Which river runs through Haarlem?
Winding its way through Haarlem is the Spaarne, a river that was once the lifeblood of the citys economy.
What is Haarlem known for?
Haarlem is a city known for its Hofjes (enclosed courtyard gardens), and there are beautiful green spaces tucked away behind many an unassuming street – most dating back to medieval times. The gardens are surrounded by charitable almshouses and were used to house poor, unmarried or widowed women.
How deep are the canals in Haarlem?
The sides of the canals are only 2 meters deep, which means that your average tall Dutch guy would almost be able to stand on the sides of the canals and have the top of their head reach the water surface. Annually, hundreds of bikes end up in these canals, clogging up the fairway for boats.
How old is the city of Haarlem?
Haarlem was mentioned in the 10th century and by the 12th century had become a fortified town and the residence of the counts of Holland. It was chartered in 1245 and was ravaged in 1346 and 1351 during the civil wars in Holland.
Is Haarlem worth visiting?
Haarlem is one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands and its definitely worth visiting. Its medieval character, narrow streets, and little shops create a phenomenal atmosphere. Haarlem is only 30 minutes away from Amsterdam and its one of the best day trip destinations!
What does Haarlem mean in Dutch?
The name probably comes from Haarlo-heim. The name Haarlem or Haarloheim would therefore mean home on a forested dune.
Is Haarlem better than Amsterdam?
Amsterdam is international, more expensive and vibrant. Haarlem is a quiet city with a long history, tradition. Amsterdam is more for active and energetic people. Haarlem is a great place for a calm and laid-back person.
Why did the Dutch build canals?
For as long as they have been pumping water out of the lands in Holland, they have been building canals for travel, irrigation, and water removal. The famous canals of Amsterdam were a result of good city planning (to keep our Dutch friends heads above water), and easily serve as additional streets for transportation.
How far is Haarlem from the beach?
Haarlem is less than ten kilometres away from the Dutch coast. The Kennemerduinen dunes separate the city from the beach. It is a big fund field rich in flora and fauna. If you want to take a trip to the beach on a beautiful summer day, rent a bicycle and take this itinerary to reach the beach in less than an hour.
Is Haarlem a good place to live?
With its beautiful cobblestone streets, quaint gabled houses, and numerous cultural attractions, Haarlem is one of the most desirable cities in the Netherlands to call home. Not only that, but its a shoppers paradise. The capital of the province of North Holland, Haarlem is in a prime location, too.
Is Haarlem cheaper than Amsterdam?
Haarlem is like a little Amsterdam and when it comes to prices its also very similar. Prices are almost the same. Accommodation may be a little cheaper but in general it is expensive.
Do Amsterdam canals smell?
No, canals in Amsterdam dont smell bad. All canals are connected together and they get their water from different rivers, including the river Amstel and the river IJ. To this, we have to add the high amount of rain all these canals receive and we have fresh, odorless water all year round.
Why is Amsterdam sinking?
Generally, this occurs for three reasons: extraction of natural resources like water or gas; added weight from the construction of buildings and roads; and ground water drainage, which in the Netherlands exposes the peat to air and causes it to break down through oxidation.
How do you get from Amsterdam to the beach?
Getting to Zandvoort beach By train: Take a train from Amsterdam Central Station to Haarlem (every 15 minutes), and then change at Haarlem for Zandvoort aan Zee. In the summer months, a special train service runs directly from Amsterdam to Zandvoort aan Zee (Zandvoort beach), and takes around 25 minutes.
Are dogs allowed on Zandvoort beach?
To avoid inconvenience to other beachgoers, some rules apply. During the period from October 1st to April 15th, dogs are allowed on the beach all day. From April 15th to October 1st, dogs are not allowed on the beach between 09:00 and 19:00. Outside of these hours, dogs are welcome.
How safe is Haarlem?
Crime rates in Haarlem, NetherlandsLevel of crime17.94Very LowCrime increasing in the past 3 years52.10ModerateWorries home broken and things stolen28.55LowWorries being mugged or robbed15.38Very LowWorries car stolen16.16Very Low8 more rows
How dirty are Amsterdam canals?
For Most of Their Existence the Canals Smelled Terrible Before the 20th century Amsterdams canals were notoriously polluted and stunk up the whole city. Most Amsterdammers viewed the canals as open garbage pits or sewers and liberally threw waste into their waters.
Can you swim in the Amsterdam canals?
Swimming in Amsterdams canals is not permitted as water quality is not clean enough and also because the canals are classified as boating ways (vaarwegen) and swimmers are not easily seen from boats. There are however, plenty of open water areas at which swimming is permitted.
What countries will be underwater by 2050?
Many small island nations will be catastrophically affected by sea-level rises in the future, including The Bahamas, which was devastated by Hurricane Dorian in 2019. Most of Grand Bahama, including Nassau (pictured), Abaco and Spanish Wells are projected to be underwater by 2050 because of climate change.
What do houses look like in Amsterdam?
All houses in Amsterdam are built on piles. The piles are drilled meters deep into the wet soil. If you build houses without a sturdy pole, it will quickly sink into the swampy ground. But in the old days, the piles were made of wood.