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Haarlem

Colors of Haarlem - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Harlem is often called “Bloemenstad”, which can be literally translated as “Flower CIty”. It is considered to be the main tulip-growing center. Every year Harlem is visited by professional flower growers from all over the world. In spring Harlem hosts a grand flower festival that attracts hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic travelers. This is a beautiful and eventful holiday, the main action of which is the Flower Parade.

Shopping in Haarlem - main shopping streets, outlets and boutiques

Haarlem will please tourists and shoppers with a variety of specialized shops and malls. Tea drinkers and lovers of chocolate will be interested in coming by De Kale Jonker shop, which has …

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Preparation for this event lasts a whole year. Huge carts depicting a variety of compositions are constructed especially for the parade. On the day of the holiday, the carts are decorated with fresh flowers, painted in all the colors of the rainbow, and turned into graceful fragrant sculptures. The festive procession starts in the town of Noordwijk and ends in Harlem. The column of fragrant carts covers a distance of more than forty kilometers.

Along the entire way, the parade is greeted by enthusiastic spectators. After arriving in Harlem, the beautiful platforms are set up on the main city streets and squares. Locals and guests of the city can admire them for several more days. Flower figures are artistically illuminated, so at night they seem to be no less beautiful than in the daytime. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Guide to Haarlem sightseeing - things to see and to visit

Haarlem is a city located in the Netherlands, on the west of the country 20 kilometers away from Amsterdam. This is the capital of Northern Holland. The population of Haarlem estimates 149 …

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In addition to interesting national holidays and original attractions, Harlem boasts quite unusual cultural institutions. Thus, one of the city libraries is housed a railway station building. The library has over 1,500 books and magazines written in many languages. The library's opening was initiated by ProBiblio Company that founded similar institutions in several other European cities. Now all travelers who have to wait for their trains at the station can visit the attractive library and pass the time reading their favorite books and colorful magazines.

The opening of such an unusual library was yet another confirmation that Harlem is a very friendly and hospitable city. A few centuries ago, a huge number of wanderers and homeless people were seeking shelter in local almshouses. 19 of them have survived to the present day, but today they are only historical landmarks. The almshouses were built on donations from local residents right in the courtyards of residential buildings.

Family holidays with kids in Haarlem. How to entertain your child, things to show to children.

In miniature Harlem, there are many interesting sights and cultural sites, some of which are sure to interest the youngest travelers. Vacationers with children will be interested to visit …

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Another great and worthwhile festival takes place in early August. This is the four-day Haarlem Culinair, a large-scale gastronomic event known all over Europe. At this time, the city is visited by hundreds of European gourmets. Here you can try national dishes including herring, one of the symbols of the Country of Tulips, as well as “Kibbeling” (battered cod), deep-fried mussels. Besides that, you can enjoy traditional drinks such as wine and beer. The festival takes place on Grote Markt where there are hustle and bustle at this time - that's how people have fun and just enjoy life. Visiting the festival is a great chance to get acquainted with the local culture through its cuisine, while a better mediator can hardly be found.

Everybody knows about how the Dutch respect the monarchy and, in particular, the royal family. Harlem is definitely not an exception in this case, and therefore such a festival as Konningsdag is never ignored by locals. It is traditionally held on April 27. Without exaggeration, it is the largest holiday in the Country of Tulips. At this time, it is customary to dress in orange colors and bring things of the same color with you - therefore this holiday can safely be called “orange”. Every year on this day, the royal family visits two Dutch cities - and all so that each city can be proud of the fact that once it was visited by monarchs. Apart from the “orange parade”, a gastronomic program is also available to visitors, including traditional herring, of course.

Cuisine of Haarlem for gourmet with top restaurants and cafe

Most of the attractive restaurants, pastry shops, and cafes are located near Grote Markt, in the heart of the historic district of Harlem. One of the most noteworthy gastronomic …

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On May 5, one of the city's main musical events takes place - a festival with an interesting name of Bevrijdingspop. The festival is timed to celebrate Liberation Day in the Netherlands, and in Harlem, this event acquires a musical sound. You can listen to music of radically different genres - rock, rap, classic or even techno rave. At the festival, you can also enjoy a special program for the youngest citizens. In addition, visitors are offered dance and fire shows, contests, interactive shows as the "icing on the cake". You can also buy interesting things and national attributes at a fair that opens at this time. The venue for the festival is Haarlemmerhout.

One more musical event is Haarlem Jazz & More, which is dedicated to jazz and related music, as you might guess from the name. It takes place on Grote Markt. The time of the festival is mid-February. The good news for those who've decided to attend the festival is that they do not have to pay to enter. Talented and famous headliners perform for them, so the festival is attended by many fans of high-quality music, which has already become a kind of classic. It is also worth noting the festival's special atmosphere - it is soulful and very friendly, which will certainly please all guests.

Excursion over cultural sights of Haarlem - 'must visit' points of interest

In Harlem, there is a religious landmark known far beyond the country's borders - the Cathedral of Saint Bavo. The building distinguished by its unique architectural style was quite a …

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On May 12, the Country of Tulips celebrates the National Day of yet another symbol of the Netherlands - windmills. The fact is that today there is no longer any need to mill flour with the help of these structures - they are all replaced by machines. But the mills have been preserved, and it was decided to devote one day to the cultural heritage of the past. Therefore, on this day, the mills located on the territory of a particular city open their doors to anyone who wants to learn more about the local culture. In Harlem, you will find the most famous windmill - De Adriaan, which can be seen on Papentorenvest Street along the River Spaarne. And, of course, on this day you must visit it. By the way, it is absolutely free.

Just before Christmas - the culmination of Harlem's festival year - there is a very colorful event known as "Sinterklaas' arriving on the River Spaarne". Traditionally, Sinterklaas and his assistants sail on their ship, thus delighting kids waiting for the “hero of the occasion” on the embankment. Fun and laughter are guaranteed. At this time, children sing songs in order to call Sinterklaas. Well, next week, everyone is waiting for Christmas, during which Harlem turns into a fairy tale. One can hardly find another place that would resemble a Christmas village so much.

This guide to traditions and festivals in Haarlem is protected by the copyright law. You can re-publish this content with mandatory attribution: direct and active hyperlink to www.orangesmile.com.

Haarlem - guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

City tours, excursions and tickets in Haarlem and surroundings

Reference information

Map of all churches

Cathedrals and basilicas near Haarlem
♥ Sint-Josephkerk, Haarlem, 1.5 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Grote of Sint-Bavokerk, Haarlem, 1.8 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Kathedrale Basiliek van Sint-Bavo, Haarlem, 2.1 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Basiliek van de H. Nicolaas, Ijsselstein, 17.1 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Basiliek van de H. Johannes de Doper, Laren, 41.1 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Kathedrale Sint Maarten, Utrecht, 44.4 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Sint Catharinakathedraal, Utrecht, 44.8 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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Map of all castles

Survived castles around Haarlem
♥ Castle 'Huis ter Kleef' , 1.7 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Castle 'Slot Heemstede' , 3.2 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Castle 'Brederode Castle' , 6.8 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Castle 'Huys Dever' , 14.8 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Castle 'Slot Teylingen' , 17.5 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Castle 'Ilpenstein Castle' , 23.5 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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♥ Castle 'Burcht van Leiden' , 25.5 km from the center. On the map Show on the map

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Colors of Haarlem - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

City tours, excursions and tickets in Haarlem and surroundings

Colors of Haarlem in photos

Search for popular touristic sites on Haarlem map

Traditions and festivals in cities around Haarlem