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The Alkmaar Waag building with its towerTxllxt TxllxT · CC BY-SA 4.0

What to do · Alkmaar

Cheese Museum, in the Waag

Museum · 1 h · From cow to cheese in the old weigh house on the Waagplein, with a treasure hunt for children. €7; €3 for ages 4 to 12.

InformationFrom €7 per adult
From
€7 per adult
Duration
1 h
Season
All year; hours depend on the day, check the calendar on its website
Who it's for
All ages

The Cheese Museum occupies the upper floors of the Waag, the old hospital turned public weigh house in the 16th century, which presides over the Waagplein. It explains in an interactive way the whole process, from cow to cheese, and the history of the market and of the carriers. Children have a treasure hunt, touch screens, films and games.

Price and hours

It costs €7 for adults and €3 for ages 4 to 12. The hours change according to the day and the season: on market Fridays it opens early, and in winter only in the afternoon, so look at the calendar on its website before you go.

Frequently asked questions

Is it open all year?

Yes, with different hours depending on the day.

Can you see the market from the museum?

It is in the weigh house building, in the middle of the market square.

With young childrenAs a family

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

The dimly lit dining room with diners and candles© 't Fnidsen

t Fnidsen

Restaurant · Alkmaar · €€€€

What to order: the five-course menu, and swap the dessert for the cheese selection.

Lamb ribs with herbs on a plate© Wolf Hotel Kitchen & Bar

Wolf Kitchen & Bar

Restaurant · Alkmaar · €€€€

What to order: dinner with the wine pairing, or a lunch on the terrace opposite the Waag.

The De Nachtegaal building on a corner in the centre, lit up at night© De Nachtegaal

De Nachtegaal restaurant

Restaurant · Alkmaar · €€€€

What to order: a lunch from the menu with local produce; much of it can be ordered gluten-free or lactose-free.

To stay nearby

A room with a double bed, a gold headboard and leaf-patterned wallpaper© Wolf Hotel Kitchen & BarSmall hotel

Wolf Hotel

Mient 3 · Eight rooms · A minute from the Waagplein

Why we like it: Eight rooms above the Wolf restaurant, on the Mient, a minute from the cheese market square and the boat jetty.

The brick façade of the Grand Hotel Alkmaar with flags© Grand Hotel AlkmaarHotel

Grand Hotel Alkmaar

Gedempte Nieuwesloot 36 · Historic building in the centre · 50 rooms · Heeren van Sonoy restaurant

Why we like it: A 50-room hotel in a monumental building in the centre of Alkmaar, a few minutes from the Waagplein, with a restaurant and its own parking.

Itineraries

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