Haarlem

Description

Haarlem is home to stunning monumental buildings, most of which can be found in its beautiful town Situated in The Netherlands is the wonderful historical city of Haarlem. Located on River Spaarn, this capital of the province of North Holland is only about 20 kilometres away from Amsterdam; thus making it a great base for exploration. This quaint city might be small in size, but definitely makes up for it when it comes to the attractions it has to offer. Home to spectacular 17th-century architecture, numerous reputed museums, great shopping areas, flower markets, manicured courtyards, beautiful canals, and so much more, this city is definitely a must-visit when in The Netherlands. Haarlem also happens to be the center of the Dutch flower-growing district, making it the ideal place to see beautiful tulips in full bloom. Muslim tourists must be aware that they will be able to find Muslim-friendly facilities in Haarlem. While finding mosques in Haarlem will not be much of a problem, locating Halal food in Haarlem might be a bit more difficult as there are no well known Halal restaurants in the city.

centre. The city is also home to numerous museums and galleries; which will keep art and history buffs entertained for days. The city is quite compact and it is therefore quite easy to wander the streets and get to know the area on foot.

Grote Markt, or Market Square is where 10 streets intersect, making it the perfect place to observe the locals out and about. There are numerous cafes here, where tourists will be able to relax and enjoy a cup of delicious freshly brewed coffee while observing the fascinating surroundings. During market days, visitors will be able to browse numerous market stalls. Also found at Haarlem’s market square is the 14^th century Town Hall, which is a definite must-visit.

Another must-visit is one of Haarlem’s gems; the Frans Hals Museum. Works of the home town artist – Frans Hals can be found here, along with works of other 16^th and 17^th century artists. This museum features numerous great works.

While in Haarlem, visitors must also see the Teylers Museum; which is the first and oldest museum in The Netherlands.

Like most of the other cities in The Netherlands, Haarlem is also home to some wonderful canals. Tourists must take a scenic cruise through the canals to learn more about the city.

Haarlem has also been known as a market town for centuries, making it a great destination for those looking to get in a bit of shopping. Visitors will be able to find a variety of items ranging from fresh flowers to clothes and local produce. Tourists can also drive to Aalsmeer; which is about 20 minutes away, to witness a large and interesting flower auction. 

Nearby Airports

The closest airport to Haarlem is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, which offers international flights and is located about 18 kilometres from the center of Haarlem. Tourists can also use the services offered at Rotterdam The Hague Airport, which is another major airport. This international airport is located approximately 66 kilometres from Haarlem.

Halal Restaurants

There are no prominent Halal restaurants in Haarlem; Muslim tourists should however be able to locate some restaurants serving Halal food in Haarlem as the city does have a Muslim community. They can also make inquiries regarding this at the local mosque. There are also numerous Halal restaurants in Amsterdam, which is located about 30 minutes away from Haarlem.

Mosques

There are a couple of prominent mosques in Haarlem. Selimiye Mosque, Fatih Mosque and Furkan Mosque are some of the masjids in Haarlem that are frequented by locals and tourists alike. Muslim tourists can also make inquiries regarding other prayer facilities in Haarlem while at the above mentioned mosques.

Things to Do and See in Haarlem

• Teylers Museum
•  Amsterdamse Poort
•   Town Center
•   Molen De Adriaan
•  Grote Markt
•  Frans Hals Museum
•  Corrie ten Boom House
•   Aalsmeer
•   Town Hall