Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
20. Around Amsterdam
Gouda
Just an hour's drive outside of Amsterdam sits the small town of Gouda, also known as the
home of the world famous Gouda cheese.
The town was established in the 13th century but it wasn't until the 15th century that a town
hall was built. Today, the town hall has become a popular tourist destination for its wonder-
ful Gothic architecture as has St. James Church for its beautiful stained glass windows.
If however you are in Gouda for the summer, it's a great time to check out the Gouda Craft
and Cheese Market held every Thursday. You can check out the trading action and also buy
a slab of your own.
While on the Gouda trail, a visit to the Gouda Weighing House is a must. Here the cheese
continues to be weighed the same way it was a century ago to determine the cheese tax. The
