The Gouda Cheese Market - a centuries-old tradition

Wednesday, 03 April 2024

Are you looking for a day out while staying in Amsterdam? Then you are in the right place! From April through March you can attend Gouda cheese market.

Cheeses from the Netherlands are famous all over the world. One of the most unique events related to this delicious universe is undoubtedly the cheese market held in the picturesque city of Gouda. The 2024 season of this fascinating celebration will begin tomorrow, April 4, and run through August 29. Find out in this article what it is all about!

The city of Gouda has a rich tradition of markets, dating back to medieval times. When it acquired city status in the 13th century, commercial activities prospered very rapidly. In the early days it was mostly individual vendors informally selling their products on the streets. It was not until the next century that Count William IV allowed the town to establish an official market for the wool and linen trade. Later other sorts of products began to be sold including canrme, grain, and fish. Cheese was introduced to the market in the 16th century, thus expanding Gouda's reputation in the international market. Over the centuries it has thus grown from a modest local market to a modern commercial activity that attracts thousands of visitors.

The last official Gouda cheese market event would have been held in 1987. Since then what we see today is more of a folkloric performance where visitors can watch re-enactments and walk among the stalls. It is a lively performance rich in Dutch history in which many volunteers also participate, wearing traditional clothes and putting on a show. The community tries to involve the public as much as possible and does so, for example, by having visitors stroll among the cheese wheels or by co-hosting a competition in which they have to guess the weight of Gouda cheese wheels.

Accessibility info:

When: every Thursday from April 4, 2024 to August 29, 2024.

Opening hours: 10 am to 12:30 pm (we recommend arriving at 10 am).

Ticket price: free.

About the author

Silvia Causin

Welcome! I am Silvia, Italian by birth but Amsterdammer by heart and founder of AmsterdaMobile. Having always been passionate about art, touring and tourism, I decided to open this company to offer travellers a new way to explore the culture, art and history of Amsterdam. In recent years I have added to my master’s degree in the History of Arts from the University of Venice, the city referred to, jokingly of course, by Amsterdammers as the "Amsterdam of the South". I became a qualified tour guide specialized in accessible tours. Do you want to find out more about the beauties and stories of this corner of the world? Follow us also on Instagram by clicking here

Benvenuti! Sono Silvia, italiana di nascita ma Amsterdammer di cuore e fondatrice di AmsterdaMobile. Da sempre appassionata di arte, turismo e turismo, ho deciso di aprire questa azienda per offrire ai viaggiatori un nuovo modo di esplorare la cultura, l'arte e la storia di Amsterdam. Negli ultimi anni ho conseguito la laurea magistrale in Storia delle Arti presso l'Università di Venezia, la città scherzosamente definita dagli Amsterdammers "l'Amsterdam del Sud". Sono diventata una guida turistica qualificata specializzata in tour accessibili. Vuoi saperne di più sulle bellezze e le storie di questo angolo di mondo? Seguici anche su Instagram cliccando qui.

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