Scavenger hunt in Haarlem

Flower 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!

Spot a Dutch cheese stall in Haarlem

Find a cheese stall on the Grote Markt or in a shop window with Gouda wheels. Photograph the stack.

Spot a Frans Hals painting reference

Find a Frans Hals reference: museum poster, postcard, the painter himself in a souvenir shop. Photograph the reference.

Spot a Grote Markt market day stall

On a Saturday or Monday find the Grote Markt market stalls (flowers, cheese, herring). Outside market days, photograph the square. Photograph a stall or the square.

Spot a Haarlem bakery appeltaart

Find an appeltaart (apple tart with cinnamon and raisins) in a Haarlem bakery window. Photograph the tart.

Spot a Haarlem Bart Smit toy or Dutch shop

Find a Dutch chain store (Hema, Albert Heijn AH To Go, Blokker) facade in Haarlem. Photograph the storefront.

Spot a Haarlem bell gable (klokgevel)

Find a bell-shaped gable (klokgevel) on a Haarlem facade (less common than steps, but Haarlem has them). Photograph the bell shape.

Spot a Haarlem bitterballen plate

Find a plate of bitterballen on a Haarlem café table. Photograph the line-up.

Spot a Haarlem boat-shaped street tile

Find a hand-painted ceramic street-name tile on a Haarlem corner. Photograph the lettering.

Spot a Haarlem brown café

Find a Haarlem bruin café (dark wood, smoke-stained, beer pumps). Photograph the interior or the doorway.

Spot a Haarlem Dutch flag

Find a Dutch flag flying on a Haarlem building, balcony or canal house. Photograph it.

Spot a Haarlem Dutch upright bike

Find a Dutch upright bike parked along the Bakenessergracht or Spaarne. Photograph the bike with the canal in shot.

Spot a Haarlem haring with onions

Find raw Hollandse Nieuwe herring with chopped onion at a Haarlem haringkraam. Photograph the silver fish.

Spot a Haarlem hofje (almshouse)

Find one of the Haarlem hofjes (almshouses): Proveniershof, Brouwershofje, Hofje van Bakenes. Photograph the courtyard through the gate.

Spot a Haarlem poffertjes plate

Find a plate of poffertjes (small Dutch pancakes) at a market stall or pancake house. Photograph the plate.