Alkmaar

A historic city famous for its traditional cheese market held in Waagplein square, where cheese wheels are traded in centuries-old custom on Friday mornings. Beyond the market, it features Renaissance architecture, charming canals, and excellent cycling infrastructure.

Things to do

• Cheese Market at Waagplein — Watch traditional cheese trading every Friday morning from 10 AM where porters in colorful straw hats negotiate and transport cheese wheels across the historic square.
• Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar — Explore the city's art and cultural history in a 16th-century building with rotating exhibitions of Dutch paintings and contemporary works.
• Canal cycling tour — Rent a bicycle and ride along the ring of canals surrounding the old city center, passing Renaissance townhouses and quiet waterside paths.
• Sint-Laurenskerk — Visit this 15th-century Renaissance church featuring impressive stained glass windows and a 96-meter wooden bell tower.
• Accijnsland Nature Reserve — Cycle through protected marshlands and wetlands just outside the city where waterfowl and migratory birds thrive year-round.
• Alkmaar Beer Brewery Tour — Visit a local brewery to sample traditional Dutch beers and learn about regional brewing heritage in a working production facility.

Food to try

• Kaassoufflé — A crispy fried pastry filled with melted aged Gouda or Edam cheese, traditionally enjoyed as a snack near the cheese market.
• Edam or Gouda cheese — Sample the region's famous cheeses directly from vendors at the market or local fromageries, with varieties ranging from young to aged.
• Paling (smoked eel) — Fresh North Holland smoked eel served sliced on dark bread with raw onions and pickles, a traditional Dutch delicacy.
• Kibbeling — Battered and deep-fried fish pieces, typically cod or whiting, served with lemon and mayonnaise at local snack shops.
• Stroopwafels — Thin waffle cookies filled with caramel syrup, best enjoyed warm from local bakeries in the early morning.

Local customs & good to know

• Friday morning timing is essential — Arrive by 9:30 AM on Fridays to see the full cheese market ceremony; it concludes by noon and does not operate other days.
• Cycling is the primary transport — Locals cycle everywhere year-round; rent a sturdy Dutch bike with a basket to blend in and navigate the flat terrain easily.
• Respect the cheese porters' tradition — The kaasdragers (cheese carriers) in their distinctive uniforms are performing a centuries-old ritual; observe quietly and ask permission before photographing.
• Cash still preferred in markets — While many shops now accept cards, the traditional cheese market vendors often prefer cash euros for transactions.