Just 20 km west of Amsterdam, Haarlem is a charming Dutch city. It combines the best of historic beauty, vibrant culture, and a relaxed, small-town atmosphere. Often overlooked in favour of its bigger neighbour, Haarlem offers the charm of Golden Age architecture, world-class museums, and a vibrant food and shopping scene. But without the crowds!
The Route to Haarlem
You can easily take the train to Haarlem from Amsterdam. However, we chose the scenic route – biking. And of course, when in the Netherlands, do as they do!
Our ride was around 42 km total, taking us about 90 minutes each way. This was a leisurely ride on comfortable, casual bikes, with many photo stops. I was also relatively new to biking, so this is manageable for those less experienced.
We rented bikes through a bike share company called Donkey Republic. I highly recommend downloading their app – it is super easy to find, rent, and park the bikes all over Amsterdam. I also later saw them in Belgium!
The route winds through quiet neighbourhoods, alongside canals, and through stretches of green space. All giving you a taste of rural Holland, even though you’re still within reach of the city. There are plenty of places to stop for coffee or a break, and the well-marked cycle paths make for a smooth and enjoyable ride.
We took a fairly direct route, but as you can see, numerous interconnecting bike paths allow you to easily create a longer, even more scenic route. We did pass through some light industrial areas, leaving Amsterdam, but even there, we had bike paths lined with greenery and trees.
Here is a preview of the route we took. The image is linked to Ride with GPS.
Things to do in Haarlem
Once in Haarlem, we locked up the bikes and wandered the cobbled streets, not entirely sure what was in store for us beyond wanting to see the Windmill De Adriaan.
Windmill De Adriaan is one of Haarlem’s most iconic landmarks, standing tall along the River Spaarne. Originally built in 1779, the mill was reconstructed after a devastating fire in 1932, restoring its role as a proud symbol of the city’s history. Today, it operates as both a working mill and a museum, offering insight into the Dutch tradition of wind-powered industry and the many uses of mills over the centuries. Visitors can climb to the viewing platform for sweeping views over Haarlem’s historic rooftops and waterways, making it a must-visit for history buffs, photographers, and anyone seeking a quintessentially Dutch experience.
If you aren’t tired of museums yet, you can admire the masterpieces celebrating the Dutch Golden Age with vibrant portraits and lively scenes at the Frans Hals Museum. Alternatively, the Teylers Museum, the oldest in the Netherlands, blends art, science, and curiosity in a beautifully preserved 18th-century setting.
Feeling a little museum’d out? Soak up the atmosphere in the city’s main square, where Grote Markt sits in the shadow of the Cathedral of St. Bavo. This impressive cathedral’s soaring Gothic interior and world-famous Müller organ have inspired visitors—including a young Mozart—for centuries.
It’s also a fantastic base for exploring the nearby tulip fields in spring or the beaches at Zandvoort. Whether you’re visiting as a day trip or staying longer, Haarlem offers a slower, sweeter slice of Dutch life that you may find hard to leave.
Final Thoughts
Cycling out of Amsterdam to Haarlem is the perfect blend of Dutch village charm + easy, scenic riding. You really don’t have to go far from the capital to get a completely different feeling — and Haarlem is the perfect example of that.
Regardless of whether you want to ride or train to Haarlem, this city should be on your Amsterdam list! Drop a 🚲 in the comments if this is going on your Amsterdam list.
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