Alkmaar is known as the cheese city of the Netherlands, but that title covers only part of the load. Because this city in North Holland has much more to offer. The beautiful old city center has plenty of monuments, excellent shopping areas, and numerous cozy cafes, pubs, and restaurants in all price ranges. There are also great shopping opportunities, the Stedelijk Museum, the Beer Museum, the Beatles Museum, and, of course, the Cheese Museum. And if you want to get out of town for a while, you can be on the beach or in the dunes within 15 minutes.