Spaarne
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
35 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
14
Average
4
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Terrible
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Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,286 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
The Spaarne River runs through central Haarlem. Walking alongside the river is very scenic and takes you past historic buildings, classic gabled houses, small canals,, spring flowers, swinging bridges and the Adriaan windmill.
The walk is very easy and is flat the whole way. At times the path becomes very narrow and boat ropes can become tripping hazards. It's not always possible to walk right at the river’s edge. Occasionally, we had to cross to the other side of the road but mainly we were able to walk beside the water.
We started at Haarlem’s central square, the Grote Markt and joined the river at the Melkbrug Bridge. From the middle of the bridge, you have a nice view down the length of the Spaarne.
From this starting point, we walked towards the Gravestenenbrug Bridge (which is currently under repair so you can’t walk out onto it).
Along the way, we passed the following sights:
i) De Waag (the historic weigh house)
ii) the twin houses of the old De Olyphant brewery
iii) Teylers Museum
iv) the Bakenessergracht canal (we made a quick diversion down this pretty street)
v) the Catharijnebrug swinging bridge (if you’re timing is right, you might see it opening)
vi) the Molen de Adriaan, a classic Dutch windmill
From Point A to Point B, this is little more than a 15 minute walk, but of course we took longer because we often stopped to take photos and soak up the views.
On our return, we left the Spaarne and instead walked around to Amsterdamse Poort, the last of the ancient city gates. This made a very nice looped walk which took in a lot of sights.
The walk is very easy and is flat the whole way. At times the path becomes very narrow and boat ropes can become tripping hazards. It's not always possible to walk right at the river’s edge. Occasionally, we had to cross to the other side of the road but mainly we were able to walk beside the water.
We started at Haarlem’s central square, the Grote Markt and joined the river at the Melkbrug Bridge. From the middle of the bridge, you have a nice view down the length of the Spaarne.
From this starting point, we walked towards the Gravestenenbrug Bridge (which is currently under repair so you can’t walk out onto it).
Along the way, we passed the following sights:
i) De Waag (the historic weigh house)
ii) the twin houses of the old De Olyphant brewery
iii) Teylers Museum
iv) the Bakenessergracht canal (we made a quick diversion down this pretty street)
v) the Catharijnebrug swinging bridge (if you’re timing is right, you might see it opening)
vi) the Molen de Adriaan, a classic Dutch windmill
From Point A to Point B, this is little more than a 15 minute walk, but of course we took longer because we often stopped to take photos and soak up the views.
On our return, we left the Spaarne and instead walked around to Amsterdamse Poort, the last of the ancient city gates. This made a very nice looped walk which took in a lot of sights.
Written 20 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tania M
Amsterdam, The Netherlands158 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
Yep. Its a river alright. Boats, kayakers. Ducks. Swim races. Bridges. I’m not sure how to rate a river, but it doesn’t reek and isn’t full of garbage so, a very nice river.
Written 15 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CurlyTraveller
L'Alfas del Pi, Spain205 contributions
Feb 2018 • Solo
The Spaarne flows through Haarlem, sometimes very wide, sometimes a bit narrower.
The boats, small and big, are often a pleasant sight for the eyes. As are the waterbirds.
All the bridges in town and the waiting time when they are open (to let boats pass) is the biggest downside, but we Haarlemmers can live with that;-)
The boats, small and big, are often a pleasant sight for the eyes. As are the waterbirds.
All the bridges in town and the waiting time when they are open (to let boats pass) is the biggest downside, but we Haarlemmers can live with that;-)
Written 1 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
329halinav
Pretoria, South Africa33 contributions
Feb 2020
If you have the time, walk along the river. There are many old and interesting buildings along the river and the windmill De Adriaan (it was unfortunately closed when I was there - late) is something to behold during the day and at night.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Samantha H
West Chester, PA26 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
Haarlem is such a lovely town and the river as it wraps around the town adds so much to the beauty of the town. Try to go on a sunny day. Take your time and if you can stay over a night in Haarlem, it would be worth it.
Written 15 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M4799STpaulj
Ipswich, UK52 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
Much history is to be found on the banks of the Spaarne. Exploring on foot is very rewarding. many museums are here and it is also the place to board the boats for the excellent canal trips. Just 5 minutes walk from the Grote Markt.
Written 31 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
doppios
Ireland63 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
Hard to imagine a city without a river, and this is Haarlem's. The waterway brings in air and light to the city. In truth Spaarne is canalised and hard to tell which bits of water are canal and which are river. You can go on an excellent boat tour all around the system, or you can walk and admire the boats, the bridges (some of which lift or swing open to let the boats through) or the ducks. If you are lucky you might see some tropical birds (parakeets and parrots) in the trees. Also, plenty of terraces, a few parks and river-side cafes and bars. You can easily do a circuit around the city via the river and connected canals, and this is highly recommended. Finally, a good landmark you get lost - in Haarlem your are never too far from the water.
Written 27 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Noraatc
Sudbury, MA39,761 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
It was lovely to walk along the embankment of the beautiful wide canal, Spaarne, on a sunny day. Among the notable buildings on both sides of the Spaarne are the 16th century De Waag (the Weighhouse) built by the master builder Lieven de Key, the Teylers Museum, the white drawbridge, Gravestenenbrug, and two buildings with authentic crow-stepped gables, one of them was home to the popular old brewery, De Olyphant.
Written 4 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David n
Manchester, UK4,769 contributions
Dec 2022
Always nice to wander along this canal just a few minutes walk from the centre of Haarlem. Loads of interesting buildings.
Written 10 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phat_dawg_21
Alpharetta, GA16,976 contributions
Jul 2022
Nice place to walk along the canal/river. Lots of commercial barge traffic as well as pleasure seekers in boats of all sizes.
Written 12 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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