The short list of things to do in Alkmaar starts with the cheese market, then a stroll through a compact old centre of canals, gabled houses and small museums. Alkmaar is a lovely, unhurried town in North Holland, about 35 to 40 minutes by train from Amsterdam Centraal, and it works well as a half day or full day trip.
1. The cheese market
Alkmaar’s cheese market is the most famous in the Netherlands and a tradition that has continued for centuries. In season, usually from spring to early autumn, porters in white clothes and coloured hats carry Gouda and Edam cheeses on wooden sledges in front of the Waag, the old weigh house. Dealers inspect and bargain with hand-clapping rituals. It happens on Friday mornings in the main season, and there are some extra sessions at other times. Check the official Alkmaar tourism site for the current schedule and arrive early to get a front spot, since crowds are thick.
2. The Waag and the Cheese Museum
The Waag, built as a chapel and later turned into a weigh house, is the symbol of the town. Inside there is a Dutch Cheese Museum that explains how cheese is made and traded. It is a small but informative stop, and a good option when the market is not running. Look up opening times and ticket prices beforehand.
3. Walk the canals and the old centre
Alkmaar’s centre is surrounded by water, and a slow walk along the Singel and the inner canals shows off the 16th and 17th-century houses. Stop on the bridges for photos. The Langestraat is a main shopping street, and the Mient, Fnidsen and Laat are known for cafes and small shops. You can walk the whole centre in about an hour, longer if you stop.
4. Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar and the Grote Kerk
The city museum tells the story of Alkmaar, including the famous 1573 siege that the town survived, a moment that Dutch history marks every year with celebrations. The Grote Kerk (Sint-Laurenskerk), a large late-Gothic church, towers over the old town. Its organ is well known among music lovers. Check whether concerts, tower tours or services affect visiting hours.
5. The Beatles Museum
Alkmaar has a small museum dedicated to the Beatles, which surprises many visitors. If you like music memorabilia, it is a fun stop. Look up the current address, hours and ticket details on the museum’s website.
6. Take a canal cruise
Small boats run tours through Alkmaar’s canals, usually in the warmer months. It is a relaxed way to see the town from the water. Times and prices vary, so confirm locally.
7. Cycle or visit the coast
The beach towns of Egmond aan Zee and Bergen aan Zee are reachable by bus or bike. The dune landscape and the long beaches are a great contrast to the old centre. Bergen is also known for an artistic community and a quiet village feel. Cycle rental is available in the area; ask at the station or the tourist office.
8. Eat and drink
- Cheese tasting: Try young, aged and flavoured cheeses in local cheese shops. Many let you sample before you buy.
- Coffee and appeltaart: Dutch apple pie at a canal cafe is a classic.
- Local beer: The region has small breweries, and bars along the canals serve craft beers.
- Dutch snacks: Bitterballen, kibbeling and herring at market stalls or snack bars.
How to get there
Trains run frequently from Amsterdam Centraal to Alkmaar, often with a transfer at Amsterdam Sloterdijk or on a direct Intercity depending on the timetable. Check the NS app for the current schedule. The station is about 10 to 15 minutes on foot from the old centre. From Haarlem or Zaandam, there are also connections. If you drive, parking in the centre is limited, so use car parks on the edge of town.
Things to do in Alkmaar: a sample day plan
- 8:30: Train from Amsterdam.
- 9:30: Arrive and find a spot near the Waag for the cheese market.
- 10:00 to 12:00: Watch the market, visit the cheese museum.
- 12:30: Lunch by the canal.
- 14:00: Walk the Singel and visit the Grote Kerk or Stedelijk Museum.
- 16:00: Coffee, then a canal boat or extra browsing.
- 17:30: Train home.
Practical notes
The cheese market is the main draw, but it only runs in a limited season, and bad weather can shorten it. If you visit in winter, plan the museums, the canal walk and perhaps a trip to the coast instead. Many shops close on Sundays or have shorter hours, so look up details in advance. As of 2025/2026, check the official sources for market dates, opening hours and prices.
For wider trip ideas in the region, the official Dutch tourism site holland.com lists nearby towns and seasonal events. Among the things to do in Alkmaar, the cheese market remains the standout, but you will probably remember the quiet canal corners just as much.
Photo: Raimond Spekking, CC BY-SA 4.0, source.
