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Cheese Market
Cheese Market
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4.0
771 reviews
Excellent
296
Very good
318
Average
118
Poor
24
Terrible
15
Whichway2thebeach40
Finksburg, MD194 contributions
May 2023 • Family
An unexpected fun experience!
The market is only open two days a week. Make sure you check. I would suggest going earlier than it opens to get into one of the closest parking garages. Parking is free, but about 45 minutes into the market we had to park all the way at the tippy top.
It is loaded with tourists. The market is a unique experience, they reenact what it was like back in the old days of the market.
After the market, they clear the area and set up tables in the Square and there is tons to eat and shop.
Definitely buy cheese from one of the costumed young ladies during the market. The prices are excellent. It doesn’t matter. What kind of cheese you choose they’re all delicious.
If you are brave and don’t mind being embarrassed, they will let you ride on the cheese cart, or be one of the people to carry the cheese.
The market is only open two days a week. Make sure you check. I would suggest going earlier than it opens to get into one of the closest parking garages. Parking is free, but about 45 minutes into the market we had to park all the way at the tippy top.
It is loaded with tourists. The market is a unique experience, they reenact what it was like back in the old days of the market.
After the market, they clear the area and set up tables in the Square and there is tons to eat and shop.
Definitely buy cheese from one of the costumed young ladies during the market. The prices are excellent. It doesn’t matter. What kind of cheese you choose they’re all delicious.
If you are brave and don’t mind being embarrassed, they will let you ride on the cheese cart, or be one of the people to carry the cheese.
Written 7 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian R
Horsens, Denmark746 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
The visit to Alkmaar was fabulous. Beautiful town with lots of places to discover and a lot of beautiful old houses. The cheese market, however, was a tourist trap, crammed to the brink and beyond. Go visit when there is no market. You can still taste and buy the very delicious cheeses. There are good parking facilities near the town center, if you go by car.
Written 3 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maureen H
Jay, NY38 contributions
Apr 2023
This is a very touristy re-enactment yet so worthwhile! We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and absolutely recommend spending half of your Friday at this spectacle. Arrive early if you can (by 9:30) as the square fills up. Lots of craft and food stalls as well.
Easy to get to by train and a short walk, although many come on day tours. We combined the market with a visit to the nearly Cheese Museum.
Easy to get to by train and a short walk, although many come on day tours. We combined the market with a visit to the nearly Cheese Museum.
Written 3 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue F
Stanwick, UK19 contributions
Apr 2023
Extremely busy - get there early so you can see. Lovely to see the tradition of the cheese market. A beautiful town to visit.
Written 16 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands3,933 contributions
Sept 2022
Actually the cheese on show during the reenactment in Alkmaar is Gouda cheese from South-Holland. Not that it alters the picture very much. A fun presentation of how the market once was operated.
Of the five cheese markets held in Holland (mostly during summer), the ones in Gouda and Woerden are still more or less authentic. The ones in Edam and Hoorn are reenactments as well. Personally I like the one in Gouda most.
Of the five cheese markets held in Holland (mostly during summer), the ones in Gouda and Woerden are still more or less authentic. The ones in Edam and Hoorn are reenactments as well. Personally I like the one in Gouda most.
Written 20 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jellybellydancer
Burscough, UK1,477 contributions
Sept 2022
If you are visiting Alkmaar on a Friday over the summer, you will inevitably end up at the cheese market where men in traditional costumes inspect the large wheels of gouda, then carry them on barrows to be weighed.
Yes it's touristy, but it's also great fun and interesting to watch and a marvellous way of keeping traditions alive.
While the men are carrying the cheese, the girls walk up and down the crown selling bags of cheese, 10 euros for a reusable bag, a pencil case and 3 generous chunks of mild, mature and extra mature gouda, significantly cheaper than the nearby cheese van.
Even in September the crowds were 3-4 people deep, but they rotate quickly as people move on.
Around the market are plenty of stalls selling souvenirs and traditional Dutch snacks and don't forget to explore the rest of this pretty town.
Yes it's touristy, but it's also great fun and interesting to watch and a marvellous way of keeping traditions alive.
While the men are carrying the cheese, the girls walk up and down the crown selling bags of cheese, 10 euros for a reusable bag, a pencil case and 3 generous chunks of mild, mature and extra mature gouda, significantly cheaper than the nearby cheese van.
Even in September the crowds were 3-4 people deep, but they rotate quickly as people move on.
Around the market are plenty of stalls selling souvenirs and traditional Dutch snacks and don't forget to explore the rest of this pretty town.
Written 11 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sunshine605777
13 contributions
Jul 2022
Highly recommend! We came through Alkmaar on a Thursday and loved the charm of the small town with its canals and history. We went through the cheese museum, had lunch in a lovely cafe by the water and window shopped. We were so intrigued that we came back the next day for the big Cheese Market on Friday. Totally different experience, and totally worth it! We loved all of the vendors in the market, tried lots of new foods, and enjoyed the spectacle of the traditional cheese weighing and auction.
Easy walk from the train station. Make a day of it!
Easy walk from the train station. Make a day of it!
Written 14 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margaret V
Brooklyn, NY105 contributions
Jun 2022
A fun day trip out to the Alkmaar Cheese market (Friday’s in the summer) - you get a sense of history in this quaint town, while watching tradition in action. It doesn’t take that long and is an easy commute from Amsterdam Central station. Get a sense of how this started, and watch (and taste) how it’s run today. Worth the day trip, if you have ‘done’ all the standard stuff in Amsterdam.
Written 25 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
expat_mbk
USA602 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
This was fantastic - just follow the signs from the train station (google maps will take you to the wrong place)! During the Summer, the market runs every Friday morning. It was supposed to start at 9:30am but it actually started closer to 10am. It went on for quite a while and there were tons of things to see around the town too. It's really charming and you'll be filled to the brim with cheese samples!
Written 3 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
greshnoflibops
Alkmaar, The Netherlands35 contributions
Sept 2019
This event occurs each friday morning during the summer season [easter to September] One can witness the traditional 'auction' sale of the cheese made in various parts of Holland. The cheeses are laid out for inspection and then loaded onto stretchers carried by the traditionally clothed 'Cheese Bearers' and taken to the 'weighpoint' in its historical building. There is a running commentary [about 20 mins] in Dutch, English, German and French. Entertaining and informative. There is also a market through the ajoining streets which can be quite interesting.
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ana Belen B
La Eliana, Spain55 contributions
Alguien sabe si para abril abra mercado de quesos ?
Is the cheese market open in October?
passionvoyage2017
Boucherville, Canada39 contributions
You have to check on internet.
Diego
Madrid, Spain3 contributions
Alguien sabe si durante octubre de 2019 se realizará el mercado los viernes por la mañana?
renate071052
Hochheim am Main, Germany113 contributions
Der Käsemarkt in Alkmaar ist nur Freitags vom 29.März - 27. September 2019
Deb42310
Holland, MI4 contributions
How long should we plan on being here? Coming on Friday for the market.
PDYR
Croydon, Australia101 contributions
You will need the whole morning. Get there least an hour early, we did and all the front row was still taken. It is a long time standing but well worth it. There were some formalities beforehand which were boring. Go into the shop, they have large yummy cheese samples wrapped in plastic. As we were not in the front row we waited till the main part was over, people were leaving and we got great photos of the men carrying the cheeses. Really loved it and not far to walk from the station.
thebucketllister
Bloomington, MN175 contributions
How do you get there from Amsterdam? THe NS website says the stations are invalid when I try to book my ticket online.
Aeraille
Cape Town Central, South Africa320 contributions
Alkmaar train station is within walking distance of the Cheese Market. Best way is buy ticket at Amsterdam Centraal. Go earlyish as market closes at Noon promptly on a Friday. We went by car but had massive problem parking.
DonRMUR1975
Dubai, United Arab Emirates19 contributions
Dear Sue,
I am visiting Alkmaar on June 6th July Friday but will be very tight to visit the cheese market.
Came to know that there is a cheese market in Tuesday nights also in July from 7 to 9 pm
Is it true, As a person from the area, your feedback on this regard shall be highly appreciated
Thank you
DonRMUR1975
Dubai, United Arab Emirates19 contributions
Thank you Sue
El viernes 27 de abril que es el cumpleaños del Rey también funciona el mercado de quesos?
Johan L
Madrid, Spain1 contribution
Si si
Hello!
What is the minimum purchase of the cheese at the Cheese Market and how does it usually go if i am interested to purchase? Thanks!
Gunnery's I
Alkmaar, The Netherlands6 contributions
There is NO minimum purchase of Cheese at the Cheese Market. You do not have to buy cheese but you will be missing out if you don't :)
dania442
Villa Cortese, Italy45 contributions
venerdì 27 aprile è festa del re (koningsdag)il mercato del formaggio si svolge regolarmente ??
giovanni g
Susa, Italy404 contributions
non saprei ho visitato l'olanda in agosto
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Frequently Asked Questions about Cheese Market
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Cheese Market:
- e-Scavenger hunt Alkmaar: Explore the city at your own pace (From £27.23)
- Small Group Alkmaar Cheese Market and City Tour *English* (From £23.71)
- Alkmaar highlights walking tour audio and GPS guided (From £4.35)
- Alkmaar: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App (From £15.37)
- City Sup Tour in Alkmaar (2 hours ) (From £30.74)
- Hotels near Cheese Market:
- (0.03 mi) Mylos B&B
- (0.09 mi) King's Inn city hostel & hotel
- (0.06 mi) Wolf Hotel Kitchen & Bar
- (0.08 mi) Luttik
- (0.05 mi) Hotel 't Fnidsen
- Restaurants near Cheese Market:
- (0.00 mi) Cafe 't Hartje
- (0.01 mi) Mojo's Eatertainment
- (0.01 mi) Berries Bar & Kitchen
- (0.01 mi) Javaanse Meisjes
- (0.01 mi) Mr. Gold