The Frans Hals Museum is divided into two locations located a short walk from each other in Haarlem’s old town: the Hof is a former almshouse that now houses Golden Age works from the 16th and 17th centuries. Meanwhile, the Hal, formerly the Museum De Hallen, comprises three historic market buildings and houses modern and contemporary art exhibits.
Haarlem walking tours generally pass by both the Hof and Hal to take in their historic architecture; some tours also include a stop at the Hof to view the superb collection inside. The highlight of the Hof is Frans Hals’ enormous civic guard group portraits, including the famous Regents and Regentesses of the Old Men's Almshouse.
The Frans Hals Museum is located in Haarlem, a short and scenic walk from the train station. Direct trains run west from Amsterdam to Haarlem all day, making the trip in under 15 minutes, and several local and intercity buses stop near the museum buildings.
The museum is open daily except for Mondays and major holidays; check the website for holiday closures before visiting. Both the Hof and Hal often hold important temporary exhibitions that can attract crowds, so book your tickets online in advance to avoid a wait to enter.
Haarlem is one of the most attractive cities in the Netherlands, thick with historic townhouses and tranquil canals. Stroll through the Grote Markt main square in the old town, admire the church of St. Bavo and the De Adriaan windmill, sip a beer at the De Jopenkerk brewery set in a former church, and explore the natural history exhibits at the Teylers Museum, the oldest museum in the Netherlands.
