Volendam

Volendam is a small, quaint fishing village located north-east of Amsterdam and is the perfect destination for a day trip from the capital. What better way to discover the Dutch territory and culture by taking a day trip from Amsterdam to explore the surrounding area? Volendam is a village that is part of the municipality of Edam-Volendam and was founded in the 14th century right next to the harbour of Edam. At one time, fishermen had direct access to the North Sea from here via the Zuider Zee.

Thanks to its location, Volendam was for years a small, orderly fishing village. Now, however, it is a town that is gaining more and more visitors thanks to its tranquillity, its still authentic spirit and its atmosphere. In fact, the charm of this location won over numerous painters and artists in the early 19th century who loved coming here because they were seduced and inspired by the fascinating landscapes.

Thanks to the presence of more and more artists, between the 19th and 20th century Volendam changed its reputation and started to develop as a tourist destination. Now the city presents itself as an ideal destination for a day trip from Amsterdam where you can spend some time relaxing, away from the pace of the capital.

Things to do in Volendam

The heart of this small village is certainly its charming harbour where many fishing boats and even yachts dock and where numerous shops, restaurants and clubs are located.

Here, visitors like to stroll around, buy some souvenirs in the little shops and stop to enjoy typical fish dishes in some of the restaurants overlooking the harbour.

Doolhof

Doolhof, which literally means ‘labyrinth’, is the area in the innermost part of Volendom. Here, in fact, lies a veritable labyrinth of narrow streets, bridges and canals where the best thing is to get lost. This part of town is characterised by numerous typical small houses with red roofs, elegant facades and numerous floral decorations. Amongst these streets you can still find small shops and small restaurants that are also frequented by many locals. This is the most authentic area that attracted and welcomed many artists to the city in the 19th century.

Volendam Museum

The Volendam Museum displays rich exhibits that tell the story and traditions of this famous fishing village. Habits and customs, typical food, clothes with a history going back hundreds of years: Volendam is a town with a historical and cultural heritage to discover!

In addition to numerous paintings, period clothing and jewellery, several model ships and boats are kept in this museum. Here, you can also visit the ‘cigar band house’, where marvellous mosaics and works of art made using 11 million cigar bands are preserved.

Hotel Spaander

Situated in the picturesque lanes of the city, not too far from the Volendam Dam, is the famous Art Hotel Spaander. Numerous artists stayed here between the 19th and 20th century who came to Volendam for its creative and inspirational ambience.

Initially, a café was opened here by Leendert Spaander and his wife Aaltje in 1854, but the building was later converted by the couple into a hotel to accommodate some artist friends who came to town. From this moment on, Hotel Spaander became a famous establishment and a cultural club that welcomed numerous painters.

For a time, some artists were able to pay for their hospitality at Hotel Spaander in works of art, which is why the interior is still filled with works that remind us of their presence in the city. The hotel also houses a restaurant where you can sample excellent local cuisine.

Volendam Cheese Factory

If you come to Volendam, you must try its excellent cheese, the Dutch Gouda. The Volendam Cheese Factory is the right place to have an interactive experience discovering this traditional food. At the Cheese Factory, you can taste this typical delicacy but also discover a lot of information about its birth, production and spread.

In fact, the Volendam cheese factory is not only a production site but also a small museum. Here you can learn about the entire cheese production process, participate in guided tastings and even buy cheese.

Discovering traditional clothes

Volendam is a town with a unique cultural and folklore heritage. In the town on holidays, the inhabitants of Volendam often still wear traditional costumes. The traditional dress, particularly for women, has given the town of Volendam an international reputation and has become one of the symbols of the Netherlands for many. Also very famous are the Dutch wooden shoes, known as klompen. Near the harbour there is still a small factory that shows visitors how these handmade shoes are made and here you can even buy a pair to take home!

Boat trip to Marken

From Volendam it is easy to reach the cosy town of Marken via a beautiful ferry crossing! The former island of Marken is located on the Markermeer lake and has now become a peninsula as it has been connected to the mainland by a 1.6 km long embankment.

Marken is famous for being a quiet fishing village characterised by colourful wooden houses, drawbridges and a picturesque harbour. The town is also famous for its beautiful lighthouse at the easternmost tip of this strip of land on a small sandy beach.

Where to stay in Volendam

Volendam is often visited as a day trip from Amsterdam but if you want, you can stay a night in the town to admire it in the quiet of the evening. Volendam is a cosy and hospitable village and there are several facilities here that are ready to welcome tourists. Besides the historic Hotel Spaander, you can find really cosy accommodation in old fishermen’s houses, small B&Bs or characteristic hotels. Volendam is not a very big place, the accommodations are not many, so especially in the summer period it is recommended to book your accommodation in advance.

Recommended hotels in Volendam

How to reach Volendam

Volendam is located about 20 km from the city of Amsterdam, so this village can be easily reached in different ways from the capital.

If you have a car, you can reach this location via the N247 in about thirty minutes. Alternatively, you can take the regular buses that leave from Amsterdam Central Station every 15-20 minutes and take about 30 minutes to reach Volendam.

Given its proximity to Amsterdam, the village can also be reached by bicycle by following a route that is almost entirely on a cycle track.

There are also numerous tours from Amsterdam that make it possible to organise a day trip that includes a visit to Volendam and Marken.

Volendam Weather