HomeJourneysThe Golden Age Cities: Haarlem to Dordrecht3 days

The Golden Age Cities: Haarlem to Dordrecht: 3-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

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The 3-day version for May: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go.

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3
days
135 km
distance
6.0 h
driving
20
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

Day 1 Haarlem → Leiden

6 curated stops
Transit
2h15
Finish
~17:40
Temperature
9.3°C–16.0°C
Rainy days
~8
Daylight
15.5h
09:00
Rooms-Katholieke Kathedrale Basiliek Sint Bavo rkbavo.nl read more map ↗
Marvel at this grand cathedral built by Catholics in the late 19th century.
50 min · Haarlem
open: 09.30 - 12.30
10:00
Enjoy a fine collection of Dutch Golden Age art in Haarlem.
50 min · Haarlem · €13
open: Tu-Sa 10:00-17:00, Su & holidays 12:00-17:00, closed on Mondays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day
11:00
Browse one of the oldest museums in the Netherlands with diverse collections.
50 min · Haarlem · €12
open: Tu-Sa 10:00-17:00, Su & holidays 12:00-17:00, closed on Mondays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day
13:50
Museum De Lakenhal lakenhal.nl read more map ↗
Admire historical artefacts and art from Leiden's past, including works by Rembrandt.
50 min · Leiden · Adult (18-65) €10
open: Tu-Su 10:00-17:00
14:50
Rijksmuseum van Oudheden rmo.nl read more map ↗
View ancient Egyptian treasures and a gifted temple in this history museum.
50 min · Leiden · Adult €9.50, child (4-17) €3.00, (0-3) free
open: Tu-F 10:00-17:00, Sa Su holidays 12:00-17:00
15:50
Nederlands Centrum voor Biodiversiteit Naturalis naturalis.nl read more map ↗
Experience life and Earth's history in themed rooms within stunning new architecture.
50 min · Leiden · Adult (18+) €11, child (4-17) €8, (0-3) free
open: M-F 10:00-17:00, Sa Su holidays 10:00-18:00
16:40
Savor a mix of French-style dishes and hearty steaks, popular with students.
60 min · Leiden
Overnight: Leiden
e.g. Stochemhoeve Camping · De Doelen

Day 2 The Hague → Gouda

5 curated stops
Transit
2h15
Finish
~17:35
Temperature
8.2°C–18.1°C
Rainy days
~8
Daylight
15.4h
10:00
Admire masterpieces in this small but renowned gallery housed in a 17th-century palace.
50 min · The Hague · Adult €14, under 18 get in free
open: M-W F Sa 10:00-18:00, Th 10:00-20:00 (M 10:00-17:00 from Apr-Aug)
11:00
Explore optical illusions and intricate prints in this former royal palace turned art museum.
50 min · The Hague · €9.50
open: Tu-Su 11:00-17:00
12:00
Visit this grand building housing an international arbitration court, built in 1913.
50 min · The Hague · €8.50
12:50
Enjoy vegetarian, chicken, beef, and seafood dishes in a welcoming Indonesian eatery.
60 min · The Hague · €20-30
open: Tu-Sa 12:00-21:00, Su 14:00-21:00
15:45
The Cheese Market and De Waag goudakaas.nl read more map ↗
Discover the cheese market and visit the old cheese weighing house museum.
50 min · Gouda · Adult €3.50, child €3
open: Every Thursday morning in from April to August, there is a traditional cheese market. The building where the cheese used to be weighed (De Waag) is a typical …
16:45
Admire the beautiful stained glass windows in the longest church in the Netherlands.
50 min · Gouda
Overnight: Gouda
e.g. Best Western City Hotel Gouda · Campanile Hotel Gouda

Day 3 Dordrecht

6 curated stops
Transit
1h27
Finish
~17:35
Temperature
8.2°C–18.1°C
Rainy days
~8
Daylight
15.4h
10:30
Admire the towering Brabantine Gothic architecture of this grand church.
50 min · Dordrecht · Admission to church and tower: €4
open: Apr-Oct: Tu-Sa 10:30-16:30, Su 12:00-16:00; Nov-Dec: Tu Th Sa 14:00-16:00
11:30
Museum 1940 - 1945 museum19401945.nl map ↗
Relive wartime history through artifacts and personal stories.
50 min · Dordrecht · €3
open: Tu W F-Su 10:00-17:00
12:30
Groothoofdspoort read more map ↗
Stand beneath a historic city gate where three rivers meet.
50 min · Dordrecht
13:30
Discover impressive oil paintings and decorative arts in a captivating museum.
50 min · Dordrecht · €12; + Het Hof van Nederland and Huis Van Gijn €15
open: Tu–Su 11:00–17:00
14:30
Kyck over den Dyck search map ↗
See the city's sole remaining mill, a historic landmark.
50 min · Dordrecht
15:45
Explore vast wetlands and tidal landscapes in a national park.
50 min · Dordrecht
16:35
Indulge in breakfast, lunch, pastries, and evening meals.
60 min · Dordrecht
open: 10:00-22:00

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