Officially, Alkmaar established its cheese porters’ guild around 400 years ago.
However, it’s said that wholesale cheese trading in the square dates back as far as 650 years ago.
This historic square in Alkmaar hosts a cheese market every Friday from April to September.
And during the summer vacation months of July and August, an additional Tuesday night market takes place at the same square.
Designed for those who work during the day, the night cheese market is perfectly timed for a casual visit after work.
I dropped by on a Tuesday evening, just to enjoy the vibe.
The Cheese Market of Alkmaar
There are three major traditional cheese markets in the Netherlands: Alkmaar, Gouda, and Edam.
Among them, Alkmaar Kaasmarkt is the largest and most popular, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the world each year.
The cheese market recreates scenes from the old trading days—though the cheese used is very real!
You can watch traditional practices like cheese tossing and sled-pulling as they were done centuries ago.
Two porters carry a wooden sled loaded with cheese. To avoid injury, they wear shoulder belts that connect to the sled with ropes, lifting it in a well-coordinated motion.
Each cheese wheel weighs around 5kg, so a sled typically carries up to 40kg of cheese!
The weighing house (called the **Waag**) still stands in the square. You’ll see sleds full of cheese being carried to the Waag for inspection and weighing.
Inside, traditional scale systems are used to weigh the cheese. On market days, you can even peek inside the historic Waag building!
Vendors dressed in Dutch traditional clothing sell cheese packs and souvenirs.
I found a great-value set that included a variety of cheese and Alkmaar-themed souvenirs in a cute cooler bag—perfect as a gift!
The night market is slightly smaller than the daytime version, but that means fewer crowds and a better view from the front row.
One of the highlights of the evening market is the interactive experience—you can take photos with vendors in traditional dress or even sit on a cheese sled!
Summer days in the Netherlands are long, so even after 8 PM it still looks bright out.
And the best part? Alkmaar is just a **40-minute train ride from Amsterdam**, so you can head home before sunset.
The Cheese Market’s Pop-Up Market
On market days, the square fills with local vendors and pop-up stalls. You can buy cheese and other goodies as souvenirs.
You don’t need to buy a whole wheel! Cheese is sold by weight, and it’s fascinating to watch them cut it with a giant cheese knife.
Right next to the cheese stands, you’ll find a vendor selling hot, gooey grilled cheese toasties—it’s hard to resist just by looking.
Of course, I had to try one! Freshly toasted bread, crispy on the outside and filled with melty cheese perfection.
And right next to that? Dessert stalls to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Between the food, the market, and the historical atmosphere, it felt like a little summer festival.
If you’re looking for a unique evening experience in the Netherlands, the Night Cheese Market in Alkmaar is a perfect pick.
