cheese market amsterdam alkmaar

Cheese market Alkmaar | Opening hours, prices and travel directions

Thousands of visitors from all over the world visit the city Alkmaar for its cheese market, a particular spectacle which includes a market filled with cheese and hauling cheese carriers.

In 1365 Alkmaar was granted weighing rights and a weighing scale, and in 1612 this number increased to four. Exactly when the first cheese market took place is shrouded in mystery. Old documents have been found that confirm the cheese market definitely took place in 1622, but there is also evidence that the cheese bearer’s guild was founded in 1593; we can therefore deduce that there must have been a cheese market at that time as well.

When is the cheese market in Alkmaar?

The cheese market Alkmaar 2022 will take place from March 25th untill september 23th, every friday from 10 am untill 13.00 pm on the Waagplein. In 2022 there will be the evening cheese markets on Tuesdays in July and August from 19.00-21.00.

Program Friday Cheese Market Alkmaar

  • 09.15 – 09.50 u: performance by the carillon
  • 09.50 – 11.00 u: Verbal presentation to visitors, in Dutch, German, English and French or Spanish
  • 11.00 – 11.20 u: performance by the carillon
  • 11.20 – 12.00 u: Verbal presentation to visitors, in Dutch, German, English and French or Spanish
  • 12.00 – 12.20 u: performance by the carillon
  • 12.20 – 12.55 u:  Verbal presentation to visitors, in Dutch, German, English and French or Spanish
  • 12.55 – 13.00 u: ‘closing’ of the cheesemarket

Tour / Excursion from Amsterdam to Cheese Market

Unfortunately, there is no tour from Amsterdam to the cheese market in Alkmaar. However, there is a tour on Wednesdays in July and August to the cheese market in Edam, including a visit to the Cheese Experience and a visit to a cheese farm. Price of the tour is just € 29,50

Adults€ 29,50Book now
Kids (4-12 years)€ 29,50Book now

Where is the cheese market in Alkmaar?

The cheese market takes place at the square named Waagplein in Alkmaar.

Directions by Car

The Cheese Market is in the town centre of Alkmaar. You can use the PRIS (Parking Route Information System) to find directions to the car parks.

Directions by Train

There is a direct connection to Alkmaar from Amsterdam Centraal Station, with trains departing four times an hou

The cheese market is surrounded by a fun art and craft market. This is where you can find real Dutch ‘poffertjes’, herring, farm cheese, a clog maker, craft stalls and much more!

Hotels nearby the cheese market in Alkmaar

The city of Alkmaar is also ideal as a holiday destination to discover the Netherlands from there. From the city you can easily travel to Amsterdam, Schiphol, Haarlem, De Zaanse Schans and Volendam.

Our favorite overnight locations in Alkmaar are:

Other cheese markets around Amsterdam

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