Geography thumb|Map of Haarlem. Haarlem is located on the river Spaarne, giving it its nickname Spaarnestad (Spaarne city). It is situated about west of Amsterdam and near the coastal dunes. Haarlem has been the historical centre of the tulip bulb-growing district for centuries and bears its other nickname Bloemenstad (flower city) for this reason.
Geography thumb|Map of Haarlem. Haarlem is located on the river Spaarne, giving it its nickname Spaarnestad (Spaarne city). It is situated about west of Amsterdam and near the coastal dunes. Haarlem has been the historical centre of the tulip bulb-growing district for centuries and bears its other nickname Bloemenstad (flower city) for this reason.