Home Exchange in Haarlem

Harleem is a town 15 minutes by public transport from Amsterdam, so any trip should include a tour of its charming historic center and canals and a visit to the oldest museum in the country and a church converted into a brewery. One can get lost in t... Read More

Harleem is a town 15 minutes by public transport from Amsterdam, so any trip should include a tour of its charming historic center and canals and a visit to the oldest museum in the country and a church converted into a brewery. One can get lost in the narrow alleys of this secret city. Only the chimes and bells of its gaudy churches accompany you. Haarlem is quite an old city and was already founded in pre-medieval times. As a good Dutch city, it is full of canals, has a few nice historical buildings, a market square, an elaborate town hall and quite quiet streets with little motor traffic, very suitable for cycling. In addition to its tulip fairs and windmills (a nod to traditional Dutch clichés), Haarlem is quite famous for the number of artists and art galleries that have set up shop in its streets. The notion of a happy life, without conflict, noise or pollution, comes to seem a travesty in these streets, particularly in Proveniershuis, the oldest neighborhood, dating from the 17th century and the entire area around its cathedral, built in the 16th century, in Grote Kerk. Although everything looks like a model, it is not, the Dutch are authentically calm and cheerful. The historic center retains a profile of low houses in winding streets where only gables and steeples stand out. Like the Gothic cathedral of St. Bavo, which serves as a landmark to orient yourself around every corner. The temple is imposing, almost excessive for the surroundings. On the outside, its dark brick mass shelters rows of tendrils attached to its walls, as in ancient times. Inside, admire its proportions and its nakedness. Its gigantic organ, the largest in the world when it was built in 1735, also amazes; Händel, Mozart (when he was only 10 years old), Mendelssohn or Liszt played on it. The cathedral presides over the Grote Markt or Main Square, whose perimeter is closed by the Renaissance Town Hall, the Vleeshal and the Vishal (meat and fish markets, respectively), both converted into art spaces, and another very lively monument: the Grand Café Brinkmann, which since 1881 has been a meeting point for artists, writers and the forces of life, preserving the charm of the belle époque. And the food is wonderful. The best thing about this city are the yogurt shops, stores where both yogurt and kaffir (a more fermented type of yogurt) are made with milk from "happy cows". The same chains are in charge of ensuring animal-free production and supplies of fruits and cereals from nearby farms. Every Saturday only, in the Grote Markt, the heart of the city, an unforgettable little market is set up. Unforgettable for the sale of artisanal cheeses from regional producers, jams, pastries, pastries, fruit and flowers, hundreds of flowers. The perfect plan is to arrive by bike, fill the basket with regional products and head to some of the hundreds of green spaces that the city has for a picnic. It is well worth staying nearby and coming back and forth dozens of times during the day because you will want to try everything! Want to make the most of your trip to Harleem? We have another pro tip for you: exchange homes with People Like Us. We are one of the most reliable, safe and largest home exchange communities. Our members are reliable, friendly and amazing hosts. You won't have a hard time finding a like-minded person to exchange homes with for your trip to Harleem. Reduce your accommodation budget. Start exchanging homes with People Like Us!