Alkmaar is a Dutch town a few kilometers from Amsterdam.
It was once the capital of the province of North Holland.
Today, I'd like to introduce you to what you can see and do in this place.
Alkmaar: article summary
Visit the Alkmaar cheese market in the city center
The first thing I recommend you do when you arrive in town is visit Alkmaar's famous cheese market! The market has been in existence for around 700 years and cheese has been bought, weighed and sold ever since.
During your visit, you'll see cheese carriers, easily identifiable by their traditional white uniforms.
You'll also see them carrying the cheese using old-fashioned wooden tools.
Discover the Beatles Museum in Alkmaar near Amsterdam
The Beatles Museum in Alkmaar is an interactive museum housed in the historic Waag building. It is a stopover a must for every rock'n'roll fan!
This music museum traces the history of the Beatles, their origins, their meteoric rise to worldwide fame and fascinating original archive footage of their 1964 tour of Holland.
The Beatles Museum in Alkmaar boasts a fantastic collection of vintage photographs, instruments, musical memorabilia, clothing and even some of the guitars used on stage.
Visit the Grote Sint Laurenskerk
Grote Kerk, also known as Grote Sint Laurenskerk, is a beautiful old building not to be missed.
This large Gothic church, once Protestant, is now a secular place of worship. It stands as an imposing landmark, dominating the skyline of the historic city center.
Churches have been built on this site since the Xᵉ century. The present structure was designed by Anthonius Keldermans and completed in 1498 after 28 years of construction.
The church, dedicated to Saint Lawrence, is reputed to house the tomb of Floris V, Count of Holland. Grote Sint-Laurenskerk is admired for its beauty, both inside and out.
The church's high windows let in tons of natural light to highlight the ornate Gothic decorations, in particular the beautiful chandeliers and the two magnificent pipe organs.
Enjoy a guided tour of Alkmaar City Hall
As well as drifting lazily along the city's canals, the best way to discover the hidden gems of this historic city is to go a walking tour of Alkmaar.
Highlights include the magnificent Town Hall. The Stadhuis, or Town Hall, erected in 1520 and restored after a fire destroyed much of its original construction, is an impressive example of Dutch brick architecture in the city center.
At the entrance to this historic building, the city flag flies in the air. It's easy to see why a popular location for wedding photos.
Even if you can't get inside, you can still walk down Langestraat from the Grote Kerk and enjoy the fantastic architecture of this ancient building. You can admire its magnificent facade and its tiny hexagonal clock tower.
Taste the incredible cuisine of Alkmaar near Amsterdam
As mentioned above, Alkmaar is considered one of the most important cheese towns on the planet, not least for its unique, historic cheese market.
A taste of the town's cheese part of any travel itinerary in the Netherlands.
The most popular cheeses found here are gouda and edam, but there are many other cheeses to enjoy here.
In addition to cheese, the town is also known for its herring, and a wide variety of delicacies featuring this tasty fish.
You can also treat your taste buds to a selection of Alkmaar's famous stroopwafels for dessert.
These mouth-watering sweet treats feature two thin layers of baked wafers and a caramel topping. Add a culinary dimension to your trip.
The town of Alkmaar is a wonderful place to discover, just a few kilometers from Amsterdam. During your stay, you'll be able to take advantage of the various activities on offer here, as well as culinary delights served up by the city's restaurants.
What to do in Amsterdam in 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 5 days, a week?
Whatever the length of your stay, I invite you to download my special Amsterdam guide.
It's free and in PDF format.
All you have to do is tell me below which e-mail address you'd like to receive it at.
EDIT: you can't enter your email?
Take the quiz at the top of this article and you'll be able to register your email address to receive the special Amsterdam guide!
Leave a Reply