The awesome city of Gouda is a pearl among Dutch highlights. Monumental beauty surrounds a romantic cheese market in a city that breathes culture and history. This town is among the best the Netherlands has to offer.
Daytrip: cheese market, culture, and history
Because of its beauty, Gouda deserves a place of honor on your Dutch bucket list. In this monumental city, you find a triangular market in the middle of which stands the excellently restored gothic Town Hall. This magic building could be the entrance to a wonderland. But it is the decorum of the weekly cheese market. In the streets around the square, you find cheese and chocolate shops. Irresistible ice cream parlors. Vintage liquor shops and countless monuments along the canals and the River Gouwe. Yes, there is a lot of water around this city. Rent a boat in the nearby village of Reeuwijk and go off the beaten track. Remember that you are below sea level. The deepest point of Holland, just beside Gouda, is more than 20 feet below the sea.
Put Gouda on your Bucketlist
Put this on your bucket list. Taste Cheese; enjoy Culture and discover the history of Gouda. Visit the well-preserved monuments. Of course, there were fires in the 15th century destroying the city. And people were killed when the city was struck with pestilence and cholera in the 17th century. But Gouda is a good-humored survivor who creates a magnificent church and a gothic Town Hall. At the end of the 15th century, the breweries of Gouda produce 15,000,000 liters of beer a year.
Erasmus, a great thinker, was born in Gouda
In this era, Desiderius Erasmus is born as the second unlawful sun of a Catholic priest in Gouda. After his parents died of pestilence Erasmus is placed under custody. Erasmus’s legal guardian insists that he go into the monastery of Stein near Gouda.
Top things to do in Gouda:
- Rent a bike or an e-bike at the railway station and discover Gouda and its surroundings. You could make a trip to the 19 windmills at Kinderdijk or bike to Schoonhoven.
➔ READ MORE – Kinderdijk
➔ READ MORE – Schoonhoven Silver Museum - Visit the cheese market on a Thursday morning between 10:00 and 12.30 in the period April till September.
- Find antiques and vintage stuff at the Wednesday market (9.30 – 16.30) in the market square in the center, around the Town Hall. The weekly markets start in the middle of June and end in the middle of September.
- Enjoy a free Sunday afternoon concert in the Houtmans Plantsoen. The first concert is in the middle of June and the last concert is at the end of August.
- The Great Church (123 meters long) was a Catholic Church until the sixteenth century. In the year 1566 Protestants took over the church. They destroyed the statues but preserved the windows. The almost 600-year-old stained glass windows are world-famous.
- Sweeten up yourself and visit the Kamphuisen syrup waffles factory in Gouda. Here you find a secret recipe for syrup waffles.
➔ READ MORE – Recipe Syrup Waffles - GOUDA BY CANDLELIGHT
Experience a magical moment in Gouda every mid-December Friday evening, between 7:00 and 8:00 PM, as the lights on the grand square dim and thousands of Gouda candles illuminate the historic town hall and surrounding buildings. It’s a truly beautiful and unforgettable spectacle, marking a cherished tradition known as Gouda by Candlelight. This year, in 2024, mark your calendars for this special event in December.
➔ READ MORE – Gouda by candlelight
You must see the 72 stained-glass windows at the Great Church
Gouda is a high-quality brand of candles
Gouda is renowned for its production of high-quality candles, known as Gouda kaarsen, they have been crafted in the city for centuries. These candles are known for their exceptional craftsmanship, long burning times, and vibrant colors. The Gouda candle industry has deep historical roots and continues to be celebrated both locally and internationally for its tradition of excellence. If you like to buy some of thesehigh quality candle visit Bol.com they offer a collection of these candles.
➔ READ MORE – Gouda candles at Bol.com
Gouda Cheese Museum and Cheese Market
Explore the rich heritage of Gouda cheese at the Gouda Cheese Museum, where you can discover the fascinating history and traditions behind this iconic Dutch delicacy. And most important of all, don’t miss the lively Gouda Cheese Market, where locals and visitors alike gather to experience the bustling atmosphere and sample the finest cheeses firsthand. If you fancy cheese? Cheese dummies and cheese posters are available at Bol.com and you even find stuff to make your own cheese, how funny is that.
➔ READ MORE – Cheese Dummies and Cheese Posters at Bol.com
Stay for a night in Gouda
After reading about all the special features of Gouda, you might want to spend the night here. Discover the enchanting charm of Gouda and stay in one of the hotels and B&Bs. Enjoy an unforgettable night in the heart of this historic city, surrounded by beautiful sights and hospitality. Book now and be pampered with a wonderful stay in Gouda!
➔ READ MORE – Everything you need to know about a nice stay in Gouda!
Gouda’s exciting alleys and back streets
Discover the hidden gems of Gouda, and wander through narrow alleys and back streets. Visit the cafes, restaurants, and quaint shops, each offering a glimpse into the city’s rich history and eclectic culture. Lose yourself in a world of nostalgia as you browse collections of vintage finds, trinkets, and unique souvenirs.
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