Alkmaar travel guide — Alkmaar tourism and travel information

Alkmaar travel guide

about Alkmaar

Alkmaar (population 95,000) is a city in the north-western Netherlands, in the province of North Holland.

The municipality also comprises the following towns, villages and townships: Koedijk, Oudorp. These once separate villages are now all linked together by the suburban sprawl of buildings that arose between the late 70's and early 90's. During this time the population almost doubled.

Alkmaar was granted city rights in 1254. The oldest part of the city lies on a ancient sand bank that afforded some protection from the sea during medieval times. Even so, it is only a couple of metres above the surrounding region, which consists of some of the oldest polders in existence. A major point in history for the city was in 1573 when the siege of the city by the Spaniards under the leadership of the Duke of Alva was ended on the 8th of October. This was the first city in the Netherlands to be freed from the Spanish occupation, an occasion that is still celebrated every year on this day.

The city is nowadays mostly known for its cheese market. This traditionally takes place on Friday mornings between April and October. It is one of only four traditional Dutch Cheese Markets still in existence in the Netherlands. The traditional fare of this cheese market are those cheeses made in the local area, as opposed to the well-known brands of Dutch cheeses, i.e. Edam cheese and Gouda cheese. 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 show, 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 Weighing House is also the location of the local tourist office and the Cheese Museum. There is also a Beer Museum nearby.

The professional football team AZ is based in Alkmaar.

Near cities to Alkmaar

• Hoorn travel guide 21 km
• Edam travel guide 24 km
• Haarlemmermeer travel guide 29 km
• Haarlem travel guide 29 km
• Amsterdam travel guide 31 km
• Enkhuizen travel guide 37 km
• Amstelveen travel guide 38 km
• Almere travel guide 45 km
• Lelystad travel guide 51 km
• Hilversum travel guide 53 km

Near webcams to Alkmaar

• Heemskerk webcam 15 km
• Amsterdam webcam 31 km
• Amsterdam - DamStaete webcam 31 km
• Amsterdam webcam 33 km
• Amsterdam - Dam Square webcam 33 km
• Amsterdam - Cam 1 webcam 33 km
• Hilversum - Airport webcam 53 km
• Woerden - A12 webcam 62 km
• De Bilt - KNMI webcam 65 km
• Scheveningen - Pier webcam 67 km

back to top

Alkmaar travel services

cheap flights to Alkmaar

• book cheap flights to Alkmaar »
• book cheap flights to Netherlands »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of four main cheap airline tickets and cheap flights online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap airline tickets Alkmaar, cheap flights Alkmaar, also available cheap airline tickets to Netherlands and to the whole world. Up to date cheap flights Alkmaar deals also available.

cheap Alkmaar hotels

• book cheap hotels to Alkmaar »
• book cheap hotels to Netherlands »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main cheap hotels and accommodation online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap hotels in Alkmaar, Netherlands hotel guide and cheap hotels and accommodation in lot of other world-wide destinations. Up to date cheap Alkmaar hotel deals and discount accommodation tips also available.

cheap Alkmaar vacations

• book Alkmaar vacations »
• book Netherlands vacations »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main cheap vacations online booking systems. We are happy to offer cheap vacations in Alkmaar, Netherlands vacation rentals and cheap vacations in lot of other destinations world-wide. Up to date Alkmaar vacation deals also available.

cheap car rentals in Alkmaar

• book cheap car rental in Alkmaar »
• book cheap car rentals in Netherlands »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of main car rentals online booking systems. We are happy to offer car rentals in Alkmaar, car hire in Netherlands and cheap car rental in lot other world-wide destinations. Up to date cheap Alkmaar car hire deals also available.

Alkmaar travel insurance

• Alkmaar cheap travel insurance »
• cheap travel insurance for Netherlands »

City Travel Guide is exclusive partner of Essential Travel Ltd., leading online travel insurance company, we can offer you health travel insurance for Alkmaar, accident health Alkmaar travel insurance, all using our online Alkmaar travel insurance form. We also offer travel insurance for other cities in Netherlands. This offer is available for UK residents only.

Alkmaar real estate

• Alkmaar real estate guide »
• real estate listings in Netherlands »

City Travel Guide comes with Alkmaar real estate guide with several tips on home valuation, realtors comparison, secrets on finding the "right" home, loans guide and other helpful real estate advices. Our partners also maintain Alkmaar property for sale and rental listings, real estate laws and reviews. We will try to help you with buying property in Netherlands, choosing real estate agents, property finders, relocation help, and information for English speakers wanting to buy real estate in Alkmaar.

back to top

Alkmaar travel books

Alkmaar travel guide books

• Alkmaar travel guide books »
• Netherlands travel guide books »

Alkmaar maps and atlases

• Alkmaar maps and atlases »
• Netherlands maps and atlases »

back to top