Dominating the Haarlem skyline is the Windmill de Adriaan. Built in 1778 on the foundations of an ancient defensive tower, it was originally used to mill the raw materials for making paint and cement. Today, the mill is one of Haarlem’s must-see attractions and iconic landmarks.

When you visit the mill, you’ll be treated to a five-storey museum housed within the building, with information about the history of Haarlem and windmills. The immersive audio-visual tour of the River Spaarne will make you feel as if you’re on a boat in the river, and the exhibition on how windmills work will let you experience manually milling grain. On the top floors, be awestruck by the spectacular view of Old Haarlem the mill commands, with the historical city spread out before you and the river winding its way underneath your feet.