# Alkmaar Cheese Market from Amsterdam: A Friday of Cheese and Canals

Thirty-five minutes by train, the cheese market on the Waagplein, the museum in the weigh house, a boat under twenty bridges, lunch opposite the town hall and the cannonball house.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/the-netherlands/alkmaar/itineraries/friday-of-cheese-and-canals · Revisado: 2026-11-12

## El día
- 08:45 · Salida: 30 min by train (from Amsterdam Centraal to Alkmaar)
  - 15 min on foot (signposted route to the Waagplein)
- 09:40 · Alkmaar cheese market on the Waagplein (take your place at the barriers before 10:00 · free)
  - 2 min on foot
- 11:15 · Cheese Museum, in the Waag (in the Waag · €7)
  - 2 min on foot
- 12:15 · Alkmaar canal boat, under 20 bridges (every 20 minutes on market Fridays · €10.50 · no credit cards) · Rondvaart Alkmaar, From €11 per adult
  - 6 min on foot
- 13:15 · De Nachtegaal restaurant (lunch opposite the old town hall) · De Nachtegaal restaurant, €€
  - 5 min on foot
- 14:30 · Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar (Tuesday to Sunday)
  - 2 min on foot
- 16:00 · Grote Sint-Laurenskerk (check the visiting hours)
  - 10 min on foot
- 16:45 · Walk along the canals and the Huis met de Kogel (Verdronkenoord, Luttik Oudorp and the cannonball house)
- 17:45 · Vuelta: 15 min on foot (to the station)
  - 30 min by train (you reach Amsterdam Centraal around 18:45)

Alkmaar's cheese market is only held on Friday mornings from late March to September, so the day must be planned around it. This plan arrives at the Waagplein before 10:00 to watch the carriers from the barriers, then goes into the Cheese Museum, sails under the low bridges, eats opposite the old town hall and devotes the afternoon to the church, the museum and the canals.

## The day, hour by hour

8:45 · Train to Alkmaar. About 35 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal and fifteen on foot along the signposted route.

9:40 · Cheese market. Take your place at the barriers before 10:00. Weighing at the Waag, carriers and cheeses thrown onto the carts. Free.

11:15 · Cheese Museum. In the same Waag, with a treasure hunt for children. €7.

12:15 · Canal boat. On market Fridays it leaves every 20 minutes from the Mient. 45 minutes under twenty bridges. €10.50, cash or debit card.

13:15 · Lunch at De Nachtegaal. In a building of 1903 opposite the old town hall, with meat, fish or vegan.

14:30 · Stedelijk Museum. The history and art of Alkmaar, with the Bergen school.

16:00 · Grote Sint-Laurenskerk. The great Gothic church, next to the museum.

16:45 · Walk along the canals. Verdronkenoord, Luttik Oudorp and the house with the cannonball.

17:45 · Return. On foot to the station and train to Amsterdam.

## With children or in the rain

The market, the boat and the cheese museum make a rounded plan for children; the Stedelijk can be skipped. If it rains, the cheese museum and the Stedelijk are indoors, and the boat runs just the same. Outside the market season, this day loses its reason for being: choose another destination.

## Cómo llegar

### Without a car
Train from Amsterdam Centraal and everything on foot.

### By car
About 40 km. Park at Parcade Overstad (€3.20 a day) before 9:30.

## Consejos

### Only on a Friday
The market is on Fridays from 10:00 to 13:00; in July and August, also on Tuesdays from 19:00 to 21:00.

### Bring cash
The boat does not accept credit cards.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How long does it take to get from Amsterdam to Alkmaar?
About 35 minutes by train and 15 on foot to the square.

### How much does the day cost?
The market is free; museum €7, boat €10.50, plus the train and food.

### Can it be combined with Zaanse Schans?
Yes, it is on the same train line towards Amsterdam; with the market in the morning, go in the afternoon instead of the Stedelijk.