Must-see attractions in North Holland & Flevoland

At the western end of the Grote Markt is the florid 14th-century town hall, which sprouted many extensions, including a balcony where judgements from the…

On the town's central canal, the Waag (weigh house) was the focal point of local economic life. In 1905 it was given grand Tuscan columns, a common trick…

The striking Bakenesserkerk is a late-15th-century church with a lamplit tower of sandstone. The stone was employed here when the Grote Kerk proved too…

On the main square north of the Grote Kerk is the bronze Laurens Coster statue, installed in 1856. Haarlemmers believe that Coster has a claim, along with…

Housed in the former weigh house the Waaggebouw, the Dutch Cheese Museum has a reverential display of cheese-making utensils, photos and paintings…

The supports of the village church are made entirely out of masts of VOC (Dutch East India Company) ships that brought back exotic goods from the East…

In de Bonte Os is the only house that's left in its original 17th-century state. In the days before proper glass, the curious vertical shutters at street…

Urk's former town hall now contains a small museum covering the history of the one-time island through traditional clothing, model ships, re-creations of…

Enkhuizen's classical town hall was modelled after the Amsterdam town hall that once stood on the Dam. You can peek through the windows at the lavish…

Walk down charming Korte Houtstraat to find the 17th-century Nieuwe Kerk; the ornate tower by Lieven de Key is supported by a rather boxy design by Jacob…

A local landmark, Alkmaar's Stadhuis was built between 1509 and 1520 in Gothic style. Additions over the ensuing years include a Dutch Classicist wing in…

On the western side of Edam's Kaasmarkt stands the 1778 Kaaswaag, the cheese weigh house, which has a display about the town's chief product.

Completed in 1904, Marken's Grote Kerk has a barrel-vaulted ceiling strung with ship models designed to attract grace to local seamen.

Leaning over Kleine Kerkstraat about 100m south of Grote Kerk, the Speeltoren is all that remains of the 15th-century Kleine Kerk.

At the east end of Westerstraat, the 16th-century Waag (weigh house) overlooks the old cheese market.