Two of Holland’s famous cheese towns in one day. In season, catch the Alkmaar cheese market on a Friday morning, then the quieter, prettier streets of Edam. Around eight hours door to door with your own guide and driver, with tasting along the way.
Available every day. We suggest a 9:00 or 10:00 start and can adjust to suit you.
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The first stop of the day is Alkmaar, often described as Holland in miniature. As you explore the medieval city centre, you will discover narrow cobbled streets, charming bridges, and canals that give the city its timeless character.
Alkmaar is home to the oldest cheese market in the Netherlands, held on the main square for centuries. When visiting on a Friday between late March and late September, you may have the opportunity to experience this traditional event, complete with historic cheese trading rituals.
The square is also home to the former weighing house and the cheese museum, which can be visited during the tour to learn more about the city’s long-standing cheese heritage.
In the afternoon, the tour continues to Edam, internationally known for its distinctive round cheeses. The compact historic centre features well-preserved buildings, quiet canals, and unique sights such as a historic warehouse with a floating basement.
Nearby, you will find Fort Edam, part of the Dutch Waterlines defence system. Edam also hosts a traditional cheese market, which can be visited on Wednesdays during July and August, when the town centre comes alive with colourful displays and historic costumes.
What Is Included in This Private Tour?
Comfortable full day
Travel time from Amsterdam: about 1 hour to Alkmaar and 40 minutes to Edam each way.
Both cheese towns are north of Amsterdam, so the day flows naturally from one to the other without doubling back.
Practical info
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Find out more about how we plan your private tour. Free cancellation up to 7 days before the tour, minus any non-refundable tickets, in writing, under our terms and conditions.
Yes. The classic version is the Alkmaar cheese market in the morning, which runs on Friday mornings in season, then Edam in the afternoon for the quieter, prettier version of the same story.
Outside cheese market season the day still works, with Alkmaar’s old town and canals in place of the market. Around eight hours door to door with your own guide and driver.
Yes, the tour is a good option for visitors who want to see smaller towns beyond Amsterdam. It offers an easy way to experience local life and traditions.
Yes, there is time to explore both towns on foot and enjoy their streets and squares. Your guide will point out places of interest as you go.
Yes, the tour works well for families, with a relaxed pace and plenty of open spaces. Content can be adjusted to suit different ages.
Yes, there are opportunities to stop for coffee or a meal along the way. Your guide can suggest places that you might like.
Yes, much of the tour takes place outdoors while walking through the towns. Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.
Yes, as a private tour, the route and focus can be adjusted where possible. Preferences can be shared in advance or discussed on the day.
Alkmaar is about 1 hour from Amsterdam and Edam about 40 minutes, both by car. This full-day private day trip from Amsterdam takes you to both historic cheese cities, travelling door to door.
Yes. Every tour we run is private, so it can be built around limited mobility rather than squeezed into it. Tell us what you need when you book and we will plan the route, the pace and the stops around it: the car closer to each stop, shorter walking stretches, seated breaks, and step-free alternatives where they exist. Wheelchairs, walkers and prams are all fine. Where a particular site is genuinely not accessible we will say so before you book rather than let you find out on the day.
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