Things to do in Volendam
Volendam is a beautiful village located just 20 kilometers from Amsterdam, famous for its colorful wooden facades and fishing port. It is one of the most recommended day trips from Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Windmill Tour: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken
Dutch Countryside Bike Tour from Amsterdam
Amsterdam Bike Tour (Small Groups)
Amsterdam Walking Tour (Small Groups)
Volendam is one of the most well-known and picturesque destinations in the Netherlands. It represents that idyllic Dutch image of dikes and windmills among fields of tulips, like those you’ll see in Keukenhof Park, with narrow streets winding through lovely wooden houses, and of course, the traditional costume of the Volendammers (that everyone thinks is the national costume of Holland).
Getting from Amsterdam to Volendam is very easy, as it is only a 20-minute drive away, making it perfect for a half-day visit. Discover what to see in Volendam and in the surroundings of Amsterdam.
Volendam, one of the most charming villages near Amsterdam
The village of Volendam began to take shape in the year 1357 when the inhabitants of the village of Edam (ring any bells? Edam cheese?) built a shorter canal to the Zuider Zee and a new port. Thanks to these works, the old port was dammed, and new land was gained for cultivation. The fishermen and farmers who settled in the area named the village Volendam, which literally means “dammed inlet.”
Today, Volendam has a population of about 36,000 people and is considered one of the 10 most beautiful villages in the Netherlands and one of the best day trips from Amsterdam. Agriculture and fishing have taken a backseat to tourism as the primary economic activity in the area.
The harbor and waterfront is the most touristy area of Volendam. Here you’ll find a wide variety of souvenir shops and restaurants. Depending on the time of your visit, you might experience a lively party atmosphere or a tranquil village. But beyond the harbor, there is a Volendam that will captivate you as you get lost among its streets.
Edam, Marken and Zaanse Schans
Volendam is very close to the island of Marken and the towns of Edam and Zaanse Schans, so it’s definitely worth checking them out as well. This is why we recommend the Amsterdam Windmill tour, with stops in Volendam Edam, Marken, and Zaanse Schans.
Edam
Edam is a charming village with picturesque streets that will lead you through beautiful scenery where you’ll find several white wooden bridges to help you cross the various canals that run through the town.
In Edam, you can visit St. Nicholas Church, the town hall, and the Edam Museum. But most importantly, you can taste the original and best Edam cheese in the world.
What to See in Marken
The village on the island of Marken remained isolated until it was connected to the rest of the region by a bridge built in 1957.
Beyond its church and charming wooden bridges, the best part of visiting this place is experiencing authentic rural life in Holland. This is likely why it was declared a National Heritage site of the Netherlands.
Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans is a large and beautiful open-air museum where you can appreciate a vast collection of historic windmills and traditional houses, most of which are over two hundred years old.
Like Volendam, Zaanse Schans is one of the most touristy places in the Netherlands, receiving nearly 1 million visitors each year.
How to Get to Volendam
Public transport
At Amsterdam Central Station, you can buy a one-day bus pass for €10. From the same station, take bus 312 or 316. With the pass, you can hop on and off the bus as many times as you like at any stop to explore Volendam, Marken, Edam, or Zaanse Schans.
Guided tour to Volendam
If you choose this option, you’ll travel in a private bus and enjoy the company of an expert guide who will tell you the stories behind the windmills of Zaanse Schans, accompany you to taste the wide variety of exquisite cheeses in the Edam market, and you will also visit a traditional wooden shoe factory, the old dikes, and the houses on Marken Island.
Amsterdam Windmill Tour: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken
Dutch Countryside Bike Tour from Amsterdam
Amsterdam Bike Tour (Small Groups)
Amsterdam Walking Tour (Small Groups)