Small Group Alkmaar Cheese Market and City Tour *English*
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Visit the famous Alkmaar Cheese Market and the historic city of Alkmaar in this 2.5 hour small group walking tour. Stand on the cobbled square of the beautiful Weighing House (Waag) and watch as thousands of kilograms of cheese are traded as it was centuries ago! Learn all about the history of the Cheese Market, the Weighing House, the Cheese Carriers Guild and other interesting facts in a relaxed and fun way. You will even have a chance to sample some delicious Dutch cheese from a local farmer. You will be at the cheese market for approximately 1.5 hours which is plenty of time to see everything cheese!
Once you have had your fill of the cheese market, your expert Canadian guide will take you through Alkmaar's beautiful historic, medieval centre.
A tour not to be missed!
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult and must be able to walk several kilometers and stand for long periods of time
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Dogs (except service animals) are not permitted
Due to large crowds, children in strollers/pushchairs might not be able to see the market properly
This tour involves a lot of walking and standing still for long periods of time
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Alkmaar Tours
Visit Alkmaar's traditional Cheese Market - the oldest in the Netherlands! In this 2.5 hour small group walking tour, you will learn all about Alkmaar's most well known attraction: the Cheese Market! You will also wander through Alkmaar's medieval centre and along pretty cobbled streets and picturesque canals. What to Expect on a Tour: • Visit the Alkmaar Cheese Market and watch the traditional way of trading cheese as it was centuries ago. You will watch the cheese being sold and then carried by the Cheese Carriers in a centuries old tradition. We will spend approximately 1.5 hours at the Cheese Market which is ample time to see everything. • Learn all about the history of the Cheese Market, the Weigh House and get a full description of what is happening in front of you! • Have the opportunity to try a variety of Dutch cheese and even buy some to take home (extra) • Walk through the cobbled streets of Alkmaar and along its picturesque canals • See some of Alkmaar's most famous buildings such as the Grote Sint Laurenskerk (Great St Lawrence Church), the Stadhuis (City Hall) and the Waag (the Weigh House) • Get an insight into Dutch culture and way of life through the eyes of a foreigner (Canadian) living in Alkmaar • Learn about the history of Alkmaar and why 'Victory Begins at Alkmaar!' Small group tours mean you get a more personalised experience - no following umbrellas or having to listen to your guide via a headset! Meeting Point: • Friday Cheese Market and City Tours will depart from outside the Alkmaar Train Station at 9am (to the left of the stairs)
Grote Sint Laurenskerk
We pass the Grote Sint Laurenskerk on our way to the Cheese Market. Learn about the history of the church and its significance.
What‘s Included
English speaking tour by a native speaker
Local guide: a Canadian living in Alkmaar
Transportation to/from Alkmaar
Any purchases
Options
Friday Alkmaar Cheese Market
Reviews
49 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great Guide and tour
julieaM2852UG,,Sep 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We really enjoyed the tour. Alkmaar was new to us and we had heard it was charming. We did enjoy learning the history and seeing the historical sites. Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. If you are interested in learning more about the actual history and lifestyle of Holland area, then this is the tour for you.
Great experience.
V8665NZcarinab,,Jun 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very interesting and highly recommended. Can be combined well with a stroll through the old town and a canal cruise.
The experience was much better than we anticipated and is something everyone should experience!
Stay17982696540,,Apr 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We couldn’t have had a more delightful day than with Jen. She met us at the train station and in addition to getting special seats for the Cheese Market, she also took us on a tour of the old City Center, which was anticipated but more enjoyable than anticipated. She knew many people in the Town Center and brought us to a man selling cheese, which she treated us to enjoy directly after seeing the cheese carriers. During our walk through town, she pointed out so many points of interest we wouldn’t have found on our own. Jen was informative and shared lots of interesting facts about the town. She set a nice pace for the walking portion of the tour which was comfortable for all attendees.
This was a great tour of...
Cari S,,Apr 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great tour of the city, and Jennifer was able to get us in a prime viewing spot of the cheese market. Alkmaar was a fun, small city to explore for the morning. We’d love to spend more time there later.
Top guides and tour in the Netherlands !!!
David E,,Aug 12, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00From the moment we met Jennifer, we knew we were in for an incredible day in Alkmaar. Her vibrant personality and extensive knowledge made our tour unforgettable. Jennifer is not only fun and outgoing but also full of fascinating stories that kept us engaged throughout the day. When we arrived at the famous cheese market, Jennifer's connections and expertise truly shone. She knew everyone and managed to secure us VIP seats, giving us the best possible view of the market. This special touch made the experience even more memorable. Jennifer also treated us to delicious cheese samples and ensured we captured the best photos and memories from our day in Alkmaar. I highly recommend Jennifer as a tour guide—she is simply the best. Her passion and dedication to providing an exceptional experience make her one of the top guides in the Netherlands. Don't miss the chance to explore Alkmaar with Jennifer!
Exellent Tour with a focus on the cheesemarket
James J,,Aug 11, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00I highly recommend this tour with Jen, she has great insider acess to Alkmaar and can show you the best spots to visit.
Best way to experience Alkmaar!
Sarah F,,Jun 15, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Jen was lovely and informative. Along the way to the cheese market she gave a detailed history of Alkmaar. She explained the cheese market in great detail so we knew what was happening. The experience would have meant nothing without her explanation. We were even able to get inside the gates to sit up close and personal to the activity and some cheese carriers came over to speak with us. I highly recommend this tour and in particular Jen leading it.
It's the cheesiest !
geoffl476,,May 24, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Stellar amazing fun time with our tour guide Jen! She shared the rich history of Alkmaar and its cheese trading traditions, explaining the customs, the role of cheese porters, and the weighing process. Some of the vendors setup along the route also have delicious 🧀 samples! We also strolled through Alkmaar's picturesque streets and canals. Jen pointed out historical landmarks and shared fascinating stories about the city. Highly recommended!
Excellent Tour!
BackPacker642565,,Apr 27, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highly recommend!! Jennifer is awesome and really enhanced the experience. Having a local, knowledgeable guide is so much better than just milling about in the crowd! 6 stars for Jennifer! Best part of our visit to the Netherlands 🇳🇱
Not to be missed … worth every euro !
TravelAddict01,,Apr 27, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a brilliant experience and Jen got us priority access which meant we had the best location midst the action, and a chance to interact with all the fun characters … We had such a great morning and I relived my childhood memories of visiting the market when I was 8 ! Jen was a fun and well informed and well connected guide and we would really recommend you book this tour. The walk around the city streets afterwards was also special and we learnt lots.
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Operated by Alkmaar Tours