Explore Haarlem
Restaurants
Cafes
Bars
Museums
Attractions
Parks
Coworking
Neighborhoods
Day Trips
Healthcare
Schools
Shopping
Haarlem is what many people imagine Amsterdam to be – a beautiful historic Dutch city with canal houses, a magnificent church on the market square and a relaxed, human-scale atmosphere. Just 15 minutes from Amsterdam by train, it has become one of the most sought-after places to live in the Netherlands.
Population
165,000
Expat residents
12,000+
1-bed rent (central)
1,400-1,900/mo
Train to Amsterdam
15 minutes
Train to Schiphol
10 minutes
Train to Leiden
20 minutes
The city
Why Haarlem
Haarlem has the historic beauty of Amsterdam without the tourist crowds. The Grote Markt – one of the finest market squares in the Netherlands – is anchored by the Sint-Bavokerk, a magnificent Gothic church where Handel and Mozart both played the famous Christian Muller organ. The canal houses are well preserved and the city is genuinely beautiful.
For expats working in Amsterdam or at Schiphol, Haarlem makes enormous sense. The 15-minute train connection is frequent and reliable. Housing is more spacious and slightly more affordable than comparable Amsterdam locations. The quality of life – less crowded, better preserved, more manageable – is appealing to many families.
The coast is close. Zandvoort beach, one of the most popular in the Netherlands, is 10 minutes by train.
Practical info
Getting around and settling in
Getting around: Excellent train connections to Amsterdam (15 min) and Schiphol (10 min). Haarlem itself is very cyclable and compact.
Language: English widely spoken. Dutch is the official language.
Cost of living: Slightly more affordable than Amsterdam but rising. See our cost of living guide.
Healthcare: Dutch health insurance mandatory. Register with a GP on arrival. See our health insurance guide.
Just arrived
Your first two weeks in Haarlem
1
Register at the Haarlem gemeente and get your BSN
Essential first step. Gemeente guide and BSN guide.
2
Open a Dutch bank account
ABN AMRO, ING and bunq are the most expat-friendly. Full guide.
3
Arrange health insurance within four months
Mandatory and backdates to arrival. Full guide.
4
Set up your DigiD
Required for all Dutch government services. Full guide.
5
Get a train season ticket to Amsterdam or Schiphol
An OV-chipkaart or NS subscription is the most practical commuting option.