The perfect day trip or weekend getaway in Gouda

A fresh croissant, a glass of juice, and good coffee: that’s all you need to start the day off right. We make our first stop at Keck, across from Gouda Station. Foamy cappuccinos, cakes, mouthwatering smoothies, and fun play equipment for the kids make for a relaxed start. A little further down the road, on Kleiweg, isBarista Café Gouda, another kid-friendly spot to grab a drink before your Gouda adventure begins. They have a special kids’ menu that even includes a kids’ latte. Over breakfast, we make plans for the day and have a hard time deciding—there are so many fun things to do! But we’ll start at the Markt, the historic heart of the city. There, the Goudse Straatjes await you, and you can admire the beautiful town hall.

The Best Coffee Shops in Gouda

The Kamphuisen Syrup Waffle Factory is located right on the market square. We’ve heard it’s a really fun outing, and we want to discover the story behind the original Gouda syrup waffle. During the interactive experience, you’ll learn how the syrup waffle came to be, walk through the factory, and see the original homemade oven. The best part? Whizzing down the slide together and tasting a syrup waffle. The fun is in full swing, and the smell of freshly baked syrup waffles ensures that no one will forget this experience anytime soon. We think it’s educational, affordable, and fun for everyone.

12 Fun Activities to Do with Kids 

After all those sweet temptations, it’s time to really explore the city. Gouda almost feels like an open-air museum. Medieval alleyways, charming canals, hidden courtyards, and historic landmarks. But there are also the best boutiques and authentic shops in Goudse Straatjes, such as Zeugstraat and Naaierstraat—stores you won’t find anywhere else, and ones I’d love to visit again. 

There’s so much to see. Here we are in front of the Gouda Waag, where cheese used to be weighed, and we can hear the church bells ringing from St. John’s Church. Here, we get the best tips from the Gouda Tourist Office. We learn that you can take guided walks or explore the city on your own. Want to discover more about the city’s history? Choose the 1.5-hour “Highlights of Gouda” tour offered by Ontdek Gouda. Or check out the walking tours offered by the Gouda Guides Guild, including introductory walks such as “Historic Gouda” and “Gates & Alleys.”

You can set out on your own adventure with the ExploreGouda.nl web app. It lets you stroll at your own pace through the city’s most beautiful spots. Like the Art & Gallery route, which takes you past Gouda’s best art galleries. Or how about the children’s route through the Museum Harbor, where large, old ships are moored? We went on a scavenger hunt together in the harbor to discover how to tie sturdy nautical knots. Answer the 12 questions you come across along the way. For each answer, you’ll receive a letter. Together, they form a word. Do you know what the word is? Join in—you might just win a prize! 

14 Great Boutiques in Gouda

All that walking is sure to work up an appetite. Fortunately, Gouda is the queen of cozy lunch spots, with treats for kids on the menu. On the Markt and in the surrounding streets, you’ll find brasseries and lunchrooms where you can take your time enjoying a sandwich, soup, or a full lunch. We pop into Brownies & Downies on Korte Tiendeweg, a very kid-friendly lunch spot with an extensive lunch menu—ranging from soups to pancakes—and always friendly service. It also has a fun gift shop where you can buy brownies to take along, among other things. 

More places to have lunch in Gouda

After lunch, one of Gouda’s most popular attractions awaits: the Gouda Cheese Experience. Fun and educational for all ages! Here, you’ll step into a fantastic, interactive world where you’ll discover why Gouda is known worldwide as the “City of Cheese.” Children learn how cheese is made through play and get to virtually milk cows and turn cheese wheels to earn a Cheese Master certificate. As parents, we’ll learn all about the rich history of cheese in the Cheese Valley region, where—as we’ll find out later—you can bike past cheese farms.

Do you have some extra energy? Then there are plenty of fun options that are perfect for families. So keep reading 😉

Add a dose of art and culture to your visit at Museum Gouda. On the interactive mini-museum tour with Mara, children set off on a scavenger hunt through the museum, equipped with a tablet. Along the way, they collect digital treasures, complete challenges, and build their own virtual museum collection. Another educational tour is the one with Schutter Hendrick, designed for the whole family. There are also often extra family workshops during school breaks. The icing on the cake: free admission for children up to age 17, the beautiful museum garden, and the Museum Café, where you can enjoy a refreshing drink. 

To historical attractions

The impressive St. John’s Church across from the museum also offers special activities for young visitors. On the children’s tour, they’ll discover the famous Gouda stained-glass windows and hear fascinating stories about the longest church in the Netherlands. It’s a whopping 123 meters long! Children wander through the church with a die, an old key, and a map to find six mysterious chests. The Kids’ Tour is free with a visit to the church; admission is free for children 17 and under. 

The Highlights of Gouda

After a day full of adventures, it’s time to sit down for a meal. Will it be street food with a tropical twist at Casa Chow? Or will you go for an Italian osteria in a hidden courtyard dating back to 1702, where they serve the crispiest pizzas? If you’re with your family, Pannenkoe Gouda is always a safe bet for the tastiest pancakes—complete with a coloring page. Kruim in the Chocoladefabriek is also a top choice for dining with kids, as is Restaurant Belvedère, where everyone can find something delicious. In the mood for a walk and a ferry ride? Then check out Restaurant Gouwestrand on GOUDasfalt. The restaurant is located on the city beach, has tables in the sand, and features a kitchen that uses local ingredients. The menu also features Food4kids, with delicious dishes specially designed for children when you’re out and about with the family. 

You'll Want to Check Out These Restaurants in Gouda

In Gouda, you’ll find plenty of restaurants where families feel right at home. No complicated menus or formal atmosphere—just welcoming spots where you can relax over a meal and chat about your day. What was the best part? The syrup waffles? The Cheese Master certificate? Or maybe those hidden alleys in the city center? We chat away and wrap up the day with some ice cream and a stroll along the canals. 

We had such a great time in Gouda—we'll be back soon!

We’re not going home yet—not by a long shot, not by a long shot… If you decide to stay the night—a day in Gouda is fun, but two days are even better—then City Hotel Gouda and The Guesthouse are excellent choices. Both hotels have comfortable family rooms and are within walking distance of all the sights. The Guesthouse is a small hotel with 10 rooms and self-check-in. You can grab breakfast at nearby breakfast and lunch spots. City Hotel Gouda serves a breakfast buffet featuring local delicacies and, in addition to family rooms, offers Gouda-style suites inspired by cheese, candles, and stroopwafels.  

Stylish hotels and B&Bs in Gouda

If you stay overnight, you’ll have time the next day to cruise through Gouda’s historic canals. Hop aboard the Bootje Kaas Gouda for a canal cruise and see the city from the water. While the kids count the bridges, you as parents can enjoy a relaxing cruise. With slightly older kids, stand-up paddleboarding and canoeing are a blast with Jaba SUP.

Or set off on an adventure with an E-Chopper and explore the Green Heart and the area around Gouda. With a picnic basket on the back, it’ll be a relaxing family outing filled with nature and adventure.

Tip! Dino Experience Park
Do dinosaurs make your heart race? Then be sure to visit Dino Experience Park. With life-size dinosaurs, a playground, Jurassic Golf, and a Dino Jeep Safari, kids can have hours of fun here. In this adventure-themed park, you’ll step into a world full of prehistoric giants: more than seventy lifelike dinosaurs are waiting for you. The Super Jumpzone guarantees hours of fun with climbing, sliding, and running around. We’re saving this for our next trip to Gouda! 

Good to know: Gouda is a fun place to visit during school vacations, but of course you can plan a day trip or weekend getaway any time of year. For example, plan your visit in the spring or summer around the Gouda Cheese Market and Children’s Cheese Market (during the May and summer vacations). In September, you can experience the cultural festival De Verwondering, and during the fall break, the lively Zotte Zaterdag, which centers on Erasmus’s (who grew up in Gouda) “Praise of Folly.” 

For more information, check out the Gouda Calendar

• Gouda is centrally located between Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, and Amsterdam.
• Gouda Station is within walking distance of downtown.
• The main attractions are close to one another.
• Check out family tickets and combo deals in advance.
• Use the free ExploreGouda.nl web app for a fun city walk.
• During school vacations, there are additional children's activities at locations such as the Gouda Museum.