Haarlem, Netherlands
Double decker bicycle racks near the train station, Haarlem, Netherlands
Destination: Haarlem, Netherlands. It’s a Dutch city that’s often overshadowed by Amsterdam, but has just as much charm—and far fewer crowds. I’m talking about Haarlem, Netherlands.
Haarlem is only 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam, making it an easy and quiet alternative for solo travelers over 50. What you’ll love is its slower pace, historic streets, and safe, flat, walkable layout, making it ideal for those with mobility challenges, as well as a large square.
Haarlem’s Train station is brick and historic.
A block away, you will find double-decker bike racks. That is genius and a growing trend. Check the link for a video on how this works.
Another bike rack nearby. Biking is a big deal here.
https://www.hiddenholland.com/things-to-do-in-haarlem/
I was walking to the Grote Markt, which I will mention later. It was about a ten-minute walk, but I took my time. I did not have a plan for what to do when I arrived in the city by train. Sometimes that works out best.
On the way, I found some archives. Janskerk. It’s in Bakenes.
It was raining a bit, so I stopped and enjoyed the break here with Free entry.
Now it hosts Literary collections from 1149 to the present day.
They repurposed a church into a research center featuring exhibits, including some from the 1100s. It’s the oldest church in the area.
They had two exhibitions: "Printers of Value," a historic printing lab, I learned about Laurens Janzoon Coster, the purported inventor of the printing press.
Hadrianus Junius, the historian who recorded Coster's story, is represented by two statues here.
This was converted from a church to a research library and museum.
The other exhibit you will find is: "The Many Faces of Women in the Resistance during WW2." One of the exhibits had a glass case under the floor where you could see historical artifacts from World Wars.
This exhibit is free of charge, and they’ll be happy to answer any questions. They love visitors here.
https://noord-hollandsarchief.nl/english/family-history
At the heart of Haarlem is the Grote Markt, the main square. Here, you’ll find St. Bavo’s Cathedral, famous for its massive organ, once played by Mozart and Handel.
And a few steps away from the Grote (gro-ta) Markt (marked), find the Corrie Ten Boom museum in Haarlem. This former home has now been converted into a museum, about which I’ve heard for four years. I’ve been hoping to get here, and God is making that possible, so I went in and met the people in the store. I also met a family from Norway who wanted to tour today, and they were pleased that I told them there would be a possibility for them to see the tour. For those with mobility issues, please visit the virtual tour, as the house is relatively small and not wheelchair accessible.
Corrie Ten Boom Museum, Haarlem, Netherlands
Take the virtual tour with the link here.
https://virtualtour.corrietenboom.com/
This building marks the location where Corrie Ten Boom and her family helped save 800 lives during the German occupation of the Netherlands. The Hiding Place book, which I just read, shares some similar elements with what Anne Frank wrote about during a similar time period. Corrie, who died in 1983, was a Christian and gave her life to God, so I’m sure that you will also want to know more. I didn't have a reservation, so if you are planning your trip, please make sure to get one in advance. There is no fee. Groups of up to 15 people can visit at any one time.
I found a great tea shop in Haarlem. Vijfhoek. VIJF-hook is the name of it. I’ve never seen so many teas in one shop.
If art is your thing, the Frans Hals Museum showcases masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age. And don’t forget—Haarlem is the original tulip capital. Back in the 1600s, this city was at the center of Tulip Mania, and the tulip still shapes its culture today.
If you have more time, consider renting a bike and riding out to the North Sea beaches at Zandvoort or Bloemendaal, just 30 minutes away.
“Is Haarlem a good alternative to staying in Amsterdam?” The answer is yes. Hotels are often more affordable, it’s quieter, and you can still zip into Amsterdam in under 20 minutes. Plus, Haarlem has its own distinct charm, boutique shopping, and excellent restaurants.
