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Alkmaar

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Cheese market beyond the stalls

While the cheese market dominates Alkmaar’s image, the surrounding streets offer a quieter glimpse into the city’s trading heritage. Early mornings on the Waagplein reveal locals unloading crates onto narrow barges that still ply the winding canals, a practice that predates tourism’s arrival. Follow these vessels upstream and you’ll encounter small, family‑run dairy cooperatives where the same cheese varieties are aged in modest stone cellars. The ambience is more about the ritual of weighing and stamping than spectacle, and conversations often turn to the subtle differences between Gouda‑type and regional Edam. Sampling a slice straight from the coop, paired with a locally brewed amber ale, provides a texture you won’t find at the market’s polished stalls.

Cycling the historic routes

Alkmaar’s flat terrain and extensive bike‑lane network make it a natural base for exploring the surrounding polders. The most rewarding ride follows the old Leidsevaart, a former trade waterway now flanked by reclaimed fields dotted with windmills. Along the route, you’ll pass the 17th‑century St. Laurens Church, whose bell tower can be heard tolling across the open landscape. Stop at the reclaimed village of De Lier for a brief coffee in a café that still serves hot milk on the side—a nod to the region’s dairy past. The ride finishes back in Alkmaar’s centre, where the city’s canals reflect the late‑afternoon light, offering a perspective that mixes agrarian calm with urban charm.

When the city breathes in summer

Alkmaar’s summer calendar is punctuated not by festivals but by a series of modest civic events that draw residents onto the streets. In late July, the municipal council opens the historic Waag building for evening tours, allowing visitors to see original weighing scales and the vaulted ceiling illuminated by soft lanterns. Simultaneously, the nearby Markt square hosts a series of pop‑up exhibitions featuring works by local artists, often inspired by the city's cheese‑centric identity. These evenings are less about spectacle and more about communal ambience; neighbours gather on the cobbles, sharing chilled glass wine and impromptu debates about the best cheese pairings. The atmosphere offers a lived‑in feel that contrasts with the day‑time tourist flow.

Introduction

City and municipality in North Holland, Netherlands For other uses, see Alkmaar (disambiguation). City and municipality in North Holland, NetherlandsAlkmaarCity and municipalityDe Bierkade FlagCoat of armsLocation in North HollandAlkmaarLocation within the NetherlandsShow map of NetherlandsAlkmaarLocation within EuropeShow map of EuropeCoordinates: 52°38′N 4°45′E / 52.633°N 4.750°E / 52.633; 4.750CountryNetherlandsProvinceNorth HollandGovernment • BodyMunicipal council • MayorAnja SchoutenArea • Total117.35 km2 (45.31 sq mi) • Land110.46 km2 (42.65 sq mi) • Water6.89 km2 (2.66 sq mi)Elevation1 m (3.3 ft)Population (November 2022) • Total111,766 • Density1,012/km2 (2,620/sq mi)Demonym(s)Alkmaarder (Informal) KaaskopTime zoneUTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)Postcode1800–1831Area code072Websitewww.alkmaar.nl Topographic map of Alkmaar, Sept. 2014 Alkmaar (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɑl(ə)kmaːr] ⓘ) is a city and municipality in the Netherlands, located in the province of North Holland. Alkmaar is well known for its traditional cheese market. For tourists, it is a popular cultural destination. The municipality has a population of 111,766 as of 2023.

History

[edit] The earliest mention of the name Alkmaar is in a 10th-century document. As the village grew into a town, it was granted city rights in 1254. The oldest part of Alkmaar lies on an ancient sand bank a couple of meters (yards) above the surrounding region; it afforded some protection from inundation during medieval times. Its vicinage consists of some of the oldest polders in existence. Older spellings include Alckmar. On 24 June 1572, after the Geuzen captured the town, five Franciscans from Alkmaar were taken to Enkhuizen and hanged, becoming the martyrs of Alkmaar. Siege of Alkmaar[edit] In 1573, the city underwent a siege by Spanish forces under the leadership of Don Fadrique, son of the Duke of Alva. The citizens sent urgent messages for help to the Prince of Orange; he responded by promising to open the floodgates of the dykes and flood the region if the need arose, which despite the protestations of the peasantry, fearful for their harvest, he proceeded to do. Some of his dispatches fell into the hands of Don Fadrique, and, with the waters beginning to rise, the Spaniards raised the siege and fled. It was a turning point in the Eighty Years War and gave rise to the expression Bij Alkmaar begint de victorie ("Victory begins at Alkmaar"). The event is still celebrated every year in Alkmaar on 8 October, the day the siege ended. Since the French Revolutionary Wars[edit] In 1799, during the French Revolutionary Wars, an Anglo-Russian expeditionary force captured the city but was ultimately defeated in the Battle of Castricum. After that battle, on 18 October 1799, the two opposing sides held the Convention of Alkmaar which met to determine the fate of the defeated Anglo-Russian force. The French victory was commemorated on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris as "Alkmaer". The North Holland Canal, opened in 1824, was dug through Alkmaar. In 1865 and 1867, the railways between Alkmaar and Den Helder and between Alkmaar and Haarlem were built respectively. In the second half of the 20th century, Alkmaar expanded quickly with development of new neighbourhoods. On 1 October 1972, the town of Oudorp and the southern portions of Koedijk and Sint Pancras were added to the municipality of Alkmaar.

Administrative divisions

[edit] Historical populationYearPop.±% p.a.13983,800—    15144,179+0.08%162212,417+1.01%163213,200+0.61%166013,650+0.12%173212,500−0.12%17957,514−0.80%Source: Lourens & Lucassen 1997, pp. 54–55 The municipality of Alkmaar historically consists of the following cities, towns, villages and districts: Alkmaar, Bergermeer, Daalmeer, De Hoef, De Horn, De Nollen, Het Rak, Huiswaard, Koedijk (southeastern part), Overdie, Oudorp and Omval. On 1 January 2015, the municipalities of Graft-De Rijp and Schermer were merged into Alkmaar. The historical village of De Rijp is thus since a part of Alkmaar. These once separate villages are now all linked together by the suburban sprawl of buildings that arose between the late 1970s and early 1990s. During this time, the population of Alkmaar almost doubled.

Local government

[edit] The municipal council of Alkmaar consists of 39 seats, which are divided as follows after the 2026 elections. GroenLinks/PvdA – 9 seats D66 – 5 seats BAS – 5 seats VVD – 4 seats OPA – 4 seats FvD – 3 seats CDA – 3 seats Leefbaar Alkmaar – 2 seats Partij voor de Dieren – 1 seat Senior's Party of Alkmaar (Senioren Partij Alkmaar) – 1 seat Status Quo – 1 seat SP – 1 seat

Transport

[edit] City center Cheese market North gable of the Beer Museum in Alkmaar The A9 motorway runs from Amsterdam to Alkmaar, then continues on to Den Helder as the N9. There are direct trains to Den Helder, Hoorn, Zaandam, Amsterdam, Utrecht, Ede, Arnhem, Nijmegen, 's-Hertogenbosch, Eindhoven, Maastricht and Haarlem. For exact details see Alkmaar railway station. Alkmaar has two railway stations: Alkmaar Alkmaar Noord The waterway Noordhollandsch Kanaal, which opened in 1824, runs through Alkmaar. As of 2017[update]. it can be crossed (among other ways) using two of the five operating vlotbruggen, Koedijkervlotbrug and Rekervlotbrug. Air travel is served by the nearest Schiphol Airport which is approximately 22 km south of Alkmaar. NS operates direct train services between Alkmaar and Schiphol.

Main sights

[edit] Alkmaar has many medieval buildings that are still intact, most notably the tall tower of the Grote or Sint-Laurenskerk, where many people from Alkmaar hold wedding ceremonies. The other main attraction, especially in the summer months, is Alkmaar's cheese market at the Waagplein, one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. The cheese market traditionally takes place from the first Friday in April through the first Friday in September. Every Friday morning (10:00–12:30) the Waagplein is the backdrop for this traditional cheese market. After the old-fashioned way of the hand clap, traders and carriers will weigh the cheeses. It is one of only four traditional Dutch cheese markets still in existence. The traditional fare of this cheese market is those cheeses made in the local area, as opposed to the well-known brands of Dutch cheeses, including the Edam and Gouda cheeses. It is not actually possible to buy cheese at the market itself, which is really only a demonstration of how this merchants' market operated in times gone by. However, the demonstration, which takes place in front of the medieval weighing house, is surrounded by many specialized stalls where it is possible to buy all kinds of cheese (and non-cheese) related products. The Waag is also home to the local tourist office and a cheese museum. Alkmaar has 399 registered rijksmonuments, of which most are situated along the city's old canals. Alkmaar has two large theatres and a big cinema (which was originally two cinemas). A red light district is situated at the Achterdam, and Alkmaar has a nightlife scene as well which takes place in the pubs in front of the cheesemarket. Every year, at the end of May Alkmaar hosts the four-day event Alkmaar Pride, which has a canal pride parade on Saturday. Museums[edit] Beatles Museum – dedicated to The Beatles, as John Lennon's first guitar was made in Alkmaar Holland Cheese Museum – located in the historic weigh house National Beer Museum "De Boom" Op ArtMuseum - closed since 2014 City Museum Alkmaar – for history of the city

Sports

[edit] AFAS Stadion Alkmaar is home to the professional football team AZ (Alkmaar Zaanstreek). In 2006, the club moved to a new 17,000 capacity stadium, the DSB Stadion, now named the AFAS Stadion. In 2008–2009, AZ won the Eredivisie, the Dutch football league. It was the second league title for the club after the Eredivisie in 1980/81 with only one league defeat. Notable coaches include former FC Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman, and Netherlands national football team coach Louis van Gaal. The city also has a velodrome where the Dutch national track cycling championships are held every year. The city hosted the 2019 European Road Championships.

Notable residents

[edit] Public service[edit] Cornelis van der Lijn, ca.1650 Patrick Cammaert, 2001 Isaac Dorislaus (1595–1649), a Dutch Calvinist historian and lawyer Jan Janse de Weltevree (born 1595), a Dutch sailor, the first Dutchman to visit Korea Cornelis van der Lijn (1608–1679), Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies 1646-1650 and elected Mayor of Alkmaar in 1668 Bernard Nieuwentyt (1654–1718), a Dutch philosopher, mathematician, physician and magistrate Anna Smitshuizen (1751–1775), the victim of a cause célèbre murder Kees Boeke (1884–1966), a Dutch reformist educator, Quaker missionary and pacifist Nicolette Bruining (1886–1963), a Dutch theologian, teacher and humanitarian in WWII Geertruida Wijsmuller-Meijer (1896–1978), a resistance fighter, saved Jewish children Cornelis Berkhouwer (1919–1992), politician, President of the European Parliament 1973-1975 Rudi Vis (1941–2010), British Labour politician, MP 1997 to 2010 Jaap Pop (1941–2026), a Dutch politician, Mayor of Alkmaar 1988-1995 Sybilla Dekker (born 1942), a retired Dutch politician and businesswoman Ronald Bandell (1946–2015), a Dutch civil servant, politician and Mayor of Alkmaar 1995–2000 Jos Punt (born 1946), bishop in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam Patrick Cammaert (born 1950), retired Dutch general and commander of UN peacekeeping missions Troy Parrott (born 2002), Irish footballer The arts[edit] Bust of A.L.G. Bosboom-Toussaint in Alkmaar Roderick Teerink, 2006 Jan Wils, 1928 Maria Tesselschade Roemers Visscher (1594–1649), poet and engraver Pieter van Schaeyenborgh (1600–1657), painter known for pictures of fish; worked in Alkmaar from 1635 brothers Caesar van Everdingen (1616/7-1678) and Allaert van Everdingen (1621–1675) Dutch Golden Age painters Emanuel de Witte (1617–1692), a Dutch perspective painter of genre paintings Willem de Fesch (1687–1761), a virtuoso Dutch violone player and composer Geertruida Bosboom-Toussaint (1812–1886) a Dutch novelist Cécile de Jong van Beek en Donk (1866–1944) a Dutch feminist writer Dirk Smorenberg (1883–1960), a Dutch Art Deco painter Jan Wils (1891–1972), a Dutch architect and founding member of the De Stijl movement Jan Gerrit van Gelder (1903–1980), a Dutch art historian Ans Wortel (1929–1996), a Dutch painter, poet and writer Rudi Carrell (1934–2006), entertainer, hosted his own TV show Dan van der Vat (1939–2019), a journalist, writer and military historian Angela Groothuizen (born 1959), a Dutch singer, artist and TV personality Karin Bloemen (born 1960) is a Dutch actress and singer Lorena Kloosterboer (born 1962), a Dutch-Argentine artist who paints using trompe-l'œil Joost Zwagerman (1963–2015), a Dutch writer, poet and essayist Marco Borsato (born 1966), a Dutch singer Edwin Brienen (born 1971), a Dutch film director, actor, producer and journalist Hellen van Meene (born 1972), a Dutch photographer known for her portraits Tom Six (born 1973), a Dutch horror filmmaker, writer and actor Roderick Teerink (born 1976), a Dutch-Argentine actor and music producer Sabine Marcelis (born 1985), a Dutch-New Zealander artist and designer Melissa Venema (born 1995), a Dutch trumpet player Science and business[edit] Pieter van Foreest, ca.1590 Petrus Forestus (1521–1597), a prominent physician of the Dutch Republic Adriaan Anthonisz (1527–1607), a mathematician, surveyor, cartographer, military engineer and burgomaster of Alkmaar Willem Blaeu (1571–1638), a Dutch cartographer, atlas maker and publisher Adriaan Metius (1571–1635), a Dutch geometer and astronomer Cornelis Drebbel (1572–1633), a Dutch engineer, in 1620 built the first navigable submarine Jan Leeghwater (1575–1650), a Dutch architect, mill builder and hydraulic engineer Joan Blaeu (1598–1673), a Dutch cartographer Adriaan Reland (1676–1718), a Dutch Orientalist scholar and cartographer Hendrik Willem Bakhuis Roozeboom (1854–1907), a Dutch chemist who studied phase behaviour in physical chemistry Alfred Peet (1920–2007), founder of American coffee retailer Peet's Coffee Jacob Gelt Dekker (1948–2019), a Dutch businessman, philanthropist and writer Sport[edit] Maarten van der Weijden, 2008 Dewi Claire Schreefel, 2012 Harm Ottenbros (1943–2022), a Dutch road bicycle racer, 1969 world champion Dick Quax (1948–2018), a Dutch-born New Zealand long-distance runner Hans Nijman (1959–2014), a Dutch former mixed martial artist and professional wrestler Richard Goulooze (born 1967), a Dutch former professional footballer with 351 club caps Michel Vonk (born 1968), a Dutch former professional footballer with 342 club caps Jakko Jan Leeuwangh (born 1972), a former speed skater Macha van der Vaart (born 1972), a Dutch field hockey player, team bronze and silver medallist at the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics Steven de Jongh (born 1973), a Dutch former road bicycle racer brothers Yuri Cornelisse (born 1975) and Tim Cornelisse (born 1978), Dutch retired footballers with 371 and 445 club caps Jochem Verberne (born 1978), rower, team silver medallist in the 2000 Summer Olympics Maarten van der Weijden (born 1981), a Dutch long distance and marathon swimmer; Dutch Sportsman of the year 2008 Theo Bos (born 1983), a Dutch road and track cyclist Wesley Harms (born 1984), a Dutch professional darts player Gago Drago (born 1985), an Armenian-Dutch welterweight kickboxer Dewi Claire Schreefel (born 1985), a Dutch female professional golfer on the LPGA Tour Tom Büdgen (born 1985), a Dutch professional wrestler who previously worked in WWE, currently signed to All Elite Wrestling under the ring name Malakai Black Yvonne Hak (born 1986), a Dutch middle-distance runner, won gold at the 2010 European Athletics Championships Nycke Groot (born 1988), a Dutch handball player, 141 caps with the women's national team Joyce Sombroek (born 1990), a Dutch field hockey goalkeeper, team gold and silver medallist at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics Fabian Holland (born 2002), a Dutch born rugby player with the New Zealand rugby team, All Blacks Indy Dontje (born 1992), a Dutch racing driver