What to do and see in Haarlem, North Holland Province: The Best Sightseeing Tours

July 10, 2021 Enriqueta Cusson

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. 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.

3. 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

4. Private Boat Tour in Haarlem

Nieuwe Gracht 80a, 2011 NJ Haarlem, Netherlands Varen door Haarlem
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

We have a private boottour for about 75 minutes. We will show you the highligts, of the historical city of Haarlem. You and your friends or family are alone on this boat. You will get all the attention of the captain which can tell you a lot about Haarlem. There is also enough time to spend on yourself and to relax. We will have cold drinks and music on board, if you like. We are looking forward to welcome you!

Inclusions: Guided tour in Dutch, English & German., Music, Spotify music/playlist on request.

Exclusions: You can order drinks, like water, soda's, beer, wine to extra charge.

Reviewed By Emma L

The captain was very approachable and had a fantastic knowledge of the area. Would highly recommend to all. He showed us all of the city and was a great way to travel.

5. Amsterdam Red Light District Private Tour with a Local

Beursplein, 1012 JW Amsterdam, Netherlands Amsterdam Withlocals
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4.9 based on 76 reviews

Discover Amsterdam's notorious Red Light District during your 2-hour private tour with a local host, who will guide you through the narrow alleys and busy streets of this wonderfully curious district. Get to know this colorful area, where churches, workplaces, and kindergartens exist side by site with brothels and canabis "coffee" shops. Your local guide will share the real stories from behind the windows, and you’ll discover various hidden spots for an experience that most tourists won't have.

Inclusions: Private walking tour, Local guide

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Food and drinks

Reviewed By simkm

Efi did a fab job of keeping 8 of us together on a walking tour of Amsterdam and showing us all the main sights and giving us some great background into the history of this amazing city. Great job Efi - definitely recommend a tour with you.

6. Food Tour Haarlem

De wereld van Jansje, Grote Houtstraat 45, 2011 SC Haarlem, Netherlands Feed the Nomads!
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4.9 based on 14 reviews

We are feed the Nomads!, a small and personal Dutch regional food tour operator that organizes guided food tours in and around Haarlem and Alkmaar. We offer authentic, informative, small scale, personal and fun food tours. We believe in honest, local and tasty food. Food that is produced according to the good, clean and fair principles. As we explore the city we let the makers tell their stories and let you smell, taste, feel and even hear the original ingredients and the lovely products that our passionate producers make out of it. The local food guides will to take you to places unknown to most outsiders and even to many locals!

Inclusions: Coffee and/or Tea, Snacks, Alcoholic Beverages, Soda/Pop, Lunch

Exclusions: Dinner, Brunch, Breakfast

Reviewed By hergen v

a very nice guide Daan revealed the amazing food history of Haarlem from big market squares to small alleys and hidden inner gardens. Haarlem is a very old gorgeous city close to the sea and this native Dutch guide knows all about its history, especially in relation to food and drinks. The city has for example a canal which was specially dug to allow fresh, clean water from the dunes to enter the city where over 200 breweries turned it into beer!!! Hence Brouwersgracht (brewerycanal). There are so many details related to food in building ornaments, streetnames and statues which we wouldn´t have noticed if Daan hadn´t so pasionately told us about it. We got to eat and drink in many different places while geting in touch with the roots of Dutch food. We could do this all week long!!

7. 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!

8. Self-Guided Discovery Walk in Haarlem: The Secrets of its Golden Streets

Grote Markt 22, 2011 NZ Haarlem, Netherlands Secret City Trails in Haarlem
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3.5 based on 2 reviews

Curious about the lesser-known stories of Haarlem’s Golden Streets? Starting with the very first steps of this playful walk, you’ll experience the thrill and beauty of discovery. Location-based riddles will show you the way to our favourite local places, including: cheesemongers, candlemakers, quiet courtyards, and cute hidden spots we’ll keep secret... for now! Fun fact: this trail was created by our co-founders, Kristina and Wendy. - Explore Haarlem during this interactive and fun discovery walk - Keep a comfortable distance from other people throughout the experience - Learn about the history and local stories of the city centre in a playful way - Solve location-based riddles to unlock directions to your next stop along the route - See popular sights from a different angle and discover hidden local spot This discovery walk is an educational and fun activity for friends, couples, families with kids, curious locals, visitors, and team building.

Inclusions: Clues and hints

Exclusions: phone data

9. 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!

10. 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.

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