Gouda: Unveiling the Delights of the Cheese Capital
Updated: May 12
I pushed off visiting Gouda for almost 2 years assuming 'What would this pretty town in Netherlands anyway offer, apart from its picturesque canals and narrow cobblestone streets'. My bad. My passion in travel is driven towards adventurous or cultural travel, totally inclined to the likes of Nepal, Bhutan and Turkmenistan. However, after I moved to Netherlands, and after exploring so many picturesque and interesting towns and villages, my belief changed. Venturing beyond the typical tourist areas and exploring obscure neighbourhoods often hold authentic cultural experiences and unique stories that may go unnoticed by many travellers. As a result of this, now my passion in travel has only broadened cultivating a mindset of curiosity and openness. Now since I've said that with all honesty, I've been slowly unveiling the delights of the Cheese Capital Gouda. Not only is Gouda popular for its world famous cheese, it is also interestingly linked to syrup waffles, candles, beer, clay pipes and pottery. Yup, better late than never !
I visited Gouda last month. It was a Saturday and we were in the mood to explore a new place, and we had already explored the much bigger cities in Netherlands a lot many times. So we decided to give this land of its namesake cheese a shot.
Unveiling the Delights of the Cheese Capital Gouda
Located in the western part of the Netherlands, in the province of South Holland, Gouda is a city relatively smaller than the major cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague in terms of land size and population. It is situated approximately 40 minutes drive (12 miles) from Rotterdam and about 30 minutes drive (19 miles) from The Hague. Not a surprise, but Gouda is surrounded by a network of canals because it is situated along the banks of the Gouwe River.
We parked our car at the parking garage Q-Park New Market which is closest to the city center. Once we got out of the parking garage, we first checked out the Gouda cheese museum. First, let’s talk about Gouda cheese.
Gouda cheese 🧀
The question that I'm about to pop might sound funny to a few, while silly to others, but hey let’s reserve our judgements for other nonsensical things ok. I have many people ask me what do people in Netherlands do with so much cheese? How is it eaten, in salads or sandwiches or just like that? And many of them are boggled by the variety of cheese available in the country, to name a few, Gouda cheese, Edam cheese, Maasdam cheese, Leerdammer, Limburger, Leyden, and so on and so forth. And last but not the least, the variations in each type of cheese like jong (young), belegen (mature), and oud (old). Mind boggling isn’t it!
So, Gouda cheese is one of the finest cheese produced in the world. It originated in this Dutch city in the 12th century. It is made from cow’s milk and is aged for varying periods, sometimes to several years. Appearance wise it is characterised by its round shape with a pale yellow interior. Texture wise it has a smooth, creamy texture and taste wise it has a mild, nutty flavour. As the cheese ages, it develops a crumbly texture and has a stronger flavour.
Gouda Cheese Experience
So before I jump into this, you should know that my father-in-law is a massive cheese appreciator bordering on becoming a cheese connoisseur. And for a cheese lover like him, a place like the Gouda Cheese Experience is a befitting destination. One can delve into the flavors and history of this iconic Dutch cheese at this experience.
Gouda is known for its popular namesake cheese world over. And the cheese experience in Gouda does justice by showcasing the process of making this creamy, smooth and nutty flavoured cheese. The tour highlights the origin of Gouda cheese in the 12th century, the captivating story behind it all, the production technique, both traditional and modern, that showcases the craftsmanship behind cheese-making and also provides tasting and sampling while you go about your tour.
An interesting part of this tour are the workshops and demonstrations led by experts in cheese making. You can sign up for these and give it a try. The kids will definitely enjoy this experience, as its interactive, educational and lots of fun guaranteed. Kids and adults can explore the interactive exhibits to learn about the aging process of the Gouda cheese and how it acquires its distinctive taste.
And now for the most anticipated aspect of the museum that will take you through a multi-sensory journey and that is the 'Cheese Tasting' session. It would be such a shame to come for a cheese experience and not sample any cheese. Like I mentioned earlier, you can savour the different types of cheese (young, old, mature etc. ), flavours (smoked, herb-infused, truffle, pepper, fruit-infused etc.) and textures (mild, nutty, creamy, smooth etc.).
Lastly, the Gouda Cheese Experience also houses a shop where you can purchase your favourite Gouda cheeses and souvenirs to take back home and beside the shop is a cafe, from where you can order hot chocolate or beer and some snacks to munch on.
Entrance: €16 for adults
€14.50 for children between 5 and 15 years of age
Free for children below 5 years of age
Opening times: Daily 9 am to 6 pm
Gouda Cheese Market
On a Thursday morning, between the summer months of April and September, , Gouda hosts a cheese market where you'll witness the traditional business of cheese trading in Gouda. Cheese porters known as "kaasdragers" and cheese traders known as "kaashandelaren," are dressed up in their traditional attire and trade wheels of Gouda cheese in this market. You know you've made a deal when you "handjeklap" (clap hands). It’s a popular tourist attraction in the city center and draws tourists from all over the world. Gouda cheese is not only consumed locally, but is exported worldwide.
If you want to immerse yourself in the nostalgic atmosphere as you witness the historic tradition of cheese trading, then ensure you know the days and timings well.
The cheese market takes place:
Every Thursday morning from 10 AM to 12:30 PM from 6 April to 31 August.
(Except on public holidays Kings Day 27 April and Ascension Day 18 May).
De Goudse Waag (Gouda Weigh House) | Cheese and Crafts Museum
Right in front of this square which hosts the cheese market stands tall a very attractive building called De Goudse Waag or the Gouda Weigh House. The ground floor of the De Goudse Waag is the Kaaswaag or the cheese scale which showcases how historically cheese used to be weighted in this weighing house . The remainder of the building houses the Cheese and Crafts Museum. An audio tour educates you on everything you want to know about the history of cheese, the trading practices back in the day and how it was weighed. Its not just about cheese, you remember there is a Crafts part to the museum name too? The audio tour also takes you through the period of Gouda ceramics, Gouda beer, candles, and clay pipes.
Similar to the cheese experience, here too you can get a taste of the Gouda cheese in the tasting room.
Tasting of only Gouda cheese - €3.5 per person
Tasting of Gouda cheese with a glass of wine or beer - €7.5 per person
Hell yea! Its a deal!
Entrance: €7.5 for adults
Free for children under 17 years of age
Opening times:
April - November - Daily 10 AM to 5 PM
November - April - Daily 10 AM to 4 PM
Sint-Janskerk (St. John's Church)
The structure that clearly stands out in Gouda is the Sint-Janskerk (St. John's Church). Located in the heart of the city, one thing that strikes you is its impressive size and secondly, its architectural grandeur. The Sint-Janskerk is the largest church in Gouda and is a Gothic-style church that dates back to the 16th century.
Although we didn't see the church interiors, from its exterior itself you will notice a tall, imposing tower and 72 intricate stained glass windows.These stained glass windows represent the European art of glass painting. A glorious fact is the most renowned and eminent window, known as the Gouda Glass, is the largest medieval stained glass window in Netherlands.
Another incredible fact is that the Sint-Janskerk is home to a very special organ, known as the Gouda Organ. With parts dating back to the 16th century, it is one of the oldest playable organs in the Netherlands. Even to date, this organ is used for concerts and performances. So then maybe worth a visit?
Entrance fees:
€10 for adults, €6 for students, CJP
Free for children under 17 years of age and Museum card holders (NL)
An audio tour is included in the entrance fees to the church.
Opening times:
27 February - 28 October
Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry around 4:30 PM)
30 October - 2 March
Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (last entry around 3:30 PM)
Sunday: One can attend the Church services that start at 10 am and 5 pm.
Marvel at the carillon of the Old Town Hall
The opposite facade of the church is the carillon (basically a musical instrument consisting of a set of bells arranged in chromatic order) of the Old Town Hall. Now the story goes that back in the summer of 1438, the Town Hall suffered some serious damages due to a catastrophic fire. The New Town Hall was decided to be freestanding so in the center of the market was constructed a carillon with mechanical puppets. These puppets begin to move every two minutes of each half hour, thus providing a rich and a resonant sound. The prominent figure in the carillon is Floris V, who granted Gouda it's town charter.
Entrance fees: €3.50 per person
Opening times:
April - October
Tue, Wed, Sat & Sun: 11 AM to 4 PM ; Thu: 10 AM to 2 PM
November - March
Tue, Wed, Sat & Sun: 11 AM to 3 PM ; Thu: 11 AM to 2 PM
Museum Gouda
Although we didnt find the time to go to the Gouda Museum, I've heard that its a must-do and so its surely on my list for my next visit. The museum is situated in a historic building, known as the St. John's Hospital, which dates back to the 15th century. Even if you dont want to tour the museum, you can sit and gawk at the architecture of the building which in itself is impressive. The museum displays exhibits that showcase the rich history, art, and culture of Gouda and its environs.
Clay Pipes: One of the highlights of the museum is its collection of clay pipes. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Gouda was a prominent centre for their production of clay pipes. The museum collection features a wide array of clay pipes. The pipes offer insight into the craftsmanship, cultural significance, and smoking traditions of the past.
Ceramic Collection: Ceramic objects such as pottery, porcelain, and earthenware, representing varied styles, periods, and crafting techniques are on exhibit in the Museum Gouda. There are tonnes of shops in Gouda too selling artistic ceramic collection.
Opening hours:
Tue - Sun - 11 AM - 5 PM
Free with Museum Card and Rotterdam Pass
Syrup waffle 🧇 at the Kamhuisen Siroopwafelfabriek
Now hear me out before you hate on me. I don’t have an opinion on this because I don’t specifically like siroopwaffels. But that goes for many other sweet things because I ain’t gotten a sweet tooth. However my sister vouches for them and my kids go gaga over siroopwaffels. So if you haven’t dug your teeth into one of them already then maybe you should head to Kamhuisen Siroopwafelfabriek.
Restaurants and Cafés
What makes Gouda even more alluring are the restaurants with terraces and a number of beautiful cafes serving locally roasted coffee after a long day of shopping.
Gelato at David's Gelato🍦
One of the famous ice cream shops in Gouda is called David's Gelato. Do you see the queue of people in the photo below? It isn't half of the number of people that had queued up for this 'Lekkere' gelato! Located in the heart of Gouda's historic city center, David's Gelato offers a wide variety of flavors, including traditional favorites like vanilla and chocolate, as well as unique and seasonal flavors. Now, who isn't looking out for a creamy and flavourful sweet treat whilst exploring the charming streets of Gouda, eh?
Eat a bowl of lekkere Gouda Kaas Soup
Have you ever tried the Gouda cheese soup? If not, then hitch your next ride there and get yourself a bowl of that divine food in one of the plentiful restaurants serving this lip smacking dish. I wouldn’t flinch before stating that it was one of the best soups that I had ever eaten in my life! And also did you know Gouda cheese is also used in cheese fondues and in other melted cheese recipes. Trust me, it is the best way to satisfy your culinary cravings. Restaurants in Gouda where you can eat a rich a hearty kaas (cheese) soup are De Kleischuur, De Goudse Eend, De Lichtfabriek, and De Zalm.
Trying steaming cheese fondues 🫕 at Koeien en Kaas
Situated behind the De Goudse Waag, Koeien en Kaas (Cows and Cheese) is famed for their cheese dishes, particularly the Gouda cheese fondue. A great experience if you haven’t tried cheese fondue before.
A locally brewed cold beer
Might come to you as a surprise but during the Middle Ages, Gouda was famed for being the best beer city in the Netherlands. Head to one of the restaurants and try out their local Gouda Kuit Beer or Gouda Bird beer 🍺.
Did I hear pancakes?
Head to the oldest pancake restaurant in town Pannenkoe for some delicious pancakes and lekkere poffertjes. This restaurant was founded in 1840 and till date dishes out the best pancakes (sweet and savory) for its customers.
Shopping in Gouda
Peek a boo and I see you ! Yeah, you can't shy away from the boutique and artisanal stores in Gouda. They have curated their products and displays to entice every customer meandering on the streets of Gouda.
What enticed me particularly were the traditional Dutch crafts including ceramics, jewelry, and artwork, all crafted by talented local artisans and fashionable textiles that were so unique to Gouda alone. My recommendation would be to explore these charming boutiques as the finds here make for perfect mementos of your time in Gouda and thoughtful gifts for loved ones.
The bustling streets of Klieweg are lined with an array of boutique shops, specialty stores, and vibrant markets including Lange Groenendaal, Markt, Nieuwehaven, and Zeugstraat.
For those with a penchant for local crafts and unique souvenirs, the Sint Janstraat and Lange Groenendaal streets are a must-visit. At Groenendaal, you will find really distinctive shops that probably don’t exist in any other city of Netherlands. It is the first Fair trade street in the Netherlands. What luck!
Buy Gouda candles 🕯️ - Did you know Gouda is renowned for its candles? Kaarsenmakerij Gouda and De Kaarsenmaker have a vast selection of candles, including pillar candles, taper candles, and scented candles. You can also find candle-making supplies if you're interested in creating your own candles. De Goudse Kaarsen is a renowned candle manufacturer in Gouda.
In addition to the charming streets, Gouda also boasts several Modern shopping centers, such as the Kleiwegkwartier and Goverwelle. These areas offer a mix of well-known brands, trendy fashion boutiques, and lifestyle stores, providing a diverse shopping experience for all.
Put Gouda Montmartre in your agenda if you haven’t already. Held at the Markt every Wednesday from June to August is the largest open air antique and collectibles market in the Netherlands.
An important thing to note is that Thursdays are the best for shopping, as shops are open until 9 pm contrary to the other days where in shops close as early as 6 pm.
Gouda cheese shops
You cannot miss 't Kaaswinkeltje, a specialty cheese shop and probably the oldest in Gouda where you can sample and purchase a wide range of Gouda cheeses. They specailzie in farmhouse cheese, meaning cheese from the milk straight from the farms in Gouda. The store stands out because of its location and more importantly its selection of cheese.
The most prominent of the variety of cheeses there is the Gouda Black cheese. This particular cheese is matured for 24 months. It has a very strong flavour and is deliciously creamy. My father-in-law vacuum packed a couple of cheese varieties for gifting and for himself to take back to India. These vacuum packs stay fresh for at least 2 months.
Opening times:
Mon - Fri: 8:30 AM to 6 PM; Sat: 8 AM to 5 PM
Boat Trip through the canals of the Gouwe river
Rent a boat at one of the boat rental companies in Gouda and take a tour of the pretty city sailing through the calm canals of the Gouwe river. The other more adventurous options include kayaking and paddle boarding in these same canals. Get your own kayak or paddle board or rent them at one of the many boating companies.
Join the Goudse Gidsen walking tour or take a bike tour
A great way to explore Gouda is to walk through the city starting at the Gouda Cheese Experience and ending at Windmill De Roode Leeuw which is a traditional Dutch windmill situated just outside the city center. You may also join the Goudse Gidsen walking tour . We decided to wear comfortable shoes and walk through the city at our own pace Or you can also rent bikes and follow the cycling routes mapped out within the city. You can rent traditional bicycles, e-bikes (electric bikes), and even take guided bike tours.
This is how we ran through our exciting one day in Gouda. You may also choose to stay in various camping grounds, hotels, staycations, airbnbs etc. in Gouda to spend more than a day.
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Happy reading and happy holidays :)
Very informative. Thanks Amy for this excellent information. Your travel log is travellers delight for the information therein.