Volendam
A traditional fishing town on the shores of Lake IJssel, with colourful old houses lining the dyke. Visitors can dress in Dutch folk costume for retro photos and eat smoked eel and herring.
Volendam lies on Lake Markermeer, about 20 kilometres northeast of Amsterdam. It was once an important fishing port and is famous for its row of colourful brick houses along the harbour dyke and its wooden sailing boats. Along the dyke you can browse cheese shops and eat freshly smoked eel and raw herring. The signature experience is dressing up in traditional Dutch costume at an old photo studio for retro portraits (about €20–40). The Volendam Museum displays the history of the fishing village and its costumes. Take bus EBS 316 from Centraal Station, a direct trip of about 30 minutes. Volendam is often combined with the Zaanse Schans windmill village and Edam as a day trip. Tour groups crowd the town around midday in peak season, but it is quieter in the evening.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Marken
- Muiderslot
- Het Scheepvaartmuseum
- NEMO Science Museum
- Wereldmuseum Amsterdam (Tropenmuseum)
- Artis Zoo
- A'DAM Lookout
- Amsterdam Centraal