The world-famous Gouda cheese is named after a city in the heart of the Dutch green lands. Imagine this, the city is just as delectable as the cheese. I am thrilled to share my Gouda Netherlands cheese tour highlights at the city and cheese farm. So, read on and discover reasons why Gouda is the ultimate foodie and cultural tour.
The city Gouda lies in the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. It’s named after the Gouwe River that it surrounds. The city became known for the Gouda cheese traded in its market square. Furthermore, Gouda is famous for stroopwafels, grachten or canals, smoking pipes and its 15th century city hall. Originally, it was a marshland in the 13th century. Later, a canal was built and its estuary became a harbor.
Gouda Netherlands
Cheese Tour Highlights
In one day, I took a Gouda walking tour exploring the main highlights of this historic city. The old town is compact and east to see afoot the popular historic landmarks in just one day. Furthermore, I enjoyed a tour at the nearby Cheese Farm Hoogerwaard. Here, visitors can taste test the famous gouda and learn about its production.
Market Square
The Market Square is the perfect place to begin a city tour. During summertime on Thursday mornings, the famous Gouda Cheese Market tradition continues. Between the Stadhuis and De Waag, farmers and traders negotiate huge quantities of gouda. Usually, the cheese is produced in large yellow-orange cheese wheels.
The iconic Old City Hall stands in the center of this massive square. Across from it is the Waag (weigh house) and cheese museum. Also, many restaurants, cafes and shops surround the square.
Gouda City Hall or Stadhuis
Built in 1450, the Gouda City Hall is one of the oldest Gothic secular buildings in the Netherlands. Originally, it was moated and later transformed into a massive square. The front façade displays dramatic pointed towers and arched windows. Stone statues represent important Dutch people. At night the building illuminates in various colors. Sometimes it even performs light shows.
Traditionally, after a court case the guilty walked down the left staircase to the scaffold. The innocent ones used the right staircase. On the side of the stadhuis is the carillon. Its puppet play features Count Floris V leaving his castle in 1272 to grant a Gouda city charter. The carillon plays every hour and half-hour. Furthermore, the interior is open Tuesday to Sunday. Today, its main function is the setting for wedding ceremonies.
Waag (Weigh House)
Built in 1667 across form the Old City Hall, the Waag was used for weighing cheese to levy taxes. This historic building now stands as a museum to learn about Gouda and its famous cheese. Also, they offer cheese tasting along with wine pairing options.
Grote or St. Jans Kerk
(Great or Saint John’s Church)
Just a 5-minute walk from the Market Square stands the gothic Saint John’s Church. It’s the longest church stretching 123 meters in the Netherlands. Furthermore, it’s famous for the 72 stained-glass windows. The church is dedicated to John the Baptist, the patron saint of Gouda. It was built during the 15th and 16th centuries.
The church’s stained-glass windows are the most significant collection in the Netherlands. The windows consist of 2 layers with each frame containing a unique depiction. Noteworthy windows include the Baptism of Jesus and Last Supper. Admission tickets are available Monday – Saturday. However, the only way to see the interior on Sundays is to attend a service.
Gouda Canals and Locks
Narrow canals encircle Gouda’s Old Town. These serene waterways offer an interesting perspective on Gouda’s connection to water. The scenic canals are lined by trees and Dutch architecture with charming bridges. Gouda offers many ways to enjoy the canals, such as, kayaking, boat tour or canal walks.
Just east of Gouda on the Hollandese lJssel (River) is the historic Waaiersluis (Waaier Locks). Its fan lock was one of the first of its kind used in a waterway.
Museumhaven Gouda
(Gouda Museum Harbour)
The Gouda Museum Harbour is a small harbor with historic ships. It offers berths for 20 preserved old Dutch ships from the early 1900s. On the quay, boards provide information about each ship’s design and history.
Berg’s Bakery for Stroopwafel
Gouda is famous for the delicious stroopwafel. Just a 5-minute walk from the Market Square is Berg’s Bakery. Here they make hot off the waffle iron your very own warm and gooey stroopwafel. These are so much tastier than the cold, wrapped ones you buy at a store.
The wafers of a stroopwafel are made from a stiff dough pressed in a hot waffle iron. Between the 2 wafers oozes a filling made from brown sugar, syrup, butter and cinnamon. As the syrup cools, the thin waffles stick together. If you have a sweet tooth, you can’t miss out on the best stroopwafel of your life. Berg’s Bakery offers indoor and outdoor seating. Even more, they offer Syrup Waffle Workshops.
Hoogerwaard Cheese Farm
My tour included a stop at the Hoogerwaard Cheese Farm. This 17th century cheese farm in the Krimpenerwaard lies near Gouda. They produce traditional Gouda cheeses made from raw milk.
The tour includes taste-testing cheeses from just months old to 5 years old. Most cheeses in stores are young cheeses because they cost require less storage. However, the older cheeses have a bolder taste that is interesting to distinguish from the younger ones.
Our guide explained the cheese production and utilized equipment. Furthermore, we got to meet the farm animals and see a small cheese museum. Of course, they have a shop with various gouda cheeses to purchase.
Enjoy Gouda!
Gouda and its cheese make for the ultimate foodie tour. I loved every minute exploring the picturesque city with its serene canals and stunning architecture. And the countryside to explore the cheese farm took me to the heart of the country. If your travels bring you to Gouda, please share comments or tips below.
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