Chiming cheese o’ clock
You can buy cheese anywhere in the Netherlands, but it’s much more fun to do so on Waagplein in Alkmaar, where cheese has been traded since 1365. There’s no shortage of cheese shops either. If you’re there on Friday, the Cheese Market – however touristy – is well worth a visit.
Every Friday from April to September, the Cheese Market is held on Waagplein. At exactly 10 o’clock, the bell is rung to signal the opening of business, whereupon the cheeses are graded and deals are struck over the price per kilogram. To learn more about cheese, pop into the Cheese Museum in the Weigh House (Waaggebouw). If you’re in Alkmaar outside the ‘cheese season’, there are two excellent cheese shops at 8 and 11 Magdelenenstraat, which also happens to be lovely shopping street.
Nice to know
There are five cheese markets in the Netherlands. They are held in Gouda, Woerden, Edam, Hoorn and Alkmaar.
| Kaasjes proeven in Alkmaar | |
| Address: | Waagplein 2, Alkmaar |
| Open: | April to September every Friday from 10am to 1pm |
| Online: | http://www.kaasmarkt.nl |