🧀 Travel Notes on Alkmaar Cheese Market in the Netherlands

#AprilGoodDestinations2025 #Netherlands I left Amsterdam early in the morning and took the train to Alkmaar. Outside the car window were vast green fields and windmills. About 35 minutes later, I arrived at this small town famous for its cheese. After exiting the train station, follow the signs and walk for about 15 minutes, and the city's old neighborhoods will gradually unfold - quiet canals, brick-red roofs, and old church bell towers standing in the distance. When we arrived at Waagplein Square, it was not yet 10 o'clock, but the area around the square was already crowded with people and the atmosphere was very lively. 📍 Market opening: starts with the ringing of a bell As the bell rang, the cheese market officially began. Several "cheese porters" wearing white uniforms and hats of different colors appeared in the center of the square. They carried large round pieces of orange cheese in unison, forming a queue and moving back and forth in the square - just like a traditional performance show. The tool they use is a special wooden frame that can carry two wheels of cheese at a time, with a total weight of more than 120 kilograms. These ceremonies are like a historical theater, and every detail retains the cheese trading tradition since the 17th century. 🧀 Live experience: aroma, laughter and a little cheese residue In addition to watching, of course you can also "eat" it yourself! There are many stalls around the square offering a variety of Dutch cheese tastings: smoked cheese, spicy cheese, spiced Gouda or Edam. I even saw a vendor demonstrating his cheese-cutting technique with precision and grace. A stall let me try the matured Gundam with black truffle. As soon as I took a bite, the rich milky and truffle aroma burst out instantly. At that moment, I almost wanted to buy half a round and take it home! 📸 Suggested photo locations: • Central area for porters to move • The edge of the square with the clock tower behind (best view, with the building in the frame) • Colorful cheese tarts & handmade products at the stalls