Gouda is a city located in the green heart of the province of South Holland, is recognized, mainly, for its cheese, but also for its stroopwafels, its candles and Gouda ceramics. However this city has way more things to offer to all of its different visitors.
But let's start from the beginning, and as a self-proclaimed cheese enthusiast, the cheese market is my number one thing on the list. On Thursday morning, from April 6 to August 31 the traditional cheese market is here!! In the town center, you can find your own time travel machine and go back to the 14th century. In this beautiful presentation, from 10:00 to 12:30, you can see how the farmers used to sell their cheese and most importantly how the farmers and traders seal their bargains for the best cheese with a very special clapping of hands.
The carriages, the traditional costumes, the presentation of the cheeses, the city hall, the wooden shoes, and obviously, the clapping of hands, make this market a must-see in Gouda. Take the moment to appreciate the presentation (it won't take a lot of time) and after that feel free to continue exploring the market because here you can not only buy cheese; there are many different and typical products that you can get, so take your time and enjoy the trip.
You can not forget to visit the city hall, the cheese & crafts museum in the “Goudse Waag”, the chocolate factory, the Gouda Museum, and the “Sint-Janskerk” church, that by the way is the longest church in the Netherlands, with 123 meters. Plus, you can find a lot of restaurants and cafe bars with all kinds of delicious food and do not forget the amazing views to the canals, which are the best place to have a beer and just relax.
Gouda is a lovely city full of wonderful places to see, so just enjoy your walk through every historical street and get lost in the magic of this place. If you like traditional architecture, I'm pretty sure that you will find something great in every corner.
Now, some extra information about tickets and opening hours.
Cheese Market is free, but I recommend to be there before 10:00 and find a nice spot where you can see the whole presentation, because there will be a lot of people.
The city hall (Address: Markt 1)
The Ticket will cost € 2.50 per person, and you can visit it from April 1st to September 30; Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 - 16:00 h, and Sundays from 11:00 - 16:00 h.
From October 1st to March 31; Tuesday to Sunday 11:00 - 15:00 h. Keep in mind that when marriages or others events are taking place in the City Hall, you won't be able to go inside. For additional info check the website before you go www.stanhuysgouda.nl
The cheese & crafts museum (Address: Markt 35)
The ticket will cost € 4.50 per person or € 12.50 for a family ticket and is open from March 23 to October 31, Monday to Sunday 12:00 - 17:00 h up to September 1st Thursday from 10:00 h.
You can also go to the Shop in the ground floor, free of charge, on Monday to Sunday 10:00 - 17:00 h.
The “Sint-Janskerk” (Address: Achter de kerk 16)
Ticket will cost € 6 Adults / € 13 Family price / € 3 Students / € 1 Kids from 4 - 12 years.
It is open from March 1st to November 1st, on Monday to Saturday 9:00 - 17:30 h, and from November 1st to March 1st , on Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 16:00 h. On Sundays you can only attend the church services. For more activities you can check the website www.sintjan.com
Gouda Museum
For kids from 5 - 17 years you have to pay € 3 and € 9 adults, but you can enjoy The Museum Cafe (Achter de Kerk 14) and the shop (Oosthaven 9) without a museum ticket.
It is open from Tuesday to Sunday 11:00 - 17:00 h, and for more info you can check the website www.museumgouda.nl
If you don't have a lot of money just think about what you really like and choose the activities that go best with you. It is your trip, enjoy it.
You can find more photos and videos in the gallery, just click the first picture. #SayCheese #CheeseLover #Gouda