Castle de Haar: The largest castle in the Netherlands and why it is anything but boring

The Netherlands is full of castles, but sometimes you just want to know: which one is really worth it?

Castle de Haar it is. The largest castle in the Netherlands, with a setting that is anything but boring. Located in the village Haarzuilens and easy to reach from Utrecht, this is the perfect spot for a day out. Team Valk Life takes you along.

Text: Mara Dark
Photography: Mara Donker

"A PLACE WHERE THE INTERNATIONAL JETSET, INCLUDING COCO CHANEL, ONCE GATHERED."

Do you think of history as boring? Then you have never been to Castle de Haar. This is not a place you quickly walk through; this is one where you linger. With towers, drawbridges, and perfectly laid-out gardens, it almost feels like you've ended up in a fairy tale. But just in the Netherlands.

What you don't immediately see: this castle was once a ruin. At the end of the 19th century, Baron Étienne van Zuylen and Hélène de Rothschild decided to completely rebuild it, bigger and more luxurious than ever. The result is the largest castle in the Netherlands, with more than 200 rooms and an appearance that still impresses.

But Castle de Haar has never been just 'old'. In the last century, great parties were held here with guests like Coco Chanel and Roger Moore. You can still feel that atmosphere. It is not a standard museum, but a place where something really happens.


LOOK INSIDE AND STAY HANGING OUTSIDE

Inside, you feast your eyes. You walk from the Main Hall and the Ballroom to the Knight's Hall, the Cuypers Rooms, and even the historical kitchen.

You can walk around independently or choose a guided tour. From a standard tour to thematic tours and even the Torendol tour, where you discover hidden places and towers. Along the way, volunteers will tell you more about the castle and the Van Zuylen van Nijevelt family.

Outside, you actually want to stay just as long. The gardens are perfect for walking through, but also for plopping down for a coffee, lunch, or drinks.

In addition, there are all sorts of activities happening on the estate. Larger events are regularly organized, from fairs to shows, giving the castle a different atmosphere each time. And yes, you can even get married here. Quite special, celebrating your own day in the largest castle in the Netherlands.

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WHY YOU WANT TO SEE THIS

Because it is such a place that has everything: history, atmosphere, and just a very beautiful setting.

Castle de Haar proves that history is anything but boring.