If you can only visit one, which do you recommend?

Also looking for suggestions of things to do in Harlem...museums, brewary tours, shopping, walking tours, etc.

Thanks

Harrlem is about half an hour from Amsterdam, smaller and less interesting ,although a nice day trip. .
Bruges is in Belgium and one of the loveliest towns in the region.

I have never visited Haarlem, but I have visited Bruges. It was on a daytrip from Paris, and it was so worthwhile. It's a very beautiful place.

Why Haarlem???
Of the two, though I find Brugge twee and touristy I would go with Brugge over Haarlem, but there are nicer alternatives to Haarlem in the Netherlands, so why Haarlem. Can it be somewhere else? Delft? Gouda? Den Haag? Utrecht? Amsterdam?
How long are you planning to stay?

haarlem has a wonderful railway station and then some great walks, central museum, jazz bars etc, fills about a day i guess. ~Bruges avoided the bombing more

Hi K,

I like Harlem.

The Franz Hals museum is interesting.

More info at
http://travel.mapsofworld.com/nether...t-attractions/

Given your choice, though, I would visit Bruges.

Haarlem is pleasant enough, but Bruges (AKA Brugge) is quite special. what I remember best about Haarlem was taking a boat tour. Bruges is much more pleasant in the early morning or early evening than in mid-day, when the tourists thin out. Taking a guided bike tour of the area outside Bruges is an excellent way to be out of the tourist crush in mid-day.

Botched that 3rd sentence. Obviously the "tourist crush" in Bruges is heaviest in the mid-day period.

Definitely Bruges. An afternoon in Harlem was enough for us. Watch the movie In Bruges for a preview of Bruges.

I thought Harlem was in New York.
Haarlem is a few minutes from Amsterdam. If you're in Amsterdam, go to Haarlem rather than Brugge. If you're in Belgium, go to Brugge.
If you can easily get to either, then Brugge obviously has more tourist sights.

These are much different cities.

Bruges is noted for it's city walls and other middle ages preservation, and knitting those little things. To me it was somewhat like a stage. The #1 industry is tourists.

Haarlem, where I lived, is a "working" city but also with a middle ages town square, the Grote Markt. It has several museums, open markets twice a week in the Grote Markt, plenty of restaurants and night life, and other features similar to Amsterdam on a more modest scale. It is a very friendly city. For a visit I recommend late April to early May so you can visit Keukenhof for the magnificent bulb flower garden in bloom. Also, Queen's Day takes place on April 30 every year, a great party in Haarlem but especially in Amsterdam.

never been to Haarlem but been to Amsterdam, Delft, and Brugge. Since your asking about Brugge GO to Brugge. I Loved Brugge, would go back in a minute, you won't be disappointed

...four delightful visits to Brugge, and not bored yet. A great walking town, colorful, friendly...the canal system adds even nore to the town's character. Had lunch in Haarlem abut ten years ago, pleasant enough, but nowhere in the same league as Brugge.

Stay near the very pretty and inviting Minnewater, and the nearby Beguinage...we like The Hotel Egmond, in its own garden, free standing on the edge of a large park...walk to RR station and only a ten minute very pleasant walk to the centrum (Gros Markt and Belfort).

At first glance of the post title..I thought perhaps.." a basketball game, Bruge v.s. Harlem....my money's on the latter!