Alkmaar Cheese Market | Alkmaar

Information

Landmark: Alkmaar Cheese Market
City: Alkmaar
Country: Netherlands
Continent: Europe

Alkmaar Cheese Market, Alkmaar, Netherlands, Europe

The Alkmaar Cheese Market is a traditional commercial re-enactment and tourist attraction held on the Waagplein in the city center of Alkmaar. It serves as a historical representation of the North Holland cheese trade, governed by the local Cheese Bearers' Guild.

Visual Characteristics

The market is staged on a large cobble-stone square dominated by the Waaggebouw (Weigh House), a 14th-century brick structure with an ornate gable and a white-painted wooden tower. Thousands of Gouda and Edam cheeses are arranged in long, symmetrical rows on the ground, creating a high-contrast yellow and orange grid. Cheese bearers are dressed in traditional white uniforms with straw hats featuring colored ribbons (red, blue, green, or yellow) that signify their specific "veem" or company.

Location & Access Logistics

The market is located at Waagplein 2, approximately 1 kilometer east of the Alkmaar Railway Station. It is a 10-minute walk through the pedestrian shopping district. During market days, extra "Cheese Trains" often run from Amsterdam Central Station. Vehicle parking is prohibited in the city center; the Parkeergarage De Karperton and Parkeergarage Schelphoek are the closest facilities within a 500-meter radius.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Official records of the cheese scale in Alkmaar date back to 1365, though the Cheese Bearers' Guild was formally established in 1593. The market originated as a logistical necessity for regional farmers to weigh and sell produce from the fertile polder lands surrounding the city. The Waaggebouw itself was originally a Holy Spirit Hospital before being converted into a weigh house in 1582 to accommodate the increasing trade volume.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can observe the traditional "handjeklap" (clapping hands) method of price negotiation between traders. Guild members use wooden barrows, known as "berries," to transport up to 160kg of cheese to the scales. The Dutch Cheese Museum, located inside the Weigh House, offers detailed exhibits on dairy production. Sampling is available at various peripheral stalls, and an official market explainer provides commentary in multiple languages.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Public restrooms are located inside the Dutch Cheese Museum and at the nearby VVV tourist office. The square is lined with restaurants and cafes offering shaded terraces, though the central market area is fully exposed to the sun. 5G and 4G cellular signals are robust. Professional photographers are often present to take staged photos with visitors carrying cheese barrows for a fee.

Best Time to Visit

The market operates every Friday from late March to late September, between 10:00 and 13:00. Evening markets are held on Tuesdays in July and August from 19:00 to 21:00. To secure a viewing position at the front of the barriers, arrival before 09:15 is necessary. The 10:00 opening bell, often rung by a guest of honor, marks the start of the primary activity.

Facts & Legends

A strictly enforced guild hierarchy exists; the "Provost" leads the guild and carries a silver shield, while the "Tasman" handles the actual weighing and tax collection. A local legend claims the market's survival is due to a 16th-century vow made after the city successfully withstood a Spanish siege. A tip for visitors is that the cheeses displayed on the square are genuine and are transported to a local distribution center immediately following the market's close.