Local farmers bring their wagons to the Markt to have their cheese weighed, inspected and sold there like they have done for centuries. The sold consignment is transported to De Gouden Waag on the horse-drawn wagon, where it is weighed. This is still done during the cheese market, which is held every Thursday morning from April to the end of August. It’s a top tourist attraction!
The cheese market is surrounded by the weekly market and stalls where craftspeople show how traditional products like clogs and candles were made in the past.
De Goudse Waag is a historic building dating from 1668 which houses a museum that can tell you all about the history of De Goudse Waag and the products that were weighed and traded here. We also offer various options for welcoming small and large groups in conjunction with a visit to the museum. A museum shop with delicious real Dutch cheeses and a variety of delightful traditional Dutch souvenirs can be found on the ground floor of De Goudse Waag.
De Goudse Waag is a historic building dating from 1668, designed by the well-known architect Pieter Post. His famous works also include De Waag in Leiden, the royal palace Huis ten Bosch and Maastricht Town Hall. Gouda was an important transit point between Amsterdam and Rotterdam. All goods weighing more than 10 pounds were weighed at De Goudse Waag, and duty then needed to be paid on them.
Explore three centuries of cheese history. The Gouda cheese market started in 1198. For centuries all the local farmers came together in the market square to sell their cheese. The famous Gouda cheese is sold in Gouda at the renown Gouda cheese market in front of De Goudse Waag between 10 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. every Thursday from 3 April to 28 August.
| Admission including audio tour | € 7,50 p.p. |
| Young people 0-17 | free |
| Rotterdampas-keepers | free |
| Entry + Mini Cheese tasting | € 11,00 p.p. |
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Cheese- and Winetasting For groups from 10 persons (book in advance) |
€ 25,50 p.p. |
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Cheese- and Beertasting For groups from 10 persons (book in advance) |
€ 25,50 p.p. |
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Cheese- and Coffeetasting For groups from 10 persons (book in advance) |
€ 25,50 p.p. |
The incredibly atmospheric reception room Het Proeflokaal boasts an excellent location in the town centre and a fabulous view of the market square.
We offer various options for welcoming small and large groups in conjunction with a museum visit. De Goudse Waag is an inspiring venue.
Obviously this room is also available for other events. How about a business meeting with a fully catered lunch? Or a birthday party where you can celebrate with friends and family into the early hours? Or a sociable cheese tasting with a community group, possibly accompanied by a glass of wine?
E-mail us your requirements and ask about the possibilities. We would love to help you make it an unforgettable occasion.
The ground floor of De Goudse Waag houses a museum shop with delicious real Dutch cheeses, from artisan farm cheese to delicious cheeses from Uniekaas. Our cheese experts in the shop will be happy to tell you about the differences between all the cheeses on offer at De Goudse Waag. And before you make your choice, you can also try a sample. So you can be sure you’re making the right choice.
In addition to the cheeses, De Goudse Waag also offers a variety of quality cheese knives, cheese slicers and many other cheese accessories in order to enjoy your cheese to the full / that can be used for serving cheese.
The collection also features a variety of delightful traditional Dutch souvenirs, as would have been found or used in Holland in the past. They make a great memento of your visit to De Goudse Waag and the cheese town of Gouda.
The volunteers at De Goudse Waag will be happy to advise and help you.
The museum may be closed temporarily for a tasting. If you wish to visit the museum, please contact us in advance to check.
| Monday to Sunday | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Wednesday to sunday | 10:00 - 16:00 |
| Monday to sunday | 10:00 - 17:00 |
Nederlandse versie
