Gouda★★
Gouda — yes, the city is really named that, and yes, the cheese comes from here. But Gouda is much more than just cheese: The small city (70,000 inhabitants) between Rotterdam and Utrecht has one of the most beautiful market squares in the Netherlands, significant church windows, and a surprisingly lively atmosphere.
Highlights
- Cheese Market — From April to August every Thursday (10 am–1 pm) on the market square. Gouda cheese in all stages of maturity (jong, belegen, oud, overjarig), cheese carriers in traditional dress, tastings. Less touristy than Alkmaar and therefore more authentic.
- Town Hall (Stadhuis) — The Gothic town hall (1450) is one of the oldest in the Netherlands. The facade with the stone figures is remarkable, and the carillon plays several times a day.
- Sint-Janskerk — The longest church in the Netherlands (123 m) houses the famous Goudse Glazen: 72 stained glass windows from the 16th century, unique in Europe for their color and size. An art historical highlight of the first order.
- Stroopwafel Bakery — The stroopwafel was invented in Gouda! At the Kamphuisen Syroopwafelfabriek, you can watch the production and taste fresh, warm stroopwafels — a world of difference from the packaged ones from the supermarket.
- Museum Gouda — In the former hospital "Catharina Gasthuis" (1542): city history, religious art, and an excellent collection of Goudschen Pijpen (clay pipes). Admission: €11.
At Christmas: Gouda bij Kaarslicht (Gouda by Candlelight) on the second Tuesday in December — the entire market square is illuminated with thousands of candles. Magical.
