Out and about in Heemstede

I have been visiting picturesque Heemstede for years because my favorite beauty salon is located here. And when I’m in Heemstede, I always do go through the main shopping street and plop down at one of the cozy lunchrooms for a cup of coffee or a sandwich. But there is much more to do in Heemstede. In this blog I will give you several tips for nice restaurants, a bit of culture and fun activities for the whole family. But also a few nice places to take a nice walk and relax.

Heemstede

Heemstede is a North Holland town surrounded by the larger towns of Haarlem and Hoofddorp. Heemstede is a smaller municipality with a village character and has an ideal location between the Dutch coast and our capital city Amsterdam where you can be in half an hour.

Famous

But did you know that despite its small scale, Heemstede is also famous? This is because the very largest playground in Europe, the Linnaeushof is located here. With its 350 playsets, this amusement park attracts about 300,000 visitors annually.

Nice village

Heemstede’s shopping center consists of two shopping streets, Raadhuisstraat and Binnenweg. This gives this shopping center a lovely village and picturesque character that breathes a pleasant cozy atmosphere. And this is reflected in the stores that can be found here. Besides the common stores for daily shopping, you will find many local entrepreneurs who are proud of their products and offer them with passion and love to its customers. For example, boutiques for clothing, interior design and gift items such as Beluga Accessories, Boetiek Jaja and Cogolain Bis. But also artisanal stores such as Alexanderhoeve, Chocolaterie van Dam and Kaldi.

Eating out in Heemstede

You can also find several nice restaurants and lunchrooms such as Bistro Deux, Brasserie de Canette and the Girl and the Bear. So it’s a lovely place to stroll around and browse among the varied offerings. And if you want to enjoy a nice dinner, Kasteel Heemstede is highly recommended! This beautiful historic castle is surrounded by a castle pond on an estate with beautifully landscaped gardens. Since 2020, you can dine here with chef Ollie Schuiling and enjoy seasonally inspired dishes with a modern twist.

Sniffing up culture in Heemstede

Discover Heemstede’s rich history and culture by visiting local attractions. Admire the beautiful Huis te Manpad, a historic country estate with a beautiful garden. Or explore the old village center with its charming streets and monumental buildings. And the nearby Haarlemmermeer Museum Cruqius is also well worth a visit. The Steam Pumping Station De Cruquius, which has a cylinder with a diameter of no less than three and a half meters, created the Haarlemmermeer. In the museum you can relive the reclamation of the Haarlemmermeer.

Walking in nature

Heemstede is surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, perfect for relaxing walks. Take a walk through the Groenendaal walking forest. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings or visit the petting zoo or Restaurant Landgoed Groenendaal. Explore the beautiful walking path along the Spaarne River, with picturesque views and lots of greenery. Park Meermond is also well worth a visit with the whole family. In fact, they have a “secret playground. In this play forest there is plenty of room to romp, climb trees and build fantastic huts among the greenery. You will also find in this park the Sustainability Trail, a walking path that explains to you with signs about the environment and the natural surroundings of Meermond.

Take a walk by yourself or book one of the excursions that will enable you to learn more about the origins and history of these estates with their beautiful stately buildings.

Activities for adults

For those looking for a little more action, there are plenty of activities for adults in Heemstede. Go play a round of golf on the beautiful golf courses in the area, And wine lovers can enjoy wine tastings at Wijnhuis Heemstede!

Want to see the area from a different angle? Then take to the water. Rent a canoe or sloop and explore the picturesque waterways.

In short, whether you come to store, eat, stroll or just enjoy the cozy atmosphere, Heemstede has something for everyone.

Credits photos: Own material, Canva and websites mentioned locations