Amsterdam to Haarlem In A Day – Travel Guide

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You can’t see the Globetrotters in this Haarlem, but it’s worth a visit nonetheless. How exactly is the best way to get from Amsterdam to Haarlem, though? And what can you do when you get there?

As the Queen of packing as much into as little time as possible, I have some must know tips for making the most of a trip to Haarlem. Plus why you might like Haarlem even more than Amsterdam.

Where is Haarlem, Netherlands?

Haarlem is a short distance to the west from the bigger, and more popular, city of Amsterdam. Only around 30km away you can be in Haarlem in as little as 10-15 minutes from the center of Amsterdam. That makes a trip to Haarlem almost necessary when you’re visiting Netherlands. Particularly if you want something a little different than the ever-busy Amsterdam.

Although both cities are located in the same province of North Holland, it’s Haarlem which actually holds the title of provincial capital.

While millions of tourists flock to Amsterdam each year, only a fraction of them make it out of the city to neighboring Haarlem. Read on to find out why they’re missing out.

How to get from Amsterdam to Haarlem

Getting from Amsterdam to Haarlem couldn’t be any easier. You don’t need a car, all you need is a train ticket and around 15 minutes. Trains leave multiple times an hour from Amsterdam Centraal Station, or from Amsterdam Sloterdijk Station.

With only one or two stops between both cities, you can’t beat the train. It’s much quicker and more convenient than wasting time in traffic. And for only a few Euros it’s also the cheapest way to get there.

You don’t need to buy tickets in advance, however you can if you wish. Since trains are so frequent you really can’t go wrong with just showing up.

Do I need a long time in Haarlem?

Whether you’re only in Amsterdam for a few days or spending much longer in the Netherlands, Haarlem is a lovely place to visit. It doesn’t need to be somewhere you spend days of your trip, it really can be a quick afternoon visit or a full day trip if you have the time.

To see the best of Haarlem I would recommend as much time as your itinerary allows. It’s a smaller city than Amsterdam, and a lot quieter, but with plenty to see and do.

If you love small towns, you’ll probably enjoy exchanging the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam for the slower pace of Haarlem. That was one of the best features for me.

Top things to see on your Amsterdam to Haarlem day trip

You won’t be bored in Haarlem, it’s a lovely city with plenty to see and do. Remember to balance your time between visiting tourist sights and just appreciating the relaxed atmosphere of Haarlem.

St. Bavo Church

Also known as the Great Church, you’ll find this magnificent 15th Century church in the busy Grote Markt square. It’s less than 5 Euros to enter and although you can buy tickets in advance, it’s just as easy to buy them in person on the day.

Take in the view from outside, check out the ornate fixtures and stained glass windows inside, or take a tour of the tower to look down on Haarlem below.

Public tours of the tower only occur on Saturdays around end of April to early November for €9. Book your spot here.

Grote Markt Square

Outside St. Bavo Church is the Grote Markt square (Great Market square). A market is still held here on Mondays and Saturdays, and it’s one of the best in Haarlem.

But even if you don’t catch market day, it’s equally fun to just sit at one of the cafés lining the square and people watch.

The huge market square is a hive of activity no matter the day of the week, especially in the warmer summer months.

Admire the pretty buildings

All around Haarlem you will find incredible architecture. While you’ll immediately be drawn to the Grote Markt area and St. Bavo church, don’t forget to wander some of the smaller (and quieter) back streets.

Here you’ll see examples of historic Dutch buildings, and a lot of greenery breaking up the red brick facades. Make sure to look up – even seemingly “plain” buildings often have elaborately styled roofs or adornments atop them.

Want a little more guidance instead of aimlessly wandering? As fun as that is, you can maximize your short time in Haarlem by booking a self-guided walking tour with audio guide. Learn some Haarlem history while the guide draws your attention to the most unique buildings in the city.

Corrie Ten Boom House

Those looking to visit Amsterdam might have the Anne Frank House on your list of potential activities. The canal-side house in the heart of Amsterdam had a secret hiding place for maybe the most famous Jewish family of WWII. But did you know there’s a house in Haarlem which also successfully hid many Jews from the Nazis?

Corrie ten Boom, along with her family, was a Christian who ran a clock shop in the center of Haarlem. For many years they hid Jews in their home, with secret buzzers to alert those inside to hide in a number of hidden locations around the house.

Unlike the Anne Frank House entry to the Corrie Ten Boom House is free, although tickets must be pre-booked. Historians take you on an in-depth 1-hour guided tour which is really interesting and not to be missed.

Franz Hals Museum

World War II history not your thing? How about art? Amsterdam is home to the ever-popular Van Gogh Museum, however Haarlem has a very fine museum dedicated to painter Franz Hals among others. This 17th Century painter lived and worked in Haarlem, and is celebrated at this Haarlem museum.

The museum is in two locations which splits its art between historic and modern/contemporary. Even the buildings that house the art are interesting.

The modern part of the museum (the HAL) is in the Grote Market, and the HOF (historical art) is just a few minutes walk away near a canal. Entry to both is under €20 and includes an audio guide.

Explore the canals

It wouldn’t be the Netherlands without canals, would it? Haarlem is no different, with the old part of the city almost entirely surrounded by water.

If walking from the train station on your day trip from Amsterdam to Haarlem, you’ll pass lovely water-side cafés where you can relax and take in the sights.

To get to explore the canals a little more uniquely, there are canal tours available too. They take less than an hour, and offer a completely different perspective – seeing Haarlem from the water. While I didn’t take a cruise, I did enjoy a beer by the side of the canals watching the world go by. A really nice way to spend an hour.

Windmill de Adriaan

Did you even visit the Netherlands if you didn’t see a windmill? While there are a couple of windmills in Amsterdam, you have to venture a bit further from the city center usually. That, or take a day trip to the Zaanse Schans Windmill Village. However in Haarlem there’s a windmill less than a 10-minute walk from the Grote Markt area.

The Windmille de Adriaan is a working mill that you can go and explore as part of the interior museum. The original windmill unfortunately burned down in the 1930s, with the current structure being rebuilt around the original foundations in 2002.

If you’ve ever wondered what the inside of a windmill is like, this is a great opportunity to find out with a guided tour. Plus, seeing the view from the upper balcony deck is worth the entrance fee alone.

Visit the oldest museum in the Netherlands

Teylers Museum is a natural history museum, art gallery and science museum all wrapped up in one. Plus, it’s the oldest museum in the country, dating back to the late 1700s.

Tickets are around €15 and can be purchased online in advance. See work by famed artists by at least two of the Turtles (Michaelangelo and Raphael), cool fossils, and the awesomely stunning Oval Room. If you were on the fence about the Franz Hals Museum, this one adds some non-art elements that could be more widely enjoyable for those who are less into art.

Final thoughts on Haarlem

Amsterdam was a place I’d long wanted to visit. It’s a great city with lots to do, but I found it extremely busy – to the point where I found myself not enjoying it how I expected to. Haarlem provided that small town vibe I’d been looking for without compromising on activities.

While the two are less than 20-minutes apart, they differed in so many ways. I warmed to Haarlem almost immediately. The stunning buildings, the open spaces, the way everything seemed to run at half the speed as the ever-busy Amsterdam.

Haarlem made for an enjoyable contrast to Amsterdam, so much so I wouldn’t hesitate to go back. Amsterdam on the other hand, I’m not so sure.

Getting from Amsterdam to Haarlem made it so easy and accessible to visit, that I’m almost shocked there aren’t more people doing the same thing.

If you have a spare day in your Amsterdam itinerary, or are looking to kick back with a coffee in a pretty town square and watch the world go by, Haarlem is the place for you.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Have you ever traveled from Amsterdam to Haarlem while visiting Netherlands? What did you think of Haarlem?