Marken
A former fishing island in Markermeer, now linked to the mainland by a dyke. Its village is built on mounds, lined with green wooden houses, and it has the white lighthouse known as the Horse of Marken.
Marken was once an island in the Zuiderzee, and it was connected to the mainland by a dyke in 1957. For flood protection, the houses were built on artificial mounds. Dark green and black wooden houses, white window frames and small bridges create the classic Dutch waterside scene. The Marken Museum displays the islanders' traditional costumes. From the harbour, it takes about 30–40 minutes on foot along the dyke to reach the white lighthouse, the Paard van Marken (Horse of Marken). Getting there: from Amsterdam, take bus EBS 315 (about 40 minutes), or take a ferry from Volendam (about 30 minutes; reduced service in winter). People live in the village, so please do not enter private courtyards.
Opening hours
Open all day; Marken Museum approx. April–October, closed Mondays
Nearby sights
- Volendam
- Muiderslot
- Wereldmuseum Amsterdam (Tropenmuseum)
- Het Scheepvaartmuseum
- Artis Zoo
- NEMO Science Museum
- A'DAM Lookout
- Amsterdam Centraal