Corrie ten Boom walking tour Haarlem: WWII resistance history

Ordinary Dutch citizens became extraordinary heroes in the networks that hid families and resisted occupation.

A two-hour walking tour of Haarlem led by a guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese, tracing Corrie ten Boom's courageous resistance during World War II through key sites including the Ten Boom House, Joods Monument, Koepel Prison and the hidden Wijngaardtuin garden. The tour connects personal stories to the broader history of a community under Nazi occupation, including the story of Hannie Schaft and the underground networks that saved Jewish lives. No museum entrance is included. The tour serves as an introduction to or alternative to the Corrie ten Boom Museum.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Haarlem's WWII history

• Visit Kenaupark and Hannie Schaft monument
• See Haarlem Railway Station
• Tour Corrie ten Boom House
• Explore Grote Markt area
• Visit the secret Wijngaardtuin garden
• View honorary plaque to Simon Philip de Vries
• Visit De Koepel cultural hub
• See the Joods Monument Haarlem

The experience

Haarlem's story during World War II centers on ordinary people who chose resistance. This walking tour follows the path of Corrie ten Boom, who turned her family home into a hiding place for Jews, and traces the wider network of citizens who risked everything under occupation. You'll visit Kenaupark to learn about Hannie Schaft, known as "the Girl with the Red Hair," a young woman whose acts of sabotage and espionage made her a symbol of Dutch resistance. The guide weaves together these personal stories (marked by bravery, sacrifice and betrayal) with the historical facts that shaped the city during the war.

The route moves through Haarlem's central landmarks and hidden corners. You'll see the outside of the Ten Boom House where the family sheltered refugees, stand at the Joods Monument at Philip Frankplein, a solemn tribute to the 715 Jewish residents of Haarlem who were deported and murdered, and visit the Koepel, a former prison that now stands as a cultural hub. The Wijngaardtuin, a peaceful secret garden tucked behind the bustling streets, reveals where everyday resistance quietly unfolded. Grote Markt, the vibrant heart of the city, provides context for how life continued amid occupation. The guide also shares the story of Simon Philip de Vries, a distinguished rabbi who served Haarlem's Jewish community for nearly five decades before his death in 1944.

The two-hour pace allows time to absorb each location without rushing. You'll have moments to reflect, take photographs and sit with the weight of what these places represent. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and public transportation options are available nearby if needed. A guide leads the entire experience, speaking English, Spanish or Portuguese depending on your choice at booking.

What’s included

• An experienced guide who speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• a two-hour walking route through Haarlem's WWII sites including Kenaupark, the Ten Boom House exterior, Grote Markt, the Wijngaardtuin, the Joods Monument and the Koepel.
• and time to reflect and photograph at each location.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday, Friday, Saturday and SundayDepartures at 10:30, 11:00 and 14:00Last departure this season: 2 Jan 2027

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (17 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (6 to 16 years) · Child (2 to 5 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by 360 Haarlem Tours

Is this one for you?The tour covers two hours of walking at a moderate pace through city streets and parks, so you'll need a reasonable level of fitness. The route is wheelchair accessible and strollers are welcome, making it suitable for families and those with mobility considerations.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 16 years); Child (2 to 5 years); Infant (under 2).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What was Corrie ten Boom's role in Haarlem during World War II?

Corrie ten Boom and her family turned their home in Haarlem into a hiding place for Jews during Nazi occupation. The tour visits the outside of the Ten Boom House and tells the story of her courageous resistance, which eventually led to her arrest.

Who was Hannie Schaft and why is she important to Haarlem's history?

Hannie Schaft, known as "the Girl with the Red Hair," was a young woman who became a symbol of Dutch resistance through acts of espionage and sabotage in and around Haarlem. The tour stops at Kenaupark to honor her memory and share her story of bravery and sacrifice.

What does the Joods Monument in Haarlem commemorate?

The Joods Monument at Philip Frankplein is a solemn tribute to the 715 Jewish residents of Haarlem who were deported and murdered during the Holocaust. The monument stands near the site of the former main synagogue and is one of the key stops on the tour.

Does this tour include entry to the Corrie ten Boom Museum?

No, the tour does not include museum entrance. It serves as an introduction to Corrie ten Boom's story and an alternative to the museum, focusing instead on the outdoor sites and hidden locations throughout Haarlem where resistance took place.

What is the Wijngaardtuin and why does the tour visit it?

The Wijngaardtuin is a peaceful, secret garden tucked behind central Haarlem's bustling streets. The tour visits it to reveal where everyday resistance quietly unfolded during the occupation, showing how ordinary citizens contributed to the broader network of resistance.