Haarlem has more hofjes (hidden courtyard almshouses) than any other city in the Netherlands — over twenty, scattered throughout the old centre, most of them still inhabited. These small courtyards of tiny houses arranged around a communal garden were founded from the medieval period onwards as charitable housing for elderly women, and many retain that function today.
The hofjes are usually open to the public during daytime hours, though you should enter quietly — people live here. Each has its own character: the Hofje van Bakenes (1395) is one of the oldest in the country, the Hofje van Noblet has a particularly pretty garden, and the Brouwershofje near the Bakenessergracht is surrounded by a quiet neighbourhood that feels like stepping back centuries. A map of all the hofjes is available from the tourist office on the Grote Markt. Walking from hofje to hofje is one of the best ways to discover Haarlem's quieter side.