Beautiful city Alkmaar
Beautiful city Alkmaar
Shops and atmosphere. Alkmaar has been in the top 10 of the best shopping cities for years. In Langestraat and Laat, you'll find branches of all the well-known retail chains. You shouldn't miss the Oude Stad (Old Town) and other smaller streets. Behind the photogenic facades in places like Fnidsen, Hekelstraat, and Magdalenensraat, countless charming shops are located. Every Saturday, the lively Alkmaar market is held on Gedempte Nieuwesloot.
Food and drink
Alkmaar boasts many squares and small squares where the best restaurants are located, usually with cozy terraces. The most famous are Waagplein, Platte Stenenbrug, and Kerkplein near the Grote Kerk (Great Church). Also recommended: the Stadsstrand (City Beach) on the other side of the North Holland Canal.
The history is palpable
You can see it in the canals, the facades, and the beautiful merchants' houses; thousand-year-old Alkmaar was a prosperous trading center in centuries past. Alkmaar boasts many monuments. The most famous of these are the 14th-century Waaggebouw (Weigh House), the Town Hall on Langestraat, and the Grote Sint Laurenskerk (Great St. Lawrence Church) with its famous organs.
Alkmaar: Victory
In 1573, Alkmaar was besieged by the Spanish; the famous "House with the Bullet" in Appelsteeg (Apple Alley) still commemorates the fierce battle. Alkmaar was the first city to successfully repel the Spanish army; this is still celebrated every year on October 8th.
Alkmaar Courtyards
Many hidden courtyards can be found in Alkmaar's city center. The Splinter Courtyard and the Wildemans Courtyard are free to visit. It's as if time has stood still here.
Learn more about Alkmaar's history
At the Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar on Canadaplein, you can learn more about Alkmaar's glorious history. Or book a guided city walk at the Tourist Information Office on Waagplein!
Discover Alkmaar from the water
Alkmaar is beautiful from the water. A tour boat departs every hour from the Mient. Because of the low bridges, ducking is required; hilarity is the order of the day. Another fun option is renting your own boat and having a picnic in the greenery along the canals. You can do this at De Kraak and the Alkmaar Boat Rental, among other places.
Harbors
If you're coming to Alkmaar on your own pleasure boat, you can moor in and around the canals, right in the city center!
Theater and museums
Canadaplein is the cultural heart of Alkmaar. Here you'll find Theater De Vest, where interesting performances are performed almost every evening from September to May. In the summer, artists often perform outdoors! Also at Canadaplein: Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar, with impressive exhibitions on the history of Alkmaar and changing art exhibitions. Other museums not to be missed in Alkmaar: the Dutch Cheese Museum, the Beer Museum, and the Beatles Museum.
Events
There's always something fun to do in Alkmaar. Cheesehead City, the 4-Day Walking Event, Summer on the Square, the Blues Festival, the Whisky Festival, the Lindegracht Concerts, the music afternoons in De Hout City Park, Culinary Plaza, Candlelight Evening, Heritage Day, Lappen/Agriculture Day, and the Midwinter Festival in De Rijp are just a few examples of popular events. For an overview, visit www.evenementen-alkmaar.nl or download the free Alkmaar App.
Beach
Alkmaar is less than 10 kilometers from the North Sea beach. The charming seaside resorts of Bergen aan Zee and Egmond aan Zee are easily accessible by bike and public transport.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is only 30 kilometers from Alkmaar. There's a direct train connection between the two cities. So, if you're staying in Alkmaar, you can easily spend a day in Amsterdam – and vice versa!
Active
Alkmaar is a great base for hiking and cycling, but sports enthusiasts can also enjoy De Hoornse Vaart. The impressive climbing park and indoor/outdoor pool are highly recommended for all ages.
AZ
Besides the Cheese Market, Alkmaar is world-famous for its football club AZ. You can book a tour of the famous stadium at www.az.nl.