Get there early!
by Robin922
Get there early!
Anyone who has every gone will tell you this tip, get there early.
I love taking pictures of the places I go, and this place allows you to get some great colorful shots… however if you don’t get there early it’s hard to get a good shot without the back of someone’s head showing up somewhere.
Not only is the Cheese Market educational, but entraining and FREE. This combination will always attract a crowd.
The market starts at 10, you should be there no later than 9am.
Old town, Alkmaar
by toonsarah
The old town has been protected from the invasion of too many modern buildings, possibly in part because it is surrounded by an attractive moat. The main shopping street, Lange Straat, does have some of the usual names you find everywhere these days (e.g. H & M) but has kept its charm and character. The shops themselves are over-shadowed by several more traditional buildings including the Town Hall with its attractive tower. If you’ve reached this street from the station, you’ll pass the Town Hall on your right, and by continuing a hundred metres or so further will arrive at the Waagplein, the heart of the town, where the cheese market is held every Friday from April to September – unfortunately we were there in March so a little too early in the year for this. Whether or not the market is in operation, the square is worth a visit to see the imposing and beautifully ornate cheese Weigh House, more than 400 years old. This houses a cheese museum (which we didn’t visit – how much do you really need to know about cheese???) and a good souvenir shop.
Cheese
by toonsarah
You can’t escape from the fact that Alkmaar is a town built on cheese – it’s everywhere you look! As well as the Weigh House with its cheese museum and the cheese market itself there are numerous shops selling cheese and even a statue to cheese! Don’t get me wrong, I love cheese (though some of the Dutch stuff is too bland for my taste) but I’d rather eat it than study it ;) But if you really want to know more, the museum is open from 10-4 and costs 2.50 euros per person.
Cloak Shoes...
by Xinta
At one corner of the market square, you'll be able to see how the cloak shoes are made. It doesn't take too long to make it, and doesn't look easy at all, but he did a very fine job...very skillful indeed!
You can get really nice ready-made cloak shoes according to your size or some other souvenirs, too.
photograph cheese
by angiebabe
rather photogenic all these cheeses around the shops - gimmicky but it is the local produce and picture postcard material!?
buy cheese too while you are at - some not bad deals and prices - cheese with a souvenir cheese slicer or cheese board etc!
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Cheese Market
Cheese Market
Canal tour
Mill De Groot / Piet's Mill
