Amsterdam vs. Haarlem Base

We stayed in Amsterdam for 8 nights over Christmas. While I thought Haarlem was a charming small town, there is no way I'd choose to stay there instead of Amsterdam. Nothing is quite like walking around Amsterdam at night. It is a very interesting, vibrant, exciting city.

It really depends on whether you want a quiet setting or an "interesting, vibrant, exciting" city-setting. If I were younger, I might prefer Amsterdam but since I'm not, I prefer Haarlem.

If you're traveling by train for day trips around the region, it might make sense to be closer to the Central Train station in Amsterdam.

We were just there in Sept and really enjoyed Haarlem -- more for the contrast than convenience. It was just so pleasant, peaceful to catch the train back to Haarlem after the crush, intensity, of Amsterdam. The restaurants with outdoor seating around the city square were more enjoy than what we found for lunch in Amsterdam.

For five nights, it has to be Amsterdam. You will go stir-crazy in Haarlem on the third morning -- but don't skip it.

Ed, is that a firm opinion? I would agree if staying in Haarlem but as a bedroom we liked it and would return.

That would have been my wishy-washy, no self-confidence, namby-pampy traing side poking through. If I strongly believed it, I would have said ........

Frank's right, I was thinking of staying in town the whole time.

To answer that question, first you have to answer mine... what do you want out of a place to stay? Is quiet more important, or convenience? Is security more important, or gritty ambience?

My wife didn't care for stepping over needles and passed out 'extracurricular casualties' in Amsterdam... and would lean toward a nice quiet meal on the square (Haarlem).

We've only based in Amsterdam, but could easily (very, very easily) see using Haarlem as a base -- especially for those who prize the quiet of their late evenings.

I'd definitely vote for Amsterdam -- and skip the hassle of traveling to and from Haarlem every day.

Stay in Amsterdam and rent a houseboat. You will not regret it! Haarlem is easily reached by train; worth seeing, too. We used houseboathotel.nl to find a houseboat. Our teens loved it.

I wondered the same a few yrs back. I ended up staying in both. but found that it is better to stay in amsterdam and just go for the day to Haarlem to visit thisz charming town with its sights. I foound train fares can add up quickly for the rd trip from Haalem to Amsterdam.

Well here is my two cents worth. my 8 year old son and I stayed in Haarlem for 5 nights last year. it is a quick 20 min train into amsterdam every day and a nice scenic way to start the day. Haarlem was lovely and we never ran out things to see or do. lots of easy daytrips from here. I can understand though if you are wanting a night life Haarlem isn't the place.

both of coursse would be lovely

Kelly

We have stayed in both places and found both to have their plusses and minuses.
We stayed in Haarlem before staying in Amsterdam. When we return we will be staying in Haarlem. Plenty to do early in the AM and quiet enough after a day in Amsterdam. I think the above posts have done a good job of explaining things.