Heemstede (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɦeːmsteːdə] ⓘ) is a town and a municipality in the Western Netherlands, in the province of North Holland.

Even at that early date Heemstede had gained the reputation it has today, of being primarily a commuter town for the cities of Haarlem and Amsterdam.

As a result, many estates were built in the 17th and 18th centuries, some of which (partially) remain today, such as Oud-Berkenroede, Berkenrode, Ipenrode, Huis te Manpad, Hartekamp, Bosbeek, Meer en Bosch, Meer en Berg, and Gliphoeve.

In 1927, the northern portion of Heemstede, including a large part of the Haarlemmerhout forest, was added to the city of Haarlem.

The town is served by Heemstede-Aerdenhout railway station, which lies on the Oude Lijn between Haarlem and Leiden.