Haarlem
The Golden Age City on the Old Beach Ridge, Between the Dunes and Amsterdam
Explore the Town ↓
Life in Haarlem
Haarlem has historic squares and gabled streets, with dunes and beaches within cycling reach. It is a city base close to Amsterdam and Schiphol that keeps its own identity.
Haarlem is a complete Golden Age city of gables, almshouse courtyards and a great church on the Grote Markt. The North Sea dunes lie on one side, Amsterdam is a short train ride on the other, and Schiphol is about 20 minutes away by car.
No other town on this list puts so much character, so much nature and so easy a flight home in one place. Its historic center stands on an old beach ridge, among the higher natural ground in the west of the country.
Haarlem is the most expensive town in this Atlas, with the highest average tax valuation of the eight. The ground around the ridge is low, so every address still needs its own flood and foundation check.
- Schiphol is about 20 minutes away by car; by rail it takes a change, usually at Amsterdam Sloterdijk.
- Amsterdam Centraal is roughly a quarter of an hour away by intercity.
- Province
- Noord-Holland, of which Haarlem is the provincial capital · the municipality also takes in the village of Spaarndam
- Population
- About 168,900 in the municipality (CBS provisional count, 1 January 2026) · a full-sized city with a compact historic core
- Setting
- On the river Spaarne, about 7 km inland from the North Sea dunes and about 20 km west of Amsterdam · the old center sits on a former beach ridge (strandwal)
- Heritage
- Grote of Sint-Bavokerk and its Müller organ · Frans Hals Museum · Teylers Museum, the oldest museum in the country · some twenty hofjes, the almshouse courtyards
- What Makes It Distinct
- A real Golden Age city with a beach, a national park and a transatlantic airport all inside half an hour
- Inside the Full Atlas
- 29 pages on Haarlem, within the 233-page Netherlands Atlas.
Haarlem & Its Surroundings
Wander the streets, waterways and neighboring towns before you go.
The pin marks the town center. The live map needs an internet connection.
A Closer Look at Haarlem
Look Beyond the View
Fall for the view, then choose with clear eyes. The full Atlas explains the natural risks checked for this town and where a property deserves a closer look.
- See which natural hazards the research covers
- Tell town-wide conditions apart from one address
- Take the right questions to a local specialist
Picture the Journey
The town you love should be easy to reach, again and again. The full Atlas lays out how you get here, from the arrival point to the final stretch.
- Compare the main ways to get here
- Plan for repeat visits and everyday trips
- Weigh the trade-offs before you pick a base
Find Your Reasons to Stay
The places you remember mix scenery, streets and local life. The town chapter takes you past the first impression to the character underneath.
- Explore the setting, landmarks and local culture
- Discover what makes this town its own
- Picture the pleasures of a longer stay
Renting It While You’re Away
Thinking of renting your home out while you’re away? The Atlas sets the rental questions and local context right beside the place itself.
- Learn which rules and permits to check
- Gauge likely visitors and seasonal demand
- Weigh the practical limits on renting it out
Imagine an Ordinary Week
The view draws you in. Everyday life helps you decide. The full chapter covers the services and practical details of living here beyond a vacation.
- Check healthcare and everyday services
- Picture the shops, connections and daily routines
- See what life is like outside the busy season
Haarlem and Around, in 3 Pictures
Images from the Atlas, each with its own source and edit notes.
Summary of the Netherlands Atlas, edition of 26 September 2026. The town order is our editorial ranking. About the Dossier.