Already in my first week here I went to visit little Naarden, a super charming town that has the shape of a little star and a milestone in the country’s history. But unfortunately for tourists, it is only possible to see the star shape if you are on a plane (or something like that) or through a drone.
About Naarden
Naarden is one of the best preserved cities in the Netherlands located in the province of North Holland. As the village was in a strategic region, right in the middle of the way that connects Amsterdam to Eastern Europe, Naarden ended up becoming a fortified city, that is, when walking through the village you will come across walls that have been intact since the 17th century and which served as a defense against attack by invaders.
Things to do in Naarden
The city is tiny and it is possible to get to know it in just half a day. For those who are in Amsterdam and have some time in their itinerary, I think it’s a good idea to include a day trip to Naarden and, if possible, you can even include two other charming cities that are nearby, such as Weesp and Muiden .
The main street and where most of the city’s attractions and shops are concentrated is the Marktstraat.
1. Gothic church – Grote Kerk
From afar, you can see the beautiful tower of the Grote Kerk , a Gothic-style church that is one of the highlights of Naarden and one of the oldest in Holland that ended up surviving the Spanish invasion. Also, if you want to contemplate the city from above, the tip is to face the various steps of the stairs to climb to the church tower. The cost to go to the tower is 3 euros.
2. Fine and Arsenal (restaurant)
Fine is one of the most visited restaurants in the city and one of the cutest as it is right on a corner facing the Naarden canal. On sunny days (something rare around here), the restaurant is ideal for those who want to enjoy something to eat or just chat while sipping a delicious wine sitting at one of the tables in the outdoor area of Fine.
3. Take a photo on the Naarden Canal
The Naarden canal is not at all glamorous like the ones in Amsterdam, but like any canal in Holland it has its charm. It’s worth taking a break for a record sitting on the edge of the canal.
4. Visit the city’s
- Comenius Museum : this museum is dedicated to the life and work of Jan Amos Comenius (1592-1670), Czech teacher, educator and writer considered the father of modern education.
- Vestingmuseum (Fort Museum): This museum offers information about the history of Naarden and its fortifications. It is located inside a bastion (art of a fortification built so that the walls form an irregular pentagon).
5. Walk around and take lots of pictures of the streets and houses of Naarden
The city is all cute and the urge is to go out photographing every detail of the little houses in Naarden. Something very typical here in Holland from what I’ve noticed is to see stools right in front of the houses.
So if you’re like me and like to take pictures of everything in sight, get your camera ready and pose. In addition to the houses, something that caught my attention was seeing some old cars on the streets of the village.
6. Town Hall
Naarden City Hall (City Hall) has a very typical Dutch architecture and is one of the highlights of the city. It faces the Grote Kork (church). For those who like photography, it’s worth a break to admire the charming little building.
How to get to Naarden?
With its proximity to Amsterdam, there are several ways to get to Naarden:
- By car, the journey takes an average of 20 minutes.
- Another option is to use public transport, the best way to get around the Netherlands in my humble opinion. Go to Amsterdam Central Station and take the train towards Hilversum and stop at Naarden-Bussum station . From the station, just walk about 20 minutes and you will arrive in the center of Naarden.
For the most excited, a good option is to go by bike. From Amsterdam the ride lasts around 1h30m. But if you prefer, there is an easier way, which is to take the train to Weesp and from there rent a bike and enjoy the ride to visit Muiden (a city with a beautiful castle) and then go to Naarden.