We are staying two nights in Alkmaar as a base for various things we want to see. However, how crucial is seeing the cheese market? We would need to cut our Amsterdam sightseeing short by a day in order to make the cheese market.
Our group is a family with an 11 and 13 year old -- we're not big fans of crowds -- and we'll have plenty of time to explore Alkmaar and surrounds, just not at the cheese market time.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
8156 posts
Understandably, you’re not big fans of crowds, but how fanatical are you about cheeses?
Posted by
Boston
55 posts
Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I say not that important. Do check out the square where the market is & the cheese museum if you're interested in it. But also: if you decide you want to see the Friday morning production, you definitely don't need stay very long. You could watch the first 5-10 minutes to get a feel, and then head out for your day. It is fun to watch, but I wish I'd spent less time there. I was based in Haarlem & spent my morning & lunch in Alkmaar before heading on to Hoorn...kind of wish I'd had more time in Hoorn.