Review: Grote Markt

What’s this place all about?
The Grote Markt is Haarlem's medieval central market square surrounded by bars, cafes, and some of the city's most notable buildings like the City Hall and the Hal building of the Frans Hals Museum. There's also a statue of Laurens Janszoon Coster, a Haarlem native and alleged inventor of the printing press. Saint Bavo Cathedral, one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Netherlands, looms over the square. Don't miss the open-air market on Mondays and Saturdays.

What’s it like being there?
It's the center of quotidian life in Haarlem

Who comes here?
Any visitor to Haarlem will eventually pass through this square where several streets meet (it's just a short walk from Haarlem Central). Expect to see food lovers on market days shopping for cheeses, homemade bread, and local farm produce.

Got it. So, then, what, or who, do you think it’s best for?
Have a drink at one of the outdoor cafes, and take in a slice daily life in Haarlem.