Things to do in Gouda

Enter the Goudsche Waag and find yourself in another world. Take a guided tour of the building and learn about the centuries-old Gouda crafts. Taste the flavor, from beer to plateel, syrup waffles to cheese. Get the whole story. Explore the ground floor museum of the De Goudse Waag historic building. View the different products that were weighed and traded there, and discover the secrets contained in the sculptures.  

Sample local food and drinks at a historic restaurant located in the center of Gouda, the origin of the famous Gouda cheese. This local restaurant is an oasis of tranquility in the city center and serves both old favorites and some local specialties that you might not have tried before. Enjoy dishes that will give you a taste of the area and make a selection from the following options: • Tasting of Dutch cheeses - 4 different kinds of Dutch cheese with accompanying snacks and toast • High tea - consists of hearty and sweet treats that are served in courses. The dishes change seasonally and unlimited tea is included • Cheese fondue - various varieties are available and the flavors are adapted to the season. Fondues are served with brown and white baguettes, tomatoes, bell peppers, sautéed potatoes, and mushrooms• Beer tasting - Dutch specialty beers from 3 breweries with light snacks included • Unlimited pancakes

Book your entry ticket to the city hall of Gouda and wander through this magnificent building that’s been the jewel of the market square for over 5.5 centuries. Discover the Wedding Hall, the Mayor's Room, the Council Room, and the Civic Hall in the basement. As you explore the rooms in the town hall, from the basement where meat used to be inspected to the attic where until recently the city council met, gain insight about the town and its people. Learn about the various renovations that illustrate how fashion and taste have changed over the centuries. In the Middle Ages, Gouda was already an important center due to its position near the rivers Hollandsche IJssel and Gouwe. As the town grew in importance, it needed a new and impressive town hall. The new town hall cost more than half the town’s annual budget. The town hired Jan Kelderman III, a member of a famous Mechelen-based family of architects. More than a hundred skilled workers from home and abroad worked for two years to create this elegant palace. In 1450, the building was more or less complete. The steps and landing were added 150 years later. 

Visit the church of St. John in Gouda and discover all its beauty with the help of an audioguide. Watch the sun shine through the 72 world-famous stained-glass windows and mmediately understand what makes St John’s in Gouda so special.  No other church in the world has so much sixteenth-century stained glass. The Gouda Windows, as they are known, are among the supreme achievements of European glass painting. Gaze in awe at the superb colors and rich interplay of light that contribute to the hushed atmosphere in the longest church in the Netherlands.

Did you know that Gouda had almost lost its image as a cheese city to the nearby village of Schoonhoven? Schoonhoven also had delicious cheese, but also had a smart cheese girl who was popular with many (influential) rich men. With the Escape Tour Gouda you will learn more about this while you are looking for the secret exit! Choose your starting time with your teammates, beginning at anytime day or night. Make your way across the city, checking off tasks to find all the clues you need to reach the secret passage. As you search for clues, marvel at the beautiful sights of the town. Walk through the lovely streets and keep an eye out for the many historic buildings in the city center. Work quickly, and you and your team could set the record for the fastest tour. Good luck!

Located in a 14th-century guest house, stepping into the Museum Gouda takes you on a journey through history. The museum's permanent collection and temporary exhibitions represent 600 years of Gouda's history. From Ferdinand Bol to Isaac Israels, from the Gouda clay pipe to a 16th-century triptych: Museum Gouda has a unique collection that presents the story of the historical city of Gouda. Explore the museum's collection and learn about Gouda's fascinating past. Amongst the museum's collection are altar paintings that survived the iconoclasm that swept through the Netherlands in the 16th century. View a huge interactive maquette of Gouda that shows the city as it was in 1562. Continue through the collection and see 17th century civic guard pieces and militia group portraits. The artwork within Museum Gouda's collection also includes many 19th century French and Dutch works and Gouda's famous 20th century pottery. Don't forget to visit the temporary exhibits.

Be driven directly to Gouda on a comfortable 1-hour journey. Pass the typical Dutch polder landscape on the way. Begin a walking tour of Gouda and learn about the city’s history. See highlights like the famous cheese Weighing House (De Waag), the town hall, and Sint Jan church. During your trip to Gouda, you do not only get to taste the famous Gouda cheese, but also the famous Stroopwafels (syrup waffles). Visit a real cheese farm or the Cheese experience. After Gouda, be driven through the idyllic countryside beside rivers, passing country mansions, windmills, and farmland in the direction of Oudewater. Go for a short stroll over cobblestones as your guide shows you the city's highlights. After this inspiring journey, be dropped off at your hotel, vacation address, boat pier, or Schiphol Airport.