Courts, coffee, shopping and picnic in Haarlem
The Netherlands has many beautiful cities and Haarlem is certainly one of them. Beautiful old buildings, cozy restaurants and a nice vibe. If you are going to Haarlem for a day and like to walk, then the courtyards are highly recommended. Where are they? courtyards of Haarlem than? And how do we make that a fun and tasty hike? With this one courtyards, coffee and picnic route you have a unique day out. On Wikipedia you will find more background about the courtyards (and if you have your portable Sonos roam speaker, then make one easy listening your outing complete...).
Besides courtyards, Haarlem also has nice shops. These ten toppers are at the top of the list.
If you come to Haarlem by train, you will probably walk past it first Hofje van Oorschot. This beautifully maintained courtyard from 1769 was built by an Amsterdam merchant for poor women aged 50 and older. The original 20.000 guilders that he had available for the courtyard was not enough, because two wealthy city administrators who lived across the street made high demands on the construction. The garden and courtyard had to be built in the rococo style. It looked like it wasn't going to happen (what the neighbors wanted), but the States of Holland contributed money and a beautiful courtyard was built. The courtyard is closed to visitors, but you can peek inside through the beautiful, recently renovated gate.
A nice coffee you catch up on your walk Ax Coffee of Coffee Habits.
You will find the Hofje van Oorschot around the corner Luther's Courtyard (1615) Remonstrant courtyard (1773) Coomanshofje (1613) in Frans Loenenhofje (1607).
Speaker? We came for some rest after all. But yes. But that Sonos roam The speaker can also be very quiet, and when you play your audio book, or even better: go to one of the classic stations of Sonos Radio (highly recommended; thank me later), then it is exactly this background of sounds that your Haarlem completes the round. Plus: once you get home, that Sonos Radio playlist will remind you of that romantic courtyard later, I promise.
The studio is located at Donkere Spaarne 26 black Madame Garage. Do us a favor: walk by and be enchanted by all the beautiful fabrics, materials and special items that Madame Garage has to offer. A lamp shop? Of course! But you can also design your own custom lamp here or pimp an old base into a completely new lamp by fitting a new shade for it.
Tried & tested, so go go go…because success is guaranteed!
Most courtyards in Haarlem are closed to visitors and can only be visited on Open (Monument) Days. It Hofje van Loo can also be viewed from behind the fence. The small, cute houses give a good impression of life hundreds of years ago. The courtyard was founded in 1489, but the houses were built in different periods, the last three houses were built in 1885. Sijmon Pieterszoon van Loo and his wife Godelt Willemsdatter built the thirteen houses for poor people or priests. As far as we know, mainly women lived in the courtyard.
You can get a walking coffee around the corner Mogador at the Butter Market or Native just around the corner. A little more hungry? The crepes from Ti Bisou are delicious.
You can still find it nearby Wijnbergshofje (1662, private), Bruiningshofje (1610, open) and the Brouwershofje (1588, open at certain times).
For those who enjoy walking and are not averse to a piece of urban nature Hofje van Heythuysen highly recommended. Haarlemmerhout aka De Hout is a city park and it oldest urban forest in the Netherlands. A perfect place for a walk and picnic. If you have small children with you, there is also a petting zoo. Hofje van Heythuysen is located on De Hout, which was built from 1650 onwards. Cloth merchant Willem Heythuysen had the courtyard built after his death on his Middelhout estate, which was located just outside the city walls of Haarlem. Unlike other courtyards, housing was intended for couples and only later did single women also live here. The courtyard is still intended for social housing.
Are you hungry? Then take a picnic with you in the park or sit at the coffee shop in the park.
Back to the center where most of the courtyards are located. The Elisabeth Guesthouses (1608) are largely located on the street side and can therefore be viewed. The houses with stepped gable were originally built as old men's homes for men who had some money and could grow old here.
The program Gravinnehof was opened in 2001. This 21st century courtyard is less historic than the other courtyards, but it does have a beautiful story. It too Johannes Enschedé Hof is a modern courtyard from 2007.
Hof van Bakenes is the oldest courtyard in the Netherlands. Although the courtyard was founded in 1395, the houses date from 1658.
The program Hofje van Staats (1730, open at certain times) and Proveniershof (1592, open) can both be found in the center. These are both quite large and built in a square around a large courtyard.
Fancy a cup of coffee? Bee Mica of Pip Deli the coffee smells (and tastes) wonderful.
