Haarlem and Amsterdam in November 2025 - few questions

Miles, I have visited Amsterdam only once, staying perhaps five nights in 2023. My only observation is that I cannot recommend staying in Harlaam, which I know RS has long advocated. Too much travel and the Amsterdam train station can be a challenge to navigate. Harlaam is a pleasant half-day excursion. But most visit Amsterdam to see Amsterdam.

I visited in early December, and it was very cold. I was in England and Paris in early November last year, and the weather was fine. Cold but not freezing. Gray but little rain.

We loved staying in Haarlem ( check your spelling) this past April 2024. I'll attach my Trip Report, perhaps it will be helpful.
From our quiet hotel in Haarlem, it was a two minute walk to the train station, and a 15 min train ride to Amsterdam central train station. We found the train stations easy to navigate, and loved the tap system of buying train and tram ticket. Lodging is much cheaper in Haarlem, and we felt the town was charming and comfortable. We also stayed in Leiden, and if we returned, not sure which town we'd choose, as we loved both.
April was brisk and breezy, but we had a wonderful trip, and I'd like to return soon. The wind was exceptionally strong, but if you have the appropriate gear, you'll be fine. The weather doesn't stop the locals.
Have a great trip. Safe travels!

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/the-netherlands-belgium-april-2024-brought-the-rain-pants-needed-the-rain-pants

My guess is that you mean Haarlem rather than Harlaam? If your goal is to visit Amsterdam, it makes more sense to actually stay there instead of somewhere else. In November the crowds in Amsterdam should not be too bad.
If you do want to stay in 2 bases, I would pick someplace else a bit further away from Amsterdam. For instance in Delft or Utrecht.

I also plead guilty on misspelling Haarlem. Others will be responding who have spent more time in Amsterdam and the Netherlands than I have. I have already described what my experience was. Certainly, with seven full days in Amsterdam and Haarlem and three nights in Amsterdam, you should have more than adequate time to fully explore Amsterdam.

My only other comment is that as a general travel statement, early November seems a good time to visit. Less crowded. True winter weather has not yet arrived. Pricing should be less absent major conventions. But do check out whether historically your time period is abnormally wet.

I have stayed in Amsterdam, Haarlem, Delft, Leiden and loved them all. Since both of you like cities, Amsterdam is a fabulous one!

I know that Nov. isn't quite winter yet, but the weather may still be rainy. If you decide to stay in Amsterdam, plan on taking day trips to the other lovely places on dry days. Rick has very good self-guided walking tours for all of them in his Amsterdam guidebook which can me done in a day.

I find it a toss up where to stay. Amsterdam can get crazy for room availability and expense in the central canal zone, but the side canals are lovely, hotels/b&bs quaint, and it makes for a lovely stay. That said, maybe ten or so trips to the area, I maybe have stayed there once. If the cost does not scare you and there is availability, then stay there your three nights.

For eight nights, I take it you are planning on daytripping to other cities? Five nights in Haarlem, forjust Haarlem, would be too many unless you are intent in just relaxing. Haarlem has a wonderful array of restaurants, an active evening scene, especially on the weekends, a brewery or two, and some worthwhile sights. For day trips, it is well situated for getting to Leiden, Den Haag, Delft. Alkmaar, and other towns. Amsterdam is a pleasant trip in less than 30 minutes. I have stayed in Haarlem a couple times for visiting Amsterdam (but not solely Amsterdam) it works well, unless you are intent on late night partying, or not wanting to commit a few hours to visiting Amsterdam (I wouldn't try dashing in for a meal only)

If day trips are in the plan and you are looking for a base, Leiden is also nice, as is Den Haag (Delft more quaint) and Leiden is well located for the airport. In Amsterdam, if cost becomes an issue, the area near Sloterdijk train station has several hotels, only a few minutes by train to Centraal, 15 to the airport. It is not as scenic, but works well.

Also should add, been to Amsterdam a couple times in November, there can be warm sunny days that are very pleasant, but also cool and rainy days that settle in to wet dreary weather for a few days. Bring layers and a rain shell to navigate the changes.

I am another one who fails to understand why Rick Steves recommends that anyone stay in Haarlem. It’s fine for a day trip, but that would really be it for me. I found it very crowded and somewhat touristed. I really enjoyed staying in Amsterdam. I loved the atmosphere, the people, the sites, the food. I don’t understand how anyone would want to stay elsewhere.

And another benefit of staying in Amsterdam is that if you want to see some of the outlying towns, it makes a perfect place. You can get to Leiden, Delft, the Hague, and many more towns much more easily by staying in Amsterdam.

Oh, Mardee, you're such a gift to this Forum, (and our shopping addictions), but I respectfully disagree! (Wink emoji)

We stayed at the end of November last year in Amsterdam, Delft, Utrecht and some places in Belgium. We found a lovely little apartment on a canal in Amsterdam and absolutely we're glad we stayed in the city. We liked all of the places we stayed.

The weather took a turn the day we left and the lows were down around 20°F (one or two nights were at 18°F brrr) and the highs were only around freezing and it was very very cold with the humidity. Don't underestimate the weather there. Check continually until the day you leave and be ready to throw in options in case it takes a turn.

Pat, I know! And I usually clarify my opinion by saying I am in the minority. But today was a long day and I just ran out of steam.. :-)

I loved the charm and small town feel of Haarlem. After a few days felt overwhelmed by so many bikes in Amsterdam, so I think if I go back to Amsterdam I'll stay in Haarlem, but I wouldn't split it up like you are thinking, because I look at Haarlem as a suburb of Amsterdam; think of hopping on the train to go home after work in the big city kind of commute. So I'd do 5 nights in one or the other and then 3 nights somewhere entirely different. (It sounds ridiculous to write this, but I really loved that I could walk around Haarlem without worrying about being wiped out by all the bikes.)

But, based on your thought process, your split plan would work for you. And clearly you'll have a marvelous time!