Rental homes in Burgwal, Haarlem
View the current rental property supply in Burgwal and discover what living in this historic city centre of Haarlem means.
Rental prices and market figures for Burgwal, Haarlem
Burgwal is a renters' stronghold: 57% of the housing stock consists of rental properties, compared to 43% owner-occupied homes. Of those rental properties, 22% are owned by housing corporations (social housing) and 34% by other landlords (free sector and private rentals). If you are looking for a rental home in Burgwal in the free sector, you should expect an average rent of €2,416 per month, based on 33 rental transactions in the past twelve months. The range runs from €1,063 to €4,665 per month, depending on the size and condition of the property. With an average surface area of 70 m², the price per square metre comes to approximately €34.50. These are exclusively free sector prices, excluding social housing.
The WOZ value in Burgwal is €468,000, slightly lower than the district average of the Oude Stad (€510,000) and also below the Haarlem average of €480,000. This makes Burgwal relatively more accessible than some surrounding neighbourhoods, although free sector rental prices remain high. View the current supply and daily prices at the top of this page. Considering buying? Also check the supply of homes for sale in Burgwal.
Living in Burgwal, Haarlem
Burgwal is one of the oldest parts of Haarlem. The neighbourhood is part of the historic city centre and is characterised by canal houses, narrow streets and buildings dating back to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. If you rent an apartment here, you literally live in one of the most beautiful parts of the city. Long-term residents share that feeling: several people have lived there for thirty years or more and still walk proudly through the streets.
The housing supply consists largely of apartments in townhouses and canal houses, often with high ceilings and characteristic details. New construction is rare; Burgwal is a neighbourhood of patina and character. The average energy consumption (2,080 kWh electricity, 890 m³ gas) is modest, partly explained by the high proportion of apartments.
Facilities in Burgwal
The location in the old city centre means that almost everything is within walking distance. Supermarkets such as Albert Heijn and Jumbo can be reached within a few minutes via the Grote Houtstraat and the Gedempte Oude Gracht. Haarlem's city centre offers a wide range of shops, boutiques, cafés and restaurants just a stone's throw away. For daily groceries, you hardly need to leave the neighbourhood.
Schools are present in the immediate vicinity, both primary and secondary education. The Frans Hals Museum and the Grote Kerk give the neighbourhood a cultural significance that you won't find in newer districts. There are fewer parks in the immediate vicinity, which is also reflected in the residents' score for green space (6.5 out of 10). If green space is important to you, you can go to the nearby Haarlemmerhout, about ten minutes by bike.
Accessibility
Haarlem station is within walking distance, roughly ten minutes on foot. From there, you can reach Amsterdam Central in about twenty minutes. Several bus lines connect Burgwal with other parts of the city. By bike, you are in the heart of the city centre in five minutes and at Zandvoort beach in a quarter of an hour. By car, the A9 and A200 are easily accessible, although this requires some navigating through the city centre. Parking in this part of Haarlem requires a permit; expect waiting times for a parking permit and keep in mind that daily parking is expensive.
Atmosphere and social dynamics
Burgwal attracts a mix of young professionals, established city dwellers and ageing long-term residents. The largest age group is 25 to 45 years (870 residents), and 815 households are single-person households. That says something about the character: this is not a typical family neighbourhood, but a neighbourhood for people who consciously choose urban life.
Resident Pia Houtkamp describes it as a "lovely neighbourhood to live in, old part of town", but honestly adds that cleanliness and green space leave something to be desired. Another long-term resident writes: "I've lived here for 33 years and I still walk around proud of how beautiful the neighbourhood is, but connections and social contacts have deteriorated in recent years, partly due to greater differences between rich and poor." That is an honest signal: Burgwal is beautiful architecturally, but social cohesion is under pressure. View all experiences on the Burgwal neighbourhood page.
For comparison: in the nearby Vijfhoek and Bakenes you will find a similar historic character, while the Stationsbuurt feels slightly more dynamic and younger due to its proximity to the station. Also popular among renters looking for a bit more space is the Haarlemmerhoutkwartier, with more green space and larger homes.
Is a rental home in Burgwal right for you?
Burgwal is most suitable for singles and couples who consciously choose the historic city centre of Haarlem, appreciate urban living and are willing to pay a higher rent for it. Families with children will find less space and less green space here than in outlying districts. First-time buyers with a limited budget will find it difficult in the free sector; the average rent of €2,416 per month requires a substantial income. Register for social housing via the housing corporation and expect waiting lists. Respond quickly to available rental properties in the free sector: supply is limited and demand is high. Make sure you have your income statement, employer's statement and identity document ready. Want to explore more options? Also check the broader supply of rental properties in Haarlem.
What residents say about living in Burgwal
Burgwal scores an average of 7.7 out of 10, based on five resident reviews on Buurtje.nl. The highest sub-score is for safety (8.8), followed by accessibility and community (both 8.0). Green space scores the lowest (6.5), followed by cleanliness (6.8). A resident who has lived there for 32 years sums it up succinctly: "Pleasant neighbourhood overall. Could occasionally do with a bit more attention, e.g. emptying containers." That sounds minor, but it is a recurring theme in the reviews: the neighbourhood is beautiful, but maintenance of public spaces could be better. Read all reviews and sub-scores on the Burgwal neighbourhood page.
Comparing rental properties in and around Burgwal
If you are undecided between Burgwal and surrounding neighbourhoods, there are good alternatives. The Binnenstad offers a similar urban character, while Heiliglanden feels slightly quieter and more small-scale. For a different type of home or a lower price level, you could also look at the Zijlwegkwartier or the Houtvaartkwartier. Buurtje.nl combines current housing supply from more than 1,500 sources with neighbourhood scores, resident reviews and district data, so you not only find a home but also know whether the neighbourhood suits you. More context about the entire district can be found on the page about rental properties in Oude Stad. Want to know what the municipality is doing for renters and home seekers? Also check the website of the municipality of Haarlem.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rental price in Burgwal, Haarlem?
In the free sector (excluding social housing), the average rental price in Burgwal over the past twelve months was €2,416 per month, based on 33 rental transactions. The range runs from €1,063 to €4,665 per month, with an average area of 70 m², which equates to approximately €34.50 per m². Social housing is significantly cheaper, but waiting lists and income requirements apply.
Are there social housing properties in Burgwal?
Yes, approximately 22% of the housing stock in Burgwal is owned by housing associations. For a social housing property in Burgwal, you can register with Elan Wonen or Ymere, the associations active in Haarlem. Be aware of waiting lists; demand for social housing in the centre of Haarlem is high and turnover is limited. Registration is done via WoningNet Haarlem.
What is it like to live in Burgwal?
Residents appreciate the historic atmosphere and architecture of Burgwal, which is part of the old city centre of Haarlem. The neighbourhood scores 7.7 out of 10 in resident reviews, with high scores for safety (8.8) and accessibility (8.0). Points of concern are the maintenance of public spaces and the lack of greenery. Several long-term residents also note that social contacts have decreased in recent years.
Is Burgwal suitable for starters or singles?
Burgwal attracts relatively many singles and young professionals: 815 of the approximately 1,100 households are single-person households and the largest age group is 25 to 45 years. For starters with a limited budget, renting in Burgwal in the free sector is challenging, given the average rental price of €2,416 per month. Those considering renting an apartment in Burgwal would do well to also explore social housing or compare surrounding neighbourhoods.
How accessible is Burgwal in Haarlem?
Haarlem Station is about a ten-minute walk away, with direct connections to Amsterdam Central (approximately twenty minutes) and other cities. Several bus routes run through and past the neighbourhood. By bike, you can reach the centre in five minutes and the beach in a quarter of an hour. By car, the A9 is accessible, but parking in this part of Haarlem requires a permit and is expensive.
What facilities are there in and around Burgwal?
Thanks to its central location in the historic city centre of Haarlem, almost all daily amenities are within walking distance. Supermarkets (Albert Heijn, Jumbo) are located on Grote Houtstraat and Gedempte Oude Gracht. There are primary and secondary schools in the area. Shops, cafés, restaurants and cultural facilities such as the Frans Hals Museum are nearby. Large green spaces are lacking in the neighbourhood itself; Haarlemmerhout is about a ten-minute bike ride away.
Is Burgwal a safe neighbourhood to live in?
Safety is the highest-scoring category in resident reviews of Burgwal, with a score of 8.8 out of 10. Residents who have lived there for decades describe the neighbourhood as quiet and pleasant. As a historic city centre, Burgwal does experience the usual bustle of a central area, but residents do not perceive this as unsafe. The overall neighbourhood score is 7.7 out of 10.
Have lived here since 1992, still think it's a beautiful neighbourhood, but social contacts are decreasing.
Auto-translated to English by AILovely neighbourhood to live in, old part of the city. Cleaning and greenery leave something to be desired.
Auto-translated to English by AII've lived here for 33 years and I still walk around proudly at how beautiful the neighbourhood is, but connections and social contacts have deteriorated in the last few years, partly due to the "inbreeding" and greater differences between rich and poor.
Auto-translated to English by AIHave lived here for 32 years, nice neighbourhood.
Auto-translated to English by AIHave lived here for 32 years. Pleasant neighbourhood in itself. Could do with a bit more attention now and then, e.g. emptying containers.
Auto-translated to English by AI
