Andy Montoya
The Alkmaar Cheese Market is a popular day trip from Amsterdam, with trains departing four times an hour from Amsterdam Centraal Station and taking around 35 minutes to arrive in Alkmaar. The historic market, which has been running since 1365, is the oldest, biggest and most famous in the Netherlands, and takes place every Friday from March to September, as well as Tuesday evenings in July and August. It is located in the town square, Waagplein, a 15-minute walk from the train station, through the town centre.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Waagplein, Alkmaar |
| Travel time from Amsterdam | 35 minutes by train |
| Travel method | Train, car, guided tour |
| Train ticket | Can be purchased with a debit card |
| Walk from station | 5-15 minutes |
| Market timings | 10 am to 1 pm, last Friday of March to last Friday of September |
| Evening market | 7 pm to 9 pm, Tuesdays in July and August |
| Children's market | 10:30 am to 11 am, July and August |
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What You'll Learn
Travel by train, car, or guided tour
Travel by Train
The train is a great option to get from Amsterdam to Alkmaar, with the journey taking around 35 to 40 minutes. Trains depart from Amsterdam Centraal Station four times an hour, and you can also board at Amsterdam Sloterdijk. Tickets are affordable, and you can use a debit card to 'scan in' and 'scan out' through the barriers at the stations.
Once you arrive at Alkmaar Station, the cheese market is about a 15-minute walk through the town centre. Follow the signs to the Waagplein town square, where the market takes place.
Travel by Car
If you prefer to drive, you can take the A9 or N244 from Amsterdam to Alkmaar, which should take around 40 minutes. There are parking garages available, such as the Schelphoekgarage or Karpertongarage.
Travel by Guided Tour
You can also opt for a guided tour to the Alkmaar Cheese Market, which typically includes a short walking tour and some free time at the market. These bus tours depart from Amsterdam and usually last about half a day.
Some tours also combine a visit to Alkmaar with other nearby attractions, allowing you to see more in a single day.
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Walk from Alkmaar Centraal station
To get to the Alkmaar Cheese Market from Amsterdam, you can take a train from Amsterdam Centraal Station to Alkmaar Centraal Station. There is a direct connection with trains departing four times an hour. Once you arrive at Alkmaar Centraal Station, follow the signs to the cheese market—it's about a 15-minute walk through the Alkmaar town centre to the Waagplein square, where the market takes place.
The Alkmaar Cheese Market is the oldest, largest, and most famous cheese market in the Netherlands, running since 1365. It takes place every Friday from the last Friday in March to the last Friday in September, from 10 am to 1 pm. There is also an evening cheese market on Tuesday evenings in July and August from 7 pm to 9 pm.
If you're planning to visit, keep in mind that the market involves a spectacle of hauling cheese carriers and is surrounded by an art and craft market, where you can find Dutch 'poffertjes', herring, farm cheese, a clog maker, and more.
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Opening times
The Alkmaar Cheese Market is open from 10 am to 1 pm on Fridays from the last Friday in March through to the last Friday in September. It's best to arrive at least half an hour before the market opens to ensure a good viewing spot. By 10.30 am to 11 am, the market square is very crowded.
On Tuesday evenings in July and August, there is an evening market from 7 pm to 9 pm.
There is also a Children's Cheese Market during the summer holidays for children aged 6 to 12. This tour lasts from 10:30 am to 11 am.
The market is a 15-minute walk from the train station, or 5 minutes if you're travelling by train from Amsterdam. It's recommended that you spend 3 to 4 hours in Alkmaar, allowing 30 minutes to an hour to see the market, and an hour or two to explore the city centre.
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History of the market
To get to the Alkmaar Cheese Market from Amsterdam, you can take a train from Amsterdam Centraal Station. Trains depart four times an hour and the journey takes around 40 minutes. The cheese market is about a 15-minute walk from Alkmaar Station, and there are signs to follow.
The Alkmaar Cheese Market is the oldest, largest, and most famous cheese market in the Netherlands, dating back to 1365. In that year, Alkmaar was granted weighing rights and a scale. By 1612, the number of scales had increased to four. The Alkmaar Cheese Carriers' Guild was established on 17 June 1593 and is composed of 30 men, including the Cheese Father, who is their leader.
The market takes place on Waagplein, which translates to "weighing square". The square is located in the town centre of Alkmaar. The market is open every Friday from the last Friday in March to the last Friday in September, from 10 am to 1 pm. In July and August, there is also an evening market on Tuesdays from 7 pm to 9 pm.
The market attracts thousands of visitors from around the world, who come to see the spectacle of cheese carriers hauling cheese to the market and the traditional sales techniques from the Dutch Golden Age. The cheese carriers are organised into four "vemen" (groups) and wear distinctively coloured straw hats to identify their forwarding company. Each forwarding company has six carriers, a Tasman, and a Voorman, who is the head of the company and often its oldest member.
The market has been held annually since 1593, except during World War II when it was put on hold for safety reasons. After the war, when cheese was scarce, the market's return was enthusiastically welcomed.
Today, the market still functions as a farmer's market for cheese, and visitors can sample and purchase a variety of cheeses. There is also an art and craft market surrounding the cheese market, where you can find Dutch specialities like "poffertjes", herring, farm cheese, and clogs.
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Other attractions in Alkmaar
Getting to Alkmaar from Amsterdam is easy, with a direct train connection from Amsterdam Centraal Station to Alkmaar Centraal Station, with trains departing four times an hour. The cheese market is then just a 15-minute walk from the station.
Alkmaar is a historic city with a lot to offer besides its cheese market. Here are some other attractions to visit:
- Canals and Canal Cruises – Alkmaar has some of the most beautiful canals in the Netherlands, with cheese boats transporting cheese to the markets. A canal cruise is an ideal way to explore the city and its charming canal tours.
- Old Town – The Old Town area is a must-visit, with its authentic shops, eateries, and beautiful streets. The historic town centre preserves the 17th-century pattern of canals and narrow streets, with many historic buildings.
- Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar – One of the oldest museums in the Netherlands, housing over 12,000 objects from the Alkmaar City Council collection.
- The Beatles Museum – The largest Beatles museum in the world, with a vast collection of Beatles memorabilia, including merchandise, LPs, original clothes, and gold albums.
- Oosterhout Park – A recently renovated park located south-east of the old city centre, featuring flower-bordered paths, a pond with ducks, a playground, a butterfly garden, and a petting zoo.
- Park van Luna – One of the city's largest green spaces, offering a peaceful escape for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
- Nationaal Biermuseum De Boom – A unique combination of a local bar and a beer museum, conveniently located near Waagplein. Visitors can sample a variety of local beers and wines in a cosy tasting room.
- Grote Kerk – This church has been converted into an events venue, hosting plays and organ concerts. It also has a large café area and preserves the original organ.
- Kruithuisje – A small gallery and coffee/tea house located in a square house from the 18th century, hidden under a large chestnut tree in Singelpark.
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Frequently asked questions
The journey from Amsterdam to Alkmaar by train takes about 35 minutes.
You’ll need about 30 minutes to 1 hour to see the Alkmaar Cheese Market. In addition, you’ll need an hour or two to explore the city center. We recommend planning 3-4 hours for a visit to Alkmaar.
The best way to get to the Alkmaar Cheese Market from Amsterdam is by train. You can take a train from Amsterdam Centraal Station to Alkmaar Station, and the cheese market is about a 15-minute walk from the station.
The Alkmaar Cheese Market takes place every Friday from the last Friday in March to the last Friday in September. It is open from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. There is also an evening cheese market on Tuesdays in July and August from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
The Alkmaar Cheese Market is the oldest, largest, and most famous cheese market in the Netherlands. You can expect to see stacks of cheese and cheese carriers in traditional clothing. There are also stalls offering cakes, art, and natural cheese around the market.
