Once you arrive in Haarlem you will be greeted by a pleasant atmosphere; the village of Holland is fun and relaxing at the same time. In the old town there are preserved testimonies that will take you back in time and let you imagine what life could have been like in the ancient fortified village. Start your visit from the main square the Grote Mark, the beating heart of the city of Haarlem and the site of the old large market.
Surrounded by imposing and luxurious buildings, the Grote Mark houses the statue of Laurens Jaszoon to whom the Dutch attribute the invention of printing, even a decade before Gutenberg. Admire the Grote Kerk, a late-Gothic Brabant style church dating back to the 14th century, which houses an organ built in the first half of the 16th century, to which famous names such as Handel, Mozart and Shubert performed beautiful pieces.
After visiting the Grote Kerk go to the "De Hallen" in front of it; it is a 17th century building once used as a meat market and now converted into an art centre hosting special contemporary art exhibitions. Turning your eyes on the opposite side of the square you will see the Town Hall, the Renaissance-style Standhuise; construction of the building began in the middle of the 13th century and was completed in the 17th century.
A few steps from Grote Mark Square we recommend you to reach the Teylers Museum dedicated to science and the arts. A rich collection of scientific instruments, fossils and minerals awaits you and in particular over 4,000 drawings by great masters such as Rembrandt, Michelangelo and Raphael.
On the way, take the opportunity to take a look around and go in search of the Hofijes (courtyards with beautiful gardens) for which Haarlem is known. These are beautiful green spaces hidden among the streets frequented by guests of luxurious hospices in the vicinity, such as the Oudemannehuis.
A must on your Haarlem tour is the Molen de Adriaan, the windmill built in 1778 on the remains of an old fortified tower and later rebuilt in 1932 after a fire. The panoramic position on the Spaarne river will make you want to access the 12-metre-high outdoor platform and the structure itself will make you so curious that you will want to see it in operation: you can do both on a guided tour.
If you have the chance to visit Haarlem in spring, between April and May, you can't miss the spectacle of tulips blooming in Bollenstreek, the bulb region between Amsterdam, Den Haag and the sea. Haarlem is recognised as the home of these beautiful flowers.
