castle de haar tours

How To Visit Castle De Haar In The Netherlands

The Kasteel / Castle De Haar is the biggest castle in the Netherlands, and it’s fairly easy to visit on a day trip from Amsterdam to Castle De Haar, since it’s located near Utrecht!

Also known as Kasteel De Haar in the Dutch language, this castle was never meant for war, but it was (and still is) used as a luxury home of sorts.

You can pay extra to go inside the castle, and the interior is stunning and very worthwhile. If you only have time to visit one castle in Holland, it should be this one!

This travel guide will explain how to get to Castle De Haar, current hours and ticket prices, day tour options, and everything else you need to know before you go!

Visiting Castle De Haar: What To Expect

First things first — the De Haar Castle is surrounded by 135 acres of landscaped gardens with colorful flowers, ponds, deer, and nice scenery, so you’ll want to explore that first. It’s the perfect place for a long walk or picnic.

The outside of Castle De Haar is impressive and photogenic, with all the usual features you’d expect from a medieval castle, like towers, turrets, moats, gates, and suspension bridges.

You can take great pictures of the castle from almost any side!

Kasteel De Haar

Morning reflections in the canal

In my mind I never really associated castles with Holland before, but this one is truly spectacular, like a fairytale castle.

It’s the largest castle in the Netherlands, and you could definitely say it’s the nicest too. The castle has a gift shop, cafe, and visitor center where you can buy tickets.

The park grounds also have a deer park where you can see friendly deer walking around and eating grass.

Griffin statue at the entrance

If you visit De Haar at the right time of year, there are even some special seasonal events held here, like the Elfia Fantasy Fair and Christmas Market.

No advance booking or reservation is needed for Kasteel De Haar, although you can book a small group day tour from Amsterdam if you want to skip the hassle of arranging your own transportation (I’ll explain more on that later).

In any case, Kasteel De Haar is well worth a visit, especially if you’re from the US or another country where castles aren’t very common!

Inside De Haar Castle (Interior)

The inside of De Haar Castle is just as impressive as the outside! If you buy a combo ticket, you can tour the inside at your own leisure.

The interior of Castle De Haar is extremely detailed and beautiful, with luxurious bedrooms, carvings and sculptures, paintings, fancy furniture, stained glass windows, sets of armor, and much more. It feels like you’re touring an art museum.

The castle has a whopping 200 rooms! Even though they only let you walk through less than a dozen of these, the inside tour was very thorough and worthwhile.

I’d highly recommend it! The combo ticket is easily worth the extra price you pay to go inside.

Interior of Castle De Haar — the inside is just as nice as the outside!

Amazing sculptures

You can do an audio tour in Dutch or English, and there are also some friendly multilingual guides available in almost every room of the castle to explain some of the history of the building and the people who lived in it.

Photography is allowed inside the castle, including cameras (without flash), so we took lots of pictures. It was fascinating, and we easily could have stayed longer touring each room.

They don’t allow backpacks, tripods, drones, and other such things inside De Haar Castle, but there are some handy lockers where you can store things while you tour the interior.

A comfy bedroom inside the castle

Opening Hours

• Park: 9 AM – 5 PM daily
• Castle: 11 AM – 5 PM daily

Even though you can’t go inside the castle itself before 11 AM, you can walk all over the grounds starting at 9 AM, so morning is a great time to visit.

The castle is open daily. Exceptions for holidays can be found here .  

Entrance Fees

These are the current ticket prices to visit all of the park grounds that surround the castle, but not go inside the building.

• Adults: 7 Euros
• Kids (4-12): 5 Euros
• Kids (0-4): Free
• Parking: 6 Euros

If you want to go inside the castle, there’s a more pricey combo ticket that also includes the park. You can buy that when you arrive, or book it in advance here .

Cash isn’t accepted at the castle, only credit or bank cards.

A view from the garden

How To Get To Castle De Haar

Castle De Haar is located in Haarzuilens, which is just outside of the city in Utrecht, Netherlands.

You can get there with a bicycle, car rental (self drive), taxi , or public transportation, or you can book a day tour package that includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Amsterdam. The castle is a 30 minute drive by car from Amsterdam or Utrecht.

For public transportation to the castle from Amsterdam Centraal, you’ll want to budget more time. You first have to take the train to Utrecht Centraal, and then take the train from Utrecht with route Den Haag Centraal (4x per hour) to Vleuten train station.

Once you arrive in Vleuten, take Bus 111 to Kasteel de Haar, with a 2 minute walk (only available summer weekends). Otherwise, you can take Bus 127 from Vleuten to Breukelen (stop at Brink in Haarzuilens), which is a 15 minute walk to the castle.

You can use the map below for navigation directly to the castle, which is about 20 kilometers from central Utretcht or 33 kilometers from Amsterdam.

History Of Kasteel De Haar

The De Haar Castle looks medieval, but most of it was actually built in the 19th century, replacing some old castle ruins that had previously been there since as early as 1391.

The property was owned by the De Haar family until 1440, and then it was passed to the Van Zuylen family by marriage. Between 1892 and 1912, the Van Zuylens commissioned Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers to completely rebuild and renovate the castle, turning it into the masterpiece seen today.

In the 1960s, the castle became a popular place for the Van Zuylen family to host international celebrities, including Brigitte Bardot, Gregory Peck, Joan Collins, Roger Moore, and Michael Caine.

In 2000, the Van Zuylen family passed ownership of the castle and gardens to the Kasteel de Haar foundation, but the family reserved the right to stay one month a year in the castle, which they continue to do every year. Lucky!

De Haar Castle

Best Time To Visit

Any time of year is nice to visit De Haar Castle, although summer is best because you can see the flowers in full bloom. The Rose Garden is really nice, with over 1,200 roses and 79 different species.

My wife was pretty sad we missed the famous tulip season in the Netherlands on this trip, but the flowers in August were still spectacular at De Haar Castle.

The best time of day to visit is in the morning when the park first opens (9 AM), that way you can enjoy the whole grounds with less people. We went on a summer morning, and for one or two hours it felt like we had the place all to ourselves!

I’d recommend spending 2 to 3 hours to explore the castle and park grounds, depending on your pace and whether the gardens are in full bloom when you visit. Most people will probably finish touring everything in about 2 hours.

Summer flowers

Best Amsterdam Tours

We recommend GetYourGuide for day tours of Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands!

They have small group day tours of Castle De Haar with pickup and drop-off from Amsterdam, plus other famous sights and activities like canal cruises, the Van Gogh Museum, and day trips to Keukenhof.

We’ve used this company for lots of day tours and activities around the world, and they’re great. Highly recommended!

More Travel Guides

Thanks for looking! I hope you enjoyed this travel guide for visiting Castle / Kasteel De Haar on a day trip from Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Don’t forget to check out the rest of my travel blog for more tips, info, and travel photos!

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• Castle Tour

Small Group Tour to Castle De Haar from Amsterdam

Come and enjoy one of Holland’s most beautiful fairytale castles!

Kasteel de Haar is only a 45-minute drive from Amsterdam and takes you back in time. We take you into a magical fairy tale to the most impressive medieval castle in the Netherlands! We have about 3,5 hours to explore the historic castle and the park.

On this small group tour, we will visit the castle, its gardens, and the beautiful, landscaped park around it. Kasteel de Haar is characterized by its rich and extravagant history and the many special stories hidden behind the castle walls. First built in the 13 th century it came in the van Zuylen family in the 15 th century. The castle found itself in ruins after centuries of wars, and several bad storms, until Baron Etienne van Zuylen, who married Baroness Hélène de Rothschild, took it upon himself to rebuild the castle at the end of the 19 th century. He enlists architect Pierre Cuypers for this project, the same architect who designed the Rijksmuseum and central station in Amsterdam!

Kasteel de Haar gets a real revival when his grandson Thierry inherits the castle. In Thierry’s care, it becomes a sought-after hotspot for the international jet set with guests such as Coco Chanel, Brigitte Bardot, and Maria Callas. Baron Thierry passes away in early 2011 and his daughters and grandchildren still come to the “Chatelet” next to the castle for their holidays!

If you think that one castle a day is not enough for you, please haev a look at our combination tour to Castle De Haar and Royal Palace Het Loo!

Included in the tour:

• Transfers from Amsterdam to the Castle
• Entrance fee Castle de Haar: Castle, Park and Gardens
• Guided tour in the Castle
• Cold drinks and snacks during transit

If you are traveling by yourself we welcome you to join our tours!  Please call or email for availability!  [email protected]

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About De Haar Castle

Rich in stories.

To visit De Haar Castle, whether to admire its park, its rich history, the exhibitions, gardens, deer or for a wedding, is to be immersed in a different world. Behind every door, every detail, every flower in its colorful gardens is a story. A story about earlier times, different cultures and interesting characters. De Haar is the largest castle in the Netherlands, once the private residence of the Van Zuylen family, whose descendants still stay here yearly. In the last century, the castle also frequently hosted members of the international jet-set with their lavish lifestyle; from Coco Chanel to Roger Moore, they too left their mark on the sumptuous rooms of the most opulent spot in Utrecht.

Few castles in The Netherlands can equal De Haar for its ideal image of a medieval fortress with towers and ramparts, moats, gates and drawbridges. Like a real fairy-tale castle, it rises majestically from parkland with impressive trees, old gardens, and ponds. The castle is situated in the center of The Netherlands, near Utrecht, and is easy to reach by car. There is ample parking space.

De Haar Castle ranks among the top twenty most visited Dutch museums. It is a historic monument alive with year-round activities such as guided tours (for adults and children), exhibitions, theatre, and events. De Haar Castle is a private foundation and does not receive any regular subsidies from local or central government. The foundation is a non-profit organization and depends entirely on its revenues from ticket sales, activities and events.

For over a century it has been a tradition for the Van Zuylen van Nijevelt van de Haar family to reside in the castle for one month a year, in September. The tradition centers around entertaining prominent international guests at lavish house parties hosted by the baron and baroness. Famous guests included Coco Chanel, Maria Callas, Gregory Peck, Roger Moore, Yves Saint Laurent, Joan Collins, and Brigitte Bardot.

The medieval House De Haar dates from the 13th century. It fell into disrepair in the 18th and 19th centuries. Architect Pierre Cuypers (famous for his designs of the Rijksmuseum and the Central Station in Amsterdam) restored and rebuilt De Haar for baron Etienne van Zuylen van Nijevelt van de Haar. The rebuilding took from 1892 till 1912 and was a project unique of its kind in all of Europe.

Cuypers’ grand design included not just the architecture of the castle but also the interiors, the gardens, the chapel and even the village of Haarzuilens. Without exaggeration, the whole can be described as a Gesamtkunstwerk. Cuypers has created a unique, special world: an enchanting oasis of harmony and peace.

The park and gardens surrounding De Haar Castle – covering over 135 acres of land – are worth paying a visit. The Rose Garden, the Roman Garden, the ponds and canals, as well as the many bridges, romantic vistas, and impressive avenues invite visitors to go on long walks or have a picnic. Each season in the park has its charm.

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• Kasteellaan 1
• 3455 RR Haarzuilens
• 030-6778515
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Work on Monday Travels

Why you should take a day trip to kasteel de haar and everything you need to know.

Getting to Kasteel de Haar tested my nerves a little because I wasn’t fully prepared. But let me tell you, it was worth it and I am here to help make getting there and planning a trip to the castle easier!

Here you will find:

• Why you should visit 

How to get there

• How much time you should allot
• Ground tour vs inside tour

Why visit Kateel de Haar?

Kasteel de Haar is the biggest castle in the Netherlands and is located just outside of Utrecht, Netherlands. Why take a trip to Kasteel de Haar? I think the pictures speak for themselves! 😍 Maybe I’m alone in my obsession with castles, but, if not, this castle should be on your list to see! It has Disney-approved (I’m sure) architecture, surrounded by a moat and beautiful gardens outside. 

To learn more about the history of the castle and the family, you can visit the Kasteel de Haar site!

A day trip to Kasteel de Haar is easiest from Utrecht, though it can be done from Amsterdam as well. Directions to get there also depend on what day of the week you visit! 

Utrecht to kasteel de Haar:

Monday-Friday

• This is only about a 10 minute train ride
• Be sure you get the right train; not all of them stop at Vleuten station!
• The best app for clearest train instructions is the NS app!!
• Take bus 127 to the “Brink Haarzuilens” stop (about a 5-10 minute bus ride)
• From the bus stop you will have about an 18 minute walk to the entrance where you can purchase tickets (I know, quite a walk!)

 Saturday-Sunday

• Still train from Utrecht Central to Vleuten train station
• However, on the weekend, take bus 111 from Vleuten to “Kasteel de Haar, Haarzuilens” stop. This bus route will take you to the castle entrance and save you quite a walk!
• They looked up the bus routes and informed me the bus that came to the castle entrance was on the weekends only. I’m not sure if this is year-round or not, honestly! 

For everything you need to know about visiting Utrecht, click here !

Amsterdam to kasteel de Haar:

• This ends up being about an hour and a half travel time

How Much time is Needed to visit

Obviously the time will depend on where you are coming from and what day. 

Prepare for:

• If you would rather, you can also take a Taxi or Bolt to the castle, which is likely between $40-$50 one-way from Utrecht but cuts the trip to 20-30 minutes to the castle
• We spent about 2 hours at Kasteel de Haar exploring the gardens and did a self-guided indoor tour
• In total, prepare for 4-5 hours at the least for a day trip to Kasteel de Haar! 

Good news is, though, if you arrive around 10am you can spend some time in the gardens, explore the inside and be back in Utrecht by about 2 or 3 pm giving you time to fit other activities into the afternoon. 

Grounds Tour or Inside Tour?

As you can see above, it takes a little effort to get to the castle. Therefore, I recommend if you are going to take the time to go to the castle then you should see inside the castle as well. The rooms are set up as they would have been when the castle was used regularly and workers are available in some of the popular rooms to explain what the room was used for, etc. 

Cost of a day trip to Kasteel de Haar

You can choose to just visit the outside and the gardens or you ca take a self-guided tour inside the castle. Prices:

• Garden only: 7 euros per person
• Gardens and castle self-guided tour: 19 euros per person
• Train tickets are about 3.5 euros one-way to Vleuten station and bus tickets to the castle are about 2-4 euros one-way
• Total cost of a day trip from Utrecht to Kasteel de Haar: around 32 euros (give or take a few euros) with entrance to the castle

However, taking a guided tour is also an option. If you are coming from Amsterdam, this may be a good option if you don’t want to take two trains and a bus to get to the castle. Guided tours can be booked from Amsterdam through Get Your Guide below!

Kasteel de Haar hours

Kasteel de Haar hours:

• Gardens: open from 9am to 5:00 pm 
• Castle: open from 11am to 5 pm (doors close at 4:30pm)

Kasteel de haar Recap!

Kasteel de Haar was one of our favorite day trips on our 5-day itinerary to Amsterdam! Though it was a bit out of town (and took us longer because we got on the wrong train), we enjoyed seeing more of the Dutch countryside on the trip there and really felt like it added something different to the itinerary! 

For a details on how we spent 5 days in and around Amsterdam, click here ! 

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De Haar Castle

Europe , The Netherlands

A Perfect Day Trip from Utrecht, the Netherlands

De Haar Castle (Kasteel De Haar) is the largest castle in the Netherlands . Its rich history, opulent and extravagant decor, and stunning garden make this renovated medieval fortress a popular Utrecht day trip destination.

This renovated medieval fortress once was the hottest party destination for the rich, international jet setters. Iconic fashion designers like Coco Chanel and Hollywood stars have been guests to exclusive, lavish house parties here.

Lucky you, special invitations are no longer needed to relive the glam moments and experience the splendor of De Haar Castle! It only takes 30-minute driving from Utrecht. And this article will tell you exactly how you plan and what to expect on your visit to De Haar Castle.      

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Disclosure : This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase by clicking some of these links, I may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you . Click here to read full disclaimer. 

Utrecht Day Trip Series

This article is part of the Utrecht Day Trip series. Explore these charming Dutch villages from Utrecht !

• Part 1. De Haar Castle : the Largest Castle in the Netherlands
• Part 2. Woerden  the "real" Farmer's Cheese Market
• Part 3.  Gouda : 5 Things to Do beyond the Historic Cheese Market
• Part 4. Teahouse Rhijnauwen  for Dutch Pancakes in the countryside

How to Get to De Haar Castle from Utrecht

By Car : It takes 30 minutes to get there from Utrecht.   By Bike : I noticed many people biked to the castle. It is 13km away and should take about 45-60 minutes.   By Bus : From the Utrecht Centraal station, take a train to Vleuten. Take bus 127* to Breukelen (stop at Brink in Haarzuilens) then walk 15 minutes. * Note: The direct bus line 9 and 111 to De Haar Castle from Utrecht Centraal station have been discontinued.

Once you get there, expect to spend about 3-4 hours. Park & Gardens: 1-2 hour(s), Castle Tour: 1 hour, and rest of the castle on your own: 1 hour.

Day Trips From Amsterdam

>> A private day trip from Amsterdam  takes you to the two most critical Dutch castles with a rich history: Muidenslot and De Haar Castle.

>> A small group tour from Amsterdam to De Haar Castle with a professional tour guide in English. (The castle provides a guide only in Dutch.)

History of De Haar Castle

De Haar Castle was initially built in the 13th century. In 1892, Baron Etienne van Zuylen van Nijevelt van de Haar commissioned the famous Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers (who designed the Rijksmuseum and the Amsterdam Centraal Station) to renovate the despaired medieval castle . Cuypers designed the entire complex – including the interiors, garden and chapel – and even the village of Haarzuilens. Although not everything is original, every corner of this largest castle in the country is elaborately decorated.

De Haar Castle is no longer the primary residence of the Van Zuylen van Nijevelt van de Haar family. However, it has been a century-old tradition to spend a month every year in September. In that month, the baron and baroness threw lavish house parties for international guests – fashion icons, Hollywood stars, and producers. Famous guests who left marks here include Coco Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Gregory Peck, Clark Cable, Roger Moore, Brigitte Bardot, etc.  

De Haar Castle (Kasteel de Haar)

Castle & Park Admission : €18 [ Book your ticket here ] or free with Museumkaart, Children 4-12 €12.5, Children under 4 free

Guided Tour :   €3.50

Park Admission : €7 [ Book your ticket here ], Children 4-12 €5, Children under 4 free

Location : Kasteellaan 1, 3455 RR Haarzuilens [ Open Google Map ]

Hours : Park 9 am – 5 pm, Castle 11 am – 5 pm   (Closed on Mondays, Christmas, New Year’s Day and King’s Day)

Traveling around the Netherlands? Consider buying a city pass to save money and time. Here is a thorough comparison of 5 most popular Dutch tourist saving cards  >>  

De Haar Castle Park & Garden

De Haar Castle ranks among the top twenty most visited Dutch museums .

The medieval fortress with towers and ramparts is surrounded by moats and can be accessed by drawbridges.

The park and gardens surrounding De Haar Castle are nestled on 135 acres. I recommend getting there early at 9 am to enjoy the park and gardens first before the castle opens up at 11 am. You can opt to buy a park permit (€7) if you just want to go picnic here.

The gardens are well-manicured and filled with colorful flowers. (Watch out for the bees, though!)

However, if you haven’t been inside, I highly recommend experiencing the lavish lifestyles of the baron and baroness. Get a Castle & Park admission (€18).

De Haar Castle Interior

Once you get in, look up the lobby area. You will be awed by stained glass windows, elaborated arches and majestic sculptors. It looks as if you just walked into a Gothic church.

The wall clock was made with an alligator!

The castle features multiple party rooms. Guests were entertained at these chandelier-hanging rooms, adorned with a fancy fireplace, arts and wall decors, and sophisticated marble sculptors.

Upstairs in the more private area, among many rooms, you get to visit the baron room and the separate baroness room. It was typical for a married couple of wealthy families to have their own rooms. They also had separate his & her bathrooms and closets. (If you can afford these, they can save your marriage! Ha!)

The guide explained the Duchess was French and hated the original structure and decor. She recreated her room in the French style and added a separate door to not have to stare at the “ugly” door.

Her pink dress room features a chaise, huge bathroom and closet room.

They even have a hair & makeup room inside the castle!

A study room was intended for their kids to study. The entire tour group mistook it for another bedroom as we saw a bed there. The guide said the secretary used to work there, but I wasn’t sure if it was a Dutch joke or not.

Got a royal fever? Peek into the lives of Belgian Royal family at Royal Palace of Brussels >>    

De Haar Castle Guided Tour

I recommend signing up for the guided tour (€3.50) at the ticket office. While the tour is only given in Dutch (supplementary handout in English), you get to access the nooks and crannies of the castle, including the Servant Corridors.

It is essential to explore servants’ areas because they were very well treated for the standard at that time. Their rooms were furnished with order-to-made furniture. They had their separate entertainment room and a bathroom near their rooms (as opposed to one outside the castle).

The linen room used by servants is the highest point of the tower. It had the most fantastic view of the garden.

The castle used a ring system to call servants from where they were. I guess it was pretty high-tech to wire a bell system in the castle for that time.

The kitchen was equipped with adequate kitchenware to host a large party.

Where to Go Next in the Netherlands

>> Amsterdam Itinerary for the First-time Visitors : Explore the charming, liberal Dutch capital in just 4 days

>> 5 Best Amsterdam Museums

>> Rotterdam : A hip, modern city with funky architecture

>> Delft : Imbibe in artisan Delftware and Vermeer’s masterpieces like The Girl with a Pearl Earring

>> Utrecht : A small laidback college town in South Holland with a 2,000-year history

I enjoyed visiting De Haar Castle from Utrecht. The medieval castle and park is a gorgeous site to spend a half-day whether you want to go picnic or tour the castle (or both!). Take your time to appreciate all the intricate details of the interiors and relive the lavish lifestyle of baron and baroness. A perfect day trip from Utrecht, would you agree?

Bon Voyage!

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Hello, I'm Chloe!

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De Haar Castle – the Most Flamboyant Castle in the Netherlands

De Haar Castle is a magnificent medieval-style castle located in the Netherlands. It is one of the largest and most luxurious castles in the country, which makes it the most popular Dutch castle and the most visited one. And there’s reason for that. Whether you are staying in Amsterdam or Utrecht, De Haar Castle is an easy day trip.

Read more: 🏰 15 beautiful castles in the Netherlands that you should visit 🏰 5 castle hotels for every budget in South Limburg

Read further to find out why De Haar Castle is worth visiting and what to expect from your visit to this Dutch fairytale castle.

What is De Haar Castle?

Early history, 1892 – the fairytale renovation, the september tradition, the bel étage, the first floor, the basement, the castle gardens, how to get to de haar castle, final words.

DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase via one of those links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost for you.

De Haar Castle ( Kasteel de Haar in Dutch) is not your average medieval castle. It has the allure and the flamboyancy of the French castles along the Loire , rather than the practicality and the defensive purposes of the rest of the Dutch castles .

Tip: If you are interested into medieval castles, then you should visit Muiderslot , Slot Loevenstein or Hoensbroek Castle.

The original castle on the site was built in the 14th century but fell into disrepair over the years. In the late 19th century, the castle was rebuilt and extensively renovated by the Rothschild family , who were wealthy bankers. The renovation was carried out by the architect Pierre Cuypers, known for his work on the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

De Haar Castle reflects a mix of historical architectural styles, including Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance elements. It features turrets, drawbridges, moats, and beautifully landscaped gardens. The interiors are opulent, with lavish furnishings and decorations.

Practical info

Address: Kasteellaan 1, 3455 RR Haarzuilens Admission fee: adults – 19 EUR / 7 EUR only the park, kids (4-12 yoa) – 12,50 EUR / 5 EUR only the park; parking – 7,50 EUR Opening times: daily, from 10 am till 5 pm; the park: from 9 am till 5 pm Website: www.kasteeldehaar.nl

History of the castle

The early history of De Haar Castle is somewhat obscured, but it is believed to have its roots in the 13th century. The first written mention of De Haar Castle dates back to 1391. Originally, the castle was owned by a member of the Van der Haar family , who served as a vassal to the Prince-Bishop of Utrecht.

In the 15th century, De Haar Castle got in the hands of the Van Zuylen family when Josina van de Haar married Dirk van Zuylen. The castle likely took on its unique pentagonal shape following its destruction during the 1482 conflicts between the bishop and the city of Utrecht, leading to subsequent reconstruction.

In 1890 Baron Etienne van Zuylen de Nyevelt and his wife Baroness Hélène, née de Rotschild inherited the castle. By that time the castle was fallen in a state of disrepair and was nothing more than a ruin. The baron decided to collaborate with the famous Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers , who was already known for the Rijksmuseum and the Amsterdam Central Station, to bring the castle to its former glory.

Fun fact: Baroness Hélène was a motoring pioneer and the first woman to compete in an international motor race.

The reconstruction aimed to revive the castle in a neo-Gothic style, drawing inspiration from medieval aesthetics. The process involved meticulous attention to historical accuracy, with Baron Etienne and Cuypers working together to rebuild the castle according to its original contours. The result was a grand and opulent structure that combined modern comforts with the charm of a bygone era.

During the reconstruction, the castle’s layout was expanded, and modern amenities were incorporated, including features such as running water, central heating, electricity, a Turkish bath, a state-of-the-art kitchen, and even a personal elevator. These additions were considered extravagant for the time, showcasing Baron Etienne’s desire to modernize the castle while preserving its historical character.

The reconstructed De Haar Castle became a symbol of the opulence and lifestyle of the European aristocracy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Baron Etienne and Baroness Hélène were known for their lavish lifestyle and their desire to entertain guests in grand style.

In the early 1900s a tradition was established known as the ‘ September Tradition ‘. Annually, as summer drew to a close, the baron and baroness would reside in the castle, hosting lavish receptions, including splendid dinners and glamorous soirées. Their guests, often comprising royalty, European nobility, bankers, film stars, and politicians, were ensured a flawless experience during the famous September Tradition.

Visiting De Haar Castle

De Haar Castle is open to the public, offering visitors a chance to explore its rich history, impressive architecture, and beautiful surroundings. When visiting the castle you can opt for a combined ticket to visit both the castle and the park, or you can visit only the park at a reduced price.

In total there are 200 rooms in the castle of which only 20 are open to the public. A few times per year there are special tours that also show through otherwise not accessible rooms. So, if you happen to be on such a day in the castle, do not hesitate to join the tour!

Once you enter the castle you are immediately awestruck. Is this a Gothic cathedral or a luxury hotel lobby? The 18-meter-high wooden vault of the Main Hall, adorned with lavish gold leaf decorations, stained-glass windows and rosettes, was once an open courtyard, which was enclosed during the 1892-1912 restoration.

At the bel étage you can visit the dining room, where the famous dinner parties with celebrities were held, the ball room where the balls were held all night long, and the study room. There’s also the Knights’ Hall, adorned with references to medieval knighthood and mythical heroes.

Guests were welcomed there with tea, petit fours, and sandwiches upon arrival, while in the evening, gentlemen gathered for drinks, cigars, and whiskey sours before and after dinner.

The first floor is where all bedrooms are. They all are decorated differently and the guests visiting the castle would get fresh flowers and magazines according to their own taste. Among the castle’s famous guests were Coco Chanel, Maria Callas, Georges Pompidou, and Jean Cocteau. In the 60s regulars were Brigitte Bardot, Gina Lollobrigida, Joan Collins, Yves Saint Laurent, Roger Moore, and Gregory Peck.

In the basement you can find the kitchen of the castle which was absolutely state-of-the-art when it was installed in 1898. The massive, double coal-fired stove stands prominently in the middle of the room. Grates in the floor around the stove facilitated air supply for the two coal fires, and the smoke was vented underground to the chimney behind the spit-turning hearth on the north wall. The whole kitchen together with the kitchenware came from France.

Beside the cooking kitchen, in the basement there’s also the washing kitchen, the vegetable kitchen, the dairy kitchen and the butcher’s shop.

The castle gardens are as imposing as the castle itself. The 55-ha area around the castle is divided into an English landscape park and castle gardens in French style . The gardens are partly a reconstruction of the original gardens with water features, groves, vegetable gardens and aviaries.

Fun fact: 7000 40-year-old trees were transported from all over the Utrecht province at night on two-wheeled timber carts for the English park.

My favorite part of the castle gardens is the Rose Garden . With more than 1200 roses and 79 different species, this garden is a true roses paradise. In the middle of the garden there is monument dedicated to the oldest son of Baron Etienne, Baron Hélin, who died in 1912 at the age of 24 in a car accident.

The chapel next to the castle doesn’t actually belong to the castle. It belonged to the old village of Haarzuilens that was moved to make place for the current castle and its domain. In 1898 the village was moved about 1,5 km to the east of its original place.

De Haar Castle is located in the village Haarzuilens, near Utrecht. It’s a bit of a hustle to get from Amsterdam to De Haar Castle if you don’t rent a car, that’s why I can highly recommend an organized tour .

If you want to organize the trip yourself or you are coming from anywhere else in the country by public transport, you need first to get to Utrecht. Then take the sprinter train to The Hague and get off at Vleuten. In Vleuten take bus 127 and get off at Brink, Haarzuilen. Then it’s a15-minute walk to the castle.

In the weekends there is a direct bus from Vleuten to the castle – line 111. It takes about 2 hours to get to De Haar Castle by public transport from Amsterdam and about an hour from Utrecht.

If you are travelling by car, there’s special parking near the castle, which costs 7,50 EUR.

Tip: Read this post about using the public transport in the Netherlands . It’s packed with tips that only a local knows!

The best way to find out how to travel from A to B in the Netherlands is to use the Glimble app. You can buy your tickets in the app and travel hassle-free. The app is absolutely free to download .

• Click here to download Glimble for Android
• Click here to download Glimble for iPhone

In conclusion, De Haar Castle is a very unique castle. Although it looks like a medieval castle, there’s nothing medieval about it. The castle provides a window into the grandeur of European aristocracy from end of the 19th century to late in the 20th century. From the lavish interiors to the meticulously designed gardens, every corner of De Haar Castle tells a story of a bygone era.

Do you need some extra help to plan your trip to the Netherlands? Join the dedicated Exploring the Netherlands Facebook Group , where you can get tips from other travellers and locals. Or perhaps you have questions or comments? Join the group and I’ll be happy to answer them.

About Daniela

Travels with Tim and Lisa

"if my discoveries are other people's commonplaces i cannot help it – for me they retain a momentous freshness" (elizabeth bowen), recent posts.

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Kasteel de Haar, Sunday June 7th, 2015

Posted by Lisa Hill on June 8, 2015

On the way back from Utrecht, we visited Kasteel de Haar, one of the most bizarre historic buildings I’ve ever come across.  It was basically a ruin when the impecunious heir decided to restore it, which he was able to fund by fortuitously marrying a Rothschild.

The Neo-Gothic restoration by Dutch architect P.J.H. Cuypers was extravagant, to say the least.  It’s a bit gaudy from the outside, and rather gloomy in most of the rooms inside, but the rooms that Helena Rothschild had a hand in are lovely, and there are some stunning artworks and architectural features as well. It had very advanced plumbing and electrics, and a ginormous kitchen full of gorgeous copper pots too. Alas, I am not able to show you any photos of the interior because they not only won’t let visitors take photos, they also don’t have any for sale in the gift shop (if there is one) and there aren’t any pictures online either. All I have is a few pictures of the castle and garden, but, well, my heart wasn’t in it because I wanted to photograph the interior, or at least buy postcards of it.

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Now, far be it from me to encourage anybody to break the rules of unreasonable tourist attractions such as this one, and no, I have no idea how Wikipedia comes to have images which were forbidden to us, but if you want to have a look at least at the kitchen whose copyright they are so assiduously guarding, click here !

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This entry was posted on June 8, 2015 at 5:18 am and is filed under Europe 2015 , Historic buildings , Netherlands . Tagged: Kasteel de Haar . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response , or trackback from your own site.

4 Responses to “Kasteel de Haar, Sunday June 7th, 2015”

Louise said

It’s a shame about the inside photos. We almost got there when we were in Holland. At least we set out in a car, but got stopped in a traffic jam or road works and it was all impossible, so I think we went back to the house and ate cheese.

Lisa Hill said

It’s a real swiz. We’ve been very lucky with traffic. It was Sunday, which helped, and the weather’s good so half the population is on bikes instread of in cars.

whisperinggums said

Haha, Lisa … the funny thing is that from what I see you could take the Wikipedia photos and put them on your blog. Strange isn’t it. Anyhow, enjoyed your post, despite the lack of photos. The ones you took are wonderful though.

True, I probably could do that, but it’s so time-consuming – and it’s not personal in the same way. You know how it is, we all notice different things in the places we visit and it’s that idiosyncratic snap that makes travel blogs so much fun.

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Castles in Russia

Russia, an immense span of diverse landscapes, from the remote, unspoiled depths of rural Siberia, to the heavily populated modern cities, it is a country like no other.

With layers of fascinating heritage, from gruesome historical battles to world-changing revolutions, Russia is a land with no shortage of hidden gems and spectacular and important sites and landmarks; amongst these are the abundance of castles that are dotted across the country, each offering a unique insight into the past.

Here are some of the best castles to explore in Russia:

1. Moscow Kremlin

One of the top tourist landmarks to visit in Moscow is The Moscow Kremlin, which is an enormous historic fortified structure that has a fascinating past.

Its origins date back to the 2 nd century BC, where it was inhabited by the Finno-Ugric peoples; it was later occupied by the Slavs in the 11 th century, before being significantly extended and modernized in the mid-12 th century by Prince Yuri Dolgorukiy.

Over the centuries in which The Moscow Kremlin has existed, it has had a range of different purposes, from a residence for the Tsars, a venue for coronation ceremonies, to a hub for the Soviets.

Where : Moscow When : 2 nd Century BC origins Style : A mix of architectural styles Open for visit : 10:00am – 18:00pm

2. Peterhof Palace

In the heart of Saint Petersburg is the fantastic, and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Peterhof Palace.

This enormous complex consists of a number of palaces and gorgeous gardens, which were originally commissioned by Peter the Great after he was impressed with the grandeur of the Palace of Versailles in Paris.

You could spend an entire day exploring the ins and outs of the gigantic Peterhof Palace, but some of the top highlights include The Grand Palace, where is the largest and most striking palace in the complex, The Grand Cascade and Samson Fountain, and the Lower Gardens.

Where : St Petersburg When : 18 th Century Style : A mix of architectural styles, but primarily Baroque and Rococo. Open for visit : 10:30am – 18:00pm

3. Catherine Palace

In the town of Tsarkoye Selo, which is just outside the center of St Petersburg, lies the fantastic and grand Rococo style Catherine Palace, which is famous for being the summer residence for the Tsars of Russia.

The name and origins of this Palace date back to the year 1710, when Peter the Great gifted the estate to Catherine I, who was his wife; the stone palace was later constructed in 1723 in replacement of the original wooden structure.

Over the centuries, the palace got increasingly grander and more lavish, and today has a series of incredible rooms that are furnished with impressive features and artifacts.

Where : Tsarkoye Selo When : 18 th Century Style : Rococo Open for visit : Grounds are open year-round from 9 am – 19:00 pm.

4. Kazan Kremlin

Situated in the Russian city of Kazan, lies the fascinating Kazan Kremlin, which was constructed by the decree of Ivan the Terrible, upon the ruins of an earlier fortification.

In this enormous complex, there are a string of incredibly old buildings, one of which is the Annunciation Cathedral, which dates back to the 16th century, and is constructed of locally-sourced pale sandstone.

Some of the architectural highlights to look out for at Kazan Kremlin include the Soyembika Tower, the Spasskata Tower, the Governor’s Palace, and the Kazan Kremlin House Church; there is so much to see and explore at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Where : Kazan When : 16 th Century Style : A mix of styles; varies between buildings. Open for visit : 9:00am – 19:30pm

5. Winter Palace

Famous for being the official residence for the Russian Emperors between the years 1732 and 1917, The Winter Palace is one of the most spectacular and historically rich castles in the entire country.

The palace that stands today is actually the fourth Winter Palace and was constructed between the 1730s and 1837 when it was finally completed, though tragically, it was heavily damaged by fire, and was rapidly rebuilt.

There are centuries worth of fascinating history associated with the glorious Winter Palace, and this castle should be at the top of your sites to see list when visiting St Petersburg.

Where : St Petersburg When : Current palace was built completed in 1837. Style : A mix of architectural styles, primarily Rococo and Baroque. Open for visit : 9:00am – 20:00pm

6. Astrakhan Kremlin

Situated in the southern Russian city of Astrakhan is the historic fortress, Astrakhan Kremlin, which is nestled upon a large hill, on an isolated island in the Volga Delta, which is the largest river delta in Europe.

The Kremlin was originally constructed between the years 1587 and 1588, though it was initially made of wood; it was converted to a stone citadel later.

Since 1974, the Astrakhan Kremlin has been a museum; there is a fascinating exhibition that provides an insight into the life of the Astrakhan military garrison in the 19 th century.

Where : Astrakhan When : 16 th Century Style : Astrakhan Kremlin has a mixed architectural style with a range of different influences. Open for visit : 9:00am – 18:00pm

7. Vyborg Castle

Vyborg Castle is situated in the Russian town of Vyborg, and it is one of the oldest in the country. Originally constructed in what was the medieval Kingdom of Sweden, it was one of three primary castles of Finland, and served as a defensive fortress.

The first mention of this impressive castle dates back to the year 1293, and it was originally built for Torkel Knutsson, who was a prominent individual, and leader of Sweden. Today, Vyborg Castle houses a fascinating museum, and it is a popular tourist attraction for visitors.

Where : Vyborg When : 1293 Style : Medieval Open for visit : 10:00am – 17:00pm  

8. Vorontsovsky Palace

Otherwise known as the Alupka Palace, Vorontsov Palace is an enormous historic palace, which is located at the edge of the Crimean Mountains, in the Crimean town of Alupka.

Famous for being one of the oldest and largest palaces in the whole of Crimea, Vorontsov was originally constructed for the Russian Prince, Mikhail Semyonovich Vorontsov, between the years 1828 and 1848.

It incorporates an array of different architectural styles and features, from Scottish Baronial, Indo-Saracenic Revival Architecture, to Gothic Revival. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the southern coast of Crimea.

Where : Alupka When : 19th Century Style : A mix of architectural styles Open for visit : 9:00am – 18:00pm

9. Ivangorod Fortress

Ivangorod Fortress is a gorgeous medieval castle that is situated in the Russian town of Ivangorod, in Leningrad Oblast; it is situated upon the Narva River, which borders with Estonia.

The fortress dates back to the year 1492, whereby it was first established by Ivan III; it was primarily built as a stronghold and defense.

Today, there is a fascinating museum on the grounds, whereby the local history and relating artworks are displayed; there is also a permanent exhibition that centers on the Northern War and the Livonian War.

Where : Ivangorod When : 1492 Style : Medieval Open for visit : 9:00am – 18:00pm

10. Gatchina Palace

Gatchina Palace, or as it is sometimes referred to, The Great Gatchina Palace, is an immense and fascinating complex in the town of Gatchina, in Leningrad Oblast, Russia.

It was originally constructed between the years 1766 and 1781 by the Italian architect Antonio Rinaldi, for Count Grigori Grigoryevich Orlov.

The architecture of this grand palace is one of its most charming and well-renowned features; it combines the principles of several styles, from the medieval period to the Classical era. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a popular tourist attraction.

Where : Gatchina When : 18 th Century             Style : A mix of Medieval and Classical Open for visit : 9:00am – 17:30pm

11. Izborsk Fortress

Just a stone’s throw away from Pskov lies the fantastic and historic Izborsk Fortress, which is a ruined, but nonetheless fascinating medieval fortress.

It was originally founded by the Slavic Krivich tribe in the 10 th century, where an early wooden structure was erected; it later took on a stone exterior in the 11 th century.

The fortress that stands today dates back predominately to the 14 th century, and what is left of it is relatively well-preserved. This is a popular tourist attraction and offers gorgeous views of the surrounding landscape.

Where : Izborsk When : 1oth Century origins Style : Medieval Open for visit : 9:00am – 17:00pm

12. Novgorod Kremlin

Novgorod Kremlin, or as it is also known, The Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, is a fantastic fortress in the historic center of the Russian city, Nizhny Novgorod. The origins of this structure date back to the year 1374, where it was first recorded that an early wooden fort was constructed.

Over the centuries in which this castle has stood, it has had a primarily military role and has been at the heart of many important battles and conflicts.

One of the highlights of this castle are the 13 towers that survive to this today; they each have their own unique history and design.

Where : Nizhny Novgorod When : 14 th Century Style : Medieval Open for visit : 9:00am – 18:30pm

13. Saint Michael’s Castle

Saint Michael’s Castle, or as it is also known, The Mikhailovsky Castle, or The Engineers’ Castle, is situated in the heart of the historic center of St Petersburg and is one of the most famous and most beautiful castles in the entirety of Russia.

It is well-known for being a former residence for the Russian monarchy and is equally famous for its various architectural influences, such as Gothic, French Classicism, and Italian Renaissance.

Over the centuries, there have been a string of historic and important battles held here, and also a series of different prominent and famous guests and residents. Saint Michael’s Castle should be high on the list of things to do for anyone visiting the bustling city of St Petersburg.

Where : St Petersburg When : 18 th Century Style : A true mix of styles; Classicism, Renaissance and Gothic Open for visit : 9:00am – 19:00pm

14. Vologda Kremlin

In the center of Vologda lies the brilliant Vologda Kremlin, which was originally constructed in the midst of the reign of Tsar Ivan the Terrible; the initial purpose of the Kremlin was that of a defensive structure, though, over the centuries, it changed its overall role.

Over the time in which this castle has stood, it has seen many architectural changes, as well as new additions, such as the Resurrection Cathedral, which is home to the fantastic Vologda Regional Art Gallery.

There is also the wonderful St Sophia Cathedral, which has a string of different frescoes inside, many of which date back to the 17 th century. This is a fantastic spot to visit.

Where : Vologda When : 16 th Century Style : Renaissance Open for visit : 9:00am – 18:00pm

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