The Stadhuis is a wide, slightly fussy classical building on the Stadhuisplein, sitting over the Voorstraathaven so that water actually runs under one of its wings. It started life in the 14th century as a cloth hall for the wool merchants, then became the town hall after the 1383 fire that reshaped much of the city. The current frontage is from the 19th century and looks more Parisian than Dutch — pediment, pilasters, balustrade — but the older brick core is visible from the canal side.
You cannot usually go inside, but the square in front is a good place to pause: the canal, the bridges, the row of cafe tables. The market sets up here on Friday and Saturday mornings with cheese, fish, fruit and flowers; the Friday market in particular is one of the larger and more cheerful in the South Holland region.