Find the perfect experience in a few steps
Start overFlower coronation
Haarlem is THE flower city. Crown the guest of honour with a sash, tiara or bunch of flowers you find or buy along the way, and take a photo of the official coronation. The more flowers, the better.
Flower photo
Haarlem sits in the heart of the bulb region and flowers are everywhere. Buy a bunch of flowers or find a flower stall at the market and take a cheerful group photo where everyone holds a flower or wears one in their hair.
Haarlem local wanted
Locals say Haarlemmers speak the most beautiful Dutch in the country. Convince a random Haarlemmer to share one fun fact about the city, and take a photo with your impromptu city guide.
Hidden courtyard
Haarlem has dozens of hidden almshouse courtyards (hofjes) with green inner gardens. Find one (an open gate, a sign saying "hofje") and take a quiet group photo inside. Mind your volume, people still live there.
Hout picnic for the guest of honour
In the Haarlemmerhout the guest of honour can take a break. Build a living throne with the team (a bench or linked hands) and place them in the middle. Take the most regal photo of the day under the trees.
Kick-off in the flower city
The party starts! Find a true Haarlem spot (a canal, a courtyard, a bridge over the Spaarne) and take a group photo where everyone jumps in the air at the same time with the guest of honour in the middle. Everyone off the ground, otherwise it does not count.
On the Haarlem bike
Haarlem is a true cycling town, with narrow streets full of bicycles. Take a group photo where everyone holds, sits on or stands next to a bike. The more bikes, the better.
Painter's light
The Grote Markt has appeared in paintings of the Dutch Masters for centuries. Take a group photo on the square with the Bavo Church or city hall clearly in frame, and pretend you are posing for Frans Hals himself.
Spaarne selfie
The Spaarne is the lifeline of Haarlem and has been painted for centuries. Find a beautiful spot at the water (a bridge, a quay) and take a group photo with the Spaarne and ideally a windmill or warehouse behind you.
Spaarne terrace cheers
Along the Spaarne or on the Grote Markt you sit on one of the prettiest terraces in the country. Order something festive, clink with the whole team and take a photo of the official toast. To the guest of honour!
Spotlight in the Haarlem sun
The final challenge! Find a beautiful Haarlem spot (the Bavo Church, the Spaarne, a canal) and take a great closing group photo with the guest of honour at the centre and a true Haarlem backdrop. A photo for the ages, well done everyone!
To St. Bavo's Church
The Grote of Sint-Bavokerk is the icon of Haarlem. Navigate to the church and check in once you stand in its huge shadow.
To Teylers Museum
The oldest museum in the Netherlands sits along the Spaarne. Navigate to Teylers Museum and check in once you face its facade.
To the Grote Markt
The beating heart of Haarlem, with the Bavo Church and the city hall as backdrop. Navigate to the Grote Markt and check in among the terraces.
To the Haarlemmerhout
The oldest park in the Netherlands sits on the south side of town. Navigate to the Haarlemmerhout and check in among the old trees.
Trivia: City rights of Haarlem
Haarlem received its city rights early in the 13th century from Count William II. In what year was that?
Trivia: First train
In 1839 the very first Dutch train ran, between Amsterdam and Haarlem. Roughly how many years ago was that (rounded to tens)?
Trivia: Frans Hals
One of Haarlem's most famous painters even has a museum named after him. What is his first name?
Trivia: The oldest museum
Teylers Museum is special because it is the oldest museum in the Netherlands. What other superlative does it carry, beyond "oldest in the Netherlands"? Fill in: the oldest ___ museum in the Netherlands still in its original state.
Under the Bavo
St. Bavo's towers above the city. Take a group photo with the entire church in frame, hold your phone in landscape and step back far enough. Nobody is allowed to duck.