Haarlem is a city outside of Amsterdam in the northwest Netherlands. Once a major North Sea trading port surrounded by a defensive wall, it retains its medieval character of cobblestone streets and gabled houses. It's the center of a major flower-bulb-growing district, and famous for its outlying tulip fields, art museums and hofjes (almshouses built around leafy courtyards). ― Google
April to May 🌷
Tulip season! Visit nearby Keukenhof Gardens and Bloemencorso flower parade
Ideal for day trips, bike rides, and garden visits
June to September ☀️
Warm and lively, perfect for walking the city, open-air dining, and summer festivals
October to March ❄️
Quieter, great for museums and cozy cafés; festive atmosphere in December
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) – 20–30 minutes by train or car
15–20 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal
Regular connections to Leiden, The Hague, and Zandvoort
Easy access from A9 motorway
Several central parking garages or park-and-ride options
Dedicated to Haarlem’s Golden Age portrait painter Frans Hals
Stunning collection of 17th-century Dutch art and culture
Majestic Gothic church in Grote Markt square
Houses a famous Müller organ once played by Mozart and Handel
One of the world’s most beautiful flower gardens, ~25 minutes away
Combine with bike tours through tulip fields
Oldest museum in the Netherlands — a fascinating blend of art, fossils, and scientific instruments
Central square surrounded by historic buildings, cafés, and boutiques
Explore Gouden Straatjes (Golden Streets) for local shopping
Take a canal cruise or rent a boat in summer
Bike to the beach at Zandvoort aan Zee or Bloemendaal (30–45 min ride)
Explore Haarlemmerhout, the oldest public park in the Netherlands
Visit Corrie ten Boom House, a WWII hiding place and museum
Enjoy local beer tasting at Jopenkerk — a brewery inside a former church
Brasss Hotel Suites – spacious, stylish, and centrally located
Hotel ML – elegant design with an in-house brasserie
Amrâth Grand Hotel Frans Hals – great location near Grote Markt
Boutiquehotel Staats – trendy and colorful boutique experience
Hello I'm Local – stylish, social hostel with private rooms and dorms
Hotel Carillon – basic but well-located and budget-friendly
Jopenkerk – iconic craft brewery and gastropub
Specktakel – global fusion cuisine with rotating seasonal menus
By Lima – organic café perfect for brunch and fresh juices
DeDAKKAS – rooftop greenhouse restaurant with city views
Fishbar Monk – modern seafood dining by the canal
Try Dutch stroopwafels, herring, and local cheeses
Saturday market on Grote Markt is full of fresh produce and delicacies
Haarlem was a Dutch Golden Age hub of painting and publishing
It’s a city that blends artistic heritage with laid-back living
Residents love cycling, outdoor cafés, and supporting local shops and culture
Haarlem has a more local feel than Amsterdam, with fewer crowds and friendlier pace
Strong connection to tulip cultivation history and annual Bloemencorso parade