Strong men running around with big cheeses
3.5
3.5
Date of visit: June 2018
I am a carer or friend of a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Good
The Alkmaar Cheese Market happens every Friday morning during spring and summer. (10am to 1pm, April to September). It’s a very popular tourist attraction and the square in which it takes place gets very crowded. A giant TV screen makes it easier for wheelchair users to see some of the action. Otherwise you wait patiently until those at the front of the crowd have seen enough.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
The Langestraat, Alkmaar’s Main Street, is pedestrianised and has smooth paving. It gets You reasonably close to the Waagplein, where the Cheese Market is held, but the last stretch is on narrow cobbled streets where a separate market is held on Fridays, and it’s very crowded.
Parking & Transport
0We walked/wheeled our way there from our hotel. There are underground car parks with lifts not far from the square where the market is held.
Accessible Toilets
0Accessible toilets are few and far between in Dutch cities. There is one in the Cheese Museum, which is located in the Cheese Weigh House right next to the Cheese Market, but we didn’t sample it.
Staff
0Not really applicable, though you have to credit the guys who carry heavy loads of cheese around quickly and cheerfully.
Additional Information
Worth seeing, though it takes a bit of getting to. Good to see several other wheelchair users enjoying the occasion.
