Travel tips: Haarlem, The Netherlands

Just twenty minutes by train or car is Haarlem, west of Amsterdam, en route to the coast where Zandvoort is Haarlem, which boasts the massive Saint Bavo cathedral which has the largest church organ in Europe. Haarlem is  a quaint, smaller, cleaner version of Amsterdam with water and parks, fewer canals bit many lovely delicatessens Soread over a smaller area. There is also the Frans Hals museum. It has a market on Saturdays on the main square, Jazz festivals and fairs in summer and it hosts the end route of the annual flower parade in spring the "Bloemen corso". All this outside of lockdown of course! Haarlem also has  lovely restaurants and parks and typical characteristic lovely Dutch architecture.   

 

St Bavo tower taken from streets below

                                                    

 St Bavo church organ and part of its domed ceiling

Church now converted into apartments walking into the centre from North. 

Another beautiful church near tje centre on a

misty,  cloudy day

Gate to Haarlem as you enter by car from the west via Amsterdamse Haarlemmerweg which has just undergone renovation.  

Arriving by train 

Views from the fair’s Big Wheel on the main square in summer

 

 Quaint Dutch architecture

Saint Bavo by night 

So even though in lockdown, plenty of places to enjoy in your own country. Happy day tripping!