Are you planning a city trip to Gouda and looking for some art, culture, and history? With these tips, you’ll make the most of 24 hours in Gouda, the centuries-old city where Erasmus played as a child and where the crafts of yesteryear are still very much alive. Stroll through charming alleyways and discover one of the hundreds of protected monuments, sample cheese and stroopwafels, shop for vintage goods and antiques, and get to know Gouda’s highlights.
9:30 a.m. – Breakfast & coffee on the Markt
Start your day on the historic Markt, the beating heart of the city, sitting on a terrace if the weather is nice. With a view of Gouda’s old town hall, enjoy breakfast or coffee as daily life gets underway. If you have time, stop by the Goudse Waag. For centuries, cheese was weighed and traded here; now, the story of Gouda as a cheese town comes to life, thanks in part to the fun audio tour. You can also pick up tips for exploring the area from the Gouda Tourist Office.
10:30 – Museum Gouda and St. John’s Church
Time to explore the historic city center. The city center, with its Gouda canals, is compact, and all the highlights are within walking distance of each other. This naturally leads you to Achter de Kerk, where you’ll find the Gouda Museum, featuring high-profile exhibitions and Gouda pottery. Across from the museum—which dates back to 1874 and is housed in the former Catharina Gasthuis—stands St. John’s Church. The church, with its 72 famous stained-glass windows known as the “Goudse Glazen,” is dedicated to Gouda’s patron saint: John the Baptist. The red and white—the symbolic colors of this saint—are incorporated into the city’s coat of arms. The church ranks among the top 100 Dutch UNESCO monuments. The audio tour included with admission brings its history to life, and special concerts are often held there on Saturdays. Afterward, swap the past for contemporary art at the Firma Kunstcentrum and the studio of Arie Bouter, famous for his ceramic towers.
1:00 p.m. – Lunch in Gouda
All that walking and sightseeing is sure to work up an appetite! Grand Café Central has a delicious menu and a unique Art Deco-style back room, painted by Rotterdam artist Pieter den Besten. Fancy some afternoon tea? Take a seat in the peaceful courtyard of Museumcafé Gouda at Museum Gouda, or head to COCO at Relais & Châteaux WSHS Gouda, located in a 16th-century orphanage, for a Michelin-star-level lunch. Another historic spot for lunch is Museumhavencafé IJsselhuis near the Museum Harbor, where the chef cooks with local ingredients and you can admire maritime heritage.
More places to have lunch in Gouda
2:00 p.m. – Flea Market, Art, and Antiques
Discover boutiques, art galleries, and concept stores in Gouda’s narrow streetsand stroll through Wilhelminastraat, Tiendeweg, and Zeugstraat. A tour of Gouda is a must for lovers of antiques, flea markets, and art. Especially on Wednesdays during the summer months (June through August) with Gouds Montmartre, the largest open-air market for antiques and vintage goods in the Netherlands. Don’t miss the sustainable shops on Fairtradestraat, de Lange Groenendaal, and Unit4Art, the largest art gallery in the Netherlands. Combine it with a fun walking route from ExploreGouda.nl! In addition to a route taking you past the best vintage finds, you can also choose the fascinating Bodemdalingsroute, the Erasmusroute, or a walk along the Stolpersteine.
Want to take a break along the way? Take a stroll to the Museum Harbor, one of the city’s most charming spots, featuring historic commercial vessels where the skippers still live and work. Stroll along the quays, admire the ships of yesteryear, and enjoy the hustle and bustle on the water. Finish your walk at Museumhavencafé IJsselhuis, a charming former skippers’ lounge that’s now a cozy café-restaurant.
Or go people-watching from the SocialSofa at the intersection of Turfmarkt and Kleiweg—said to be on Gouda’s most beautiful canal—made from 50,000 mosaic tiles, inspired by Gouda pottery.
4:00 p.m. – Stroopwafels, beer, and cheese
Taste Gouda! Kamphuisen has been making the most delicious stroopwafels since 1810. Visit the Stroopwafel Factory to see how the famous Gouda treat is made and pick up a package to take home. Want to bake your own stroopwafels? You can do that at Berg’s Bakery on Thursdays after the Gouda Cheese Market from April through September. For a good piece of cheese, check out the cheese shops in Gouda, and the liquor store Den Gouwen Aar sells Gouda beer. In the Middle Ages, Gouda was even the largest beer-producing city in the Netherlands, brewing no fewer than 15 million liters of beer annually.
5:30 p.m. – Time for drinks
. Now’s the time to check out a coffee shop, wine bar, or beer café—like Kaasbar Gouda, where you can enjoy delicious wines and beers paired with cheese platters, or BarBier, which features over 150 specialty beers on its menu. Or how about the Halszaeck on the Markt, where owners Dennis and Sanne serve high-quality, flavorful wines from smaller European winemakers? For cocktails, there are charming spots like Coffee, Cocktail & Champagne Bar COCO WSHS Gouda, located in the former orphanage.
6:30 p.m. – Dining out in Gouda
You won’t have to look far for a great dinner and the flavors of Gouda. No matter which spot you choose, you’ll experience the hospitality Gouda is known for everywhere you go. For a special evening, reserve a table at Cantina van Jongkind. Tucked away in a historic courtyard, you can enjoy artisanal Neapolitan pizzas, house-roasted coffee, and an extensive wine list.
Would you rather enjoy a full-course dinner on the Markt? Then Restaurant Belvedère Gouda is an excellent choice—a Gouda institution since 1868. This popular restaurant is known for its varied menu and cozy terrace overlooking the beautiful town hall. There’s something delicious for everyone.
For a true Gouda culinary experience, a visit to Gouds Glas is a must. It’s named after the immense stained-glass panels that pay homage to the Gouda stained-glass windows of St. John’s Church. This restaurant uses seasonal produce and regional ingredients as much as possible. Try a dish featuring Gouda cheese, enjoy a good glass of wine, or opt for a cheese fondue while looking out over the historic Market Square.
8:30 p.m. – Theater & an evening stroll
If you still have some energy left, round out the day with a theater performance at the Goudse Schouwburg, a concert at the Theaterbakkerij, or at St. John’s Church. And soak up the city’s historic atmosphere during an evening stroll back to your hotel.
Staying Overnight in Gouda
There’s nothing better than falling fast asleep in a comfortable hotel in Gouda. Choose the Relais & Châteaux Weeshuis Gouda boutique hotel, featuring the Michelin-starred restaurant LIZZ and the charming cocktail bar COCO. The history of this former orphanage dates back to 1586, when the city established an almshouse to care for the poor. The building is still considered one of the city’s most unique and beautiful structures, with its romantic courtyard, red shutters, and iconic gate. Or stay at City Hotel Gouda, within walking distance of all the sights. There are also charming B&Bs in historic buildings such as the Suikerpandje or Baartje Sanders Erf.
More great places to stay in Gouda
A delicious breakfast awaits you in the morning, and after that, you’ll have plenty of time to sample even more Gouda! Staying for a few more days? Rent a bike or e-bike and set out on the KoeKaas bike route. It takes you to Cheese Valley, the charming region comprising four municipalities with a rich cheese-making tradition, including Gouda. Or choose from one of the many other beautiful bike routes.
See you soon in historic Gouda!
