Gouda Cheese Market or Gouda Kaasmarkt in Dutch, has been on my bucket list for a long time. Luckily, we were finally able to squeeze in a trip to Gouda during our recent trip to the Netherlands. We were so pleased we visited this world-famous cheese market and Gouda as a whole as the trip far exceeded our expectations. I am super excited to share with you all you need to know to help you plan your perfect visit to the Gouda Cheese Market as well as our suggestions of other top things to do in Gouda and the most helpful travel tips.
Cheese is so much part of Dutch life and famous cheese markets in the Netherlands such as the Gouda Cheese Market, Cheese Market Alkmaar and Edam Cheese Market, are perfect places to enjoy this special product and several other fascinating traditions that are at the heart of the Dutch culture.
The cheese markets in the Netherlands are also ideal spots to absorb the warm Dutch atmosphere and of course sample some of the best cheese in the country.
As you’ll find during your trip to Gouda, most attractions and tourist experiences in the city including the cheese market, focus mainly on the famous Gouda cheese, whose name stems from the tiny Dutch city in the country’s South Holland Province.
Don’t panic though if cheese isn’t your thing, there are plenty, of equal fun, non-cheese things to do in Gouda.
First things first,
Gouda Cheese Market‘s History
During the Middle Ages, the city of Gouda acquired special rights as a main cheese trading centre in the Netherlands. This made Gouda one of the few places in the country where farmers from the surrounding region, widely known as the Cheese Valley or the Green Heart of Holland, could bring their cheese to sell to the rest of the country and markets abroad.
Commercial cheese trading in Gouda, historically held at the city’s picturesque central market square (De Markt), continued through the centuries up to 1987.
Due to this longstanding cheese trade tradition, Gouda and the Dutch province of Holland as a whole, have established themselves as one of the most important cheese regions worldwide.
Present Gouda Cheese Market
Gouda Market 2024 Opening Hours: Thurs 10 am to 12.30 pm (4 April to 29 Aug 2024)
Nowadays, the Gouda Cheese Market is no more than a tourist attraction that entails the re-enactment of the fascinating ancient trading practices of the traditional cheese market of the Middle Ages.
Cheese farmers from surrounding fields bring their Gouda cheese or
Goudse kaas in Dutch in wheel shape, weighing up to a whopping 16 kg, to the central market square in front of the historic 17th-century De Goudse Waag (Weigh House).
Dressed in colourful traditional costumes, they parade through the square on horse-drawn carriages unloading their carts, bickering and negotiating with traders. The cheese on offer is sampled by cheese traders for quality and pricing and if both parties are satisfied, amusing handshakes are made to seal the deals.
The cheese is brought to De Goudse Waag to be weighed for tax purposes just like it was done in days gone by.
There’s plenty of Dutch Gouda cheese sampling of all varieties from as young as a few weeks old to over a year or years old. The young Gouda I tasted at the market, was so fresh, sweet and creamy, it’s just the best iteration I’ve ever tried.
The cheese at the market is served by cheerful Gouda Cheese Girls and Boys who are also happy to pose for your awesome Gouda photos.
Other activities at the cheese market to keep people of all ages entertained are the yearly best of the Dutch cheese competitions (held at the end of the market season), community live music performances, and child-friendly cheese-themed activities including an amusement centre.
Also surrounding the cheese market are several independent vendors selling small cuts of real Gouda cheese produced on the farms in the Gouda region which you can buy and take home.
There are plenty of non-cheese products on offer which the city of Gouda is also associated with such as the famous Gouda syrup waffles or stroopwafels (a Dutch cookie), clay pipes, ceramics as well as artisan candles and more.
Once finished with the cheese market, you can’t miss grabbing a seat at one of the outdoor cafes and restaurants found all around the market square. They’re perfect spots for hot food, a coffee or a cold Gouda beer while also absorbing the city’s vibrant atmosphere as well as its quaint architecture.
Unmissable Things to Do in Gouda
1. Stop by De Goudse Waag
De Goudse Waag (the Weighing House) is a charming building from the 16th century where cheese was weighed to determine tax in the heyday of the traditional cheese market in the Middle Ages. It currently operates as the VVV Gouda’s Tourist Information Centre, Cheese and Crafts Museum and a cheese and craft shop.
De Goudse Waag is the best place to kick things off where you can pick up the free Gouda’s official tourist guide, sample and buy some local Gouda cheese as well as shop for various crafts made from the region.
There are plenty of fun experiences to be had in Gouda that aren’t cheese related. Inquire from the Tourist Information Centre in the Weigh House about the many available experiences on offer in Gouda such as walking, cycling and boat tours that will allow you to discover the city in its entirety.
2. Visit the Gouda Town Hall
Price: €3.50
From your very first visit, you’ll spot the impressive Gouda Town Hall (Stadhuis Gouda) which sits right in the centre of the Gouda market square. The stunning 15th-century Gothic-styled building is the oldest Gothic city hall in the Netherlands.
It’s a perfect picturesque backdrop to all events and festivities in the city including the Gouda Cheese Market.
Book yourself a self-guided tour of the Town Hall if you’re keen to explore its delightful rooms and learn the history of Gouda and its people.
3. Visit the Church of St John
Price: Starts from €9.50 Adults
A tour of the Church of St John (Sint-Janskerk) is an absolute must on any trip to Gouda. St John is an exceptional Gothic-styled Protestant church built during the 15th and 16th centuries. At 123 metres long, it’s the Netherlands’ longest church.
St John is widely known for its magnificently coloured, well-preserved 72 stained glass windows, famously known as the Gouda Glass, from the 16th century. The stained glass depicts stories from the Bible and those from important events in Dutch history in comic strip style.
During your tour of St John Church, choose to take the Audio Tour to fully explore the interesting stories behind “the Gouda Glass”.
If you’ve got a weakness for gorgeous city views, make sure not to miss climbing the church’s rooftop for an expansive view of Gouda.
4. Take the Gouda Cheese Experience
Price: €16 Adults, Children – €14.50
If you’re keen to continue with the cheese festival theme, be sure not to miss the Gouda Cheese Experience. The Gouda Cheese Experience is presented in an unmissable vivid yellow building, just a short walk away from the market square.
Some of the features of this highly rated attraction in Gouda are a fun and interactive demonstration of the extraordinary production of Gouda cheese, a presentation of fascinating Gouda cheese facts in an easy-to-follow manner and a sampling of real Gouda cheese. The whole Gouda Cheese Experience is really interesting while also quite insightful.
Immerse yourself in the world of cheese making by trying your hand at virtual milking, try on some Gouda cheese-inspired women’s traditional outfits, and bright yellow suit and sample a variety of delicious Gouda cheese.
Top tip – Gouda Combination Tickets is a good deal which offers a reduced entrance fee to the three top Gouda experiences namely, St John, Cheese Experience and Kamphuisen Factory.
5. Shop at ‘t Kaaswinkeltje
‘t Kaaswinkeltje, conveniently located in the centre of Gouda, is one fine shop not to be missed during your quest for the best Gouda cheese and other delightful products from the cheese farms in the region.
The shop offers an extensive range of premium farmhouse Gouda cheese of all ages, textures, colours and flavours. Some of the unique flavoured cheese here are just incredible such as the wild garlic and truffle while a few are a bit weird like the charcoal and whiskey.
A sampling of all the cheese sold in the shop is offered by friendly staff who are also happy to guide you through your Gouda cheese shopping. The shop offers free vacuum packing of all purchases which is handy for air travel.
6. Try the Kamphuisen Syrup Waffles
Price: €9.95, Family Ticket – €32
Kamphuisen Syrup Waffle Factory in the centre of Gouda is said to be the best place to go to sample the tastiest and crispiest syrup waffles (one of the most popular Dutch cookies) in the city.
Syrup Waffles are said to have been invented in Gouda in 1810 by Baker Gerard Kamhuisen. The Kamphuisen Syrup Waffle Factory in Gouda still to this day makes its syrup waffles with the original 19th-century Gerard Kamphuisen recipe.
I must say Kamphuisen Syrup Waffles have become my favourite and I highly recommend you drop by Kamphuisen Bakery to taste delicious and crispy syrup waffles.
Choose to take the Kamphuisen Syrup Waffle Factory Tour if you’d like to learn the secret to making one of the tastiest and highest quality syrup waffles in Gouda – if not in the whole of the Netherlands.
Gouda Cheese Market FAQ
Q. What day is the Cheese Market in Gouda?
Gouda Cheese Market is a seasonal cheese market that takes place at the city’s central market square on Thursday mornings from 10 am to 12.30 pm starting 4 April to 29 Aug 2024.
Q. How long to spend at the Cheese Market in Gouda?
Gouda makes for a perfect day trip from Amsterdam especially if you’ve done other top attractions in the Netherlands such as the Zaanse Schans Windmills, seen the fabulous tulips flowers of Keukenhof or you’re just a big cheese lover like myself!
2 to 3 hours is also enough time to experience Gouda Cheese Market in case you’re short of time.
Q. How to get to Gouda from Amsterdam?
A train ride on the NS (Dutch Railway) from Amsterdam Central Station takes about 50 minutes to Gouda (Price: From €13.60). It’s a 10-minute walk from Gouda train station to the central square where the Cheese Market Gouda takes place.
It’s easy to reach Gouda from other places nearby such as Utrecht (an 18-minute train ride), Rotterdam (a 23-train ride) and The Hague (a 22-minute train ride), so you can combine your visit to Gouda with any of these cities for an ultimate Dutch tour.
Q. Where to stay in Gouda?
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to experience any of Gouda’s overnight accommodations since we visited the city on a day trip from Amsterdam. However, Booking.com is a great resource for sourcing good hotels in the Netherlands in general. Best Western Plus City Hotel Gouda and Relais & Châteaux Weeshuis Gouda are both highly rated on the site and worth a quick look.
I hope you enjoy your trip to Gouda Holland! Let me know if you have any questions, I will be glad to help.
Interested in Alkmaar Cheese Market? Read Alkmaar Cheese Market’s official website
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Maria Emilia Paredes
Thank you so much for this info, so useful and it gave me the certainty to visit the market tomorrow now that I just arrived in Holand!
Adelaide
Thanks Maria for the feedback. Have a lovely a time at the market!
Nils
Thanks for this post, I found it really helpful as I am planning a trip to Gouda in June.
Lovely pictures by the way!
Question: For the ceremonial weighing etc. every Thursday, we don’t need to book anything right? Just show up?
Adelaide
Thanks Nils, glad you found the post useful. The market is open for all, no prior booking is needed and it’s free including the ceremonial weighings. Have a lovely time!