Haarlem: Corrie ten Boom and WWII Experience Guided Walking Tour

Your experience

Step back in time to WWII Haarlem and immerse yourself in an inspiring journey of courage, faith, and Dutch resilience. This 2-hour guided walking tour brings history to life by following the incredible path of Corrie ten Boom, a brave watchmaker who turned her home into a refuge for those escaping Nazi persecution, while revealing how an entire community coped under enemy occupation.

Getting started

Your journey begins at Kenaupark, located just a short distance from the historic city centre. Meet your expert local guide 15 minutes prior to departure to gear up for an engaging 2-hour walking tour.

What to expect

Corrie ten Boom & WWII Walking Tour

As you stroll through Haarlem’s picturesque alleyways and green spaces, your guide will weave together historical facts with powerful, human-centred storytelling. You will gain a deep understanding of everyday resistance during the war, see key landmarks connected to the underground network, and pause at meaningful memorials that honour the heroes and victims of WWII.

Features:

• The legend of Hannie Schaft at Kenaupark: Explore the tranquil paths of Kenaupark and stand before the monument dedicated to Hannie Schaft, "the Girl with the Red Hair." Discover the daring secret operations, sabotage, and espionage carried out by brave underground fighters who risked everything.

• Corrie ten Boom House exterior: Walk up to the iconic residence where Corrie ten Boom and her family bravely sheltered hundreds of Jewish refugees and resistance workers. Learn about their covert operation, their eventual arrest, and the enduring legacy of The Hiding Place.

• Quiet resistance in the Wijngaardtuin: Tucked away from the bustling city streets, visit the peaceful Wijngaardtuin secret garden. Here, you'll hear intimate tales of how ordinary Dutch citizens quietly subverted Nazi rule in their daily lives.

• Historic De Koepel & Joods Monument: Contemplate Haarlem's complex wartime history at De Koepel, a former panopticon prison turned cultural space, and pay your respects at the Joods Monument, dedicated to the 715 Jewish residents deported and killed during the Holocaust.

Your tour concludes back in central Haarlem, leaving you with an unforgettable perspective on the city's wartime history. Whether you use this tour as a comprehensive alternative to the Ten Boom Museum or as an introductory exploration of Haarlem's resistance, you’ll walk away profoundly moved by stories of hope, sacrifice, and human strength.