Another fun part of my trip to the Netherlands was when I visited Volendam and Marken.
Volendam is a picturesque town located in the province of North Holland. It's well-known for its traditional Dutch architecture, fishing heritage, and vibrant culture. Situated on the eastern shores of the Ijsselmeer, Volendam has been a popular tourist destination for both locals and international visitors.
Just a short distance from Volendam is Marken, which is a small island village that is connected by a causeway. It's located on a small peninsula in the Ijsselmeer. It's another beautiful place to explore with its own unique charm and you can easily reach it by boat from Volendam.
If you want to explore outside of Amsterdam, it's best to go to both towns since they're close to one another and one day is more than enough to enjoy what these places have to offer.
How to Get to Volendam and Marken
There are a few ways to get to Volendam from Amsterdam. If you're going by public transportation, you can take a direct bus from Amsterdam Central Station to Volendam. The journey takes around 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the traffic.
Once you're in Volendam, you can get to Marken by ferry, which is the most popular and picturesque way to travel between these two towns. There are regular ferry services and the ride just takes about 30 minutes with stunning views of the Ijsselmeer. You can catch the ferry at the Volendam Harbor, and it will drop you off at the Marken Harbor.
 |
| exploring the streets of Volendam |
Then you can simply take the ferry back to Volendam and then the bus back to Amsterdam. A one-way ferry ticket costs €8.75 while a roundtrip ticket costs €13.50.
Of course, the best way to visit these two places is by joining a guided tour that includes Zaanse Schans, which is exactly what I did. This way, I got to travel hassle-free. I also got to learn more about Dutch history and culture during the tour.
Things to Do in Volendam
Even though Volendam is a pretty small town, there are several things that you can do to maximize your visit and learn more about Dutch culture. A lot of these activities you can do while on the guided tour because they're on the itinerary.
Check out the traditional Dutch houses.
Volendam is characterized by its charming wooden houses, many of which are painted in bright colors, adding to its quaint and idyllic charm. Walking along the streets and seeing these houses made me feel as if I was transported to another century.
Visit a cheese shop and learn about cheese-making.
Cheese-making in the Netherlands dates back centuries. Historical records show that cheese production in the region can be traced back to as early as the Roman era. Over time, the Dutch developed expertise in cheese-making, and it became an essential part of their culinary culture.
Like many Dutch towns, Volendam is home to cheese shops where you learn more about cheese-making, try some samples, and purchase a variety of delicious cheeses.
 |
| inside a cheese shop in Volendam |
Walk along the harbor and try some local dishes.
Volendam has a rich fishing history, and you can still see remnants of its maritime heritage today. The harbor is dotted with fishing boats and it's quite picturesque. Here you can check out some shops and try some fresh seafood at local restaurants.
Take a photo in a traditional dress.
Here's a fun thing to do. You can dress up in traditional Dutch costumes and take a photo as a souvenir. Many shops and studios in Volendam offer this unique experience.
Do a boat tour.
With its location, this is another popular activity to do in the town. You can take a boat tour on the Ijsselmeer to see the town from the water. This lets you relax while enjoying the beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.
 |
| the Volendam Harbor |
Things to Do in Marken
And here are some things you can do in Marken. While it's a relatively small village, there are several activities and attractions that you can explore here.
Walk around the village.
Take a leisurely stroll through the narrow streets of Marken and admire the well-preserved traditional Dutch houses with their green wooden façades. The village's unique architecture and scenic views make it a delightful place to explore on foot. Plus, it's a small village so it won't really take up a lot of your time.
 |
| the Marken Harbor, lined with boats and traditional houses |
Visit the wooden shoe workshop.
In Marken, you can experience the traditional art of clog-making at a wooden shoe workshop. You can watch demonstrations and even try on a pair of authentic Dutch clogs.
Wooden shoes have been worn by the Dutch for centuries, and they are considered one of the most recognizable symbols of Dutch culture. They were historically worn by farmers, fishermen, and other workers as practical and durable footwear, and the craftsmanship of making these shoes have been passed down through generations. While they're no longer worn today, these shoes are considered an iconic symbol of the Netherlands.
 |
| inside the wooden shoe workshop |
Visit the Marken Museum.
The Marken Museum, also known as "Sijtje Boes," gives visitors an insight into the history and culture of the village. The museum showcases traditional clothing, artifacts, and exhibits related to Marken's fishing and maritime heritage. This isn't a part of the guided tour and this is something you can only do if you'll be visiting Marken on your own.
And that's it for this post. Overall, visiting Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Marken was such a treat. I really enjoyed this part of my trip even though it was quite gloomy that day as evident in the photos.
If you want to see more of the Netherlands outside of Amsterdam, then I'd highly recommend joining this tour. It was truly worth it.
0 Comments