost to and from Haarlem, which takes up to 20 minutes by fast train, Walking experience once at destination (other transport can be arranged at an additional cost), Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Tickets to any attractions, Transportation costs (additional to the ones included in the experience), Gratuities (optional)

Reviewed By cbassmix

Anna Aksionova was my tour guide for a 5 hours visit of Amsterdam and I really enjoyed it She was very well educated of the places and history of Amsterdam. I will remember this tour for a very long time!

7. Private tour of Haarlem & Frans Hals Museum with Car

Amsterdam, Netherlands Private Day Tours Amsterdam

On this tour you will discover Haarlem, a city still not invaded by tourists, and visit the famous Frans Hals museum The Frans Hals Museum Frans Hals ( 1582 – 1666 ) introduced a new realism in painting. He managed to capture the character of his models with an impressionistic touch and made them come alive! A visit is like a present; the building in combination with the impressive collection of 16th and 17th masters are breathtaking and impressive. Skip the line with fast track entry and your private guide will take you around this lovely museum with its unique collection. Haarlem There is much happening in Haarlem and not yet discovered by mass tourism! Discover Haarlem with its rich history, known for the most beautiful market square of the country, hidden courtyards and wide range of shops. Enjoy the walking tour with your private guide through this elegant and romantic hidden pearl.

Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Lunch

Reviewed By Barbara R

Our guide, Steven Atterson, treated us to a wonderful day in Geithoorn and Hasselt. The trip gave us a new experience in the Netherlands, combined with interesting history and discussion along the way. He took us to a local restaurant, with the best pea soup I have ever had. The entirety of the day felt like a traditional and local Netherlands experience. Steven is knowledgeable and easy to be with for the day. I highly recommend him as your guide for any Netherlands tour you desire to take.

8. Beautiful & Historical Picture-Perfect Walking Tour of Haarlem !

Stationsplein 11, 2011 LR Haarlem, Netherlands Valeria P

Take in the absolute must-sees in just 2 hours! All the magnificent highlights and hidden gems are waiting to be discovered by you and are sure to leave a lasting impression. You will admire the beautiful architecture, learn about the city history and the heroes of the past, as well as what Haarlem has to offer today. Immerse yourself in the authenticity of places and connect to their true and unique identity!

Inclusions: Services of the guide

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9. Private Haarlem Walking Tour Through Old Town

Stationsplein 11 L, 2011 LR Haarlem, Netherlands Snurk.Travel

Haarlem is one of the most historical, rich and lovely cities of the Netherlands! Let’s figure out what secrets are hiding behind its quiet alleys and cozy canals! Strolling along the canals and watching magnificent city view and the working windmill, we will get to know more about history of this old merchant city. There are will be plenty of local sightseeings on our way, such as the humpback bridges, cozy yards-hofjes, old pharmacy, design stores and lots of street sculptures, but of course, we would not miss visiting main sightseeings too! Our road will bring us to the main square Grote Markt, which becomes especially busy on Saturdays, when the farmer market takes its place just here next to the majestic Cathedral and the Weight house. In addition, we will definitely visit one of the local design stores, famous for its incredible lamp collection. We would like to offer you some local beer, made according to an old recipe in brewery located in the church!

Inclusions: Certified Guide

Exclusions: Coffee and/or Tea, Snacks

Reviewed By _S1509VQ

We enjoyed tours with Snurk! It was so fun, interesting and exciting! I already miss you, guys! See you soon!

10. Haarlem in the Second World War, Resistance & Jewish history Walking Tour

Monument Of Folk Hero Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer And Legendary City Governor Wigbolt (Baron) Ripperda, Kruisweg 32Z, 2011 LC Haarlem, Netherlands Haarlem Walking Tours

This is a new unique and original tour of Haarlem that shows the significant sites in and around the town centre associated with the Second World War, the Dutch Resistance Movement, the people they tried to protect and local Jewish history and monuments. Nearly everyone has heard of Anne Frank, but not many people know of Corrie Ten Boom and her family who sheltered and smuggled hundreds of Jewish people to safety until they themselves were betrayed. If you have seen the recent film "the Resistance Banker" then you will have heard of Walraven "Wally" van Hall who secretly bankrolled the Dutch Resistance movement, sadly Wally was executed in Haarlem to serve as an example to the people here. Several key members of the Dutch Resistance movement including local heroine Hannie Schaft were from Haarlem. She was only one among many local people who decided to join the resistance. On the tour you will find out more about their stories and wartime in Holland and the Netherlands in general.

Inclusions: Licensed Tour Guide

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Reviewed By Gintare123

I consider myself very lucky to find this tour! The guide was amazing! Within a couple hours you not only learn about Dutch history and social life but also get an opportunity to relive those events in the sense that stories brought you to those times. The tour was very insightful, however presented in the manner that impossible to lose concentration. At the end you crave even more! The tour was really well planned ( not too much pointless walking) and had amazing stops that fulfills rich stories even more. Anyone who visits the netherlands, this tour is a must!

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