Tourists from all over the world flock to Amsterdam. And why wouldn’t they? Amsterdam is cool.
But sometimes Amsterdam can feel a bit overwhelming not only because of its size, but also because of the crowds and the bikes and the cars and the trams. And guess what? There is more to the Netherlands than Amsterdam. So jump on a train and explore!
Alkmaar is the perfect day trip from Amsterdam. A short 35 min direct train and a quick 10 minute walk and you are in the centre.
So what is there to do in Alkmaar you ask? Let me tell you!
Alkmaar is famously known for its Cheese Market and for good reason. Alkmaar has the oldest traditional Cheese Market in the Netherlands. During Cheese Market season (April to Sept) you can come and visit the market every Friday and see a re-enactment of the cheese being sold, weighed and carried. It attracts over 100 000 visitors a year and is a must see!
But what else is there to see in Alkmaar? Is it worth visiting when the Cheese Market is not on? Absolutely! Alkmaar is really pretty and the centre is compact, meaning you can easily walk around and take in everything. The centre also has controlled traffic meaning few cars, even fewer buses and no trams. Even on the busiest day in Alkmaar you can walk quiet streets and take in the Dutch culture and way of life.
Alkmaar has fared well over the centuries due to its rich history, agricultural surroundings and proximity to Amsterdam and there are many beautiful buildings, monuments, canals and streets to explore. There are also areas of green and calm. Big cities are great for exploring, but sometimes you just need a bit of a breather and want to see grass and trees! Want to see what Alkmaar is really like? Check out my photo gallery and see for yourself.
And there is more to Alkmaar than cheese and sightseeing! Alkmaar also has a street in the top ten shopping streets (Fnidsen) according to NL Streets Awards (2016) and there is a huge range of café, bar and restaurant choice.
What more could you ask for?
Have I convinced you yet? I hope so. I love living in Alkmaar and I want to show others that there is more to Alkmaar than cheese (although the cheese is good. Really, really good). So why not book a tour with me and we will walk the streets together and I will show you all the things that makes Alkmaar so special.
Alkmaar Tours offers top rated Private and Small Group Tours of Alkmaar’s medieval centre and the famous Alkmaar Cheese Market! For more information on the different tours, please visit the Alkmaar Tours Website.