Gouda
Discover Gouda
Gouda is a city in the province South-Holland in The Netherlands. It is a typical Dutch city with many old buildings, canals and pretty sights, and is a popular destination for a day trip. It is also a good base for exploring the rest of the Netherlands, thanks to its great rail- and highway connections. The city is famous for its cheese, its 15th-century town hall and the amazing glass windows in St. Janskerk, but there is a lot more to see and do. Gouda has a population of about 71,000. As well as its cheese, Gouda is also famous for its stroopwafels (syrup waffles), candles and its clay pipes. Most of the city is below sea level. The lowest point of the Netherlands can be found a few kilometres outside the city and is marked by a monument.
What to Experience in Gouda
Taste of Gouda...
There are lots of small cafes and bars at the north side of the Markt. Gouda is a very popular day trip destination. Accommodation options used to be limited, but this has been changing. Gouda is, in general, a safe city, even at night time. There used to be a lot of car crime, but CCTV cameras have reduced this to normal levels. Just don't leave your valuables in the car. Due to its central location, Gouda makes for a good base to explore the region and easily connects to other sights in the Netherlands.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Gouda into what it is today.
Gouda is named after the river Gouwe and the Van der Goude family, who built a castle on the Gouwe River in the 11th century. At that time, the area was swampland. Over the next two hundred years peat was collected and the land was developed. In 1225, a canal was built connecting the Gouwe River with the Oude Rijn (part of the Rhine delta). This was used to help ship goods to France and further afield. This provided a safer route than traveling by sea. This resulted in a surge of economic activity around Gouda and the town gained importance. In 1272, it was declared a city by count Floris V. Most of the canals were built around this time. Over the years, there have been fires (1361, 1438), occupations (1572) and plagues (1574, 1625, 1636, 1673). In 1577, the castle was destroyed. Despite these disasters, Gouda is still a beautiful place to visit. In 1667 a tax was introduced on the locally produced cheese. This raised a lot of money for the town. In 1668, the Waag (cheese weighing house) was built, to weigh the cheese and collect this tax. Trains have been running between Gouda and Utrecht since 1855; in 1944 the old train station was damaged by Allied bombing. When you arrive at the train station, take the exit called "Centrumzijde" or just "Centrum". There should be a sign pointing you to the city centre. If you can't find it, just go the way most people go and you will be in the city centre very soon....
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Gouda.
Most shops are open M-Sa 09:00-17:00, and until later on Thursday evenings. On Sundays, many stores are closed, except stores that sell fresh products. Most restaurants and bars are open on Sundays. The busiest shopping street is Kleiweg. Here you can find the regular brands you can find in many Dutch cities, such as Hema, V&D, H&M, The Sting, Blokker, et cetera. In streets such as Tiendeweg, Zeugstraat and Lange Groenendaal, you can find small independent shops with more unique products. Besides the usual shops in Gouda, you will also find many independent shops. Without the intention to be complete, some of them are listed below: There are lots of small cafes and bars at the north side of the Markt. Gouda is a very popular day trip destination. Accommodation options used to be limited, but this has been changing. Gouda is, in general, a safe city, even at night time. There used to be a lot of car crime, but CCTV cameras have reduced this to normal levels.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsTrains have been running between Gouda and Utrecht since 1855; in 1944 the old train station was damaged by Allied bombing. When you arrive at the train station, take the exit called "Centrumzijde" or just "Centrum". There should be a sign pointing you to the city centre. If you can't find it, just go the way most people go and you will be in the city centre very soon. If you want to take a taxi, there will most likely be drivers waiting for customers. They will pick up you up on the street outside the station. If there aren't any taxis around, you can call them. Buses stop at the train station. Most of them are operated by Arriva, some of them by Connexxion. There are buses connecting Gouda with Rotterdam, Utrecht, Zoetermeer, Leiden, Waddinxveen, Bodegraven, Schoonhoven, Reeuwijk-Brug and some more towns. Buses are slower and more expensive than trains. If you have the option, choose the train....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The city centre of Gouda, like many other historic Dutch cities, is surrounded by a circular canal. The city only started to expand beyond this circle in the late 19th century, so most historic sights can be found within it. It is also the main shopping district of the city. The centre of Gouda is easy to walk around. Most of the streets are pedestrianized. The main shopping street, Kleiweg, is pedestrianized and bike free. At the centre of Gouda and the end of Kleiweg is the central square of the city, called Markt. The Stadhuis and De Waag are here, and this is where the weekly cheese market takes place. If you want to travel outside the centre of Gouda, biking is a good option. At the tourist office, staff can tell you the most interesting routes to cycle, both within the city as well as the immediate surroundings (Groene Hart). Most of the streets in the centre are bike friendly, the main exception being Kleiweg. You can walk along this street with your bike, just don't cycle.
Where to Stay
Gouda is a very popular day trip destination. Accommodation options used to be limited, but this has been changing. Gouda is, in general, a safe city, even at night time. There used to be a lot of car crime, but CCTV cameras have reduced this to normal levels. Just don't leave your valuables in the car. Due to its central location, Gouda makes for a good base to explore the region and easily connects to other sights in the Netherlands.
Money & Budget
Most shops are open M-Sa 09:00-17:00, and until later on Thursday evenings. On Sundays, many stores are closed, except stores that sell fresh products. Most restaurants and bars are open on Sundays. The busiest shopping street is Kleiweg. Here you can find the regular brands you can find in many Dutch cities, such as Hema, V&D, H&M, The Sting, Blokker, et cetera. In streets such as Tiendeweg, Zeugstraat and Lange Groenendaal, you can find small independent shops with more unique products. Besides the usual shops in Gouda, you will also find many independent shops. Without the intention to be complete, some of them are listed below: There are lots of small cafes and bars at the north side of the Markt. Gouda is a very popular day trip destination.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Gouda is, in general, a safe city, even at night time. There used to be a lot of car crime, but CCTV cameras have reduced this to normal levels. Just don't leave your valuables in the car. Due to its central location, Gouda makes for a good base to explore the region and easily connects to other sights in the Netherlands.
Glimpses of Gouda
De cityhall of gouda in the goldenhour
De Museumhaven
Cheese wheels like (slightly yellow) teeth in a row. It makes my smile.
A cheesy story
De cityhall of gouda in the bluehour
Lovely canals of Gouda.
black mobile phone lens on brown surface
Climb - rebel
Dell XPS 2018
Gouda 2018
De cityhall of gouda in the goldenhour
De Museumhaven
Cheese wheels like (slightly yellow) teeth in a row. It makes my smile.