Haarlem is at the center of the Dutch flower-growing district and is a main export point for flower bulbs. Not far from the famous Keukenhof gardens and flower fields of Lisse and Hillegom, Haarlem is a great base for visitors to the Netherlands to see the tulips in full bloom.
Only 15 minutes by train, Haarlem makes an excellent base for visitors to Amsterdam. Haarlem is also very close to historic Leiden, the cheese markets of Alkmaar and an hour from The Hague. This makes Haarlem an excellent choice to stay in when exploring North and South Holland.
With so many picturesque tourist sights, excellent museums, boutique shopping, good hotels, sandy beaches and a wide range of restaurants, Haarlem is a great holiday destination or a wonderful city-break for a weekend away.