5 Best Things to Do When Visiting Volendam: A Simple Travel Guide

This guide will help you with your planning when visiting Volendem. These are the five best things to do in Volendam—plus tips and nearby places worth seeing.

Volendam is a small fishing village in the Netherlands, not far from Amsterdam. It’s known for its colorful wooden houses, quiet harbor, and strong connection to Dutch fishing traditions. While it’s grown more popular with visitors, the town still feels calm and friendly.

1. Walk Through the Old Village

See the Wooden Houses and Dykes

Volendam’s streets are lined with small, colorful houses. Many were built by fishermen in the 1800s and early 1900s. They’re close together, with narrow lanes between them. Some homes still have lace curtains, flower pots in the windows, and painted doors.

The village is also protected by dykes—long walls made to hold back the sea. These aren’t just useful; they also give you nice views of the water. You can walk along the top of the dyke and see the town on one side and the lake (IJsselmeer) on the other.

Take Your Time Walking

You don’t need a plan to enjoy visiting Volendam’s streets. Just walk slowly, stop when something catches your eye, and enjoy the quiet. Mornings are especially peaceful. If you enjoy photography, bring your camera—there’s plenty to capture here.

2. Learn About Local Life and Traditions

Volendam Museum While Visiting Volendam

If you’re curious about how people lived here 100 years ago, the Volendam Museum is a good place to start. It has real tools, clothes, and furniture from fishing families. One room is decorated completely with cigar bands—hundreds of them, laid out in patterns on the walls and ceiling.

The museum also shows why Volendam became popular with painters in the 19th century. Its light, houses, and harbor were favorite subjects for artists.

It’s a small museum, so it won’t take more than an hour to see everything, but it gives you helpful context for what you see around the village.

Eat Local Food

Seafood is a big part of life in Volendam. Many places near the harbor serve simple, fresh dishes.

Here are a few to try:

• Herring – Served raw with onions and pickles. Locals eat it by holding it by the tail and taking a bite.

• Smoked eel – Softer and richer than most fish. Not for everyone, but worth trying.

• Kibbeling – Fried white fish with garlic sauce. Easy to eat while walking.

• Dutch pancakes or stroopwafels – For dessert or a snack.

Most restaurants are casual and family-run. A few good spots near the harbor include Café-Restaurant de Vrijheid and Van den Hogen.

Wear a Traditional Costume (If You Want)

Some shops in Volendam rent out Dutch costumes for photos. You can try on old-style dresses, hats, and even clogs. It’s a lighthearted way to connect with the culture, and many people do it for fun or to take home a unique souvenir.

ou don’t need to do this to enjoy visiting Volendam—but if you’re interested, try Fotograaf Zwarthoed. They’ve been offering this experience for years and are known for being helpful and friendly.

Check for Local Events

Volendam has a few events during the year that are worth planning around:

• Volendam Fair (Kermis) – Enjoy a lively festival in September with rides, music, and food when visiting Volendam.

• King’s Day (April 27) – Celebrated all over the Netherlands. In Volendam, there are markets, live music, and lots of people wearing orange.

• Christmas Market – Held in December with lights, stalls, and winter food.

If your trip lines up with one of these, it’s worth attending. It’s when the village feels most alive.

3. Visit the Harbor

Take a Boat Ride

From the harbor, you can take a ferry or tour boat to Marken, a nearby village. The ride takes about 30 minutes and gives you a different view of the area. You’ll see open water, small islands, and other boats.

Some boats offer commentary or food, but even the basic ferry is a relaxing way to get out on the water.

Watch the Fishermen

Fishing is still part of daily life here, though not as big as it used to be. If you walk around the harbor early in the morning, you might see fishermen unloading gear or fixing nets. Some tours offer a closer look, where you can talk to locals and ask questions.

It’s not a staged show—just regular people doing their jobs. Be respectful, and they’re often happy to talk.

Buy Local Souvenirs

There are many small shops near the harbor. Some sell simple souvenirs like magnets and postcards, but others offer handmade items—wooden clogs, small paintings, or traditional crafts.

A few places also sell cheese or smoked fish to take home. These make better gifts than anything mass-produced.

4. Take a Day Trip Nearby

Marken

Marken is another fishing village, just across the water. It used to be an island but is now connected to the mainland by a road. It still feels quiet and separate.

Things to see in Marken:

• Small, green-painted houses on wooden platforms

• A lighthouse called “Paard van Marken” (Horse of Marken)

• The Marken Museum, which shows how people lived here when storms and flooding were a real danger

You can get to Marken by ferry, bus, or car. A few hours there is enough.

Zaanse Schans

This is an open-air museum about 30 minutes away by car. It has working windmills, cheese shops, and people making wooden shoes. It’s a bit touristy but still interesting, especially if you’ve never seen a windmill up close.

With proper planning, you can enjoy visiting Volendam and exploring Zaanse Schans all in one day.

Bike or Walk Through the Countryside

The area around Volendam is flat and easy to explore by bike. You’ll pass fields, windmills, and quiet paths along the water. If you prefer to walk, there are shorter trails along the lake and into the nearby countryside.

Bikes can be rented in town, and the staff will give you a map and suggestions.

5. Plan Your Visit

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Best time to visit: May through September has the best weather. That’s also when most festivals happen.

• How to get there: Volendam is about 30–40 minutes from Amsterdam. Take Bus 316 from Amsterdam Central Station, drive, or join a day tour.

• Where to stay: If you want to stay overnight, try a local guesthouse or a small hotel. Hotel Spaander and Hotel Old Dutch are good options near the water.

• What to pack: Bring layers, even in summer. It can be windy and rainy near the lake. Comfortable shoes are also a must.

• Be respectful: Ask before taking photos of people. Say hello or “hallo” when entering a shop. People are generally kind but appreciate good manners.

Final Thoughts

Volendam is not a place for fast-paced travel. It’s small, peaceful, and a little old-fashioned—in the best way. You don’t need a long list of things to do. Just walk, eat, watch, and enjoy the feeling of being somewhere different.

This guide covered five simple ways to enjoy visiting Volendam: walking through the town, learning about its history, tasting the local food, seeing the harbor, and exploring nearby attractions.

That’s really all you need.