Historical Haarlem: Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide Discount Tickets

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★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 1 reviews |
location pin icon Groot Heiligland 62, Haarlem, 2011 ES, Netherlands
location pin icon Haarlem
5.0 /5
1 reviews
View all Historical Haarlem: Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide photos
View all Historical Haarlem: Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide photos

Get your discount tickets for the Historical Haarlem: Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide, save up to 12% !

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12% OFF Refundable
German speaking guide
FROM

$306.94

REG. $350.78

Offer details

Pickup included
12% OFF Refundable
English speaking guide
FROM

$306.94

REG. $350.78

Offer details

Pickup included
12% OFF Refundable
Dutch speaking guide
FROM

$306.94

REG. $350.78
12% OFF Refundable
French speaking guide
FROM

$306.94

REG. $350.78

Offer details

Pickup included

Overview

Discover Haarlem on a private walking tour through one of the most elegant historic cities in the Netherlands. Often described as Amsterdam’s refined neighbor, Haarlem was once just as wealthy and powerful, and its past is still visible today. With your own knowledgeable local guide, you stroll through cobbled streets, grand market squares, and along tranquil canals. During this guided tour, your guide shares stories of the innovators, merchants, artists that shaped Haarlem during the Dutch Golden Age. You learn about Haarlem as the birthplace of Frans Hals and the home of the oldest museum in the Netherlands. The private tour of Haarlem takes place entirely on foot in the compact historic center and normally lasts about 1.5 hours. Because this is a private walking tour, the pace and focus are flexible and can be adapted to your interests. This guided walking tour is ideal for travelers who want insight, atmosphere, and stories rather than a standard checklist of sights.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Your guide will be waiting for you next to the statue of Laurens Janszoon Coster, on the Big Market.

Pickup Information

You can be picked up from your hotel, if you stay in the city center.

Language Offered

German-GUIDE

English-GUIDE

French-GUIDE

Dutch-GUIDE

Itinerary

1. Haarlem
We start in front of the most beautiful train station of The Netherlands. The railways made a significant contribution to the revival of Haarlem after 1850, as improved infrastructure allowed small businesses to grow into important industrial complexes. Examples include the Figee machine factory, Droste chocolate factory, Conrad shipyard (all located on the Spaarne), and the Beijnes railway carriage factory at Stationsplein.
Duration: 20 mins
2. Grote Markt
Of course we will walk over the Grote Markt. The Grote Markt has traditionally been the heart of Haarlem. Before the Middle Ages, when the square was not yet paved, it was called 't Sant. Justice was administered on 't Sand at that time. However, the gallows were located on the outskirts of the city to deter people. Tournaments were held on the square, as well as markets. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the square was even larger than it is now because there was no building on the south side (right). The appearance and character of this place were and are largely determined by the historical buildings surrounding it.
Duration: 10 mins
3. The St. Bavo Church in Haarlem
On the Grote Markt, we find the Grote Kerk. Here once stood a smaller church that was damaged during a city fire. Subsequently, the Grote or St. Bavo was built here. The floor plan is based on the cruciform shape. Construction began in 1390 with the choir built around the old Romanesque church, followed by the transept. The nave followed from the mid-15th century. The tower is an oak construction covered with lead and was added to the church in 1520. In 1559, St. Bavo was elevated to a cathedral. On May 19, 1578, the 'Haarlemse noon' took place, a delayed iconoclastic event. During a Catholic sacrament procession in the St. Bavo Church, Geuzen soldiers stormed the church. The soldiers killed the priest and destroyed everything. Afterward, the church came into the possession of the Reformed Community. In the church, in addition to the world-famous Müller organ, there are the graves of painters Frans Hals, Pieter Saendam, linen merchant Pieter Teyler van der Hulst, and many others.
Duration: 10 mins
4. Botermarkt
We cannot skip the Botermarkt. In 2012, during the installation of underground waste containers on the Botermarkt, skeletons from the Middle Ages were discovered. These were found on an old cemetery belonging to the medieval St. Gangolf's Chapel. The excavation of these skeletons has provided more insight into the men, women, and children who lived in Haarlem around 1450. The combination of forensic science, archaeology, anatomy, and sculptural art can give a lifelike face to an excavated individual. For the reconstruction, a skeleton with a skull was selected from a 35-year-old man with a remarkable face. Since his name was unknown, the name Cornelis was chosen. Cornelis was a common name in Haarlem in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Duration: 20 mins
5. Jopen
Another church! For centuries, Haarlem was one of the largest beer brewing cities in the Netherlands. Beer brewing dates back to the medieval period in Haarlem, with many breweries located along the Spaarne River and Bakenessergracht. The proximity to water was convenient for both beer production and the transportation of beer barrels. The beer barrels, with a capacity of 112 liters, were called 'Jopen.'
Duration: 20 mins
6. Frans Hals Museum
We pass by the beautiful Frans Hals Museum. Frans Hals was born in Antwerp in 1582 or 1583, the son of a linen merchant. Like many South Netherlanders at that time, the family moved to Haarlem around 1586. Frans Hals was a pupil of Carel van Mander until 1603 and became a member of the Saint Luke's Guild. In 1616, he painted his first civic guard pieces. In 1639, he created his last civic guard pieces, considered the pinnacle of Hals' oeuvre due to the great variety of facial expressions, shining uniforms, and nuanced colors. In the 18th century, he fell out of favor but was rediscovered by the Impressionists in the 19th century, who appreciated his so-called rough style. His style was characterized by independent, sweeping, and loose brushwork, as well as intimate and enigmatic drama. He had the ability to capture subtle human emotions.
Duration: 20 mins

Inclusion

All fees and taxes

Local private guide

Exclusion

Gratuities

Cancellation Policy

Check mark icon Refundable tickets

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

  • 100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
  • 0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Supplied by Holland City Tours

Reviews

5.0

★★★★★ ★★★★★
Based on 1 reviews

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