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The old town hall of Gouda in the middle of the MarktMichielverbeek · CC BY-SA 4.0
A tree-lined canal in GoudaJoachim Köhler · CC BY-SA 3.0

What to do · Gouda

Walk Around the Markt, Town Hall and Canals of Gouda

Walk · 1 h 30 · The Markt with the town hall in the middle, the Waag, the Sint-Jan and the canals of the centre, all ten minutes from the station. Free.

InformationFree
Price
Free
Duration
1 h 30
Distance
3 km
Season
All year
Who it's for
All ages; no problem with a pushchair
With a dog
On a lead

The centre of Gouda is small and can be walked without a map. Everything revolves around the Markt, with the old town hall in the middle and the Waag on one side. Go out the back towards the Sint-Janskerk and the museum, and continue along the canals of the centre, with old warehouses, bridges and merchants' façades.

How to do it

From the station it is about ten minutes' walk to the Markt. At the tourist office, inside the Waag, they have the map and sell tickets. In season boats leave to tour the canals of the centre; ask there for times and prices.

Frequently asked questions

How much time do I need to see Gouda?

Half a day for the centre and one visit; a whole day with the market, church, museum and the stroopwafel factory.

With young childrenAs a familyWith a dog

Directions See all of Gouda

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

Sharing plates on a candlelit table© De Zalm

De Zalm

Café · Gouda · €€€€

What to order: a lunch on the terrace on a market Thursday, with the Waag in front of you.

The LIZZ dining room with tables by the large windows© WSHS

Restaurant LIZZ*

Restaurant · Gouda · €€€€

What to order: the three-course introductory menu, €75, on Thursday at midday or on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

To stay nearby

A luxury room with wooden beams, large windows and armchairs© WSHSSmall hotel

WSHS

Spieringstraat 1 · Former orphanage · LIZZ* restaurant with a Michelin star

Why we like it: Hotel in Gouda's former orphanage, beside the Sint-Jan, with luxury, classic and small rooms, breakfast, a lunch bar and a starred restaurant.

View details
A room with a double bed, bedside lamps and a wooden headboard© Guesthouse GoudaSmall hotel

Guesthouse Gouda

Geuzenstraat 6 · Self-service entry · Inner courtyard

Why we like it: Hotel with self-service entry in a historic building on the Geuzenstraat, with an inner courtyard for coffee and lunch and a door that opens with your phone.

View details
A room with a double bed, upholstered headboard and warm light© City Hotel GoudaHotel

City Hotel Gouda

Hoge Gouwe 201 · Rooms and suites · Q-Park Bolwerk below the hotel

Why we like it: Hotel on the Hoge Gouwe, ten minutes on foot from the station and the Markt, with a lounge, local-produce breakfast and a Q-Park car park below.

View details

Useful services

More to do nearby

Itineraries

Features in these plans

Gouda cheeses stacked on the square during the Thursday market
Day itinerary Gouda: cheese and stroopwafels Gouda · 7 stops

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