A guided tour Hoorn, the most beautiful walking city in the Netherlands, is always tailored to your wishes and usually takes about 1,5 hours. Below you will find a small selection of the many possibilities Hoorn has to offer. If you want something else, let me know and we will discuss what best suits your needs. Contact me!
Highlight tour
During the Highlight tour I will take you along the Highlights of the city such as: the Main Tower, the Statenlogement, the Roode Steen, De Oude Waegh, the Bossu Houses and much more. We will visit the most important historical places of Hoorn and I will tell you the stories of past and present! Considering the old streets and the cobblestone squares that we pass during this tour, I advise you to wear comfortable shoes. Click for more info!
Golden Age tour
The Dutch Golden Age tour takes us past the beautiful monuments from this time (1602 – 1702). In this period Hoorn was one of the most important trade cities. Many stories from this era and the ’80 year war’ are told. During this walk it becomes clear that Hoorn soon benefited from the disappearance of Spanish domination and free trade. Beautiful warehouses but also beautiful courtyards and a rich orphanage will be visited on this tour. Click for more info!
Meet the local tour
Foreign guests appreciate the special ‘Meet The Local – Tour’. I will show you the most beautiful places of Hoorn during this tour. You will get acquainted with everyday Dutch customs and our peculiarities. What is typical Dutch food? What does a Dutch House look like on the inside? Do they really pay tax in the Netherlands for keeping a dog? During this tour we will visit my house to have a coffee break and a peek inside a typical Dutch House. Click for more info!
Harbour tour Hoorn
During the harbour tour we pass by the special places in the historic harbours of Hoorn. We pass the main tower, the East Island and the old inner harbour. Although the port area has changed a lot over the centuries, with some imagination you can still see the enormous activity of the many shipyards. During this tour through the harbour of Hoorn I will tell you the stories about the (old) ships and yards and much more. Click for more info!
Bike tour Hoorn
Especially for foreign guests I developed some great bike tours. A private guided bike tour Hoorn allows you to enjoy the local sights, breathtaking landscapes and historical sites at your own pace. We tailor the route and duration of the bike tour Hoorn to your needs and interests. Bike tours range from two to four hours. Along the way there is always room for a break and something to drink and eat. Click for more info!
Active walk tour
Do you feel like walking a bit firmer and do you like beautiful view spots? Book the active walk and view tour! Perfect for photographers! I will take you through the harbour, the park and the edges of the city and you will see Hoorn at its best. We walk through the Juliana-Park to get the best view of Hoorn. We pass an old city gate, a defense tower, the old port and we end at the central square with the main monuments. The total distance is about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles).
We prefer to depart from the central square: the Roode Steen (Red Stone). Here I will briefly tell you about the history of Hoorn and the Netherlands. No enumeration of years, but a number of exciting and defining events that have made Hoorn what it is today. From there we will choose our route and I will surprise you with stately streets and narrow alleys. If the Roode Steen is a very inconvenient starting point for you, we can of course start at another place!
Why a guided tour with Alette?
A guided tour brings the stately buildings to life through the stories of the residents behind the facades. You will look at the beautiful Foreesten House differently when you hear the story of the wealthy widow van Foreest who began a relationship with her housekeeper around 1775. You will never forget the Jan Haringsteeg when you know what Jan managed to do during the battle of the Zuiderzee. On a guided tour we cannot escape the controversial Jan Pietszn. Coen, but the story of his young wife Eva Ment is just as interesting.
These and other stories will make you see Hoorn with different eyes. A guided tour with Alette is an educational but above all a fun activity! Guests appreciate the tours of Local Guide Hoorn with five stars at Google and five stars at Tripadvisor!
Family friendly tour Hoorn
Especially for families and families with younger children I developed the ‘Family friendly tour Hoorn’; Fun for children, parents and grandparents. This tour takes us past the most important monuments and a whole collection of beautiful unicorns.
Part of this tour through the historic center is a search for the unicorns in Hoorn. The unicorn is the symbol of the city of Hoorn. While the children are looking for Unicorns I tell the surprising stories about the old and modern history of the city. Read more about the family friendly tour!
Guided Tour Hoorn with lunch or dinner
It is also possible to have lunch or dinner before, during or after the tour. There are various possibilities in Hoorn, from a star restaurant to a simple satay. Let me know and I can make a reservation or advise you.
Costs
For foreign guests I always make a tour tailored to your needs. Guided tours can be extended to a full day. The costs depend on the duration of the tour, the size of the group, the mode of transport, etc. Please contact me for a quote.
How to get to Hoorn
By train from Amsterdam it is only 32 minutes to Hoorn and you walk directly into the historic center.
Hoorn also has good train connections to Alkmaar, Haarlem and Schiphol Airport.
If you are not in a hurry, you can also take the bus from Amsterdam. This bus will take you to Hoorn in 56 minutes and on the way you will pass nice places like Monnickendam and Edam. A single trip by bus costs about 7 euros.
Hoorn is also easily accessible by car. From highway A7 you are in five minutes in the center of the city and you can park in one of the many parking lots such as (1) Parking Schouwburg Het Park, (2) Parking De Nieuwe Wal and (3) Parking Pelmolenpad.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will we see on a guided city tour Hoorn, the Netherlands?
A tour of Hoorn takes you along beautiful squares, stately streets, but also narrow alleys and a beautiful old inner harbor. Some of the locations that should certainly not be missed in a tour are:
(1) the Roode Steen (Red Stone),
(2) the Oostereiland (Eastern Island),
(3) the Main Tower and
(4) the Oude Binnenhaven Old Harbor).
On the way we pass a large number of national monuments. Click here for an overview of the main attractions in Hoorn.
Are there different tours?
Each tour is tailored to the specific needs of the group. There are also themed tours. The most frequently chosen guided tours are:
(1) The Highlight Tour,
(2) The Golden Age Guided Tour,
(3) Meet the Local Tour,
(4) The Harbor Tour.
What are the costs of a guided tour Hoorn?
The rate for a private tour starts at EUR 90. For foreign guests I always make a tour tailored to your needs. Guided tours can be extended to a full day. The costs depend on the duration of the tour, the size of the group, the mode of transport, etc. Please contact me for a quote.
How long does a guided tour Hoorn take?
A guided tour in the city centre of Hoorn takes between 1.5 and 2 hours. In consultation a tour can be shortened or extended. It is also possible to divide the tour into two parts with a break for coffee or lunch.
Is a guided tour Hoorn suitable for children?
Yes, especially for families with young children there is the family friendly tour. Part of this tour is a scavenger hunt for the Unicorns in Hoorn.
More information for your visit to Hoorn, click here!
