Visit Haarlem - The capital of Province North Holland
Understand - Haarlem is the center of a flower-growing district and the export point for flower bulbs. Many people commute to nearby Amsterdam.
History - The first recordings of the name 'Haarlem' date from the tenth century. Located on a much used north/south connection route, the city became the seat of the Counts of Holland. In 1245 the city was granted city rights by Count William II of Holland. Due to heroic acts of knights from Haarlem during the fifth crusade and their contributions in the siege of Damiate in 1217, Haarlem was granted permission to show a cross and a sword in the city's coat of arms.
Get in - Haarlem is connected on the main train line between Amsterdam and The Hague. It takes about 15 minutes to travel from Amsterdam by train. If you have – or rent – a bike, it takes an average cyclist around an hour to cycle from the centre of Amsterdam, a fairly relaxing ride on typically level terrain.
If you're taking the train from Schiphol Airport, there is no direct service so you will have to change trains in Amsterdam. A good alternative is to use the big red bus #300, called the Zuidtangent, which runs every 10-15 minutes between Schiphol and Haarlem Central Station.