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Kaasmarkt Alkmaar
Kaasmarkt Alkmaar
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4.0
781 reviews
Excellent
303
Very good
319
Average
119
Poor
25
Terrible
15
Jellybellydancer
Burscough, UK1,444 contributions
Sept 2022
If you are visiting Alkmaar on a Friday over the summer, you will inevitably end up at the cheese market where men in traditional costumes inspect the large wheels of gouda, then carry them on barrows to be weighed.
Yes it's touristy, but it's also great fun and interesting to watch and a marvellous way of keeping traditions alive.
While the men are carrying the cheese, the girls walk up and down the crown selling bags of cheese, 10 euros for a reusable bag, a pencil case and 3 generous chunks of mild, mature and extra mature gouda, significantly cheaper than the nearby cheese van.
Even in September the crowds were 3-4 people deep, but they rotate quickly as people move on.
Around the market are plenty of stalls selling souvenirs and traditional Dutch snacks and don't forget to explore the rest of this pretty town.
Yes it's touristy, but it's also great fun and interesting to watch and a marvellous way of keeping traditions alive.
While the men are carrying the cheese, the girls walk up and down the crown selling bags of cheese, 10 euros for a reusable bag, a pencil case and 3 generous chunks of mild, mature and extra mature gouda, significantly cheaper than the nearby cheese van.
Even in September the crowds were 3-4 people deep, but they rotate quickly as people move on.
Around the market are plenty of stalls selling souvenirs and traditional Dutch snacks and don't forget to explore the rest of this pretty town.
Written 11 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
expat_mbk
USA679 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
This was fantastic - just follow the signs from the train station (google maps will take you to the wrong place)! During the Summer, the market runs every Friday morning. It was supposed to start at 9:30am but it actually started closer to 10am. It went on for quite a while and there were tons of things to see around the town too. It's really charming and you'll be filled to the brim with cheese samples!
Written 3 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
greshnoflibops
Alkmaar, The Netherlands35 contributions
Sept 2019
This event occurs each friday morning during the summer season [easter to September] One can witness the traditional 'auction' sale of the cheese made in various parts of Holland. The cheeses are laid out for inspection and then loaded onto stretchers carried by the traditionally clothed 'Cheese Bearers' and taken to the 'weighpoint' in its historical building. There is a running commentary [about 20 mins] in Dutch, English, German and French. Entertaining and informative. There is also a market through the ajoining streets which can be quite interesting.
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KarenW
48 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
Alkmaar cheese trading started in 1365.
And now each Friday from March to September, the Waagplein comes alive with a re-enactment of early cheese traders.
Cheese carriers, outfitted in traditional white garb, and colorful straw hats, transport the cheeses on wooden sleds called “berries” which hold as much as eight cheese wheels, weighing 13 kilo (29 lbs) each.
Buyers and sellers negotiate the price of cheese through a series of hand slapping gestures.
Cheese is brought to the weighing house, where it’s weighed, then brought to wagons for further transport.
Really fun to watch.
But arrive at least an hour prior for a seat or good vantage point.
There’s also a good view from the cheese museum, but not as much fun.
And now each Friday from March to September, the Waagplein comes alive with a re-enactment of early cheese traders.
Cheese carriers, outfitted in traditional white garb, and colorful straw hats, transport the cheeses on wooden sleds called “berries” which hold as much as eight cheese wheels, weighing 13 kilo (29 lbs) each.
Buyers and sellers negotiate the price of cheese through a series of hand slapping gestures.
Cheese is brought to the weighing house, where it’s weighed, then brought to wagons for further transport.
Really fun to watch.
But arrive at least an hour prior for a seat or good vantage point.
There’s also a good view from the cheese museum, but not as much fun.
Written 20 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands5,752 contributions
Sept 2022
Actually the cheese on show during the reenactment in Alkmaar is Gouda cheese from South-Holland. Not that it alters the picture very much. A fun presentation of how the market once was operated.
Of the five cheese markets held in Holland (mostly during summer), the ones in Gouda and Woerden are still more or less authentic. The ones in Edam and Hoorn are reenactments as well. Personally I like the one in Gouda most.
Of the five cheese markets held in Holland (mostly during summer), the ones in Gouda and Woerden are still more or less authentic. The ones in Edam and Hoorn are reenactments as well. Personally I like the one in Gouda most.
Written 20 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
helstravels
Redcar, UK871 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
I've wanted to see this for years and pleased to get here. A short walk from the train station. Crowds gather on a Friday morning and the atmosphere is fun,as well as fast paced as the cheese men skillfully do a funny run in a truly theatrical spectacle
You would be well advised to attend this in this charming town.
You would be well advised to attend this in this charming town.
Written 21 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sunshine605777
16 contributions
Jul 2022
Highly recommend! We came through Alkmaar on a Thursday and loved the charm of the small town with its canals and history. We went through the cheese museum, had lunch in a lovely cafe by the water and window shopped. We were so intrigued that we came back the next day for the big Cheese Market on Friday. Totally different experience, and totally worth it! We loved all of the vendors in the market, tried lots of new foods, and enjoyed the spectacle of the traditional cheese weighing and auction.
Easy walk from the train station. Make a day of it!
Easy walk from the train station. Make a day of it!
Written 14 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian R
Horsens, Denmark759 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
The visit to Alkmaar was fabulous. Beautiful town with lots of places to discover and a lot of beautiful old houses. The cheese market, however, was a tourist trap, crammed to the brink and beyond. Go visit when there is no market. You can still taste and buy the very delicious cheeses. There are good parking facilities near the town center, if you go by car.
Written 3 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margaret V
Brooklyn, NY82 contributions
Jun 2022
A fun day trip out to the Alkmaar Cheese market (Friday’s in the summer) - you get a sense of history in this quaint town, while watching tradition in action. It doesn’t take that long and is an easy commute from Amsterdam Central station. Get a sense of how this started, and watch (and taste) how it’s run today. Worth the day trip, if you have ‘done’ all the standard stuff in Amsterdam.
Written 25 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HadasShahar
Haifa, Israel3 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
The alkmaar cheese market is the definition of a tourist trap. you pay 15 euros for a round trip from amsterdam to arrive to a very small market. Exactly 3 cheese stands, crowded with many tourists. To compare, the Grote market in Haarlm had much more cheese stands, with many more cheese types and with the option to taste them all, in your own time and free space.
Written 6 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alguien sabe si para abril abra mercado de quesos ?
Written 28 March 2023
You have to check on internet.
Written 10 September 2019
Alguien sabe si durante octubre de 2019 se realizará el mercado los viernes por la mañana?
Written 2 September 2019
Der Käsemarkt in Alkmaar ist nur Freitags vom 29.März - 27. September 2019
Written 11 September 2019
How long should we plan on being here? Coming on Friday for the market.
Written 29 December 2018
You will need the whole morning. Get there least an hour early, we did and all the front row was still taken. It is a long time standing but well worth it. There were some formalities beforehand which were boring. Go into the shop, they have large yummy cheese samples wrapped in plastic. As we were not in the front row we waited till the main part was over, people were leaving and we got great photos of the men carrying the cheeses. Really loved it and not far to walk from the station.
Written 29 December 2018
How do you get there from Amsterdam? THe NS website says the stations are invalid when I try to book my ticket online.
Written 4 September 2018
Alkmaar train station is within walking distance of the Cheese Market. Best way is buy ticket at Amsterdam Centraal. Go earlyish as market closes at Noon promptly on a Friday. We went by car but had massive problem parking.
Written 6 September 2018
Dear Sue,
I am visiting Alkmaar on June 6th July Friday but will be very tight to visit the cheese market.
Came to know that there is a cheese market in Tuesday nights also in July from 7 to 9 pm
Is it true, As a person from the area, your feedback on this regard shall be highly appreciated
Thank you
Written 15 May 2018
Hello!
What is the minimum purchase of the cheese at the Cheese Market and how does it usually go if i am interested to purchase? Thanks!
Written 20 February 2018
There is NO minimum purchase of Cheese at the Cheese Market. You do not have to buy cheese but you will be missing out if you don't :)
Written 21 February 2018
venerdì 27 aprile è festa del re (koningsdag)il mercato del formaggio si svolge regolarmente ??
Written 10 October 2017
non saprei ho visitato l'olanda in agosto
Written 17 October 2017
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