Head to Alkmaar and attend the famous weekly cheese market the city’s been hosting for more than 400 years. It’s nicknamed the “City of Cheese” and boasts a beautiful medieval centre with canals and historic architecture. Explore lively shopping districts, visit local history museums and dine on sun-drenched terraces.
Things to do in Alkmaar
From narrow alleys dotted with independent boutiques to tree-lined promenades lined with well-known brands, there’s shopping for every style and budget in Alkmaar. The Old City is especially atmospheric, with a treasure trove of specialty shops, vintage stores and cafes tucked away down the side streets.
Watch dozens of local cheese mongers haul enormous wheels of cheese into the main square every Friday morning from April to September. The market takes place in front of the medieval weighing building and is a fascinating window into a traditional Dutch cheese market. Look on as the cheeses are weighed, cut and tossed onto wagons. Stalls dot the square and sell everything from gouda and edam to one-of-a-kind specialty cheeses. Find out more about the centuries-old tradition at the Dutch Cheese Museum housed in the weighing building.
Visit Museum BroekerVeiling and learn about the city’s proud agricultural heritage. The waterlogged countryside surrounding Alkmaar was once home to thousands of miniature island farms. The former auction house is reimagined as a museum with exhibits on how the floating farms operated. Your ticket includes a scenic boat ride to some of the last remaining plots.
Rent a bike and explore the picturesque North Holland countryside. Head to the coast to discover sandy beaches, rolling dunes and quaint seaside villages. Inland trails wind past tulip-filled fields and postcard-perfect wooden windmills.
Getting around Alkmaar
Alkmaar is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The city is in North Holland, a 30-minute drive from Amsterdam and one hour from Rotterdam. Trains run between Alkmaar and Amsterdam in 30 minutes. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is a 40-minute drive away.