Dutch Cheese Museum, also known as Hollands Kaasmuseum, celebrates the rich history of cheesemaking in The Netherlands. It was founded in 1983 and housed in the Waaggebouw, a 14th-century chapel reimagined as a local history museum.
Inside you can discover fascinating exhibits spotlighting local cheese-making methods that have been passed down for centuries. Other exhibits explore the flourishing Dutch cheese trade and life on traditional dairy farms. There are paintings depicting cheesemaking, utensils used to make cheese and cheese memorabilia. Kids can also take part in cheese-themed scavenger hunts and playing interactive games.
The Museum Shop stocks books, postcards and souvenirs inspired by the art of cheesemaking. The museum overlooks a public square that hosts a famous cheese market every Friday, where you can sample local Dutch delicacies, such as gouda, edam and maasdam. Every hour, the clock tower carillon puts on a show featuring jousting wooden knights accompanied by a trumpet player.
Getting there
Dutch Cheese Museum is located in Alkmaar’s city centre, a 15-minute walk from the Alkmaar railway station. Limited parking is available on site and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is a 40-minute drive away. Trains run between Amsterdam and Alkmaar in around 30 minutes.