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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250612T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250612T123000
DTSTAMP:20260406T041955
CREATED:20191121T153828Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250604T065839Z
UID:10000700-1749722400-1749731400@www.dutchcountryside.com
SUMMARY:Gouda Cheese Market
DESCRIPTION:Gouda Cheese Market (photo: VVV Gouda)\n\n\n\nGouda cheese has been traded every Thursday on the Markt in Gouda for centuries. Every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m\, the traditional Gouda Cheese Market still takes place on the Markt. And just like in the old days\, farmers and cheese traders make a price by means of ‘hand clapping’. In addition to the world-famous cheese\, you can enjoy stalls where stroopwafels and poffertjes are made and where old crafts are practiced. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCheese market trading\n\n\n\nThe Cheese trade was a flourishing trade: in 1937\, 4.5 million kilos of cheese were traded on the Gouda cheese market. This cheese was supplied in that year with 15\,245 wagons. Real trade now often takes place elsewhere and in other ways. But since the 1980s\, the cheese market has been maintained by a large number of volunteers to show how the buying and selling of cheese used to be done. \n\n\n\nSay cheese\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVisiting a cheese market is a perfect location for taking some great pictures. The traditional setting lets you experience Holland at it best.  \n\n\n\nPrice\n\n\n\nVisiting the Gouda cheese market is free.  \n\n\n\nHow to get to the Gouda Cheese Market\n\n\n\nIf you would like to visit the cheese market\, make sure you are on time. In good weather\, many visitors come to the event on the Market. You will have various options for traveling to Gouda.  \n\n\n\n                \n                    \n            Tour from Amsterdam\n            By car\n            By train\n                \n\nNew in 2025: Book a direct tour from Amsterdam\n\n\n\nA convenient way to experience the Gouda Cheese Market is via an organised half-day tour from Amsterdam. Perfect for visitors without a car or those looking for a relaxed and well-organised trip. \n\n\n\nTour schedule: \n\n\n\n\n08:30 – Departure from Amsterdam\n\n\n\n10:00 – Arrival at the Gouda Cheese Market\n\n\n\n12:00 – 14:00 – Free time to explore Gouda at your own pace\n\n\n\nReceive a map with highlights and tips to help you get the most out of your visit\n\n\n\n14:00 – Departure from Gouda\n\n\n\n15:30 – Arrival back in Amsterdam\n\n\n\n\nPlaces are limited so book your tickets in time. Check current availability and prices below and book your tickets easily. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGouda is easily accessible by car via the A12 and A20 highways. The city center is car-free\, but there are several nearby parking garages: \n\n\n\n\nQ-Park Bolwerk – Sint Mariewal 3\, 2801 WS Gouda\n\n\n\nParkeergarage Nieuwe Markt – Nieuwe Markt 1\, 2801 GR Gouda (Closest to the cheese market – about a 2-minute walk)\n\n\n\nParkeergarage Klein Amerika – Klein Amerika 30\, 2806 CA Gouda (Spacious and often less crowded)\n\n\n\n\nTip: Use the Gouda Park+Walk system if you plan to explore the city for the whole day. \n\n\n\n\nDirect trains from Amsterdam Central Station to Gouda Station take around 55 minutes.\n\n\n\nFrom Gouda Station\, it’s about a 10-minute walk to the market square.\n\n\n\n\nTrain ticketsPriceOne-Way Train Ticket Amsterdam – Gouda€ 14.20More info\n\n\n            \n\n\n\n\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=18&v=ObLC3lmFhjY&feature=emb_logo
URL:https://www.dutchcountryside.com/event/gouda-cheese-market/2025-06-12/
LOCATION:Noord Holland
CATEGORIES:Cheese
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DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250613T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250613T130000
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SUMMARY:Alkmaar Cheese Market
DESCRIPTION:Alkmaar Cheese Market\n\n\n\nAlkmaar Cheese Market\n\n\n\nThousands of visitors from all over the world come specially to the Alkmaar cheese market. It is therefore a special spectacle with a square full of cheese and lugging cheese carriers. The cheese market is held just over 40 kilometres from the centre of Amsterdam. \n\n\n\nIn 1365\, Alkmaar has weighing rights and one scale\, but in 1612 these are already four. When the first real cheese market has taken place\, it is covered in mists. Old documents have been found that clearly state that the cheese market took place with certainty in 1622\, but there is also evidence that the cheese carrier guild was established in 1593; from this we can conclude that there must have been a cheese market back then. \n\n\n\nPowered by GetYourGuide\n\n\n\n                        Alkmaar Cheese Market 2025Alkmaar Cheese MarketWhen is the cheese market in Alkmaar?What can i expect at the Alkmaar Cheese Market?Program Alkmaar Cheese Market 2025How to get to the Cheese Market in Alkmaar?\n\n\nWhen is the cheese market in Alkmaar?\n\n\n\nThe cheese market in Alkmaar is held every Friday morning. The first cheese market of 2025 is on Friday 28 March and the last cheese market is on 26 September. The market starts at 10 am and lasts until 1 pm. \n\n\n\nWhat can i expect at the Alkmaar Cheese Market?\n\n\n\nDuring the cheese market in Alkmaar\, the judges and traders go to work. They inspect the cheeses. They do this not only by looking at the cheese; the cheese is beaten and cut in half. They also take out a piece of cheese with a special cheese drill. They smell the cheese and check how elastic the piece is; this tells something about the fat content. Furthermore the cheese is crumbled between the fingers and of course tasted. \n\n\n\nProgram Alkmaar Cheese Market 2025\n\n\n\nAlthough the cheese market does not start until 10 a.m.\, the work begins at 7 a.m. Under the watchful eye of the market master\, they place about 30\,000 kilos of Gouda cheese in long rows on the Waagplein. The number of cheeses is around 2\,400. Everything must be ready by 09:30 hrs. \n\n\n\nTimeProgram Alkmaar Cheese Market 20257:00 amPlacing the Cheeses | Trucks loaded with cheeses drive onto Waagplein\, where the Alkmaar Cheese Market has been held since its inception. Under the watchful eye of the market master\, the ‘setters’ arrange as much as 30\,000 kilos of Gouda and Edam cheeses in long rows on the still quiet Waagplein. That’s about 2\,400 cheeses! This must be completed by 9:30 am.9:30 amCheese Carriers | The cheese carriers arrive at the Waaggebouw. Anyone who is late has to pay a fine\, which partly goes to a school in the town of ‘Alkmaar’ in Suriname.9:45 amCheese Father’s Roll Call | The head of the cheese carriers\, the ‘cheese father\,’ holds his roll call with the cheese carriers in the Waaggebouw. Are all the cheese carriers present? Are there any special matters on the market today? Which cheese carriers will work in which part of the Cheese Market?10:00 amThe Cheese Bell | At exactly 10:00 am\, the cheese bell is rung. This opens the cheese market to visitors. The honor of ringing the bell usually goes to a well-known Dutch celebrity or a relation of the Municipality of Alkmaar.From 10:00 amInspecting the Cheeses | After ringing the bell\, the inspectors examine the cheeses by tapping\, tasting\, and feeling them. A piece is taken from the cheese with a special cheese bore. The smell and elasticity of the piece of cheese that comes out of it indicate something about the fat content. They also look at the number of holes in the cheese; these should be perfectly distributed over the cheese.From 10:00 amThe Random Sample | Do you ever take a random sample? This term comes from the Cheese Market\, where the inspectors use a cheese bore to take a piece from the cheese to taste it.After a positive inspection\, the intense negotiation of the cheese price can begin. This is still done through the traditional method of ‘handjeklap\,’ which means ‘hand-clapping.’ The final handclap signifies the completion of the cheese sale.From 10:00 amWeighing the Cheese | Once a batch of cheese is sold\, the cheese carriers carry it on a berrie to the Weigh House. There\, the cheese is weighed by the so-called ‘tasman’ (bagman). Where does the name tasman come from? It refers to the bag around his waist\, where he keeps the collected money. The weighmaster ensures that the correct weight is billed to the buyer. After weighing\, the tasman stamps the wooden berrie.From 10:00 amCarrying the Cheese Away | When a batch of cheese has been weighed and sold\, the cheese carriers transport the cheeses across the market to the buyers’ trucks. Two cheese carriers carry the cheese on a berrie\, and more than 100 kilos of cheese are on it! It is quite an art to keep the cheese berrie steady while walking. The Cheese Carriers must walk in a certain rhythm\, which is called the ‘kaasdragersdribbel’ or ‘cheese carriers’ trot.’ This way\, the berrie hangs still between the cheese carriers.12:30 pmThrowing the Cheese | The ‘ingooiers’ load the last cheeses onto carts and take them to the buyers’ trucks in Marktstraat. The cheese disappears from Waagplein\, and in its place\, cozy terraces are set up. Maybe you’ve worked up an appetite for a cheese sandwich… The restaurants and cafes in and around Waagplein will be happy to help you!\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nHow to get to the Cheese Market in Alkmaar?\n\n\n\n                \n                    \n            Tour from Amsterdam\n            By car\n            By train\n                \n\nNew in 2025: Book a direct tour from Amsterdam\n\n\n\nA convenient way to experience the Alkmaar Cheese Market is via an organised half-day tour from Amsterdam. Perfect for visitors without a car or those looking for a relaxed and well-organised trip. \n\n\n\nTour schedule: \n\n\n\n\n08:30 – Departure from Amsterdam\n\n\n\n10:00 – Arrival at the Alkmaar Cheese Market\n\n\n\n12:00 – 14:00 – Free time to explore Alkmaar at your own pace\n\n\n\nReceive a map with highlights and tips to help you get the most out of your visit\n\n\n\n14:00 – Departure from Alkmaar\n\n\n\n15:30 – Arrival back in Amsterdam\n\n\n\n\nPlaces are limited so book your tickets in time. Check current availability and prices below and book your tickets easily. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDriving to Alkmaar is simple via the A9 highway. The city center is partially car-free\, so plan to park nearby: \n\n\n\n\nKanaalschiereiland Parking (P1) – Pettemerstraat 3\, 1823 CW Alkmaar\n\n\n\nP+R Bergermeer – Bergerweg 62\, 1817 MJ Alkmaar (Free parking + easy access to city center)\n\n\n\nParking Karperton (P5) – Bagijnenstraat 13\, 1811 KA Alkmaar (Closest to the market square)\n\n\n\n\n\nDirect trains run regularly from Amsterdam Central Station to Alkmaar Station (approx. 35–40 minutes)\n\n\n\nFrom the station\, it’s a 10-minute walk to the Waagplein\n\n\n\n\nTrain ticketsPriceOne-Way Train Ticket Amsterdam – Alkmaar€ 9.40More info\n\n\n            \n\n\n\nLuxury day trip from Amsterdam \n\n\n\nAre you travelling from Amsterdam? Then the easiest way is to book a cheese day tour. This takes you directly from the centre of Amsterdam to the cheese market in Alkmaar. You will also visit a cheese farm in the Dutch countryside.
URL:https://www.dutchcountryside.com/event/alkmaar-cheese-market-2/2025-06-13/
LOCATION:Alkmaar Cheese Market\, Waagplein 2\, Alkmaar\, Noord Holland\, 1811JP\, Netherlands
CATEGORIES:Cheese
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