The capital of the province of Noord-Holland

On a 45-minute tour, you can learn more about the mill's – and Haarlem's – history and see how a windmill operates. From the viewing platform, you can enjoy good views of the river and city.

Haarlem's New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) was built between 1645 and 1649, with a graceful Renaissance tower and clock dating from 1795. Inside the church, be sure to notice the magnificent Baroque tomb of William of Orange, made by Hendrick and Pieter de Keyser in 1614.

Highlights include the Cathedral Treasury with its valuable silver liturgical utensils and a reliquary with the remains of St. Bavo. Other notable features are the fine stained glass, as well as sculptures and paintings by well-known Dutch artists.

Today, it's a splendid area to stroll around as you soak up the atmosphere and explore the side streets that peel off into the city's many quiet nooks and crannies. Highlights include seeing the numerous old almshouses where the poorer citizens once lived.

At the end of the Bakenessergracht is the River Binnen Spaarne, crossed here via an attractive old drawbridge, and from which you get a great view of the Amsterdamse Poort, Haarlem's only surviving city gate. Built in the early 1400s and a national monument, it's flanked by two octagonal towers and two round towers, as well as remnants of the old city walls.

The oldest museum in the Netherlands, Teylers Museum was founded in 1778 after its namesake, a wealthy cloth and silk dealer, bequeathed his fortune to build an establishment to illustrate the development of art and science. One of only four such museums in Europe – its contemporaries are in Oxford, London, and Paris – the museum includes an extensive art collection, with numerous drawings and pictures by early Dutch masters.

The tower, Haarlem's greatest landmark and emblem, was rebuilt based on original plans in 1913 (the original bell still rings at the beginning of council meetings). The interior is also of interest and includes numerous fine paintings, relics, and mementos, along with fine wood carvings. Guided tours are available.

In addition to being the location of many of the city's main tourist attractions – including the Town Hall and Grote Kerk – Haarlem's historic market square (Grote Markt) is home to a number of other splendid sights, and a visit here is one of the most popular things to do.

Today, this impressive museum is home to the world's largest collection of Hals' works, including five of his large civic guard pieces. These large canvases display his genius for capturing a moment and bringing it to life in each of the faces.

Interior highlights are its rich furnishings dating from before the Reformation, including the choir and lectern from 1499, the beautifully carved choir-stalls from 1512, and the brass choir screen from 1509. In front of the former chapel of the Seamen's Guild hang three models of Dutch warships, while the piers under the tower and in the choir are covered with 15th- and 16th-century paintings depicting symbols of the Apostles, the guilds, and church doctrine.