Alkmaar, the city of cheese
Blog
Alkmaar is a beautiful, historical city in North-Holland with many canals, waterways and old buildings. It is famous for its traditional cheese markets, but Alkmaar is also an excellent place for shopping and dining out.
Cheese market
Alkmaar owns the title of the “city of cheese” for a reason. Cheese markets were organized in the past where cheese was delivered early in the morning to Waagplein, traders weighted and approved the cheese stacks and started selling to the customers. The market originates from 1365 and this tradition is still alive nowadays, imitated in the form of an entertaining performance on the beautiful Waagplein. The cheese market spectacle can be seen from April to September every Friday, starting at 10.00. This performance is certainly the main attraction in Alkmaar, made special with traditional clothing and introducing tourists to the history of cheese trading.
Cheese market in Alkmaar 2017
- From March 31st until September 29th, every Friday from 10.00 until 13.00 on the Waagplein.
- No cheese market on September 8th due to the event Alkmaar Culinair Plaza.
- Special evening cheese markets: May 2nd, May 23rd, June 6th, July 4th, July 18th, August 1st, August 15th and August 29th from 19.00 until 21.00.
Cheese Museum
This museum can be found in the historical Waag on the Waagplein. Visitors can learn about cheese making (especially the making of the most famous cheeses in the country, Edammer and Gouda), the cheese market and the rural life in the Netherlands. Historical objects, images and films are presenting all what you need to know about cheese. The museum was renovated in 2014 to become more complex and provide an even better experience. Read our review on this museum!
The Cheese Museum is accessible for wheelchair-users.
Opening hours during the Cheese Market Season (April-September)
Friday – 9.00-16.00
Sunday – 13.00-16.30
Entrance fee
Adult – € 5,00
Children 4-12 years – € 2,00
National Beer Museum the Boom
The beer museum in Alkmaar introduces the process of beer-making from the very beginning. There are videos and film presentations to show the process of brewing in the past and present. The different exhibition objects help your imagination to go back in time into the history of beer brewing. After the visit, it is possible to get a discount ticket for a glass of beer in the De Boom Tasting Cellar that is underneath the museum (except Friday).
The museum is accessible for wheelchair-users and lift is available on request.
Opening hours during the Cheese Market Season (April-September)
Fridays 11.00-16.30 hours.
Entrance fee
Adults – € 4,00
Children 7-12 years – € 2,00
Transport information
By car: Drivers with a disability can park free of charge in the marked parking spots with their European disabled parking permit (Blue Badge). The municipal parking garages cannot be used for free.
By train: There is direct trains going to Alkmaar from Amsterdam Centraal Station, departing four times an hour. reference to article about trains
Transfer: Accessible transfers to Alkmaar can be reserved from Schiphol Airport and the port in IJmuiden. Send us an email to book your transfer.
In order to book an accessible accommodation for your stay in Alkmaar, please let us know about your special needs and we will arrange an adapted room for you! If you need accessible transfer or an additional tours arranged, feel free to contact us!