Search hotels in Haarlem MARTIN

Haarlem in my opinion is a better place to stay than Amsterdam. It is a more friendly setting. Amsterdam is easy to get to by train and see all the sites. I have been to the Netherlands several times and stayed in Amsterdam and other cities but prefer Haarlem. In the spring, Haarlem is close to the tulips which are a must see. It has its own unique tourist attractions.

Haarlem is a beautiful city, a welcome relief from the business of Amsterdam. There are fine museums. We especially enjoyed going on a tour of the windmill. We would have liked to tour the Corrie Ten Boom house, but none were available. Seems pretty exclusive since their website recommends getting reservations three to four months in advance.

Very charming town about 20 minutes train ride from Amsterdam. The market at the central square is a must visit. Try the raw herring! Thyler museum is worth a visit too. The Müller-organ in the Sint Bavokerk church is one of the best in the world. Try an organ concert if you like and it is free!

We spent one night in Haarlem on a previous trip, and were excited to go back. We really loved getting to know Haarlem better on this trip. We had fantastic food - from the best pommes frites in the world (Frietkamer), to amazing high end cuisine at De Ripper. We also loved the Teyler museum - a fascinating enlightenment era natural history museum. I could also just hang out by the canal and watch the boats for hours. The whole city is very walkable or bike-able, and it is super-easy to get anywhere else in the Netherlands on public transit. Just make sure to be prepared for the weather - it is very often rainy, and can be quite cool, even in the summer. Honestly, I would totally move to Haarlem given the chance.

Haarlem Centraal was a historical opportunity with lot to see and do. Haarlem was well placed for visits to adjacent cities; good train and bus options; cost reasonable. "The 3-day Haarlem Jazz and more" made for an interesting 8 to 12 pm entertainment for Jazz and drinking in the open-air. The whole experience was just simply spoilt by accommodation mis-represented by poor seating, lack of A/C and air-tight housing and below parr as a B & B. Breakfast was 500 meters from the "bed."

Haarlem is a beautiful old city with excellent transport links to both Amsterdam and Schiphol. Haarlem sits on the Spaarn and you can spend a lovely couple of hours at a riverside cafe or rent a boat to explore the canals. For the historically minded there is a beautiful cathedral and two first class museums (Tylers and Frans Hals). There is also an abundance of good bars and restaurants.