Amsterdam, Netherlands Alkmar-Cheese Market Excursion

Alkmar-Cheese Market

DETAILS

5
hrs Estimate Duration
Age

OVERVIEW

Spend hours browsing the iconic cheese market in Alkmaar, the oldest and largest such marketplace in the Netherlands. The city was granted its first official cheese scale in 1365 and locally sourced cheese is still weighed there and distributed in great quantities from Alkmaar. Over the centuries, the cheese market became so popular that buildings around it were leveled to accommodate more vendors. Because of its size and importance, the market must run like clockwork. The cheeses arrive at a certain time or the carriers will be fined, a bell rings at 10AM sharp to announce the opening of the market and the cheeses are still weighed in a traditional manner and stamped for accuracy. The market will be abuzz with activity, and you will likely see farmers and traders negotiating prices and carriers transporting hundreds of pounds of cheese in barrows. It is a spectacle that you will not soon forget.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the oldest and largest cheese market in the Netherlands on your own.
• Be awed by the spectacle and sheer size of the bustling cheese market.
• Sample a variety of cheeses, which the vendors typically offer.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Need to Know:

Note: Participants must be at least 18 years of age. There is a 15-minute walk from the coach to the cheese market. There is a cobblestone surface to negotiate in parts of the city. This tour is not available to wheelchair guests and those with mobility concerns are cautioned to evaluate their personal level of stamina and ability. Weather conditions can change quickly, and guests should be prepared for the possibility of rain. Weather appropriate clothing; an umbrella; flat, comfortable walking shoes and sunglasses are recommended.

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ACTIVITY ATTRIBUTES

Excursion Type:

Local Food-Wine Tasting

Activity Level:

1

Easy
2

Moderate
3

Challenging

Tours with this activity level involve walking over relatively level terrain, possibly some cobblestone, gravel, or a few steps. Comfortable shoes are recommended.

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Shore Excursion Details

Alkmar-Cheese Market