This small Dutch fishing village is known for its colorful wooden houses, traditional costumes, and eel fishing history. Visitors can explore the harbor and taste local seafood.
Volendam, a town 20 km north of Amsterdam on the Markermeer lake, invites visitors to experience Dutch culture. You can walk along streets lined with colorful wooden houses, watch old fishing boats in the harbor, and see residents dressed in Dutch costumes during festivals. The town offers opportunities to taste fresh seafood, have your photo taken in local dress, and explore narrow streets that reflect centuries of Dutch life.
Exploring the Harbor
Volendam's harbor forms the town's center, with seafood vendors and cafes along its edges. As you walk the waterfront promenade, you'll notice the bright colors of fishing boats and breathe in the salty air. Try local foods like smoked eel on a soft roll or "kibbeling" (battered and fried cod) from the fish stalls. In summer, many tourists visit the harbor, but you can still observe fishermen at work.
Costumes and Photos
Volendam is known for its Dutch costumes: women wear high pointed bonnets, while men dress in dark outfits with wooden shoes. Today, you'll mainly see these outfits during festivals or special events. For a memento of your visit, go to one of the photo studios on the main street. There, you can dress up in Volendam attire and have your picture taken, a popular activity among visitors.
Wandering the Doolhof
Behind the harbor lies the Doolhof, Volendam's oldest neighborhood. "Doolhof" means maze in Dutch, describing the area's winding streets and small canals. As you explore, you'll see houses with green wooden facades and red tile roofs. The area offers quiet corners and pretty bridges away from the busier parts of town. In the center of the Doolhof stands the St. Vincentiuskerk, a neo-Gothic church built in 1860.
Volendam's Musical Legacy
Volendam has a musical tradition called "palingsound" (eel sound), named after the town's fishing industry. Since the 1960s, many popular Dutch singers and bands have come from Volendam. Visit the Palingsound Museum to learn about this musical history through exhibits and audio displays. In the evening, some harbor cafes host live performances where you might hear local musicians play.
Day Trip to Marken
Take a 30-minute ferry ride from Volendam to visit Marken, a former island that offers another view of Dutch life. In Marken, you'll see green wooden houses built on stilts or artificial mounds to protect against flooding. You can walk around the small harbor, visit the wooden shoe workshop, and enjoy the calm atmosphere of this car-free village before returning to Volendam.
Getting to Volendam
You can reach Volendam from Amsterdam by public transport or car. Buses run regularly from Amsterdam Central Station, taking about 30 minutes. If you're driving, follow the A10 ring road and then the N247 north. Parking lots near the harbor can fill up quickly in peak season, so consider arriving early in the day. This will also help you avoid the largest crowds and have a more relaxed experience of the town.
