Amsterdam Itinerary Questions

1&2) Have been to ACM but not to Haarlem. Was at ACM for the 2nd time last month and didn't find anything special. Fab flea market in Delft. Leiden is also delightful if you are wanting out of Amsterdam.

3) Went to both last month and especially like Rijks.

Can't comment on Zaanse Schans but Haarlem is a cute town to visit except on Monday when a lot of things are closed. Given your short time in Amsterdam, you may just want to stick closer to the city. Re: Rijksmuseum, check the ticket count for the days you are there. It's unlikely things will sell out for every time slot but you might not have your first pick. I myself would not try to do both museums on one day, as it's easy to get arted-out.

1. I have not been to Zaanse Schans (went to Kinderdijk instead), but I like Haarlem quite a bit. If there are "No Shows" for the tour at the Corrie Ten Boom House, the facility will accept others who show up to be "standby" tour takers if space becomes available. This worked for 2 people on our tour.

2. I like the Haarlem market. Stroopwafel fresh off the grill. Yum. The market offerings are varied, and there a number of second-hand shops in Haarlem.

3. I agree with the recommendation above of not doing Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum on the same day.

I’ve been to both Haarlem and Zaanse Schans and any comparison is an apples and oranges proposition. Haarlem is a lovely city with a charming center and some very good museums. If you like Dutch Masters, the Frans Hal Museum is a good bet.

Zaanse Schans is an open-air interpretive museum made up of buildings/structures that were moved there to create what looks like a little village. If you are interested in experiencing a working windmill or seeing a craftsperson making wooden shoes, this is a good option. I'm wondering if what people say about it being a “tourist trap” is because there are a lot of tourists there (bus loads) or it feels commercial (very big gift shop) and not quite authentic to them (it isn’t a “real” village)? Or all three? We knew most of that going in and enjoyed it for what it is.

Having been to both and knowing that my husband enjoys Dutch Masters and a good piece of apple pie more than wooden shoe crafting, I would choose Haarlem for a day together.

I missed the Haarlem Grote Markt, but I have been to Albert Cuyp Markt. I remember it as being sort of utilitarian (home goods, fabric, clothing) with souvenirs and lots of food stalls both fresh and prepared. I’m more of a flea market kind of girl so it was interesting, high-energy and busy, but I didn’t buy anything. From what I’ve read the Haarlem Markt isn’t the same on Saturdays as it is on Mondays so that may play into your decision.

Don’t bother with the Monday market in Haarlem, just a couple of stalls. There is a flee market in Haarlem on Saturdays so you would miss that one.

Do note that most museums in Haarlem are closed on Monday and shops only open up after 13:00 so I would take that in account when planning.

hey hey htwade
been to amsterdam twice several years ago. here's several sites to check out if interested.
smidtjecanacruises.nl
we did the evening cruise which was really nice. sit back and relax so see the city canals and it's beauty all lit up. enjoy
getyourguide.com
a reseller, we did the amsterdam evening (sunset) canal cruise with a drink, it was great. we have done a few tours/activities with them in other cities with no issues and was very happy with them. people either love them or dislike them, your decision
thisisholland.com
flight simulation over the netherlands, really liked this
tours-tickets.com
check the countryside (zaanse schans, marken, edam, volendam). see it all in one day. we did a private tour with four of us and loved it. yes parts are "touristy" but we are tourists. nice to see the different villages and the windmills
albertcuyp-markt.amsterdam
loved this pedestrian market, blocks and blocks with so much to see, do and eat. walking thru the little farmers market buying stuff for our apartment since we stayed a week.
amsterdamfoodie.nl
rijsttafel (rice table), indonesian restaurants, well known here with small dishes to share of all kinds of food. look at the different restaurants that serve it
freedamtours.com
haarlemcanaltours.com
we took the train, walked around the plaza, had lunch and dessert (poffertjes) at a pop-up in the plaza.
foodhallen.nl
food and drinks market square with a diversity of around the world appetites and cuisines
amsterdamtulipmuseum.com
amsterdamexcursies.nl
different tours offered.
be prepared for BIKES BIKES BIKES everywhere, busy, fun and crowded city, plus you may smell marijuana in the air since they do have "coffee shops" that sell it. we sat at rembrandt square at outside table and enjoyed people watching. we also stopped in the casino to play some slots, walked thru the red light district hearing a live band in a small crowded bar, had a drink with some fun & crazy people with us all singing off key "sweet caroline bomp bomp bomp" so so fun.
9 straatjes "streets" amsterdam: shopping, cafes, what to see (toursinamsterdam.com)
tasteatlas.com amsterdam
go have fun, lots to see and do, enjoy
aloha

Zaanse Schans vs Haarlem: Zaandam is not a very pretty place, I lived there for a year. The Zaanse Schans is pretty and its impressive to see 7, 8 windmills all in a row, but there are plenty of pickpockets there and its a bit fake. Haarlem, however, is stunning and you can see windmills with a stunning church with very nice cafes and bars. Go to the Jopen brewery for delicious beers.

On the markets: Albert Cuyp is a real working market rather than a pretty one. I like the Mexican foods/ taco stands.

Nobody has mentioned food yet: check out Surinamese and Indonesian foods, Suriname food is a Dutch favorite and is basically the best of Indonesian, Indian and Caribbean Jerk cuisines merged into one. Dutch people eat it all the time and it is not found in many other places in the world.

Source: I work as a guide in Amsterdam.

Thank you everyone for all the helpful info and opinions and suggestions in your responses!

Most markets in the Netherlands I have been to are worth a walk, but most are limited, with either all tourist and food items, or items you likely have no interest in. Unless you want to buy a wedge of cheese, the best things are ready made food, bakery items, a fish stand selling kibbeling and herring, and a place with frites.

The Albert Cuyp market is a bit (or a lot) touristy, worth a walk though. They do have a more varied food scene, with lots of different cuisines and "street food" items. The fact they they are there most days helps, you can show up close to lunch time and get a few things. I can't speak to the Haarlem market, there is a decent Thursday market in Delft on Thursdays, and in Leiden on Wednesday and Saturday. Both of those towns are decent markets, the Leiden Saturday market being pretty good, and less touristy. There is also a huge one in Rotterdam on Tuesdays and Saturdays, but that is a bit further (though maybe only 40 minutes to an hour by train) A bonus in Rotterdam would be also going to the very stylish market hall.

Just to be complete and prevent confusion.

The Saturday market on de Grote Markt en Botermarkt is mainly food, flowers and some cloths. The flee market on the Dreef on Saturdays is a 20 minute walk from the Grote Markt and is limited to the Summer. Of course, there are markets in the various Haarlem neighborhoods outside the city center on weekdays but I personally don’t think the effort to get to them is worth the experience. The Haarlem Monday market is now significantly reduced to two or three stalls and with most things closed on Mondays, it won’t give you a proper feel of what markets and Haarlem are like.