Travelling Light
#3 GB/IE
Forget Amsterdam! This is the Best Christmas Market I have visited on a cruise...
Most cruise passengers arriving in IJmuiden head straight for Amsterdam, but is that really the best option? In this video I skip the one-hour trip into Amsterdam and take a much cheaper and quicker 20-minute bus ride to Haarlem to find out whether it is a better way to spend a cruise port day. I show exactly how to get from the cruise terminal in IJmuiden to Haarlem using public transport, how much it costs, which buses to take, and whether it is worth doing independently instead of booking an expensive cruise ship excursion. Haarlem turned out to be one of the biggest surprises of my cruise. With beautiful canals, historic streets, Christmas markets, museums, and a much more relaxed atmosphere than Amsterdam, it completely changed my view of this often-criticised Dutch cruise port. In this video you’ll see: How to get from IJmuiden cruise port to Haarlem Bus routes 382 and 385 Public transport costs compared with cruise excursions Haarlem Christmas markets Frans Hals Museum Teylers Museum Haarlem canals and historic centre Whether IJmuiden is really a disappointing Amsterdam alternative If your cruise itinerary includes IJmuiden (Amsterdam), don’t assume you need to spend a fortune getting into the city centre. Haarlem may be the hidden gem that most cruise passengers miss. We’re Lisa and Giles from Travelling Light, and we create honest cruise and travel videos with practical tips, budget-friendly ideas, and independent shore excursions. If you’ve visited Haarlem from IJmuiden, let us know in the comments whether you preferred it to Amsterdam. Subscribe for more cruise travel guides, independent port day adventures, and affordable travel inspiration. #IJmuiden #Haarlem #AmsterdamCruise #CruisePortGuide #NetherlandsTravel #TravellingLight 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Directions to bus stops for the 382 and 385 buses 02:07 Plans for Haarlem 04:12 Arrival at the Bus Stop and price of a return trip 04:25 Arrival in Haarlem outside Central Station 05:00 Initial impressions 05:20 Haarlem Christmas Market 05:38 Frans Hals Museum 06:50 Back to Haarlem Christmas Market 08:43 Teylers Museum 09:53 Reflections on Haarlem 10:40 Catching the bus back 11:15 The beach at IJmuiden Follow us on Socials: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/travellinglightlisa/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550871332897 Website | travellinglighter.co.uk Etsy | travellinglightshop.etsy.com