A former fishing island turned peninsula, with wooden houses on stilts and locals wearing traditional Dutch costumes. The lighthouse overlooks the IJsselmeer lake.
Marken extends into the Markermeer lake on a peninsula connected to mainland North Holland by a causeway. As you walk through its narrow streets, you'll see distinctive black wooden houses raised on stilts, with bright yellow and blue painted interiors. During summer festivals, you might spot locals in regional dress with intricate needlework, or wearing wooden clogs. At the peninsula's eastern point, the white Paard van Marken lighthouse has guided ships since 1839.
Getting to Marken
You can reach Marken by bus 315 or 316 from Amsterdam Central Station, with departures every 30 minutes. The journey takes about 40 minutes. Another option is taking the Marken Express ferry from Volendam, which runs from March to November and takes 30 minutes to cross the Markermeer.
Houses of Marken
The villagers built their wooden houses on artificial hills called werven or placed them on wooden stilts to stay dry during floods. Black tar covers the exteriors to shield against wind and rain, while yellow and blue paint brightens the interior walls. You'll find the best examples of these houses in the central Kerkbuurt district.
Paard van Marken Lighthouse
The 16-meter tall lighthouse from 1839 stands at the eastern tip of the peninsula. Its name means "Horse of Marken" because its shape resembles a horse's head. You can walk to the lighthouse along a sandy path from the village center, which takes about 40 minutes.
Marker Museum
Visit the Marker Museum daily from 10 AM to 4 PM to see how villagers lived and worked. The museum includes a complete 1920s house with original wooden furniture, fishing nets, and kitchen equipment. You can examine wedding dresses from the 1800s and children's clothing made by local craftspeople, showing the village's connection to fishing and textile work.
Village Life and Celebrations
Throughout the year, Marken comes alive with seasonal festivals and holiday celebrations. Women's festival clothing includes specific colors and needlework patterns that once indicated their social status. You can experience these celebrations mainly during summer months, when many residents wear their regional outfits and wooden clogs.
