5 Reasons to Make the Day Trip to Gouda
Gouda is a charming city in the Netherlands that is known for its delicious cheese. If you are considering making the day trip to Gouda you will find this small city offers a delightful mix of culture, cuisine, and exploration.
5 Reasons to Make the Day Trip to Gouda
One day in Gouda will allow you to explore and learn what makes this city so special. Here are 5 things to put on your Gouda day trip itinerary:
1. Visit the Gouda Cheese Market
If you visit Gouda on a Thursday between April and August, you can witness the traditional Gouda Cheese Market where you can witness the traditional cheese weighing and trading as was done centuries ago.
If you are not familiar with Gouda Cheese, it is the most popular cheese in the world and known for its creamy texture and mild, nutty flavor.
It is named after the city of Gouda and so when in Gouda, you should certainly learn what you can about the cheese that makes it so famous!
2. Explore St. John’s Church
St. John’s Church dates back to 1278, although it was renovated during the Middle Ages.
This Gothic church is renowned for its stunning collection of 72 stained-glass windows, making it the largest collection of stained glass in Europe.
3. Take a Tour of the Gouda Cheese & Craft Museum
The best place to learn about the history and culture of the city of Gouda is at the Gouda Cheese & Craft Museum.
The museum, which is inside a historic De Goudse Waag (Weigh House), showcases Dutch art, pottery, and historical artifacts that highlight the city’s past.
4. See the Clock on the Town Hall
The City Hall of Gouda dates back to 1450 and is the oldest Gothic city hall in the Netherlands.
Take time to walk around the building taking in all the details.
One part of the building to take note of is the clock that chimes on the half-hour and full-hour.
This feature was installed in 1961 to pay homage to Floris V who granted Gouda city rights in 1272. When the clock chimes, the gates of the castle open to reveal Count Floris V.
5. Savor Local Delicacies
No visit to Gouda would be complete without tasting its famous cheese.
Even visitors who are lactose intolerant can try the goat’s milk version of Gouda which doesn’t seem to cause the same reaction as the traditional cheese made with cow’s milk.
Stop by a local cheese shop or enjoy a meal at one of the many cafés to try a Gouda cheese fondue!
Remember to get dessert. The traditional Dutch stroopwafel is the perfect after-dinner sweet treat that you can take with you as you walk around the town square.
You can even tour one of the local stroopwafel facilities to see how these delicious treat are made!
A day in Gouda offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and culinary delights, making it a memorable experience for any visitor.
How to Get to Gouda from Amsterdam
What makes traveling around the Netherlands so incredible is that you can get to just about anywhere by train.
Gouda is easy to reach by train – only about 55 minutes from Amsterdam.
It’s just a ten-minute walk from the train station.
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