Alkmaar
distance 10 kilometer
Visit Alkmaar for the first time and you will never forget it.
Visit to Alkmaar
“I didn’t expect it to be this nice” is a common comment from guests visiting Alkmaar for the first time. With its past as a backdrop, the city has a modern range of shops with a wide range of products. In addition to the mainly small-scale shops in the old city centre, the Noorder Arcade with large-scale shopping facilities is located on the edge of the North Holland Canal.
Alkmaar is primarily a Dutch cheese town. During the season, which runs from the first Friday in April to the first Friday in September, a traditional cheese market is held here on Friday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cheeses are sold by traders by handshake. Then the 400-year-old cheese carriers’ guild comes into action to take the cheese away with berries, after the batch has been weighed in the Waag. The Cheese Museum, which tells everything about dairy production, is housed in the Waag building.
Historic
Alkmaar is historic, with over 400 monuments. The Waag, in its most original form from the 14th century, the 16th century Town Hall, the Grote St. Laurenskerk and the many courtyards, facades and canals give the city a special appearance.
But besides cheese there is of course much more to experience. Take a nice city walk for which you get the booklet at the VVV, so that you discover the most special places of Alkmaar. In this way you learn all about the history of Alkmaar and the heroes of yesteryear who made the city great.
For the children there is a fun treasure hunt through the city and there is even a route for the smartphone (can also be downloaded on Ipad and other tablets). Download the Abellife app and order the interactive walk through Alkmaar here. Another good way to discover the city center is on board the tour boat. We bet that the city is even more beautiful seen from the water?
Alkmaar has several well-maintained museums: of course the beautiful Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar (full of art and history) but also the Dutch Cheese Museum and the Beer Museum. And what do you think of the Beatles Museum, which is entirely dedicated to ‘the Fab four’? When it’s time for lunch, there are so many different eateries in the city centre that it’s hard to choose. When the weather is sunny, you can of course sit down on one of the terraces that the city has to offer.
In Alkmaar it is pleasant to shop, because not only the big chain stores are well represented here, but you will also find enough special boutiques. Especially the streets of ‘d’Oude Stad’, are popular with shopaholics.
The most fun businesses in the region come together in the monumental buildings of this oldest part of the city. Tomorrow is another day of enjoyment in the city that we ‘cheeseheads’ are so proud of. We bet you’ll be back soon!
More information
Close to the cozy center & beach
Would you like to enjoy the sun and the peace and quiet?
Would you like to enjoy the sea and the peace for a few days? Then inquire about the possibilities of a wonderful holiday in holidayhome de Duinroos in Egmond aan Zee. It is suitable for 3 adults or a family with 1 child from 4 years.
