If your trip to Haarlem is all sorted out but your itinerary is a little on the empty side, we can give you a few hints and tips.Close to the city center, Frans Hals Museum is one attraction to consider adding to your must-see list. Grote Markt and Corrie ten Boom House are also a stone’s throw away and worth checking out.

If you’ve crossed off all the main sights in Haarlem, there’s more to discover in the surrounding area. Zorgvliet is just 25 miles away. Travelers who head here usually have Peace Palace on their to-do lists.

One good thing about having your own set of wheels while you’re visiting Haarlem is that you’ll be able to visit some of the area’s amazing beaches no matter what the weather’s like. So, grab your sunscreen (or your waterproof coat) and get ready to check out some of these well-known options:

• Zandvoort Beach (5 miles away).
• Katwijk Aan Zee Beach (16 miles away).

If you have some serious business to attend to in Haarlem, chances are you’ll be spending loads of time at a convention center. If that’s the case, you might want to hear about some of the ones that have hotels and restaurants nearby:

• Bakenesserkerk (0.2 miles away).
• Claus Event Center (4 miles away).
• Ronde Lutherse Kerk (11 miles away).

Having your own ride in Haarlem will give you more flexibility to go wherever you want at your own pace. Maybe you can’t wait to leave the city behind, explore the country laneways, and see where the wind takes you. If so, pick up the keys to one of our full-size or mid-size SUVs and discover the shingle seashores in the surrounding area. If you just want to soak up the bright lights of the city, jump behind the wheel of something small. Zipping around heavy traffic will be a lot less stressful with a mini or compact car.

You’ll be pleased to hear that there’s an impressive variety of luxury rental vehicles in Haarlem. What you go with depends on your funds and the activities you’ve got planned. Specialty and prestige vehicles often spare no expense when it comes to comfort and class. If you’re splashing out, why not go for a fully kitted-out SUV, or perhaps a slick mid-size sedan? Alternatively, if you’re just after a set of wheels to get you from A to B as economically as possible, you’re better off choosing a no-frills compact vehicle (or something else that won’t burn a hole in your pocket).

In Haarlem, you’ll need to stick to the right side. When road-tripping someplace new, it’s a good idea to rent a car with automatic transmission. That way, you can focus on the road and not worry about gear changes.

It can be tough to find a parking space in Haarlem. Once you get your hands on one, make sure you pay attention to the signage. Staying over the time limit or parking where you’re not supposed to can leave a big hole in your vacation budget.

One of the advantages of hitting the road in a smaller city is less traffic, so you don’t have to worry a whole lot about peak-hour gridlock. With a population of around 147,600, you can expect a smooth Haarlem driving experience.

While motoring around the streets of Haarlem, keep in mind that the speed limits usually range from 50km/h to 100km/h. Residential zones are 30km/h unless stated otherwise.

Generally, your chosen rental company will bill the amount fined to your credit card. Alternatively, the company may supply your contact details to the relevant local law enforcement agency so they can issue a fine straight to you.

If you have hands-free functions like Bluetooth enabled, you are able to use your cell phone while operating a vehicle in Haarlem. But ensure you keep focused on the road.

When driving in Haarlem, it’s against the law to have a BAC (blood alcohol content) greater than 0.05%. Planning to have a few drinks over lunch or dinner? Consider using a ride-sharing service or taking a taxi.

No, so don’t risk a fine by doing it. In Haarlem, red equals stop, with no exceptions. When nearing traffic lights, always drive at a safe speed so you can easily stop if you need to.

They sure are. Although, there are exceptions for certain vehicles run by public transportation networks.