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The river Spaarne and the De Adriaan windmill from the waterJoana Kruse joanaimages.com · CC BY-SA 4.0

What to do · Haarlem

Boat trip on the Spaarne and the canals of Haarlem

Boat · 50 min · The old town from the river, past the windmill, the Teylers and the drawbridges. From €17.98.

InformationFrom €17 per person
From
€17 per person
Duration
50 min
Season
All year, according to the boat company's timetable
Who it's for
All ages

Haarlem is crossed by the river Spaarne and a handful of canals, and from the boat you see a different city: the De Adriaan windmill, the façade of the Teylers, the warehouses and the drawbridges that open to let you through. Smidtje leaves from the Boothuys, at Spaarne 11A, two minutes from the Grote Markt, with a 50-minute trip around the old town from €17.98 and longer ones of up to an hour and a half. Dogs are not allowed on board.

With young childrenAs a family

Who runs it

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 dining room with white-tablecloth tables and paintings on the walls© Ratatouille Food & Wine

Ratatouille Food & Wine

Restaurant · Haarlem · €€€€

What to order: the four-course menu at midday, Thursday to Sunday, with wine pairing.

A cone of chips beside the drawing on the shop's façade© De Haerlemsche Vlaamse

De Haerlemsche Vlaamse

Takeaway · Haarlem · €€€€

What to order: a medium cone with mayonnaise.

Customers toasting with beer in front of a church stained-glass window© Jopenkerk

Jopenkerk

Bar · Haarlem · €€€€

What to order: the pairing of three Jopen beers with a bite each, with a reservation.

To stay nearby

The Grote Markt in Haarlem with its terraces, seen from the hotel© Hotel CarillonSmall hotel

Hotel Carillon

Grote Markt 27 · On the main square · Simple rooms

Why we like it: A simple hotel in a historic building on the Grote Markt, above its own café, with small rooms with bathroom and single rooms with shared bathroom.

The façade of the Hotel Lion d'Or lit up at dusk© Hotel Lion d'OrHotel

Hotel Lion d'Or

Kruisweg 34-36 · Next to the station · Haarlem's oldest city hotel

Why we like it: Haarlem's oldest city hotel, four-star, a step from the railway station and ten minutes on foot from the Grote Markt.

The hostel's white building beside the water among trees© StayokayHostel

Stayokay Haarlem

Jan Gijzenpad 3 · By the water · Free parking

Why we like it: A hostel with private rooms and breakfast included, beside a canal in the north of Haarlem, with free parking and bike hire.

Itineraries

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