Haarlem's (hidden) gems, starting at the Slaperdijk
City/town information
Spaarndam is only 2 km away from our home. If you follow the dyke eastwards you automatically arrive in Spaarndam. It is very old, has a lovely little harbour with a bar, a great restaurant and an ice cream parlor
20 locals recommend
Spaarndam
Spaarndam is only 2 km away from our home. If you follow the dyke eastwards you automatically arrive in Spaarndam. It is very old, has a lovely little harbour with a bar, a great restaurant and an ice cream parlor
Uit eten
This restaurant in Spaarndam is a short bike ride away and has great food. It's located in the old harbour. You might need to make a reservation
Restaurant De Kolk
19 OostkolkThis restaurant in Spaarndam is a short bike ride away and has great food. It's located in the old harbour. You might need to make a reservation
A nice place for coffee or lunch in the beautiful Rijckerspark. It's a 10 minute walk from our home, and the outside terrace is the place to be, next to the pond.
Restaurant Boschbeek
75 WüstelaanA nice place for coffee or lunch in the beautiful Rijckerspark. It's a 10 minute walk from our home, and the outside terrace is the place to be, next to the pond.
yet another beautiful estate, only a few kilometres away. This estate is not a park but you can stroll around the estate and have a lunch in style. The building has lots of art deco styling going on and is a feast to the eye.
Eco Hotel Plantage Rococo
116 Rijkswegyet another beautiful estate, only a few kilometres away. This estate is not a park but you can stroll around the estate and have a lunch in style. The building has lots of art deco styling going on and is a feast to the eye.
Bezienswaardigheden
A beautiful old castle that is a hotel nowadays. Take a stroll in the public park surrounding the castle, or have coffee in the bodega. The restaurant is quite luxurious but I have been told the food is great.
19 locals recommend
Duin & Kruidberg Country Estate
60 Duin- en KruidbergerwegA beautiful old castle that is a hotel nowadays. Take a stroll in the public park surrounding the castle, or have coffee in the bodega. The restaurant is quite luxurious but I have been told the food is great.
This is one of many estates along the Dutch coastline where the rich and famous from the 19th century used to build summer houses. It's a park nowadays, open to the public and the old coach house features a nice restaurant for lunch, coffee or diner.
The estate itself is open every now and then for visits
Landgoed Beekesteijn
This is one of many estates along the Dutch coastline where the rich and famous from the 19th century used to build summer houses. It's a park nowadays, open to the public and the old coach house features a nice restaurant for lunch, coffee or diner.
The estate itself is open every now and then for visits
Parnassia is the best place to park your car for a nice beach stroll, if you are looking for a less busy beach. There is only one beach restaurant in the dunes. It's a nice place for a drink and a snack.
The beach is open for dogs most of the year, just so you know.
45 locals recommend
Parnassia aan Zee
1 ParnassiawegParnassia is the best place to park your car for a nice beach stroll, if you are looking for a less busy beach. There is only one beach restaurant in the dunes. It's a nice place for a drink and a snack.
The beach is open for dogs most of the year, just so you know.
The oldest mudeum in the Netherlands is a must-see if you are into the old Dutch masters.. and much more.
370 locals recommend
Teylers Museum
16 SpaarneThe oldest mudeum in the Netherlands is a must-see if you are into the old Dutch masters.. and much more.
Its officially a nude beach but it is hardly used as such. I put it here with the tips as this is a secluded part of the beach, where even at the busiest of beach days you will find peace and quite.
Naaktstrand IJmuiden
Its officially a nude beach but it is hardly used as such. I put it here with the tips as this is a secluded part of the beach, where even at the busiest of beach days you will find peace and quite.
It's a working windmill, dating back to 1779, grinding rye mostly.
There is a small shop inside with great bread and cookies. It's open from Thursday to Saturday - 10:00 - 17:00.
Korenmolen De Zandhaas
83 WüstelaanIt's a working windmill, dating back to 1779, grinding rye mostly.
There is a small shop inside with great bread and cookies. It's open from Thursday to Saturday - 10:00 - 17:00.
Kopje van Bloemendaal is the highest point around. It' just 42 meters, but that's still enough to enjoy the little watchtower and look all the way to the North sea.
t Kopje is famous among bike riders, who challange this climb for one of the most prestigious Strava KOM's in North Holland.
There's two nice restaurants here, and the Capoera park at the bottom of the climb
Kopje van Bloemendaal
Kopje van Bloemendaal is the highest point around. It' just 42 meters, but that's still enough to enjoy the little watchtower and look all the way to the North sea.
t Kopje is famous among bike riders, who challange this climb for one of the most prestigious Strava KOM's in North Holland.
There's two nice restaurants here, and the Capoera park at the bottom of the climb
The Oosterplas is a beautifull little lake surrounded by nature. The fresh water is splendid to swim in and it's never really crowded. In the early morning you might spot some deers or wild horses!
You can reach best by bike, but there is also a paid parking at 10- minutes walking.
20 locals recommend
Oosterplas, Bloemendaal
The Oosterplas is a beautifull little lake surrounded by nature. The fresh water is splendid to swim in and it's never really crowded. In the early morning you might spot some deers or wild horses!
You can reach best by bike, but there is also a paid parking at 10- minutes walking.
Villa Westend is right at the beach of the closest in-land beach nearby. It's literally at the end of the street. Nice pond with a beach for children to play at, or to make an evening stroll.
20 locals recommend
Villa Westend
41 WestlaanVilla Westend is right at the beach of the closest in-land beach nearby. It's literally at the end of the street. Nice pond with a beach for children to play at, or to make an evening stroll.
Buurten
The central market square in Haarlem is quite impressive. But be sure to walk around in the center as you will find most gems just outside the main roads. Haarlem is great to wonder around and is the restaurant capital of the Netherlands.
250 locals recommend
Grote Markt
Grote MarktThe central market square in Haarlem is quite impressive. But be sure to walk around in the center as you will find most gems just outside the main roads. Haarlem is great to wonder around and is the restaurant capital of the Netherlands.
Spaarnwoude is home of many many sports, and it's only 5 minutes away. It's great to hang around, swim and picnic, but it also features a porfessional MTB track, a ski-dome, a 15 km skeeler track, a 54! holes golf course, fishing ponds, a small petting zoo and much more.
Spaarnwoude Recreatieterrein
Spaarnwoude RecreatieterreinSpaarnwoude is home of many many sports, and it's only 5 minutes away. It's great to hang around, swim and picnic, but it also features a porfessional MTB track, a ski-dome, a 15 km skeeler track, a 54! holes golf course, fishing ponds, a small petting zoo and much more.
supermarkt
In the Hoofdstraat in Santpoort-Noord, walking distance, you can find most shops. Every Friday you can buy fresh food at the farmers market.
Hoofdstraat
HoofdstraatIn the Hoofdstraat in Santpoort-Noord, walking distance, you can find most shops. Every Friday you can buy fresh food at the farmers market.
DekaMarkt
52-56 Meester CornelisstraatNice supermarket with bakery and a large assortment
City advice
Getting around
ride a bike (and rent a bike)
bike riding is a nice method of transport in the Netherlands, and Haarlem is no exception. With the bike you can go into the city and park your car in (free) bike parking garages.
But you can also take the bike path passed Duin and Kruidberg and ride straight to the beach, that you will only share with fellow cyclists, since there is no way to get there by car.
renting an E-bike is possible at Visser bikeshop in Santpoort. (https://www.vissertweewielers.nl/ )Renting regular bikes would be possible close to Haarlem Central Station https://www.rentabikehaarlem.nl/
Don't miss
Best of Haarlem
If you don't want to miss the main eyecatchers of Haarlem, be sure to check out the top ten of visithaarlem.com . The Jopenkerk brewery is for sure a great place if you like crafty breweries. https://www.visithaarlem.com/nl/wat-te-doen/top-10-bezienswaardigheden
Getting around
public transport
For public transport you need a chip card, the OV chip card. There is no separate OV-chipkaart for tourists. As a tourist you will purchase an anonymous OV-chipkaart or a disposable OV-chipkaart. You will purchase either card at the counter for a public transport company, the yellow device at the station, at a newsagent or at a supermarket.
Customs and culture
electronic payments vs. cash
in the Netherlands, 90% of all transactions are settled without cash. So there are also few ATMs, most in supermarkets so not available after closing time.
The advantage is: you can pay ANYWHERE with a card, in some places you can no longer even pay with cash.