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You want to spend one day in Alkmaar? Here you will find an itinerary to the best things to do in Alkmaar, The Netherlands. The city of Alkmaar is located in the Dutch province of Noord- Holland and at 40 minutes by train from Amsterdam. Discover everything from the courtyards in Alkmaar to the most beautiful streets. And from the best landmarks to see in Alkmaar to the best museums.
Alkmaar is one of the cities that is well-known for the cheese market, however, not many people go off the beaten path in Alkmaar. Which is something I’m going to change. Alkmaar is a city that has a lot to offer and plenty of things to do. You can easily spend one day in Alkmaar, The Netherlands. Keep on reading to find an itinerary on how to spend a day in Alkmaar, The Netherlands.
Things to do in one day in Alkmaar, The Netherlands
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Whether you’re searching for things to do in Alkmaar or sights to discover. Or what to do in Alkmaar to the best hotels. This article will show you everything you must do when you have 24 hours in Alkmaar. Alkmaar is a city that is a perfect day trip from Amsterdam and mostly famous for its cheese market. However, Alkmaar has much more activities to do and must sees to discover.
I was born and raised nearby Alkmaar, so I’ve been running around here since I was little. So trust me when I say that Alkmaar has many must do’s and things to see. Whether you’re planning on staying a weekend in Alkmaar or just a few hours, everything you need to know about Alkmaar can be found in this city guide and blog.
Best accommodation in Alkmaar, The Netherlands
When you’re looking for the best hotels, B&B’s, hostels and other accommodation in Alkmaar, then this part will be very useful for you.
Kings Inn City Hostel & Hotel Alkmaar
This hostel in the centre of Alkmaar is with around 18-20 euros a night for a mixed dorm with eight people not an expensive hostel for The Netherlands. There is free Wi-Fi, and it is located in the middle of the centre. If you’re looking for a great hostel in Alkmaar, The Netherlands, then this is your spot. They also offer a rental service for bicycles which is great if you want to explore your surroundings in Alkmaar and beyond.
Read reviews on Booking.com now
Soepper B&B.
Just as a warning, you will want to eat everything in the lunchroom that they have called Soepp. This wonderful b&b is located in the middle of the centre of Alkmaar and sets you back around 85 euros a night. Breakfast is, of course, included, free Wi-Fi and it is located 100 meters away from the Dutch Cheese Museum.
Read reviews on Booking.com now
College Hotel Alkmaar
This great hotel in Alkmaar is around 109,50 a night for two people. It often has deals for around 80 euros a night. The rooms a big and breakfast are included. You can also rent bicycles on site.
Read reviews on Booking.com now
Where to eat the best breakfast in Alkmaar
When you arrive in Alkmaar, the first thing you need to do is go for breakfast. You need to eat at one of the best breakfast spots in Alkmaar, called Echt. Echt is a breakfast and lunch restaurant in Alkmaar where you can eat your heart out.
Echt means real in English and that stands for the fact that the food they serve is homemade and fresh. At the same time, they like to use organic products and local products. So, while you’re eating your heart out in one of the best cafes of Alkmaar, you’re also taking care of the environment.
When you’re at one of the best restaurants in Alkmaar anyway, eat their apple pie. You won’t regret it. Click here for their website.
Opening times Echt Alkmaar
7 days a week from 08:30 – 17:30.
Marktstraat 4
1811 LG Alkmaar
Canal tour in Alkmaar
After the best breakfast in Alkmaar, it’s time to explore one of the most beautiful cities of The Netherlands in the best way possible. With a boat trip. Alkmaar is a city that has plenty of things to do and one of those things is seeing the canals. There is a canal tour departing from the street De Mient which is opposite from the Waag (cheese weighing) building. The canal tour is provided by Rondvaart Alkmaar.
During the months May until September the boats depart every day, every whole hour. What time the latest canal tour will depart in Alkmaar depends on the weather and the number of passengers. So, it’s useful to go there before so you can ask their predictions. In the months of April and October, the boats go 6 days a week, from Monday until Saturday.
The price for adults is around 6,50 euros.
Or rent a boat in Alkmaar and sail through the canals
If you’re not a fan of canal tours, then the other option is sailing through the canals of Alkmaar yourself. And you’ll definitely enjoy that. Keep in mind that if you’ve never sailed a boat before, this might not be the best option. The bridges can be small and are not high. Besides that, there is other traffic coming your way, so you need to think quick and not panic, in order to be a safe sailor. One of the best things to do in Alkmaar is when you’ve rented a boat, to go for a picnic in the city park ‘stadspark’ of Alkmaar.
You can rent a boat at the following rentals.
Keep in mind that most rentals are open from the middle of March until October.
Or, rent bikes in Alkmaar and explore the surroundings of the stunning city by bike.
Visit the Stedelijk Museum in Alkmaar
Although Alkmaar is a small city, there are plenty of things to do, including visiting museums. Visiting museums must be on your itinerary for Alkmaar. One of the best museums of Alkmaar is the Stedelijk Museum. If you like to visit museums, or are visiting Alkmaar outside the canal tour season, then the Stedelijk Museum is a great pick.
At the Stedelijk Museum, you can learn everything about the history and art of Alkmaar and surroundings. You will also see the art of a lot of different time periods of Alkmaar and see the city evolving.
Opening times Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar
Tuesday – Sunday 11:00 – 17:00
Monday: Closed
1st Christmas day, 1st of January and Kings Day: Closed.
Admission fee
Adults: 12 euros
Free entry
Below 18
Museumkaart
ICOM
Vereniging Rembrandt
Canadaplein 1
1811 KE Alkmaar
Eat a great lunch at the best lunch café in Alkmaar:
Soepp is one of the best lunch cafes of Alkmaar and very suitable for vegetarians and vegans, as everything is vegetarian. So, if you’re looking for a vegan or vegetarian lunch spot in Alkmaar, Soepp is your place to be. At Soepp everything is 100% organic and they use seasonal products only. Besides the fact that you can eat the best lunch in Alkmaar here, they also have a wonderful terrace and even a garden. But, if you don’t have the time to sit down you can also take their delicious food on the go and visit a park or sit on the edge of the canals, for instance.
Opening times of Soepp
Sunday & Monday 12:00 – 18:00
Tuesday & Wednesday 10:00 – 19:00
Thursday 10:00- 20:00
Friday & Saturday 10:00 – 19:00
Hekelstraat 31
Alkmaar
Visit the markets of Alkmaar
Alkmaar has a lot of markets that you should visit. On Saturday there is an organic market from 08:00- 17:00 at the Kerkplein. This market is very small, so you can easily combine it with the main market. You can find the main market at the Gedempte Nieuwesloot and Hofplein which takes place from 09:00-17:00 on Saturday.
There are also other markets in Alkmaar that you have to visit. There is an art market on Fridays around the street Mient. Besides that, there is a fairy at Kerkplein on Friday as well. Between April and September, there is another market in Alkmaar on Friday. The good, old cheese market. Read more about the Alkmaar cheese market, and all the information you need to know, here.
The reason that I’m recommending you visit these markets in Alkmaar is that this way you can not only support the locals but also get some kick-ass souvenirs and get to try typical Dutch food.
Grote Kerk
Visit the Grote Kerk, or big church, of Alkmaar. This church dates back to the 15th century and is one of the attractions in Alkmaar you have to visit. During the spring and summer period, the church will be opened for visitors between 11:00 – 17:00.
Outside the season, the church is used as a location for events, so it’s only opened during those events. You are able to visit the church by making an appointment for a tour through the Grote Kerk with a guide via info[@]grotekerk-alkmaar.nl.
Koorstraat 2,
1811 GP Alkmaar
Go local shopping in Alkmaar
Alkmaar is a city that is known for having the only Zara in this part of Noord-Holland, but that’s not where you should go shopping in Alkmaar. Forget the main shopping centre and street of Alkmaar. Go to local boutiques and vintage shops in this area of Alkmaar.
The streets Fnidsen, Hekelstraat, Appelsteeg, and De Mient. Besides the local shops that you can find here, you can also find the cutest coffee places in Alkmaar here. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, or have a small budget, this area is a great place to walk around and to get new ideas or inspiration.
Walking tour through Alkmaar
You should definitely walk through Alkmaar as it has endless canals, beautiful streets, and monuments to visit and admire. The most beautiful streets of Alkmaar should be included on your walking tour through Alkmaar are:
Het Stadhuis of Alkmaar (city hall), Zijdam, Waagplein, Waag (cheese weighing building), Voordam, Verdronkenoord, Veerstraat, Schoutenstraat, Ritsevoort, Paardenmarkt, Oudegracht, Mient, Luftik Oudorp, Laat, Koorstraat, Kooltuin, Koningsweg, Houttil, Hekelstraat, Fnidsen, Bierkade, Appelsteeg, Accijnstoren and Sint Annastraat.
Discover the courtyards of Alkmaar
Courtyards, or hofjes in Dutch, are a must-visit when you’re in Alkmaar. There are quite a few courtyards in Alkmaar that you should visit and unknown to many foreigners. These courtyards were built for old and lonely women. The woman was either a widow or had no children. As of today, you will still see that most courtyards only offer to a house to women. The courtyards are one of my favourite place to visit as it offers a calm place in a, sometimes, busy city.
One of the courtyards you are allowed to visit in Alkmaar is the Wildemanshofje. You will find only women living here. Keep in mind that staring through the windows of the houses is rude. People live there. It is not a theme park. You can find the Wildemanshofje at Oudegracht 87 in Alkmaar
Another hofje that you can visit is the Hofje van Splinter. The hallway is located behind a black door, next to an office. It might seem weird at first, just opening up a random door. But behind that door, you will find a hallway that will lead you to this small courtyard. You can find the Hofje van Splinter at Ritsevoort 2 in Alkmaar.
Windmills of Alkmaar
When you’re in Alkmaar, visiting a windmill is always a good idea. Although Alkmaar is not well-known for having windmills, there is one that you cannot miss when following this itinerary for Alkmaar.
The windmill in Alkmaar that you need to visit is ‘t Roode Hert. People have been first talking about this windmill since at least 1610. But, the current windmill isn’t that old, as it has been destroyed by several fires in the past. Windmill ‘t Roode Hert is open to the public for tours and, the best part is, you can even get a nice cup of tea or coffee here combined with a piece of cake. Don’t forget to buy freshly milled organic flours and other delicious products as a souvenir.
Opening times ‘t Roode Hert
Monday- Friday 09:30 – 15:30.
Saturday 09:30 – 16:00.
‘t Roode Hert
Frieseweg 102
Alkmaar.
Eat dinner in one of the best restaurants of Alkmaar
After spending a long, but exciting day in Alkmaar you must be starving. So, it’s time for dinner. This restaurant that I’m recommending is one of the best restaurants in Alkmaar and has interesting choices on the menu.
For the best dinner in Alkmaar, you have to eat at De Binnenkomer. There is a reason that this is one of the top restaurants of Alkmaar, The Netherlands. The atmosphere feels like you’ve entered a living room, the food is incredibly tasty, and the staff is very nice. What I like the most is that I ate food combinations that I didn’t think could be this tasty, but it was. Everything was truly wonderful. You could also go to the restaurant De Binnenkomer in Alkmaar for lunch or drinks.
Opening times restaurant De Binnenkomer
Monday: Closed
Tuesday- Thursday 11:00 – 00:00
Friday & Saturday 11:00 – 01:00
Sunday 11:00- 00:00
The kitchen closes for dinner at 21:30. After that, you can only get snacks.
Kerkplein 6
1811 KL Alkmaar
I also highly recommend you to visit restaurant Neder, which serves only seasonal local products giving you a taste of the Dutch kitchen and it’s absolutely incredible.
Eat the best dessert of Alkmaar
If you ask any Alkmaarder (someone from Alkmaar) where to get the best ice-cream in Alkmaar, everyone will tell you the same. Laan. Wim Laan has the best ice-cream of Alkmaar. But, Laan is not a typical ice-cream shop. They only serve vanilla ice-cream at Laan, but the flavour and texture are so good that there are long lines in front of the shop during spring and summer.
I promise you, this ice cream feels ‘alsof er een engeltje over je tong piest’. This means, it tastes like an angel peeing over your tongue and is a typical Dutch saying that means it tastes incredibly good. You can forget about that, just remember to go to ijssalon Laan for the best ice cream in Alkmaar.
Opening times Wim Laan
During summer:
7 days a week.
Sunday – Friday until 21:00
Saturday evening, they are closed
Sunday from 13:00
During autumn and winter:
Sunday & Monday 13:00 – 18:00
Tuesday – Friday 12:00 – 18:00
Saturday 11:00 – 17:00
But check their Facebook page for the current opening times as it can still change.
Koorstraat 45
Alkmaar
Things to do at night in Alkmaar
One of my most favourite things to do, after a great dinner and dessert, is to go for an evening or night walk. I find that every city or town changes rapidly during the day and evening. They are miles apart. Not that I know what a mile is, as we use kilometres in The Netherlands, but I suppose far. Which is what I was going for.
Alkmaar is gorgeous during the evening. The way the city lights enter the reflections of the canals. How the city suddenly comes alive. I love all of it, and I hope you do too.
Get a drink and bust some moves at one of the best cafes in Alkmaar
After an evening walk, it’s best to end a great day in Alkmaar with a drink. If you’re looking for the best bars or nightlife, then you’d either have to go to the area around the Platte Stenen Brug or to Waagplein. Around these two places, there are many bars, cafes, and restaurants that turn into a small club in the weekends.
The café you have to visit in Alkmaar is De Koning. It is located around the Platte Stenen Brug and has the best atmosphere. You will see all different ages at this café, and the reason for that is the welcoming vibe and the fact that they have some of the best burgers of Alkmaar. You will see that there are always people in café De Koning, simply because people are very fond of the place. Once you sit down, you will understand why people love to get drinks at De Koning in Alkmaar.
Opening times De Koning
Monday- Wednesday 11:00 – 01:00
Thursday & Sunday 11:00 – 02:00
Friday & Saturday 11:00 – 03:00
Verdronkenoord 114,
Alkmaar
Other fun things to do in Alkmaar and its surroundings
Alkmaar has many more things to do than you might expect. If you’re a fan of visiting idyllic Dutch cities, then Alkmaar will be a perfect city to visit in the province of Noord- Holland, The Netherlands.
Visit more museums in Alkmaar
Nationaal Biermuseum De Boom, or the National beer museum, in Alkmaar is a great visit for every beer lover. Not only will you discover how it is made, why beer is so popular in this region, but you can also go for a beer tasting in Alkmaar that is in a beer cafe located in the same building as the museum. Trust me when I say, this is a must do when you are spending one day in Alkmaar. Get more information about the National beer museum.
Hollands Kaasmuseum, or the Holland cheese museum (as Alkmaar is located in Holland), is a must visit in Alkmaar. As Alkmaar is famous for its cheese market, there’s no better location to for this cheese museum in The Netherlands. In this museum in Alkmaar you will discover the entire process of making cheese, machines, traditional Dutch clothing and plenty of more. Get more information about the Hollands Kaasmuseum.
How to get to Alkmaar
Amsterdam: To get from Amsterdam to Alkmaar it’s best to go by train. Take a train from Amsterdam Centraal in the direction of Schagen, Alkmaar or Den Helder. Get out at Alkmaar. Do not get out at Alkmaar Noord. This is one station to late. Amsterdam to Alkmaar by train will take you around 40 minutes, one way.
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Day trips from Alkmaar
Discover the historic city of Hoorn
Find the highest dunes, and biggest dune region in The Netherlands, in Schoorl
Go back to flower power and see tulip fields near Alkmaar
Visit the idyllic small town of De Rijp in The Netherlands
See the best beaches near Alkmaar
Explore my favourite museum near Alkmaar: Broekerveiling Museum
Walk through the magical city of Haarlem
Get to know Amsterdam beyond the crowds
I hope this itinerary on how to spend one day in Alkmaar, The Netherlands, has been useful to you. Hopefully, you will visit some of the hidden gems and off the beaten path attractions and restaurants of Alkmaar this way. As you now know, Alkmaar has a lot of things to do, so visiting this city is definitely more than just a day trip from Amsterdam.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me! Click here for more itineraries to other cities in The Netherlands and tips to travel through The Netherlands. Share this post!!
