All you need to know for visiting Volendam

Visit Volendam: Points of interest

Volendam is a charming town in Amsterdam’s northwestern outskirts. Visiting Volendam is thus an activity that may easily be completed during your stay in the Netherlands’ capital.

The city served as a port for the nearby city of Edam when it was founded. The residents of Edam, on the other hand, created their own canal leading to the Zuiderzee in the 14th century. It’s worth noting that the original port was actually a dam that has since become Volendam, a fishing hamlet with its own culture and traditions.

During one of my visits to the Netherlands, I visited Volendam to learn more about the hamlet and its attractions. In this essay about my visit to Volendam, I’ll discuss the city’s key attractions. I also provide some practical advice, such as how to go there on your own or as part of a group excursion from Amsterdam.

Traditional Costumes in Volendam

I should tell out that we’re talking about a “village,” yet Volendam has a population of around 20,000 people. However, the portion of Volendam that is interesting to see reminds us of a large village.

If you’ve ever wondered how you’d appear in a traditional Dutch costume, Volendam is the place to go. Along the port, there are stores where you can get your photo taken wearing the traditional Volendam ‘klederdracht,’ which includes a pleated hat and clogs for women and wide-legged slacks for men. Take as many photos as you like at the port, with the various statues of locals dressed in historic garb, if you don’t feel like it.

Volendam was once a fishing community, but it is today famous for its traditional clothing. This outfit not only depicts Volendam, but it is also frequently used to represent the Netherlands.

Depending on the occasion, this traditional Volendam costume comes in a variety of versions (on weekdays, Sundays, or for special occasions). You can dress up in traditional costume and be photographed in select Volendam businesses.

Beyond this point, the village of Volendam is characteristic of the Netherlands, with lovely alleyways and lovely residences. All of them have a few canals, but one in particular stands out: St. Vincent’s Church. A tiny beach can also be found by heading north on Haven Street. Small souvenir shops line this strip as well.

Museums to visit in Volendam

Go to the Volendam Museum after leaving the harbour. You will learn about the dress, history, and culture of the region between 1850 and 1950 in rooms adorned with period furniture. There are a few tiny museums in Volendam that can be visited:

Visit the Experience Volendam Museum

This museum chronicles the history of Volendam from the turn of the twentieth century forward. Specifically, a virtual tour using a headset.

Volendam’s traditional clothes are also on display at this museum. Admission tickets cost around 18 euros each.

The Volendam Museum

This Volendam Museum (site in Dutch) is a themed museum that lets you learn about Volendam’s history and mythology. It includes paintings as well as recreated pieces and scenes of life using historical materials and clothing. Adults pay 4 euros, while children pay 2 euros.

The Port of Volendam

Volendam is a fishing and recreational harbour town on the banks of Lake Markermeer. The harbour of Volendam, which is brimming with historic sailing ships, is the most vibrant element of the ancient fishing community.

Relax on a café terrace in the afternoon sun, then visit the vendors selling salted herring, smoked eel, and croquettes. You’ll feel like you’re hundreds of kilometres away from Amsterdam when you see the traditional triangular-shaped structures of Volendam Harbor and the flagpole forest.

Walking through Volendam’s port is unavoidable. A few eateries and souvenir shops are available. However, there is also the Van Den Hogen hotel restaurant (which offers a great view of the lake), as well as the “Experience Volendam” museum and tiny stores where you may take photos in traditional Dutch attire.

You can also take a ferry from the marina to Marken, which is located on the other side of the lake.

The Volendam Marken Express is the name of this ferry, and the round trip costs around fifteen euros. This website contains information about the departure times as well as the ability to purchase tickets. Given the sometimes-heavy crowds, purchasing your ticket in advance to prevent having to wait for the next departure makes sense.

The Volendam Mill

This windmill, known as “De Kathammer,” is located on the Achterdichting Road, just outside of Volendam. I bring it up because, aside from the mill’s intrinsic interest, it is frequently used as a “iconic” Dutch cliché!

Let me explain: immediately adjacent to the enormous “Strandweg” car park, there is a view of a little pedestrian bridge. This allows visitors to explore the fields surrounding the mill, as well as several classic Dutch homes in the area.

The lovely homes have pointed roofs and colourful facades (usually blue, green, orange, in sober and dark tones). These homes have a tiny water canal in front of them where you can view the reflections of the houses in the water.

This mill can be visited as well, although only during particular times of the year and for groups (by reservation). To summarise, it is preferable to visit a windmill in Zaanse Schans or Kinderdijk. However, if you want to take a good photo of your trip to Volendam, I recommend taking the small detour.

Getting to Volendam

Volendam is often regarded as a must-see attraction for visitors to the Netherlands, or at the very least to Amsterdam. Volendam is a convenient destination due to its proximity to Amsterdam.

At general, when going on a day trip to see Volendam, the trips include a stop in Marken. But it’s also influenced by Zaanse Schans, a well-known windmill town not far from Amsterdam.

Car Parking in Volendam

If you go to Volendam by yourself, it is quite easy to park you car. There are two “main” car parks:

• One is located about a hundred meters from the start of the tourist part of Volendam. Next to the marina from where the ferry to Marken departs, and the Volendam Experience Museum. However, this car park has few spaces. It is found on Google Maps as “Parkeerplaats Volendam.”
• The other one is a large car park to the west, about 1 km from the marina I just mentioned. Its advantage is that it is significantly bigger, free, and that it is right next to the photo spot with the mill I mentioned above. It is located along the Strandweg.

I had parked in the second lot, and it is recommended that you do the same. There is generally enough parking (I went in the middle of the summer and there was enough), and it is also free.

Cheese Factory in Volendam

Volendam’s Cheese Factory is one of the best places to get high-quality cheese. Before you buy, you can sample a variety of cheeses at this factory. The pricing at this factory should be less expensive than those in Amsterdam’s capital city.

You can also attend a free talk and demonstration delivered by a manufacturing expert at this location. He or she will take you on a tour of the facility to show you how they create their cheese and explain the many steps of the process.

You will be given free wine and cheese tastings at the conclusion of the session. Their employees are extremely pleasant and helpful. In the video below, you can see a sample tour and demonstration:

Visit the Nearby Village of Marken
If you have time, take the ferry to Marken, a little fishing community. Boats were the only method to get to the settlement, which was cut off from the mainland after a storm in the 13th century. The community is now connected to Waterland, a town south of Volendam, by a dike.

Marken has preserved its culture and traditional architecture for far longer than other European cities due to its isolation. Locals created one-of-a-kind costumes and stilt houses to withstand the frequent floods. Take a stroll down the shore to the 1839 lighthouse. Stop at one of the eateries near the ferry station if you’re hungry. Try the smoked eel, a local specialty.

Visit the Port of Volendam and Marken if you want to immerse yourself in culinary and cultural traditions that you won’t find anywhere else.

Photo Tour of Volendam

Source: https://touristeyes.com/