Archeologisch Museum Haarlem

About the museum

The Archeologisch Museum Haarlem was founded in 1991 by the then city archaeologist Poldermans to introduce the public to archaeology in an easily accessible way. According to the museum, hundreds of thousands of Haarlem residents, tourists and schoolchildren have since become acquainted with the finds and stories from Haarlem's soil. It belongs to the Bureau Archeologie of the municipality of Haarlem and is run by the city archaeologist.

The museum is housed in the vaulted cellar of the 17th-century Vleeshal directly on the Grote Markt, in the same building that until 2026 also housed the Hal location of the Frans Hals Museum. The tour leads through about 6,000 years of city history: from stone axes and flint points of early hunters, gatherers and first farmers, through medieval Haarlem, whose history is told along the lines of its most important trades such as cloth making, shipbuilding and brewing, to finds from modern times such as bicycle tax plaques from the 20th century.

Among the special features are the finds from medieval cesspits, hundreds of which have been investigated in Haarlem, the skeleton of the medieval Haarlem resident “Cornelis”, and a full-size reconstruction of an excavation that exists in this form nowhere else in the Netherlands. A small special display changes twice a year; for children there are puzzle trails and a mini excavation.

Highlights

• Free admission
• Finds from about 6,000 years of Haarlem city history
• Full-size reconstruction of an excavation
• Medieval Haarlem resident “Cornelis” as a skeleton find
• Mini excavation and puzzle trails for children
• In the vaulted cellar of the Vleeshal on the Grote Markt

Permanent exhibitions

• 6000 jaar Haarlem – A tour from Stone Age finds through medieval Haarlem with its cloth, shipbuilding and brewing industries to everyday finds from modern times, plus finds from cesspits.
• Opgravingsreconstructie – A full-size recreated excavation with ground traces, walls, a cesspit and a water shaft, as well as a skeleton with the archaeologists' tools.

Founded

1991

Operated by

Gemeente Haarlem (Bureau Archeologie)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission. Guided tours and talks for groups are available on request only and for a fee.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is in the cellar of the Vleeshal and can only be reached by stairs; the former access for wheelchair users via the Hal has no longer been in operation since its closure.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Free admission. Display cases at children's height, free hands-on activities such as a mini excavation with trowel and bucket, find puzzles, puzzle trails, find memory and colouring sheets, plus a booklet for discovering the collection. Special programme during school holidays. Children's birthday party as “Archaeologist for a Day” (max. 10 children, small contribution for materials and supervision; please get in touch beforehand).

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the middle of the city centre on the Grote Markt. No bicycle parking of its own; free, covered and supervised bicycle garage at Smedestraat 43, less than a minute on foot.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Small museum corner with replicas of archaeological finds, books, magazines, cards and games.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit