Amsterdam Day trip to Alkmaar
A short distance from Amsterdam, Alkmaar is a Dutch city with a charming historic center, quaint canals, and traditional Dutch architecture. It's well known for its centuries-old weekly cheese market.
Alkmaar is an easy day trip from Amsterdam, so when a friend of mine had his dad's convertible for the weekend, we visited Alkmaar for a random afternoon adventure. We drove through the Dutch countryside, surrounded by expansive, flat landscapes and farm views. You can also take a 30-minute train from Amsterdam Central Station.
The famous Alkmaar Cheese Market is held on Fridays from April to September. Merchants in traditional costumes carry huge rounds of cheese, weigh them for customers, and demonstrate cheese making. We just happened to visit on a Tuesday, so unfortunately, we missed the cheese market. However, visiting Alkmaar was fun, even with less dairy-inspired entertainment.
Here’s a fun backstory: One of my favorite childhood books was The Cow Who Fell in The Canal. It’s a story about a cow who accidentally winds up on an adventure to the Alkmaar cheese market. I plan to return for another cheese-inspired visit someday! Dairy snacks aside, Alkmaar offers visitors a delightful blend of history, culture, and 'traditional Dutch' vibes.
Exploring Alkmaar
One afternoon is plenty of time to visit Alkmaar. The small, historic city center is well-preserved with narrow cobblestone streets surrounded by quaint canals and easy to explore on foot.
Dating back to the 15th century, St. Laurenskerk is a large Gothic-style church, also known as the Grote Kerk (Great Church). You can climb the tower for panoramic city views.
Alkmaar has a few museums, including the Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar, which houses art and historical artifacts related to the Noord Holland region. You could also discover the city on a relaxing canal cruise, passing by historic buildings and charming waterfronts while learning about the history from the guides.
Alkmaar offers a variety of boutiques and shops, cafes, and restaurants. If you're looking for a bite, this is a good chance to sample traditional Dutch snacks like bitterballen (fried ragout) and stroopwafels (caramel cookies).
Once you’ve made your way through the city, another fun option is to rent bikes and explore the scenic routes that wind through tulip fields, windmills, and other quaint villages. You can find a few windmills just outside of Alkmaar’s city center!
Do you have a favorite day trip from Amsterdam? Let me know, I’m curious to discover more outside of the city!
