Victory Begins at Alkmaar: A Self-Guided Walking Tour

New2 hFree cancellationBy VoiceMap Audio Tours

About this activity

A cannonball smashed through a basket maker's home in 1573 and, somehow, hurt no one. It's still lodged in the wall, and this self-guided walking tour leads you straight to it.

Start at De Waag, the weighing house at the heart of Alkmaar's cheese trade, then follow the siege that turned the tide of the Eighty Years' War and gave the city its motto, "Victory begins at Alkmaar." Along the way you meet Cornelis Drebbel, the local inventor who built the first navigable submarine and tested it beneath the Thames. Stop at the statue of Truus Wijsmuller, who organised Kindertransports to rescue Jewish children. The Vismarkt used the canal to keep fish "fresh", with mixed results. The walk ends at Sonoy's Courtyard, a convent seized during the Reformation.

Perfect for history lovers and curious first-time visitors to the Netherlands. Install the VoiceMap app, then enter the ticket code from your confirmation email to download the tour and start walking.

What's included

✓Directions to the starting point so that when you're in the right place, the tour will start
✓Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
✓Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
✓Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
✓The VoiceMap App for Android and iOS

Not included

✕Smartphone and headphones
✕Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
✕Food and drink
✕Transportation
✕An in-person guide

Meeting and pickup

This tour starts at Waagplein 2. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

Good to know

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The total tour time includes walking the route and passing by the attractions

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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