The North Holland city of Alkmaar is famous worldwide for its cheese market. Cheese carriers can be seen in action on the Waagplein square every Friday between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. during the summer. Combine a visit to the cheese market with a walking tour of Alkmaar.

Cheese market

Cheese has been weighed in Alkmaar since 1635. Cheese carriers carry thousands of kilos of cheese from the Waagplein square to the weighing house every Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. from mid-April to mid-September. Incidentally, the cheese market is for tourists only; the real cheese trading takes place on the exchange nowadays.

Cheese museum

Alkmaar has much more to offer than a cheese market alone. And what better way to discover this city than during a walking tour along the almshouses, monuments and museums of Alkmaar. Naturally the walk also takes you to the 14th century weighing house. The Holland Cheese Museum is located on the second and third floors of the building. 

Practical information 

A 90 minutes walking tour is available through the VVV (Tourist Information Office). The VVV also organizes English-language guided tours through the city. More information can be obtained from the VVV office in Alkmaar.