Alkmaar Travel Guide | Tour of the City & Things to Do [YouTube Script]
Hallo en welkom to our viatravelers Alkmaar travel guide. In this video, I'm going to
show you how to make the most of a trip to the Ducth city of Alkmaar with a tour of the
town and some awesome things to do that’ll have you coming back for more.
Hi there! My name is James and today I'm going to be giving an overview on what makes Alkmaar
such a great destination. We're going to cover some important points from museums to visit,
where to eat out, and how best to absorb the city on a stroll. So sit tight, because we've
got a lot of ground to cover! Alkmaar is a historic Dutch city, and is the
capital of the province of North Holland. It has a population of about 145,000 people
and an area of about 19 km2. As a city, Alkmaar likely dates back to around 1287.
Alkmaar’s culture is known for traditional music, modern art, vintage clothing and a
stunning array of unique architecture. Alkmaar is a truly international city which is constantly
seeing increasing numbers of foreign visitors every year.
Here are some things to see and do when visiting Alkmaar.
Do you love cheese? Then indulge in a wonderful tour at Alkmaar historic cheese market! The
market has stood for about 700 years with records of its existence dating back to 1365,
and cheese has been bought, weighed and sold here ever since. Cheese has always been a
big deal to the Dutch, and great care to inspect and weigh cheese has always been paramount
at the Alkmaar cheese market, where weighing cheese has no small amount of ceremony.
In fact, weighing the cheese has had so much importance that only a select few were entrusted
with the process in the middle ages and there was only one set of scales in town to accurately
weigh the cheese under official scrutiny. Being such a huge cheese town, supply and
demand for cheese grew over the years but it wouldn’t be until 1612 that the amount
of cheese scales was increased from 1 to 4. The tradition of weighing the cheese is alive
and well, along with other traditional touches such as uniforms, methods of testing and inspecting,
cutting, carrying and trading this edible gold, making the historic Alkmaar cheese market
an exceptional destination to visit. On your visit, you'll see cheese porters, easily identifiable
from their traditional white uniforms. You will also see them carry the cheese using
old school wooden tools. What makes a visit to the cheese market memorable
is how vibrant and lively the experience is as samplers and cheese traders go to work
inspecting and tasting cheese, and wheeling and dealing in cheese wheels.
If you want to buy some cheese at the market, you can’t buy cheese from traders directly.
Instead you can purchase your gouda and edam from stalls surrounding the edges of the market,
as well as other local delicacies like pickled herring or waffles.
Grote Kerk, also known as Sint-Laurenskerk, is a wonderful old building not to miss on
your travels to the charming city of Alkmaar. This grand Gothic church was formerly a Protestant
church, but is now a secular house of worship. It is also an imposing landmark that stands
dominantly over the skyline of the old town center.
Churches have been built on this spot since the 10th century. The current structure, designed
by Anthonius Keldermans, was finished in 1498 after 28 years of construction. The church
was dedicated to St Lawrence and famously contains the tomb of Floris V, Count of Holland.
Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk is known for its beauty inside and out. The church was built
in the popular crucifix shape, with outer walls made from white Gobertange sandstone.
The church’s high windows allow tons of natural light to highlight the ornate Gothic
decorations inside, especially the beautiful chandeliers and the two magnificent pipe organs.
If you want to enjoy more of the beauty and history of Alkmaar, checking out the Canalside
District is among the best things to do in town. The intricate canal system of Alkmaar
is fascinating, especially the outer canal that encircles the town - it’s sort of like
a wetter version of the Capital Beltway in the US or the M25 in the UK
The Canalside District is a gateway to Europe, and a living repository of glorious Dutch
art, architecture and cultural treasures. It is about the best way to explore the city
first hand, and admire its old buildings. One of the best places to start your tour
is from the Accijnstoren tax tower, following the Werronkenoord canal, passing the Grote
or Sint-Laurenskerk. You could also walk along the Mint canal toward
the historic cheese market stands and through the Luttik Oudorp canal.
A good place to end your Canalside District tour is at the Victoriepark, where you can
unwind after the walk. We at Viatravelers know traveling is kind
of the best thing to do in life - not only because it broadens the mind, but it also
broadens the palate! Chasing the wonderful sights and attractions in Alkmaar is all very
well and good, but no trip is complete without tasting the delicacies the town has to offer.
Alkmaar is considered one of the most important cheese cities on the planet, particularly
for its historic cheese market. Sampling some of the town's cheese should be part of any
travel itinerary in the Netherlands. The most popular cheeses found here are *how-da*
or gouda and edam, but there are many, many more to be enjoyed here.
Aside from the cheese, the town is also known for herring and a wide variety of delicacies
featuring this tasty fish can be found here. You may also treat your sweet tooth with some
of Alkmaars famous stroopwafels for dessert. These mouthwatering sweet treats are made
from two thin layers of baked dough waffle wafer, joined by a sticky caramel filling.
Tasting the delicacies of Alkmaar, gives you a much better appreciation of this wonderful
town and of Dutch culture at large. Nothing beats ending a long day’s touristing
than in a peaceful picturesque park, and in Alkmaar, the Medieval Garden delivers such
satisfaction. This scenic garden can be found in the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden or National
Museum of Antiquities. The Medieval Garden has a wealth of information
about different plants and flowers grown throughout Europe during the Middle Ages and their countries
of origin. The medieval garden is among the best places
to end a day for its beauty not only shines during the day but positively glows at night.
Other outstanding parks in Alkmaar include Begerbos, Vondelpark, Rekerhout, Alkmaarderhout,
the aforementioned Victoriepark and the breathtaking Hortus Alkmaar. Choosing any of these for
a lazy stroll, or a place to unwind over a good book won’t disappoint.
If you want to take a detour and enjoy a day trip from Alkmaar, nip over to the Museum
Quarter in Amsterdam. This beautiful corner of the nearby Dutch capital is rich in Dutch
history and culture, making it among the most visited destinations in the Netherlands. It
is a cultural melting pot with a medley of outdoor and indoor activities as well as unique
attractions. A day trip to this spectacular destination, will have you gawping at the
beauty of this unique city, as you learn more about Dutch culture and history.
Once little more than a swamp, the quarter evolved over centuries into a lively neighborhood
that now houses spectacular museums and galleries. Among the best museums to visit are the Stedelijk
Museum of Modern Art, Rijksmuseum, and of course the Van Gogh Museum.
Aside from being home to fascinating museums, the Museum Quarter is chockablock with fancy
restaurants, parks, and shopping centers. You can enjoy canal boat tours, Dutch delicacies
from the many superb restaurants throughout the quarter, and stay the night in one of
several world-class hotels in the area.
Alkmaar is among the most wonderful Dutch cities that first-time visitors are sure to
fall in love with. From its unique sights, to its exquisite food and of course the ever
friendly locals, a visit to Alkmaar is filled with reward.
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