Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is the country’s most visited city, attracting over 20 million visitors annually. The famed European destination is loved for its picturesque canals, vibrant culture, and world-class museums. However, with the flocks of crowds that the city welcomes every year, it can be hard to make the most of a visit.

Instead, holidaymakers should consider a trip to a city just as beautiful and relatively close to Amsterdam. Haarlem, located in the North-west of the Netherlands, is just a 15-minute train journey from Amsterdam. The city boasts charming market squares, fascinating museums, and windmills, just like Amsterdam. But what separates it from Amsterdam is the crowds.

Unlike the 20 million people who visit Amsterdam annually, Haarlem welcomes around 750,000 visitors a year. 

Despite the small number of tourists, Haarlem offers travel enthusiasts the ultimate city break. The city centre is a cultural hub that is home to the Netherlands’ oldest museum.

The Teylers Museum was founded in 1778 and opened to the public in 1784. Its collections include minerals, scientific instruments, medals, coins, paintings, and some of the first ever discovered Archaeopteryx fossils.

One person who visited the museum this month described it as an “unexpected delight” on TripAdvisor.

They added: “I did not expect the fascinating diversity presented (paleontology, geology, physical science, art gallery, display rooms of the actual living spaces of the original owner) and the headset included in the ticket price that gave more narrative to some of the pieces in the museum display offering some fascinating insight. I easily spent a couple hours seeing everything.”

If there is one particular season to visit Haarlem, it is the festive season, where the city centre transforms into a winter wonderland featuring 350 market stalls across 12 locations.

Visit Haarlem describes the Christmas market as one that will take visitors “back in time to a real 19-century Christmas party and the Kleine Houtstraat entirely in the style of the Middle Ages”.

The festive event will take place between Friday, December 12 and Sunday, December 14, and has an extensive entertainment program, which includes a range of indoor and outdoor performances.

The Christmas market has been a cherished tradition since the 19th century and is one of the most popular Christmas markets in the Netherlands.