Gouda between cheese tradition and canals

Cheese traditions, waterways and historic buildings reveal the many different sides of Gouda. At the seasonal Gouda Cheese Market, the traditional hand-clapping between cheese traders, horse-drawn cheese carts and weighing cheese on the original scales at the Goudse Waag are all part of the action. There are also stalls selling regional products and a craft market; the seasonal offerings may vary. Check the market dates before your trip.

Cheese and syrup waffles

Gouda's culinary traditions can also be explored outside the market. The Gouda Cheese Experience introduces visitors to the history, production and trade of Gouda cheese through interactive activities and tastings. A tour of the Kamphuisen Siroopwafelfabriek includes a demonstration of how syrup waffles are made. It also includes a syrup tasting and, to finish, a freshly made warm waffle. As tour offerings and formats may change, check the latest information before your visit.

Canals and Museumhaven

Museumhaven Gouda is free to visit and open at all times. Its collection includes historic commercial vessels as well as the Werfhuijs and the IJsselhuis. The ships themselves cannot be visited because they are inhabited. The historic waterways in the city centre have a total of 200 moorings. For those who would like to explore the area on foot, Museumhaven offers three self-guided routes that can be accessed around the clock, including a 60-minute Museumhaven walk. Route availability may change.

For a different perspective on the canals, JabaSup offers SUP and canoe tours along Gouda's historic waterways. Reederij de IJsel operates trips through the monumental city centre on the trekschuiten Jan Salie or Jan Kordaat. The trips are seasonal; check operating times before planning. This means self-guided routes and tour options are both available, without implying that they offer the same experience.

Museums and architectural history

The Goudse Waag was designed by Pieter Post in 1668; the original scales can be seen inside the building. Museum de Goudse Waag tells the story of Gouda's history and trade, as well as the products that were weighed and traded there. Museum Gouda houses a unique collection of 16th-century altarpieces that survived the Beeldenstorm. A digital journey through time, featuring a detailed model of Gouda as it was in 1562, offers another perspective on the city's history. For children, there is a tablet tour, a life-size city model and an activity in the studio.

Gouda has almost 1,250 protected monuments: nearly 900 municipal and around 350 national monuments. Visitors who want to explore the city on foot can also take themed city walks offered by Explore Gouda. Themes range from culture and history to crafts, shopping and food, as well as family routes. At the Sint-Janskerk, a free audio tour takes around 40 minutes and leads visitors to hidden treasures.

Cycling routes and getting there

A 12-kilometre cycling route runs from Gouda to Reeuwijk and the Reeuwijkse Plassen, and is also suitable for children. Along the way, it passes Kinderboerderij De Goudse Hofsteden, which can be visited free of charge. Other cycling routes from Gouda connect the historic city centre with cheese farms, meadows and the polders of the Groene Hart.

Gouda station is a five-minute walk from the historic centre and is an Intercity station with direct connections to destinations including Rotterdam, Utrecht and The Hague. Check timetables before travelling. At Nieuwe Markt, there is a public, covered and supervised bicycle parking facility with space for around 700 bikes; details of this facility may change.

During your hotel stay, you can plan each day around your interests: walks and museum visits offer a different focus from tastings, cycling routes or trips on the water. If you are planning activities with set dates or seasonal operating hours, check the latest information before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Gouda, Westvoorne, Zederik, Zuidplas, Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, Schiedam, Alphen aan den Rijn, Giessenlanden.

For the main travel overview: South Holland.