Haarlem
Amsterdam's Beautiful Little Sister — 17 Minutes by Train
Travel time
17 min by train
Duration
Half day
Cost
€5.50 return train
Best for
History, architecture, cafés
Why Visit Haarlem?
Haarlem is one of the best half-day trips from Amsterdam — a genuinely beautiful medieval city with a well-preserved historic centre, outstanding café culture and significantly fewer tourists than Amsterdam itself. Many visitors prefer Haarlem to Amsterdam for its unhurried, authentic atmosphere.
What to See
- Grote Markt: The magnificent central market square dominated by the Grote Kerk — one of the finest Gothic churches in the Netherlands.
- Frans Hals Museum: One of the world's finest collections of 17th-century Dutch art, with the complete works of Haarlem master Frans Hals.
- Historic centre: Wander the compact medieval centre — almshouses (hofjes), canals, specialist boutiques and excellent independent restaurants.
- Teylers Museum: The Netherlands' oldest museum — natural history, science instruments, drawings and coins in a stunning 18th-century interior.
Getting There
Sprinter trains run every 10–15 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal to Haarlem (17 minutes, €5.50 one-way). Walk from Haarlem station to the centre in 10 minutes.