Alkmaar is one of the big cities in the Netherlands and is well known among tourists and locals alike. Most people who head out to the city are interested in the popular cheese markets. You will be surprised by the fact that there are plenty of things to do in Alkmaar that do not have to do with cheese. So if you don’t arrive in the city when the cheese markets are being held or are in the wrong season, don’t cancel the city of your itinerary completely.
Despite spending a short while in the city, we instantly fell in love with it and chose to visit it again. This is because there are plenty of indoor and outdoor activities in the city. There is plenty of good parking, the city is walkable and it is extremely kid friendly. Think of it as a less touristy version of Amsterdam. It’s more compact, fun and just great to spend a relaxing day in a Dutch city.
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Things To Do In Alkmaar
1. Visit The Alkmaar Cheese Market
I can’t start with all the things to do in Alkmaar without talking about the famous cheese market in Alkmaar. It is important to note that these markets are not held throughout the year. In fact, they start off on the last Friday of March and then continue on every Friday till the last Friday of September. It isn’t a whole day event either. It is held between 10 am and 1 pm.
In July and in August there is a bonus market that is held on Tuesdays and is from 19:00 to 21:00 pm which means you can actually catch this on one of your packed days in the country. The cheese market is fun to watch as they test the cheese, weigh it and sell it to the buyers. The Waagsplein is where it is held and it is always abuzz with activity. There is even a stand where you can sit and rest while you watch the show.
The best part is that the show is free. You just have to appear. You don’t even have to stick around for the whole show.
2. Admire The Waagtoren
The Waag is one of the main historic buildings in the center of the Alkmaar. This is where the huge scales that are used for weighing the cheese are kept. You can watch the cheese being weighed here. It is an interesting process where the barrows filled with cheese are loaded on it and then a man will call out the cheese weight. The cheese is then sold and transported to the vans that will take it away.
3. Weigh Yourself On The Cheese Scales
If you want a very cool Dutch souvenir then you can weigh yourself on the cheese scales. There is usually a line for this but you can watch the market while you are here. The line moves quickly and you have to pay 1 euro per person.
Just request the person next in line to click the photograph for you. You will wear one of the cool hats that they provide and carry a cheese wheel while you are at it. Sounds like one of the fun things to do in Alkmaar doesn’t it?
4. Enjoy A Meal On The Waagsplein
Once the market clears away at 1pm, the Waagsplein converts into a cool terrace for all the restaurants in the area. This is one of the best places to catch a meal if you want a view alongside your food. If you arrive here at 1pm, you are bound to get a seat. If you want to arrive a little later, I would advise booking your table in advance because it gets very crowded.
There are a variety of different types of cuisine to choose from. Generally speaking one of the best things to do in Alkmaar is to order a drink and a borrelplank while chilling. What’s a borrelplank? Well it’s different appetizers served up on a single platter.
5. Visit The Stedelijk Museum
The Stedelijk museum was one of our personal favorites when it came to the things to do in Alkmaar. It should not be confused with the Stedelijk museum in Amsterdam. This museum chronicles the artwork and history that is more local and centered around Alkmaar. You can see how the wars were fought, how the fields were drained and how the city became a central part in the cheese trade of the country.
There are loads of different activities for kids including a bingo game for small children where they had to spot items on their card in the museum paintings. It was a simple game and my kids who were 3 and 4 at the time of our visit were engaged through it all.
There are also a lot of interactive displays where you can listen or create stuff. If you are going with kids, you will find a cool coloring station inside too!
6. Admire The Architecture Of The Grote Sint-Laurenskerk
The Grote Sint-Laurenskerk is another very important historical monument in the city. Entrance to this church is free so don’t just admire it from the outside.
Step and wander around the building. You will be treated to the sound of the old pipe organ, gaze at the tallest stained glass window in Europe, check out the various facets of the ceiling and more.
I love these kinds of churches because not only does it give you a chance to explore history, you can also escape from the elements. This is true in the hot summer and in the cold winters too.
7. Take A Canal Cruise
⭐️ Rating: 3.4/5 (44 Reviews) Price: $16 per person Duration: 75 min 📍Meeting Point: Waagplein, 1811 MA Alkmaar Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
Alkmaar also has a number of canals that circle the city. If you want to see the city from a unique perspective, rest your legs and take in the views then one of the cool things to do in Alkmaar is to book a canal cruise.
These are very popular and while they aren’t as crowded or booked out as the ones in Amsterdam, I would urge you to book them in advance so you can just arrive in time rather than stand in long lines.
8. Buy Your Souvenirs Here
I know that most people buy their Dutch souvenirs from Amsterdam but if you want to get something that is different, you should check out the Alkmaar shopping areas. This is especially true during market days and when the Alkmaar cheese market is in session.
Loads of people set up stalls with local Dutch items. Some are extremely cute. Take the colorful hand painted cycle bells that are insanely pretty and quirky. Or maybe the cheese boards and tapas boards that come in all sizes. There are also a number of different types of hand made jewelry that you could pick up. These are just a few options!
Ways In Which You Can Explore The Things To Do In Alkmaar
You probably have a lot of questions when it comes to getting around and exploring the things to do in Alkmaar. First off know that the city is very accessible by foot. You can easily get about from the main train station or from one of the parking garages which is why an Amsterdam to Alkmaar day trip is so popular. There are a couple of tours and guides that you can use should you want to.
Self Guided Walking Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.4/5 (10 Reviews) Price: $8.20 per person Duration: 2 days 📍Meeting Point: You can start anywhere Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
Not everyone is fond of the standard tours that take you through town. I like to do things at my own pace and take time at monuments. That’s one of the big reasons why I don’t always take a tour. A great alternative to do this are the self guided tours. There is one for Alkmaar which is very highly rated. It comes in 7 different languages and is valid for two whole days. That means you can really use it to the max.
It is also much cheaper than taking a group tour. It gets even cheaper if you walk in a group of 3 or more people where you get a whopping 60 percent discount. The interesting part about this tour is that it has over 30 different stories also included in it. That way you can get all the local know how that you would get on a guided tour.
Take A Guided Tour Of The Cheese Market And City
⭐️ Rating: 5/5 (19 Reviews) Price: $29 per person Duration: 2.5 hours 📍Meeting Point: Outside of the Alkmaar Train Station Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
Only in Alkmaar for a short duration and want to make the most of your time? I would recommend taking one of the small group tours. These tours are quick and take you through the city in jus 2.5 hours. Its a small city so you won’t find yourself too rushed. The guide will highlight all the different aspects of the cheese market which is one of the cool things to do in Alkmaar.
“Jen was an excellent guide and got us access inside the cheese market barriers so we had a birds-eye view of the activities. We also got to meet a few of the cheese carriers. Overall, it was a great experience.”
William (read more reviews now!)
On this tour, you will also visit the medieval center, admire the gorgeous canals and the picturesque buildings. There are a lot of things to do in Alkmaar beyond the cheese market and a local guide is the best person to show you around.
Note: This is a Friday English tour that is only open during July and August when the markets are in session.
As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in Alkmaar to keep you occupied for a whole day. In fact, if you have time, you could also choose to stay here. The vibe of the city is just so chill and it is blissfully free of most tourists compared to Amsterdam!