Self-Guided Walking Tour of Gouda: Canals, Colonies, and Cheese
About this experience
Experience the magic of GPS playback on this immersive stroll through Gouda. On this self-guided audio tour, you'll bridge the gap between entrepreneurs, cheesemakers and traders that shaped Gouda. If you can only name five cities in the Netherlands, Gouda is bound to be one of them. This is no doubt the result of that delicious cheese packed tightly in its yellow wax jacket, now available across the globe. This tour starts at the historic Goudse Waag. You’ll be treated to so much more than cheese during your journey. As you explore the heart of the old city, walking past picturesque canals and houses that belong in 17th-century paintings, you’ll hear how Gouda has been both one of the wealthiest and the poorest of Dutch cities over the centuries. There are plenty of places to stop to pull up a chair, order a coffee, and watch the world walk or cycle past. By the end of this walk around Gouda, you’ll have a sense of the city’s complex past and what makes it unique.
Check availability
Pick a date to see start times and book.
What's included
- Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
- The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
- Guide: Audio: English Written: English
Not included
- Please bring your own smartphone and headphones
Itinerary
- 1
Pass byStart your tour at De Goudse Waag, a historic goods weighing house on the market square.
- 2
Pass byVisit the Cheese Farmers Co-op (Kaaswinkel Gouda) to learn about the famous Gouda cheese, its production, and its global significance.
- 3
Pass byMarvel at the beautiful Stadhuis van Gouda, the city hall built in the middle of a field to prevent it from catching fire, and an iconic example of Gothic architecture.
- 4
Pass byPass Saint-John Church, known for its stunning stained glass windows and its remarkable history.
- 5
Pass byDiscover the charming Museum Gouda with its beautiful courtyard, offering insights into the city's art, history, and culture.
- 6
Pass byWalk along the Turfmarkt, a long canal that was once the central marketplace for peat, reflecting the city's historical trade significance.
- 7
Pass byHear the poignant stories of Gouda’s Jewish families during the Holocaust, marked by 'stumbling stones' on the pavements of Lage Gouwe.
- 8
Pass byStop at this liquor store to learn about Gouda's rich brewing history, where the city once hosted over 200 breweries and numerous monasteries.
- 9
Pass byStroll down Peperstraat (Pepper Street) and discover its origins tied to Gouda's spice trade during the city's prosperous trading years.
- 10
Pass byTake a quintessential Dutch photo of ‘t Slot windmill, a picturesque spot especially beautiful with tulips in springtime.
- 11
Pass byWalk through the Vissteeg and see the Visbank, historical sites tied to Gouda’s fish trade, offering a glimpse into the city’s commercial past.
- 12
Pass byRelax in Park Houtmansplantsoen, a green oasis that hides the city's dark colonial and slavery past.
Good to know
- · Service animals allowed
- · Public transportation options are available nearby
- · Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- · All travelers are accepted
Where it starts
Gouda
The tour starts at De Goudsche Waag. If you are travelling by public transport, please check the Travel Planner on the NS website. The nearest major rail station is Gouda Centraal, which can be easily reached from anywhere in the Netherlands.
Map shows the general area. You'll get the exact meeting point and directions with your confirmation.
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