Things to do in Oude Stad

Try local delicacies of salted herring, buttery poffertjes and gooey stroopwafels and relax in a cozy café overlooking the buildings of this ancient town square.

Explore earlier times inside the 15th-century church, nicknamed “Jan with the High Shoulders,” that was at the heart of Haarlem’s community.

Experience the Enlightenment. Discover an 18th-century merchant’s collection of art, natural history, geology and science in harmonious neoclassical architecture.

Visit the historic house where a courageous family hid about 800 Jews and underground resistance fugitives from the Nazis in a secret wardrobe compartment.

See the works of one of the most talented Dutch Master painters. Let the art transport you back to Haarlem as it was in the 17th and 18th centuries.

After visiting Amsterdamse Poort, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Oude Stad. Experience the area's acclaimed art galleries and fascinating museums.

You can find out about the history of Oude Stad with a stop at Corrie ten Boom House. Add the area's churches or shops to your travel plans.

After a hard day hunting stags in the 13th century, Count William II of Holland could enjoy the comfort of his hunting lodge, now the city hall of Haarlem.