Alkmaar

Alkmaar is a city in the north of the Netherlands, famous for its cheese which led to the nickname 'the city of cheese'. One of the main attractions of Alkmaar is the 400-year old cheese market at the Waagplein. Every Friday from April to September you can visit a cheese trading demonstration showing you how cheese was traded hundreds of years ago.

Besides cheese, Alkmaar has a beautiful historic center with canals and old buildings. Some of the main sights of the city are the Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk, De Waag with its recognizable tower, De Molen van Groot for some the symbol of Alkmaar, and the city hall.

Make sure to visit one of the many museums such as the Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar, the Cheese Museum, the National Beer Museum, or the Beatles Museum. This last one is the largest of its kind in the world!

Take a drink in one of the many cozy cafes. If you are hungry, Alkmaar has a wide variety of restaurants of all cultures. To finish your day in Alkmaar, give a kiss to the statue of the Kissing Cheesegirl.