ABOUT HAARLEM
Haarlem is the place we currently live. It is, in our opinion, one of the most underrated cities in the Netherlands. It is close to the sea, close to Amsterdam and close to the Flower Bulb region. Everything is right around the corner. De Grote Markt (Haarlems’ city center) is a vibrant place where you can have a drink or go out. All these reasons made us decide to live in Haarlem for a while.
WHAT TO DO IN HAARLEM
There are several things to do in and just outside of Haarlem. Underneath we will line them up for you.
Rent a boat
If you thought Amsterdam was the only place to rent a boat and sail the canals, you are wrong. Haarlem has a river (‘t Spaarne) flowing right through, as can be seen on the GIF above. There are multiple options to rent a boat, which is especially fun during summer. You can also go supping here, which is becoming a popular activity.
Chill in a park
Another thing a lot of people do in the summer is chilling in the parks. When the weather allows it, you can spot a lot of people drinking a beer, playing sports, or just chilling in one the parks of Haarlem. Our favorite park is the Kenaupark. This is because of views you have, which is a view of people passing by in boats on ‘t Spaarne. It is also close to the central station, and you can even BBQ here!
Visit the Jopenkerk
Normally we’d put the next activity under where to eat and drink but since this an experience in itself, we decided to put it here. We’re talking about the Jopenkerk. This is an old brewery where you can drink a fresh brewed beer of the church itself. The location is awesome, the beers are delicious, and the experience is one you shouldn’t miss when visiting Haarlem. Our favorite beer is the Blurred Lines, in case you were wondering ;)
Bloemendaal at sea
The last activity we recommend is just outside of Haarlem. We’ve mentioned it before. Since Haarlem is so close to sea, you should really pay a visit to the beach. Bloemendaal is a town at sea, and is our go-to destination when we are in Haarlem and want to go to the beach. It is pretty small, but there are several places where you can chill, have a drink, or grab a snack at Woodstock. You can also just lay on the beach and take a refreshing dive. Don’t expect the most turquoise water or the whitest sand with palm trees, however, it has its charm.
Zandvoort
Where to eat & drink in Haarlem
Haarlem offers a lot of options to drink & eat. There are way more places to go, but we will only mention our favorites down below.
Bricks
The first place worth mentioning is called Bricks. It is an affordable place for food that tastes not so affordable. This is exactly what the owner of Bricks had in mind when setting up his restaurant. You’ll get the most amazing food, and you can just taste the passion of the cooks. The menu changes every now and then, so you’ll always have the option to eat something different. They offer vegetarian options as well, which are as good as all of their dishes. The location is very cool as well, which is called the Vijfhoek. Its characteristics are small streets with a lot of vegetation.
Recently Bricks has a worthy competitor. One of the chef cooks of Bricks has made the transfer to Duplanu. This restaurant is similar in the type of food they serve and similar in price as well. Go check them both out and see for yourself which one you prefer.
De Dakkas
The next place is called the Dakkas. It is literally what the Dutch translation says. It is a greenhouse on a roof. It is completely vegetarian and most of their products come from their own greenhouse. You have a view over Haarlem, while eating the purest food and drinking the purest drinks. It is affordable as well.
The Falafel Bar
If you’re on a budget or just want something on the go, the Falafel Bar is a great option. It is a bar in the city center, where you can take away the best falafel of town. You can put together your own pita bread or wrap with falafel. We are going here way too often since we just can’t resist.
Luca
For the best Italian in town, look no further than Luca. It has been on our list for over a year and when we finally got the chance to have dinner here, we didn’t regret it. Dining at Luca is like dining in in Italy.
De Koepel
The last thing we want to add is a newly add venue we are very excited for. It is called the Koepel. It is an old prison, which is transformed in a mall, cinema, party venue and place to be. We have visited the cinema, and it was a really laid back experience. The staff is nice, the location is easy to access, and the interior is unique. You can still spot all the old prison cells while sipping your soda!
De Koepel
Hi, we are Bren and Tess! We travel to the most beautiful places in the world, and with our video's, we hope you feel inspired to do the same.
