Welcome to Gouda, the city of the world-famous cheese! Go to the traditional cheese market in summer to see how cheese was once traded, visit a museum and the beautiful church and, of course, shop!
Gouda was granted town privileges in 1272 and burgeoned into a prosperous trade centre in the Middle Ages. The city also developed into a regional centre for cheese trading. Farmers came to Gouda to weigh their cheese and sell it at the market. But it was the completion of the railway to Utrecht in the middle of the 19th century that really transformed Gouda into the commercial centre it is today.
Museum Gouda in the city centre is a good place to learn more about the city's history. The museum focuses on local history between the 15th and the 21st century. The Market is of course a must! Gouda's famous cheese market takes place here in front of the Waag between April and the end of August. If you're in the Netherlands in December, Gouda by Candlelight takes place on the 2nd or 3rd Friday of the month and is a spectacular sight when the thousands of candles are lit. And you simply cannot leave Gouda without having seen the longest church in the Netherlands, Sint-Janskerk. Among other things, this impressive church is home to 72 famous stained glass windows, the 'Goudse glazen'.
Gouda has a compact city centre that is easy to explore on foot. Longer distances are easily covered by city or regional bus. You can park your car on the street for a fee or in one of the three parking garages around the city centre. If your accommodation has parking, leave your car there and explore the city on foot, by bicycle or by public transport.
Gouda is close to the A12 and A20 motorway junction, making it easy to reach by car. You can also take the train to Gouda and walk to the city centre.
Spend an unforgettable time in this world-famous Dutch city.
