Haarlem is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands, capital of North Holland province. The city is located by the river Spaarne, about 20 km west of Amsterdam and near the coastal dunes. It is the center of a flower-growing district and the export point for bulbs, especially tulips.

Attractions

The city is famous for its many hofjes: almshouses built around courtyards. These were mainly privately funded houses for elderly single women. Nowadays there are 19 hofjes in Haarlem; many open to the public on weekdays. Many hofjes are still owned by the original foundations, and are still mainly used for single (elderly) women.

• The Grote Markt (central market square), with -among others- the city Hall, the Vleeshal, the Hoofdwacht and the Grote or Sint-Bavokerk
• Sint-Bavo Cathedral
• The Teylersmuseum (the oldest museum of the Netherlands)
• Frans Hals Museum
• Windmill De Adriaan
• The Amsterdamse Poort city gate
• The art nouveau railway station of Haarlem
• Theater De Toneelschuur
• Villa Welgelegen