Things to Do in Gouda: How to Plan the Perfect Day Trip

Updated on

If you’re planning a trip to the Netherlands, Gouda is one of the easiest (and tastiest) day trips you can do. It’s just 30 minutes by train from Utrecht, Rotterdam, or The Hague — and just over an hour if you’re coming from Amsterdam.

Most people know Gouda for its cheese, but this little city in South Holland has much more to offer than its world-famous cheese market. Think a medieval market square, stained-glass windows that survived World War II, the birthplace of the stroopwafel, a centuries-old brewing tradition, and a small-town vibe that’s hard to beat.

I spent a full day in Gouda and managed to see a good mix of its famous sights and some lesser-known spots—and it honestly ended up being one of the most charming places I’ve visited in the Netherlands. In this guide, I’ll share my favorite things to do in Gouda and a few tips to help you plan your own day trip.

A dramatic view looking up at a Gothic-style brick church with arched windows, statues, and a cross at the top, framed by leafy tree branches.

Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you purchase through my links (at no extra cost to you). I only recommend companies that I’ve personally used, love, and trust. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Why Visit Gouda?

If you’re wondering whether Gouda is worth adding to your Netherlands itinerary, my short answer is yes.

Here’s why:

  • It’s easy to reach. Trains run regularly from Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, and The Hague, making it a convenient day trip.
  • It’s compact and walkable. Most of the main sights are clustered around the old town, and it only takes about 10 minutes to walk from the train station to Markt Square. You can easily cover the highlights in a few hours and still have time to pop into a few cafés. If you want to learn more about the city’s history, a guided walking tour with a cheese tasting is a fun option.
  • It’s full of history. From its Gothic-style city hall to a church lined with 72 stained-glass windows, Gouda has centuries of stories packed into a small town.
  • It’s a foodie stop. This is the birthplace of both Gouda cheese and stroopwafels — two Dutch classics you’ll definitely want to try.

For me, Gouda struck a nice balance. It was small enough to feel laid-back, but with enough unique sights and things to do to set it apart from other Dutch towns like Edam and Leiden.

  • A picturesque view of a narrow Dutch alley with a pointed church steeple rising in the background. Classic Dutch houses with steep rooftops and warm afternoon light frame the peaceful scene.

Visiting soon? Browse my favorite Netherlands resources.

  • Data: I use Airalo for eSIMs. It’s easy to set up and works instantly when you land.
  • Attractions: I book skip-the-line tickets or tours through GetYourGuide or Viator to avoid queues and last-minute stress.
  • Accommodation: I use Agoda and Booking.com to compare prices, location, and cancellation options.
  • Travel Money: I use Wise to pay in local currency at the real exchange rate and skip hidden bank fees.
  • Two tall, narrow Dutch townhouses—one brick brown and the other deep red—stand side by side beneath a large leafy tree, as a person walks along the sidewalk in autumn.
  • A small boat carrying a group of people cruises along a canal lined with golden trees, passing beneath a white iron pedestrian bridge decorated with flower baskets.
  • A quiet, tree-lined street in the Netherlands with traditional Dutch row houses and parked cars. Two cyclists pass each other on the cobblestone road beneath green and yellow autumn leaves.

How to Get to Gouda

Gouda is an easy day trip from Amsterdam or other nearby cities, whether you’re taking the train, driving, or joining a tour.

By train: One of the things I love most about living in the Netherlands is how convenient it is to get around by train. If you’re looking for the cheapest and fastest way to get to Gouda, this is it. The ride takes about 35 minutes from Rotterdam, Utrecht, or The Hague. From Amsterdam, you’ll need to transfer at Utrecht Centraal, but the whole journey usually shouldn’t take longer than an hour and a half. You can plan your route or check for delays with the NS app, which is one of my top travel tools for the Netherlands.

By car: If you’ve got a rental car or your own wheels, Gouda is about a 45-minute drive from Utrecht, and just under an hour from Amsterdam. Just a heads-up, though: parking in the Netherlands is notoriously tricky and expensive—especially near town centers—so I recommend grabbing a spot in one of the garages just outside and walking in. For more info, check the city’s official website.

By tour: If you’d rather not deal with planning trains or figuring out parking, you can also book a guided day tour from Amsterdam. It’s a stress-free way to see the town and experience the cheese market without planning the logistics yourself.

Best Things to Do in Gouda in One Day

Wander Around the Markt Square

  • A wide-angle view of Gouda’s historic town hall, showcasing its ornate stone facade lined with rows of red and white shuttered windows and intricate architectural details. The building stands in the middle of a cobblestone square under a partly cloudy sky, with a tall spire rising in the background.
  • A lively town square in Gouda featuring a tree-lined plaza with people walking and cycling near a row of charming storefronts and cafes. The cobblestone ground, parked bicycles, and classic Dutch architecture create a welcoming, small-city atmosphere under a cloudy sky.

Like many medieval towns in the Netherlands, Gouda’s main hub is its Markt Square. It’s filled with cafés and shops, and it’s a perfect place to begin your day. This is also where you’ll find several of the town’s most famous landmarks, including the Stadhuis (city hall), De Goudse Waag (weighing house), and Sint-Janskerk.

If you’re here on a Thursday between April and August, you can catch the Gouda Cheese Market. It runs in the morning and still follows old traditions with cheese carriers and weighing rituals. And if you visit in December, the Gouda by Candlelight festival is a great chance to see the square lit by thousands of candles for one evening.

See the Stadhuis

  • A striking stepped-gable stone building with red and white shutters stands in the center of a cobbled town square in Gouda, Netherlands, with a group of visitors gathered below and a church tower visible in the background.
  • A grand Gothic-style town hall in Gouda with tall spires, intricate stonework, and statues, centered in a cobblestone square under a clear blue sky.

The Stadhuis (city hall) is one of the oldest in the Netherlands, built in 1450. It stands right in the middle of Markt Square with its pale stone facade, red shutters, and Gothic tower.

The building wasn’t open on my visit (and it’s now closed for renovations until 2027), but it was still striking from the outside. If you’re here after it reopens, it’s worth paying the small entry fee to see the old wedding hall inside. 

Another cool thing to check out is the carillon clock on the right side of the building. The bells ring every half hour, and a couple of minutes later, the figurines move in a short puppet show. It’s a fun little detail worth sticking around for. 

Visit De Goudse Waag

A symmetrical stone building in Gouda with red shutters and green-paned windows, featuring a large white relief sculpture above the entrance that depicts a historical courtroom or council scene. A bright yellow ramp leads to the glass entrance door, adding a modern, accessible touch to the historic facade.

Another fun stop in Markt Square is De Goudse Waag, a 17th-century cheese-weighing house with a pretty facade. Designed in 1668 by architect Pieter Post, it was once used to weigh the wheels of cheese traded in Gouda.

These days, it houses the Cheese and Crafts Museum and the town’s tourist information center. Inside, you can learn about the town’s cheesemaking history, see how cheese was made and traded, and even sample a few varieties. On the ground floor, there’s also a small shop where you can pick up local products and souvenirs.

Visit Sint-Janskerk

  • A historic city square in Gouda with the town hall’s ornate stone facade and red-shuttered windows on the left. Behind it, a tall clock tower rises above charming Dutch buildings and an outdoor café.
  • A vibrant and detailed stained glass window labeled "28A" inside the Grote Kerk in Gouda, depicting heraldic shields, battle scenes, and historical Dutch figures in colorful segmented panels.
  • A quiet cobblestone street runs alongside the massive brick exterior of the Grote Kerk in Gouda, featuring tall arched windows and a weathered stone doorway, with leafy trees overhead casting dappled shadows.

Right in the center of Gouda, Sint-Janskerk (St. John’s Church) is the town’s most famous landmark — and the longest church in the Netherlands.

The building itself is impressive, but the real highlight is its 72 stained-glass windows, many of which date back to the 16th century and even survived World War II. They’re incredible to see up close, and it’s easy to understand why people come here just to admire them.

Inside, there’s a small exhibition on the church’s history and stained glass panels. But to appreciate it, I recommend taking the free self-guided audio tour included with the entry ticket— it was a real highlight for me. It explains the images in the windows and tells how they were saved during the war.

Tickets are about €11 for adults, and entry is free with a Museumkaart. If you’ve got time, there’s a pretty little courtyard out back with a couple of benches and a statue of Erasmus — a famous Dutch philosopher who once lived here. Grab your entry ticket with a free audio guide here. 

Make Your Own Stroopwafel

A charming storefront of Kamphuisen Siroopwafels in Gouda, featuring a large wood-framed window and door beneath tall brick buildings with flower boxes. Outside, a colorful illustrated cart promotes the stroopwafel factory experience, drawing attention to the traditional Dutch sweet.

Stroopwafels are everywhere in the Netherlands, but since they were invented in Gouda, this is the place to try one (or many).

If you’re new to them, a stroopwafel is a thin cookie made of two crisp wafers with gooey syrup in the middle. They’re one of my absolute favorite Dutch snacks and also make an easy souvenir to bring home.

The best spot in town is De Kamphuisen Siroopwafel, a bakery that’s been making them since 1810 with a recipe that’s still secret. You can pick one up warm from the oven, or, for something extra fun, join their factory tour and make your own. I didn’t have time for the tour on my visit, but making my own stroopwafel is definitely on my list for next time. 

Sample Gouda Cheese Around Town

  • A refrigerated display of various Gouda cheese products, including wedges, rounds, and packaged slices from brands like Vergeer, with prices and a “Today Special Deal” sign advertising €9.95.
  • Three stacked orange cheese wheels with a label showing black and white cows in a grassy field under a bright blue sky. The label reads "KAAS van KEES" repeatedly around the edge in bold white text on a black ring.
  • The front entrance to the Gouda Cheese Museum, marked by a circular window, Dutch flags, and a large stack of fake cheese wheels outside, with souvenir shelves visible through the open doorway.

One thing I really wanted to see in Gouda was the cheese market — but since I couldn’t go on a Thursday, I missed out.

If your timing does line up, the market takes place in Markt Square every Thursday from 10:00 to 12:30, usually from mid-April to late August. I’ve heard it’s a bit touristy, but it’s still fun to see the traditional trading and wheels of cheese stacked high. You can check the exact dates on the official site.

Even if you’re visiting on another day, like I was, you won’t miss out. Gouda is full of cheese shops, and many offer tastings. ’t Kaaswinkeltje and Mart’s Kaas are two of the most popular, but I ended up buying a block at the Gouda Cheese Experience, which also has a café, a small shop, and a short interactive tour that walks you through how this famous cheese is made.

If you’re interested in traditional cheese markets, Woerden and Alkmaar are two other Dutch towns famous for them. And at Zaanse Schans, you’ll find cheese tastings and demos alongside windmills and workshops.

Try Local Beer in Gouda

  • A variety of local craft beer bottles displayed on wooden shelves, including labels like "Hop Man," "1923 Traveys," and "Gouds Kaasbier," with unique illustrations and branding.
  • A specialty liquor store in the Netherlands called "Den Gouwen Aar," with a striped awning, a window filled with bottles and Dutch figurines, and a few patio chairs and plants outside.

One of my favorite little discoveries in Gouda was learning that the town once had a thriving beer scene. Back in the 1400s, there were more than 200 breweries here. Only a handful remain today, but you can still sample what’s on tap.

I stumbled across Slijterij Den Gouwen Aar, a liquor store and tasting room near Sint-Janskerk, and it turned out to be a great stop. It’s packed with different beers, and it was a nice spot to sit down for a drink before moving on with my day. 

Where to Stay in Gouda

Even though most people visit Gouda as a day trip, the town is really charming. I can just imagine how nice it must be to wander the streets once all the day trippers have left. There aren’t many hotels here, though, so definitely book well in advance if you’re visiting in peak season.

Relais & Châteaux Weeshuis Gouda is one of the standout places to stay. Set in a 16th-century orphanage, it has chic rooms, a pretty courtyard, and even a Michelin-starred restaurant. Even if you don’t stay the night, it’s worth a look—you’ll spot it just behind Sint-Janskerk on Spieringstraat, with its brick facade, red shutters, and gabled roof. Check availability & reviews.

For something a little more affordable, City Hotel Gouda is a great option with a central location and canal views. The rooms are modern and comfortable, and it’s only a 10-minute walk from the station. Check availability & reviews.

If neither of these works for you, there’s a wider selection of hotels in Utrecht, Rotterdam, or The Hague.

  • A sunlit street in Gouda is lined with narrow brick townhouses, storefronts, and autumn trees. Pedestrians and parked bikes add to the local charm.
  • A hand holds a Dutch stroopwafel in a red-and-white checkered paper sleeve, with a blurred outdoor market scene in the background. The stroopwafels are golden-brown and crispy, suggesting they’re freshly made.
  • A cluster of traditional Dutch sailing barges moored along a calm waterfront, with a church spire and old brick buildings rising in the background under a bright blue sky.

Final Thoughts

Gouda was one of the little Dutch towns I was most excited to explore — and I’ll admit, the cheese was the main reason I went. While that’s enough reason to visit, the town surprised me in the best possible way and offered way more than tasty cheese tastings. 

What I loved most was the mix of history and small-town charm. Standing inside Sint-Janskerk, surrounded by its stained glass windows, and wandering through the quiet back alleys ended up being highlights of my trip.

If you’re planning a Netherlands trip and want to see more than Amsterdam, Gouda is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary. I can’t wait to go back—only next time, I’d definitely stay the night and take a canal tour, something I really regretted not having time for this time around.

Have you been to Gouda yet? And if not, what would you be most excited about — the cheese or the sights?

Pin it for later!

Planning a day trip to Gouda? This picturesque Dutch town is more than just cheese! From the iconic Markt Square to secret alleys and sweet stroopwafels, here’s your ultimate guide to the best things to do in Gouda — just a short trip from Amsterdam or Utrecht.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *