The 8 Best Haarlem Tours & Boat Trips

1.Sightseeing Canal Cruise through the City Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 762 reviews · 50 min · from $19Our pick

See Haarlem from its canals on a 50-minute Smidtje cruise, with a Dutch, English, or German-speaking skipper and audio guides in five languages. You pass De Adriaan windmill, Teylers Museum, Jopenkerk, the Frans Hals Museum, and old bridges from a covered, heated, or semi-open boat.

“Stunning city and wonderful historical stories. The guide was very knowledgeable and funny. Definitely recommend!”

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2.Sightseeing Boat Tour with Snacks and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 398 reviews · 1h 15m · from $34

See Haarlem from a small covered boat with guide Mo, or Mohammed, at the helm. Over 75 minutes, you pass Teylers Museum, Molen de Adriaan, St. Bavo, Jopenkerk, and other city sights while enjoying drinks, cheese, crackers, and snacks. The tour runs in English and Dutch, with a full refund available up to 24 hours before departure.

“Lovely relaxing way to see Haarlem from the water. Guide was very informative. Snacks and drinks were lovely.”

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3.Guided Highlights Canal Cruise on Open Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 363 reviews · 50 min · from $20

Join guides such as Frederique, Peter, Mees, or Warden for a relaxed 50-minute cruise from Windmill De Adriaan. Your quiet electric boat follows the Spaarne and Haarlem’s canals past museums, bridges, and old buildings. Commentary is in English and Dutch, with German sometimes available. Drinks and snacks cost extra.

“Ease of finding the meet point. knowledge of guide. relaxed atmosphere of the tour. charge a greater tour fee unable for free soda and waters but still charge for alcohol drinks.”

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4.Self-Drive Private Electric Boat Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 59 reviews · 2 hours

Take the wheel of a private electric boat from Industrieweg 7 in Haarlem. A local host gives you a safety briefing, map, and route tips before you cruise historic canals, open water, and nearby nature. The boat seats up to 12, has soft cushions, and lets you bring your own food and drinks.

“Hat super viel Spaß gemacht und das lenken hat man nach paar Minuten raus . Es gibt für das Boot Parkplätze , wo man es abstellen kann um sich einen Kaffee oä zu holen .”

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5.The rise of Haarlem: Culture, History, Art and Architecture Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · from $55Top rated

Walk Haarlem with guide James through the Grote Markt, medieval lanes, hofjes, windmill views, museums, and WWII stories. This two-and-a-half-hour English tour covers about 4 km in a group of no more than six. It suits history, architecture, art, and photography lovers, but Sunday hofjes visits are not possible.

“Small group tour ended up being a private tour and it was excellent. We’ve done several tours on our European tour this year and this one was definitely the best. Our guide was very detailed, knowledgeable and articulate. Highly recommend.”

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6.City Highlights Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 32 reviews · 2 hours · from $25

Walk Haarlem with an English-speaking local guide, visiting Grote Markt, the Spaarne, Amsterdamse Poort, historic hofjes, and the Corrie ten Boom area. You’ll hear about Haarlem’s beer and tulip traditions, meet figures such as Frans Hals and Corrie ten Boom, and get practical local tips. Manuel has led the tour for some bookings.

“It was nice experience. The guide was knowledgeable and willing to give more information about the city. I liked the city even more after the tour. The only thing was the weather - it was cold and windy”

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7.Haarlem Old Town Private Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $265

Spend about three hours exploring Haarlem with a private English-speaking guide such as Sasha, Hana, or Anastasia. See the railway station, Kenau and Ripperda monument, Hofje van Bakenes, Malle Babbe, WWII sites, Grote Markt, and De Jopenkerk brewery. Museum admission, food, and drinks cost extra.

“This tour was wonderful! We saw a lot of the main sites plus some hidden gems. Sasha is a wonderful tour guide! He speaks English very well and is very knowledgeable! I would highly recommend Sasha and this tour!”

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8.2 Hours Walking Tour Throughout History & Highlights of Haarlem

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 18 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $25

Walk through Haarlem with a local guide such as Ronald or Manuel, tracing the city from Grote Markt to the Spaarne, Amsterdamse Poort, De Koepel, Molen De Adriaan, hofjes, and Corrie ten Boom’s story. Expect an English tour for up to 15 people, with outdoor viewing only and plenty of city history.

“Manuel was a very nice and enjoyable guide:) he made 2 hours look like minutes.. looking forward for the next 😊”

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