Fodor's Expert Review Hoofdtoren

Hoorn's administrative historic heart is the impressive Rode Steen square, but to really understand this city's links with the sea you need to take a stroll around the harbor area, still filled with sailing boats (most of these are used for leisure rather than commercial purposes these days). Dominating the harbor is the imposing brick Hoofdtoren, originally built as a defensive tower in 1532. Its appearance was made all the more impressive with the addition of the clock tower in 1651. Having been completely restored in the 1990s, the interior now houses a café-restaurant (open daily from noon).