Your phone is the guide
Find a tour you like
Preview the route and stops below, then buy the tour through VoiceMap.
Download the tour
Get the free VoiceMap app (iOS and Android) and download this tour over Wi-Fi before you set off.
Walk, and just listen
Head to the starting point. The app uses GPS to play each story automatically as you reach it, no need to look at your phone or press play.
Audio plays at the right time and place using GPS. It does not require an internet connection once downloaded.
Advantages
- See the city at your own pace
- Lifetime access to the audio tour
- Keep your phone in your pocket, just listen
- Fascinating stories about Haarlem from a local guide
Out walking Haarlem
What you'll see and hear
Written by the Historische Vereniging Haerlem, the city's volunteer historical society, alongside its 2025 exhibition Haarlem in Revolt. It covers this one period in depth, not the whole history of the city
The start at the Hoofdwacht, the former civic militia headquarters on the Grote Markt, and the end at the grand Paviljoen Welgelegen
Where the 1748 tax riots broke out, when angry citizens ransacked the tax collectors' houses and clogged the canals with their belongings
The Grote or Sint-Bavokerk, where crowds gathered in 1795 to proclaim the city's first democratic regulations
Hidden courtyards and narrow alleys where discreet reading clubs met to discuss radical ideas about liberty and equality
The Hodshon Huis, whose female owner paid for cannons during the Patriot movement and sheltered wounded soldiers
Willem Anne Lestevenon, a leading Patriot who was later exiled for his homosexuality
Huis Barnaart, built by a wealthy businessman whose rise was made possible by revolutionary changes in religious tolerance
How French rule and the rise and fall of Napoleon changed everything from taxes to weights and measures
How the House of Orange-Nassau was overthrown, restored, and turned from stadholders into the royal family that still reigns today
Frequently asked questions
How do the audio tours work?
After booking, you download the free VoiceMap app (available for iOS and Android). Once you've downloaded your tour, simply go to the starting point. The app uses GPS to trigger stories automatically as you walk, so you don't need to constantly look at your screen or press buttons. It feels like having a guide walking beside you.
Do I need an internet connection during the tour?
No. After downloading the tour over Wi-Fi, everything works completely offline. This means no roaming charges and no worries about losing signal during your walk.
Is this written and recorded by a real human guide?
Yes. This tour is written and recorded by a real local guide. You'll hear natural storytelling, personal insights, and carefully researched historical context, not an AI voice reading out a Wikipedia page.
Can I start the tour anywhere?
Each tour has a designated starting point and a carefully designed route. This ensures the directions and stories play at exactly the right moment. If you pause for coffee or step off the route, you can simply resume where you left off.
Can I pause the tour whenever I want?
Yes. You are completely in control. You can pause the tour at any time to take photos, visit a shop, sit down for coffee, or explore something in more detail. When you're ready to continue, simply press play.
Can I listen to the tour at home?
Yes. After downloading the tour, you can select "Virtual Mode" in the app and listen from home. This is ideal for preparing your trip or revisiting the experience afterwards.
How long do I have access to the tour?
Forever. Once purchased, the tour is yours to enjoy as often as you like. There is no expiration date.
Do I need to buy the tour for each person?
One purchase works on a single device. If you are exploring together, many couples simply share one phone and use a headphone splitter or share wireless earbuds. For larger groups, we recommend one purchase per device for the best experience.
What should I bring?
A fully charged smartphone, headphones or earbuds, and comfortable shoes. That’s it.
