Last Updated on 31/03/2026
Often referred to as “Little Amsterdam” (and for good reason!) Haarlem is located only 15 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal. In this post, I’ll be sharing things to do in Haarlem on a day trip from Amsterdam, from top attractions, restaurants, and, if Haarlem is worth visiting for the day.
Ready to discover more about Haarlem? Read on for inspiration on what to do, see, where to eat and stay in Haarlem.
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Is Haarlem Worth Visiting?
Of course, I’m not going to keep you hanging until the end of the post! Spoiler – Haarlem is absolutely worth visiting! The city gives you all the best bits from the Dutch capital, from architectural beauty, pretty canalside walks and the rich history found in Amsterdam, minus the hordes of tourists – a big thumbs up if you ask me!
If you’re looking for a chilled and more authentic Amsterdam; Haarlem is the city for you!
Disclaimer: My trip to Haarlem from Amsterdam is part of a press trip with Iamsterdam to visit Amsterdam, see Holland, showcasing exciting places to visit within the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, just beyond the city centre. Kindly hosted by Visit Haarlem, all thoughts and photos (unless otherwise stated) are my own. Thanks for supporting my content!
I flew to The Netherlands with KLM, and interestingly the lady sitting next to me on the flight (Hi Teresa, if you’re reading) is an Artist and was flying into Amsterdam specifically to see the Master I.S. exhibit at the Museum De Lakenhal in Leiden. We talked about how incredible the art and museums are in The Netherlands. Teresa was intrigued about the art and museums in Haarlem and whether it compares to Amsterdam – ready to find out?!
How far is Haarlem from Amsterdam?
As I mentioned, Haarlem is a short 10-15 minutes train from Amsterdam and to visit simply take the train from Amsterdam Centraal (€5.70) or from Schiphol Airport (€7.50).
I generally use the handy NS app to check train times/platforms and book my tickets. However, you can purchase train tickets from the yellow and blue machines or buy the 1-3 day Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket, which is valid for trains and buses in and around Amsterdam.
Upon arrival, don’t exit without admiring Haarlem Station; the only train station in The Netherlands built in an elegant Art Nouveau style. For film buffs, you may also be intrigued to learn Haarlem Train Station was a filming location in Ocean’s Twelve.
From the station, you will conveniently find Haarlem is a walkable city with the main attractions located within the old city centre and minus cars, which only adds to its charm.
In fact, one of my favourite things to do in Haarlem is to simply walk around the cobbled streets and admire the gabled buildings and secret courtyards.
History of Haarlem
When you think of Haarlem, you may think of its New York counterpart and the Harlem Shake, but whilst it may not be somewhere you have heard of in comparison, it is an important area in Dutch history.
Haarlem sits on the River Spaarne and quickly became a thriving area spurned on by success in the textile industry and its beer breweries in the 17th Century; interestingly, both of which used water from the Water Dunes found in the Amsterdam Beach area to bleach the clothes among other uses.
Whilst there are no shortage of hofjes in The Netherlands (hidden inner courtyards). Some of the oldest hofjes can be found right here in Haarlem, providing a fascinating insight into Haarlem’s past, as the cluster houses found in these small courtyards and hidden gardens housed elderly widows and unmarried women, often who had fallen on hard times during periods of non-existent government support.
Hidden away, these cute cluster homes and secret gardens are a cat lady’s dream and I loved seeing all the cats in Haarlem venturing out of their window cat flaps to come and greet us!
Similarly to Amsterdam, Haarlem became a popular area for artists and creatives to express themselves. During our trip, we explored some of the areas occupied by Artists and Creatives living in the city, such as Vijfhoek (5 Corners), which was a poor, industrial area and is now one of the most picturesque and authentic areas to explore in Haarlem.
How to Spend One Day in Haarlem Itinerary
Haarlem is one of the easiest and best day trips from Amsterdam, and not just because of its similarities to the Dutch capital. It offers visitors a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the crowds found in Amsterdam, and is actually more accessible in terms of visiting castles in the Amsterdam area, the beautiful Dutch tulip fields if visiting in the Spring, and the Amsterdam Beach area Zandvoort, which I have discovered is worth visiting in the Autumn too!
Best explored on foot, Haarlem has a sweet allure that makes you wonder why you haven’t visited sooner!
If you’re looking to spend a day in Haarlem, there are plenty of things to do!
Museums in Haarlem
If you think Haarlem won’t compare to Amsterdam in terms of art and museums, think again!
The city of Haarlem proudly has the first and oldest museum in The Netherlands. There are a plethora of museums to explore in Haarlem, from quirky modern galleries to historical museums showcasing the Dutch Masters.
If like me, you consider the Dutch Masters to be Tiësto, Garrix, Armin Van Burren, not to mention other incredible Dutch Djs that have been born and bred in The Netherlands – don’t worry, even I found myself enthused by the art work on display during my day in Haarlem.
Frans Hals Museum
Recall the hofjes areas to house elderly women? Interestingly, elderly men were considered incapable of looking after themselves and were admitted to “old people’s homes”, where they occupied a room in a communal building and were catered for. One of these buildings and an example today, is the building now known as the Frans Hals Museum, which was a former monastery.
Frans Hals is considered the greatest of Haarlem’s 17th-century artists. Known as “the people’s painter” he is famous for his portraits, which are strikingly lifelike and capture everything from laughing children to drunk people out on the town.
An inspiration to many of his contemporaries and later artists, Frans Hals has a museum dedicated to his art works and here you will find not only his finest pieces, you can see work by other Haarlem artists from the 16th and 17th century such as Cornelis van Haarlem, Judith Leyster and Jacob van Ruisdael.
There is a vast collection of photographs, modern paintings and artefacts from the 1880 to the present.
Sara Rothé’s Doll House was one of my favourite pieces on display at the Frans Hals Museum as it provides a glimpse into the wealthy homes during the 18th century. It also reminded me of Grachtenmuseum – The Canal Museum, which is also free with the Amsterdam City Card & similarly has peepholes into the Canal Houses in Central Amsterdam.
The Doll House art work came about after Sara purchased three doll houses at an auction. The three houses were converted into two new ones, one of which is on display at the Frans Hals Museum, with one of the other Doll’s House on display at the Kunstmuseum in The Hague.
The rooms were carefully curated and furnished by local craftsmen who normally work on a life-size scale and the furnishings ended up comprising almost a thousand objects.
Aside from enjoying the Doll House as a pastime, Sara is said to have spent the summers at the country estate ‘Klein-Berkenrode’ she owned with her Husband, situated at the Spaarne river, near Haarlem.
Open 11.00 – 17.00 pm | Free entry with the Amsterdam City Card
Verway Museum Haarlem
Named after Kees Verway (1900-1995) a pioneering 20th Century Painter, Verway Museum celebrates Verway’s idiosyncratic style from realism to abstraction and expressionism. The new group exhibition currently shows an impressive collection of art works by his artistic role models, which helped Verway develop his own unique artistic style and creates a dialogue with his contemporaries who no doubt inspired and influenced his work.
I had a peek in the Verway Museum before our group headed to the Frans Hals Museum, and it is certainly an interesting museum I would like to return to.
Similarly to The Doll House exhibit I enjoyed at the Frans Hals Museum, Peep Klein – Dioramas by Anneke Van de Wal adopts a similar insight. Crafted in her small home in the Hofje van Bakenes, Anneke makes dioramas, composed of small wooden boxes or drawers at a scale of 1.12 using repurposed materials or clay to create miniature worlds and stories.
The exhibits on display include The Pantry, The Brothel, and The Workshop and were all created between 2019 – 2025. I loved the interactive element too, in which torches are provided to enable you to use the light which encapsulates the voyeuristic essence of Peep Klein.
Open 11.00 – 17.00 pm | Free entry with the Amsterdam City Card
Teyler’s Museum Haarlem
The first and oldest museum in The Netherlands, Teyler’s Museum pioneers visitors into a world of art, science and natural history.
Explore the art works of renowned artists from Rembrandt, Raphael and Michaelangelo, as well as explore fossils, dinosaur bones and old trinkets and coins.
One of the most beautiful rooms inside Teyler’s Museum is said to be the neo-classical oval room. Alas, our press trip group did not venture inside Teyler’s Museum…but, I did admire the 19th Century façade in both the day light and at night when it was all lit up!
There are so many other museums in Haarlem you can visit for free with the Iamsterdam City Card.
Brunch at Toast
I’d say all good days begin with brunch, but in this case, I’d definitely recommend checking out a museum before eating, as within an hour of the Fran Hals Museum opening it was teeming with tourists.
After browsing your Haarlem museum of choice, I highly recommend heading to Toast for brunch (I’d perhaps make a booking in advance!). The iced caramel latte was up there with the best I’ve tasted and I thoroughly enjoyed my pulled chicken toast with burrata, pesto and tomato as it was unlike brunch dishes I would normally order.
Toast was packed with diners and our group enjoyed an array of delicious brunch dishes as you can see pictured below…
Go Shopping in Haarlem’s Golden Streets
If there’s one thing I’ve noted from my day in Haarlem it’s that I need to return for a shopping trip! I loved window shopping in Haarlam as they have everything from vintage shops, concept stores to Netherlands high street favourites Sissy-Boy and more!
In fact, Haarlem has been voted one of the best shopping destinations in The Netherlands multiple times, with Kleine Houtstraat, which forms part of Haarlem’s Gouden Straatjes named best shopping street in The Netherlands twice!
If you love shopping as much as I do then you won’t be disappointed by shopping in Haarlem!
Embark on a Haarlem Canal Tour
It’s no trip to The Netherlands without a scenic canal cruise, so why not enjoy Haarlem on the water by enjoying a canal tour or cruise along the River Spaarne.
There are a variety of boat tour activities you can book in Haarlem, from guided tours or canal cruises with refreshments on board.
It’s worth noting, Smidtje Canal Cruises are free with the Iamsterdam City Card or you can book various Canal Cruises on Get Your Guide below:
Historic Landmarks & Buildings in Haarlem
If you love the canal houses and architecture in Amsterdam, you will not be disappointed by the beautiful buildings in Haarlem built in various eras, some even right next to each other!
Molen de Adriaan Windmill
If you need any more encouragement to book a Haarlem boat tour – Best viewed on the water, Molen de Adriaan is a windmill that sits along the River Spaarne and built in 1778 on the foundations of the tower that once defended the city centre.
Windmills are considered a national symbol of The Netherlands, and you will be pleased to know you haven’t got to leave the city of Haarlem to see one.
Grote Markt Haarlem
Haarlem’s Grote Markt is the main square sitting in the heart of the city. Here you will find an array of cafes, restaurants and if you’re lucky enough to visit on market day you will also find sweet treats, cheeses among other items sold by local merchants.
The two main buildings in Grote Markt square are Haarlem City Hall (which holds the Tourist Information Office) and the Church of St Bavo; an incredibly beautiful, yet imposing building that dominates the square.
Church of St Bavo
The Church of St Bavo, or Grote Kerk (grand church) as it may be referred to in Dutch, is one of the most impressive churches I’ve seen and is certainly the key landmark in Haarlem.
I loved admiring St Bavo’s dramatic Gothic architecture from my Fran Hals Hotel room, but sadly I am yet to venture inside to see the church’s organ infamously played by ten-year old Mozart.
St Bavo Church is UNESCO-protected and inside contains Renaissance artworks, as well as the burial place of Haarlem’s most famous painter Frans Hals.
From St Bavo Grote Kerk you can walk to its namesake cathedral, known as the Bavo to Bavo route, which takes you on an exploration of Haarlem’s historical centre from each of the impressive St Bavo landmarks.
Jopenkerk
If you’re not impressed by the grandeur of St Bavo Church, maybe a church containing beer will convert you?
Former church-turned brewery, Jacobskerk is now the home of Jopen craft brewery, Owly Bar, cafe and restaurant! Heaven is a place with hops for beer lovers – and we found the place buzzing on a Friday night when they had a Dj spinning on the decks.
I’m not sure what it is with the Dutch converting churches into breweries, but Jopenkerk reminded me of Wispe Brewery located in a neo-Gothic church in nearby Weesp – If your Haarlem itinerary allows, I would recommend visiting Weesp and exploring the castles and gardens in the Amsterdam region as they are beautiful areas to explore nearby.
DeDakkas Rooftop Bar and Restaurant
Breweries inside churches, why not take the Dutch innovation even further with rooftop bars atop a public car park?!
Nestled atop parking garage de Kamp is DeDakkas rooftop bar; a unique bar and restaurant that proudly works with Lolita from TelerMadeFarm in the Haarlemmermeer to shorten supply chains, use unsprayed crops and increase biodiversity.
My friend Lauren and I enjoyed curried bitterballen and padron peppers with parmesan cheese, along with some refreshing cocktails.
DeDakkas has the most amazing views over Haarlem, hosts live events, as well as special dining events and has some great street art located around the building.
Dine at Rebel Rebel Bowie’s Haarlem
Bowie’s is a Mediterranean restaurant with a twist! The French Chef combines Mediterranean cuisine with structures and flavours from the Middle East.
Our group enjoyed a variety of dishes from chickpea fries with homemade chilli oil, sourdough focaccia served with labneh & baba ghanoush, burrata, shellfish, ceviche, all served with flavoursome smears of yoghurts and dressings. For dessert we had caramelised pumpkin skin, and a buckthorn pumpkin seed ganache with ice cream – the first was not for me, but the creamy ganache provided a nice finish to a great meal.
The food was accompanied by Terre des Dames La Diva wine; curated by a Dutch woman residing in the South of France. The Grenache wine had a dark red spiciness, aromatic with a fruity flavour.
Bowie’s is ideal for those looking for a bite to eat or a nightcap – This former Lazarus Monastery was revived in the 1970’s and now operates as a restaurant, named Bowie during our visit, but has recently rebranded with the name Rebel Rebel. Tim, the owner (a self-professed Bowie fan) was inspired by Bowie’s play Lazarus, in which he was resurrected and the star’s ability to reinvent himself throughout his career. The building will also hold Hotel Lazarus in the Spring 2026, which will be a great addition to the already fabulous restaurant!
A must for every Bowie fan! In fact, I’ll have to bring my Mum here as we saw Lazarus together and have done a London Bowie Tour!
Why is Haarlem known as Little Amsterdam?
As the name “Little Amsterdam” suggests, there are many similarities between Amsterdam and Haarlem that make it a comparable destination, albeit on a smaller and more authentic scale.
Haarlem is not only worth visiting, I’d recommend Haarlem as a base for your trip to the Amsterdam area as it is perfectly located to visit the Dutch capital, castle district, as well as the Amsterdam Beach area Zandvoort, which you can travel to for free using the Amsterdam Region Card. Find out more about places to visit in the Amsterdam area in my posts below!
Haarlem is great for tourists looking to explore intriguing areas in the Amsterdam region and I hope this post has given you insight on how to spend a day in Haarlem from Amsterdam!
Happy travels!
Jaz
For more inspiration of unique things to do in Amsterdam, check out my posts below:
Exploring Beautiful Castles and Gardens in Amsterdam Region of Gooi & Vecht