Gouda in the Netherlands

BOOK HOTEL IN GOUDA THINGS TO DO IN GOUDA

Gouda City in the Netherlands

Gouda is probably more known for its cheese than the name of the historic Dutch city 27 km northeast of Rotterdam.

Although the city centre is small, it is well worth a visit as there is so much to see and do.

Attractions

You are surrounded by many beautiful restored buildings when you stroll through the city centre.

The facades of the houses and shops are narrow and high.

Roofs are steep sloping because they were thatched in the 1600-the 1700s.

A steep roof drains rainwater quickly and is less prone to leaks.

Gouda Museum

Here you find art and artefacts connected to the history of Gouda.

The economy here depended not only on cheese but was also famous for producing beer, pottery, clay pipes, candles and “stroopwafels” (a Dutch delicacy).

You can also see an extensive collection of religious art within the museum.

Gouda Town Hall

With most of the houses in the city centre tightly packed together, the Town Hall, which stands proudly in the centre of the Market Square, is an accurate statement.

At the back of the building, it has a 9-step high gable.

The small windows at the back and the side are decorated with red and white painted shutters which contrast nicely with the limestone building.

It is a stunning gothic-style building.

cheesemuseum_gouda

Cheese Museum and “de Waag”

Behind the Town Hall, you will find “de Waag”.

Originally it was a place where products sold in the market, including cheese, were weighed.

The weighing promoted fair trading, and the fees paid for the obligatory weighing would go to the city’s treasury.

Since 1995 “de Waag” has been converted into a cheese museum.

Here you find out that Gouda cheese has never been made in Gouda itself.

Farmers around Gouda would produce the cheese and come to the market in Gouda with a horse and cart to sell their wares.

Typical Dutch food

Here are some examples you might want to try:

“Stroopwafels” is a typical split bill that might not look very special at first glance, but after tasting them, you will surely want more.

A stroopwafel consists of 2 thin waffles glued together by a thin film of syrup.

If you are lucky enough to be in the city on one of the particular market days, there is often a stall where they are freshly baked to order.

A cast iron waffle press gives them their typical shape.

“Dutch apple pie” – a deep-filled apple pie with cinnamon and raisins in a sweet pastry.

This always goes well with one of the speciality coffees available in the cafes.

“Erwtensoep” – a thick winter pea soup with smoked sausage for cold days.

Shopping

To shop in this city is good fun.

Along the tiny streets and alleys, you find many small individual shops.

A toy shop called “de Speeldoos” sells lots of old-fashioned, colourful wooden toys, and if you have small children or grandchildren, you will find an extraordinary gift for them here.

Then there are candle shops, sometimes with their candle production units.

Typical Dutch food such as cheese, salt herring and sure sweet treats can be bought in the delicatessens shops in the centre of town or eaten in one of the many cafes, pubs or restaurants.