Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cute and cozy, yet authentic and handy to the airport, Haarlem is a good home base, giving
you small-town warmth overnight, with easy access (20 minutes by train) to wild-and-crazy
Amsterdam during the day.
Bustling Haarlem gave America's Harlem its name back when New York was New Am-
sterdam, aDutchcolony.Forcenturies Haarlem hasbeenamarket town,buzzingwithshop-
pers heading home with fresh bouquets, nowadays by bike.
Enjoy the market on Monday (clothing) or Saturday (general), when the town's atmo-
sphericmainsquarebustleslikeaBrueghelpainting,withcheese,fish,flowers,andfamilies.
Make yourself at home; buy some flowers to brighten your hotel room.
Haarlem's TI (VVV), in the town center, is friendlier, more helpful, and less crowded
than Amsterdam's, so ask your Amsterdam questions here (April-Sept Mon-Fri 9:30-18:00,
Sat 9:30-17:00, Sun 12:00-16:00; Oct-March Mon 13:00-17:30, Tue-Fri 9:30-17:30, Sat
10:00-17:00, closed Sun; across from V&D department store at Verwulft 11, toll tel.
0900-616-1600—€0.50/minute,
www.haarlem.nl
,
info@vvvhaarlem.nl
).
TheTIoffersagoodselectionofmapsandsightseeing-andwalking-tourbrochures,and
sells discounted tickets (€1-2 off) for the Frans Hals Museum and the Teylers Museum.
