Hello all,
I like to share some inspiration for anyone who is planning to visit The Netherlands.
Today the city Alkmaar.
Located in the province of Noord-Holland, here you find the city of cheese. One of my favorite cities to visit.
The city center is on walking distance from the station, filled with shops, restaurants and old buildings.
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Kaasmarkt (cheese market)
Thousands of visitors from all over the world come to Alkmaar especially for the cheese market. It's a truly special spectacle, with a square overflowing with cheese and porters carrying it. In 1365, Alkmaar had the right to weigh cheese and one set of scales, but by 1612 there were already four. The exact date of the first real cheese market is shrouded in mystery. Old documents have been found that clearly indicate the cheese market definitely took place in 1622, but there's also evidence that the cheese porters' guild was founded in 1593; from this, we can deduce that a cheese market must have existed even then.
Cheese Market
- From mainstation, take bus 10/129/160/162 (7 minutes) to busstop “Kanaalkade” or walk 17 minutes.
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Kaasmuseum (Cheesemuseum)
At the same location of the cheese market, you will find a very pleasing museum, all about cheese.
Step into the world of cheese and be amazed by the history of Alkmaar.
Museum
- From mainstation, take bus 10/129/160/162 (7 minutes) to busstop “Kanaalkade” or walk 17 minutes.
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Old Town of Alkmaar
Take a stroll from the cheese market, into the narrow, old streets of Alkmaar. Crooked houses, tiny shops and so much history to see.
In this part you will find: Huis met de kogel (house with the kanonball, Appelsteeg 2), Fnidsen and Hekelstraat (streets with many shops and delicious places to eat), Vismarkt and Mient.
- From mainstation, take bus 10/129/160/162 (7 minutes) to busstop “Kanaalkade” or walk 17 minutes.
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Grote Sint-Laurenskerk (Church)
The Grote Kerk (Great Church) in Alkmaar is the largest church in North Holland, located above the North Sea Canal. Also known as the Grote Sint Laurenskerk (Great St. Lawrence Church), it began as a Catholic building, designed by the Keldermans family.
Absolutley a place to visit and be amazed by the details and huge organ.
Church
- From mainstation walk 13 minutes.
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Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar (Museum)
Municipal museum of history and culture, founded in the 19th century, with art and historical objects.
Museum
- From mainstation walk 13 minutes.
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Egmond aan Zee (the beach)
When you are in need of some peace and quiet, travel to the beach. From Alkmaar station you can get to many beaches, like Egmond aan Zee.
Take in some salty air, place your feet in the sand and enjoy a day at the beach.
- From mainstation, take bus 165 (26 minutes) to busstop “Egmond, Vuurtoren” or bike 36 minutes.
You can rent a bike at the station, if you have a OV chipkaart.
NS bikerent
Alkmaar
