Gouda city tour, church with stained glass extravaganza

Culture and History tour in Gouda

Tour Price : €150-300 Duration : 1-3 hours Languages: Dutch, English, German, also with a translator in Japanese and other languages Discount: 10% discount already factored in.

Cheese lovers have all heard of Gouda, that popular brand of Dutch cheese. It originates from the grassy fields of Gouda area, one the most serene and picturesque towns in the Netherlands. Nestled between Amsterdam and Rotterdam in the flat polders of grassy South Holland Province. 

I can either meet you in Gouda - or accompany you by train from Amsterdam to Gouda.  

Every Thursday, from June to August, Gouda holds its cheese market in its wide-open market square. A seemingly inexhaustible supply of Gouda cheese forms numerous rows of large, round yellow wheels stacked next to and on top of one another. That market is the continuation of a centuries-old tradition of farmers from the areas that surround Gouda to sell their products in this market square.

St. John’s Church is home to the incredible and world famous series of XXL Gouda Stained Glass windows dating back to the 16th and 17th century, which shows numerous biblical stories in grand size and luminous colour. Closed for visitors on Sundays!

In addition to its long-standing heritage of cheese making, Gouda is also known for its other industries, such as white clay pipes for smoking, crisp syrup cookies, and dark design pottery. The local art museum is interesting and merits a visit as it holds the best of the cities production.

The awe-inspiring architecture of historic churches and buildings are set against the backdrop of green countryside pastures, canals and the Gouda River. Just outside of the town the Gouda and Holland IJssel Rivers are visible, and here is where we witness something strange. The water tables of canals actually rise far above the green pastures. Rain water is pumped up contunuously  to these higher ring waters. It makes Holland an engineering marvel.

From Amsterdam, it would take approximately 50 minutes by train (extra ticket cost).  The prices of the tours vary depending on number of passengers and the starting point. 

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