Things to do in Oude Stad

Activities, attractions and tours

Madame Tussauds showing interior views as well as an individual male
Madame Tussauds which includes interior views
Alkmaar - North-Kennemerland which includes street scenes and a river or creek
Haarlem featuring street scenes
Haarlem showing street scenes
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Top places to visit

1. Grote Markt

Walk through the historic streets filled with ultramodern boutiques, hip fashionistas and trendy cafés of Grote Markt and then step back through time as you enter Haarlem’s main square. In the Grote Markt, you’re surrounded by historic buildings: the Gothic cathedral, the 17th-century town hall, the 13th-century Hoofdwacht building where the civic guard once met and the former meat hall which is now the Museum de Hallen.
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Grote Markt showing café scenes, street scenes and outdoor eating

2. Frans Hals Museum

Stroll down a narrow cobblestoned street lined with historic houses to visit the Dutch Master artists from Holland’s Golden Age at the Frans Hals Museum. This gallery has history and character. It’s housed inside a building from the early 1600s, which played a role as an almshouse, a retirement home for poor old men and an orphanage. Look for the painting of Haarlem orphans in their red and blue uniforms.
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Frans Hals Museum showing street scenes and a house as well as a small group of people

3. Teylers Museum

Teylers Museum is the Netherland’s oldest museum, open to the public since 1784. This collection of art, science, history and oddities is fascinating. Inspect the structure, worth visiting for the stunning architecture alone. The façade’s beautiful neoclassical style, with columns and statuary, is echoed by the understated elegance of its interior.
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Teylers Museum showing interior views

4. Corrie Ten Boom House

Visit Corrie ten Boomhuis to remember a time of great fear and brutality, but of great kindnesses and sacrifices too. The historic house commemorates the incredible bravery of the Ten Boom family in hiding Jewish fugitives and fighters in the Dutch resistance movement throughout World War II.
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Corrie Ten Boomhuis featuring street scenes

5. St. Bavo Church

At the entrance to the main square of Haarlem, stop for a moment and look up at the great church, Grote Kerk. The Gothic building with the crown-topped clock tower is the Protestant church, also known as St. Bavokerk. This church became the prominent feature on Haarlem’s skyline when it was built in the 14th century and has continued to play an important part in the life of the town.
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Grote Kerk which includes heritage elements and heritage architecture

What to do in Oude Stad

Popular places to visit

Grote Markt showing café scenes, street scenes and outdoor eating

Grote Markt

4/5(6 reviews)

Try local delicacies of salted herring, buttery poffertjes and gooey stroopwafels and relax in a cozy café overlooking the buildings of this ancient town square.

Grote Markt
Frans Hals Museum showing street scenes and a house as well as a small group of people

Frans Hals Museum

5/5(1 review)

See the works of one of the most talented Dutch Master painters. Let the art transport you back to Haarlem as it was in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Frans Hals Museum
Cathedral of Saint Bavo which includes religious elements, interior views and a church or cathedral

Cathedral of Saint Bavo

4/5(1 review)

See the unusual mix of architectural styles in this beautiful Catholic Church. Enjoy a performance by the choir, specially trained at a nearby musical school.

Cathedral of Saint Bavo
Teylers Museum showing interior views

Teylers Museum

Experience the Enlightenment. Discover an 18th-century merchant’s collection of art, natural history, geology and science in harmonious neoclassical architecture.

Teylers Museum
Corrie Ten Boomhuis featuring street scenes

Corrie Ten Boom House

4.5/5(3 reviews)

Visit the historic house where a courageous family hid about 800 Jews and underground resistance fugitives from the Nazis in a secret wardrobe compartment.

Corrie Ten Boom House
Amsterdamse Poort

Amsterdamse Poort

Find out about the history of Oude Stad when you spend time at Amsterdamse Poort. Discover the area's churches or seek out its cycling trails.

Amsterdamse Poort
Grote Kerk which includes heritage elements and heritage architecture

St. Bavo Church

4.5/5(2 reviews)

Explore earlier times inside the 15th-century church, nicknamed “Jan with the High Shoulders,” that was at the heart of Haarlem’s community.

St. Bavo Church
Molen De Adriaan

Molen De Adriaan

Enjoy an outing to Molen De Adriaan during your stay in Oude Stad. Discover the area's fascinating museums or seek out its cycling trails.

Molen De Adriaan

Corrie ten Boom House

You can find out about the history of Oude Stad with a stop at Corrie ten Boom House. Add the area's shops or churches to your travel plans.

Corrie ten Boom House

Areas of Oude Stad

Haarlem featuring street scenes

Centrum

4.5/5(25 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Centrum, Grote Markt and Corrie ten Boom House are top sights worth seeing.

Centrum
Madame Tussauds showing interior views as well as an individual male

Stationsbuurt

5/5(9 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Stationsbuurt, Hofje van Staats and Tmall History Museum are top sights worth seeing.

Stationsbuurt

 

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Haarlem which includes street scenes

Haarlem

Frequently asked questions

Is Oude Stad worth visiting?
Providing a blend of culture and dining, there's no shortage of things to do in Oude Stad. When you're here, check out Frans Hals Museum, a key attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Oude Stad?
Kick your day off with a visit to NZH Public Transport Museum. Then, check out different areas of Oude Stad for a quick bite and some retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Oude Stad?
Spend the day at Frans Hals Museum and discover why it's rated as the top tourist attraction near Oude Stad.
Is three days enough to stay in Oude Stad?
Three days in Oude Stad is plenty of time to experience the nearby hotspots. Many travellers recommend Frans Hals Museum and NZH Public Transport Museum, so why not check them out while you're here?
Is Oude Stad a walkable neighbourhood?
That all comes down to the things you want to experience in and around Oude Stad. Several key sights, such as Frans Hals Museum and NZH Public Transport Museum are easily accessible on foot. How about checking out some other neighbourhoods nearby? Centrum is 0.48 kilometres from Oude Stad, while Stationsbuurt is 0.32 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Oude Stad with kids?
If you are after tours and attractions for all of your group, take a look at these fantastic ideas for what to do in Oude Stad with kids.

What to do in Oude Stad for adults?
Corrie ten Boom House is one of the main things to do in Oude Stad. With loads of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Oude Stad?
Near Oude Stad, Grote Markt is a must-visit for anyone who wants to enjoy the area without dipping into their wallet. Also, wander through parks and other neighbourhoods, and don't hesitate to ask a local tour guide for insider tips. It's an easy way to find the most popular free things to do in Oude Stad.