Day Trips from Haarlem

The most immediate day trip from Haarlem and one of the great advantages of living here. A wide North Sea beach with beach clubs, beach bars, and watersports. Circuit Zandvoort, home of the Dutch Grand Prix, is a short walk inland. The direct train takes around 10 minutes from Haarlem Station and runs frequently in summer. Significantly less crowded than Scheveningen during the week. Go early on summer weekends.

The beach immediately north of Zandvoort, known for its fashionable beach clubs and the wild dune approach through the Bloemendaalse Duinen. Cycling from Haarlem through the dunes to Bloemendaal is one of the finest short rides in North Holland. The beach clubs are some of the most well-regarded in the Netherlands, particularly for sunset drinks.

The most obvious day trip from Haarlem and the one residents make most frequently. The Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, the canal ring, the Jordaan, and the Nine Streets are all easily reachable. Living in Haarlem and treating Amsterdam as a day trip rather than home is one of the great lifestyle upgrades for expats. See the full Amsterdam city guide.

The world-famous tulip garden and the surrounding bulb fields, reachable by bus or by cycling through the flower fields from Haarlem. Haarlem has historically been at the centre of the Dutch bulb growing region, and the cycling route through the Bollenstreek in April is one of the finest spring experiences in the Netherlands. Keukenhof is open mid-March to mid-May only and sells out. Book tickets at keukenhof.nl.

A beautifully preserved medieval city north of Haarlem famous for its traditional Friday cheese market (April to September, 10:00 to 13:00). Alkmaar also has an excellent historic centre, the Stedelijk Museum with a good Dutch art collection, and the Holland Cheese Museum. An easy half-day trip that can be combined with a walk through the historic centre and lunch at one of the canal-side restaurants.

One of the most beautiful historic cities in the Netherlands. The Rapenburg canal, the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands, Rembrandt’s birthplace, and 35 hidden hofje courtyards. In spring the Bollenstreek tulip fields surrounding Leiden are spectacular. See the full Leiden city guide.

The Dutch seat of government with world-class museums: the Mauritshuis with Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, the Gemeentemuseum with the world’s largest Mondrian collection, Escher in het Paleis, and Scheveningen beach 20 minutes from the centre. See the full Den Haag city guide.

One of the most underrated cities in the Netherlands. The Dom Tower, the Oudegracht canal with its unique wharf cellars converted into restaurants and bars, the Centraal Museum with the world’s largest Rietveld collection, and the Rietveld Schröder House UNESCO site. See the full Utrecht city guide.

The most architecturally striking city in the Netherlands. The Markthal, cube houses, Erasmusbrug, and the Fenix Food Factory in Katendrecht make it a rewarding full-day trip. See the full Rotterdam city guide.

A perfectly preserved 17th-century city where Vermeer was born. The Markt with the Nieuwe Kerk, Royal Delft factory, and the TU Delft campus. Best combined with Den Haag into a full South Holland day. See the full Delft city guide.

The finest national park in the Netherlands. 5,500 hectares of forest, heathland, and sand dunes with free white bicycles at all entrances. The Kroller-Muller Museum within the park holds the second largest Van Gogh collection in the world alongside an extraordinary sculpture garden. A full day is needed.

The historic fishing villages on the IJsselmeer, easily combined with an Amsterdam day trip. Volendam has traditional Dutch architecture, smoked eel, and an atmospheric harbour. Marken is an island village connected by causeway with a completely different character. Popular with expat families with children who want a genuinely traditional Dutch setting.

The largest of the Wadden Islands and the most accessible. Extraordinary beaches on the North Sea side, bird reserves, cycling trails through dunes and heathland, fresh Texel lamb and Texel beer, and a pace of life that feels entirely removed from mainland Netherlands. A long day trip or an ideal weekend destination from Haarlem.

The village with no roads, connected entirely by canals. Traditional thatched farmhouses on small islands connected by wooden footbridges. Hiring a whisper boat to explore the canals is the essential activity. Go on a weekday to avoid summer weekend crowds.