Volendam, Edam and Marken: A Perfect Day Trip from Amsterdam
Merely minutes from Amsterdam, the Dutch countryside is awash with lush green pastures, flower-adorned cottages, and quaint postcard-perfect villages.
For first-timers to the Netherlands, a visit to the towns of Volendam, Edam and Marken—three very beautiful (though admittedly very touristy) villages—makes for an excellent day trip from Amsterdam.
VILLAGE DAY TRIP FROM AMSTERDAM
The three cities of Volendam, Edam and Marken lie less than half an hour by car from the Dutch capital. They are each steeped in character and home to local traditions that make them uniquely worth visiting.
Connected by short bus rides and ferry crossings, the neighboring towns of Marken, Edam and Volendam offers a glimpse into a more traditional side of Dutch life. Wander along historic harbors lined with wooden fishing boats, sample the cheese that made Edam famous, and admire the distinctive wooden houses that have become synonymous with sleeepy Marken.
As with many worthwhile attractions, the three villages are popular with tourists.
But I don’t feel like their popularity detracted from their charm.
VOLENDAM VILLAGE
Volendam is an attractive fishing village on the shores of Lake Markermeer. The town’s harbor is speckled with classic sailing vessels and flanked by rows of brick houses that date back to the 17th Century.
Also known as “The Pearl of the Zuiderzee,” Volendam is a fishing village that lies just 20 km northeast of Amsterdam, between Edam and Marken.
Due to its popularity as a day trip from Amsterdam, Volendam’s waterfront is packed to the brim with tourists. The town’s waterside promenade is chock-a-block full of souvenir shops and restaurants serving traditional meals of eel and pickled herring.
The village of Volendam dates back to the 14th century. It is famous for its traditional Dutch clothing known as “Volendammer klederdracht.” This traditional dress—featuring white laced caps and long full skirts with aprons— has deep historical roots and continues to be a symbol of the village’s cultural identity.
While the traditional costume is no longer worn daily by most Volendam residents, it remains frequently worn during special occasions, celebrations, and cultural festivals like the Volendammer Kermis.
Interspersed amongst Volendam’s souvenir kiosks and eateries are costume shops where one can pay to dress up and take photos in traditional Dutch clothing. I even found the exact shop where I dressed in wooden clogs and a flowery smock for an awkward family portrait over twenty years ago!
Despite Volendam’s kitschy shops and tourist-trap atmosphere, there is no denying that the town is worthy of the hundreds of visitors it attracts every day. With its picturesque rows of houses, its views over Lake Markermeer and its boat-lined waterfront, Volendam looks like a village straight out of a postcard.
EDAM: A CHEESE-LOVER’S TOWN
Located just 3km from Volendam, Edam offers a quieter atmosphere, with tree-lined canals, elegant bridges, and well-preserved 17th-century architecture.
Like a miniature Amsterdam, rows and rows of narrow brick houses line Edam’s streets and canals. It is a lovely place to wander.
While Volendam was brimming with tourists during my visit, I was surprised to find that I had the equally-picturesque Edam largely to myself.
Once an industrious shipyard, today Edam’s claim to fame is its word-renowned cheese.
Historically, local farmers would gather at the town’s cheese market to sell their produce. Although the market closed down in the 1920s, re-enactments of the cheese market occur every Wednesday in Edam’s main square.
The Edam Cheese Market, held during the summer months, is one of the town’s main attractions. Here, visitors can witness traditional cheese trading practices, complete with costumed traders and time-honored rituals.
Beyond cheese, Edam has a attractions worth noting. The Grote Kerk, one of the largest churches in the region, stands as a testament to the town’s former wealth.
And the Edam Museum, spread across two historic buildings—the 16th-century merchant’s house and the 18th-century town hall—offers a glimpse into the village’s storied past. The museum showcases everything from shipbuilding and ceramics, to paintings and furniture.
MARKEN ISLAND
Marken is a small village notable for its dark green houses and rich heritage. The village has a strong cultural identity, with customs and traditions that differ from those of nearby towns.
Marken was historically isolated, which allowed its dialect, clothing, and architecture to develop independently. Today, visitors can learn about this heritage at local museums and by observing the preserved homes and streetscapes.
Once an island, Marken is now connected to the mainland by a causeway.
Yet despite its link to the mainland, Marken feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam.
Regular ferry service connects Volendam and Marken, making the two cities easy to visit in one day.
Though touristy, Marken retains a distinct and somewhat isolated character. Its compact size and traditional layout make it easy to explore on foot.
The town’s peaceful setting plays a major role in its appeal. Surrounded by water, it offers sweeping views of the Markermeer and peaceful walking and cycling paths along its dikes.
The lighthouse at the edge of the peninsula is a popular landmark that I haven’t yet visited.
GETTING TO VOLENDAM, EDAM, AND MARKEN
The three traditional villages of Volendam, Edam and Marken are easy to visit in tandem as part of a popular 3-in-1 day trip from Amsterdam.
I visited the villages twice, encompassing two of the three each time. The first time, I set out by bike from Amsterdam Noord and explored Edam and Volendam for the better part of a day. I was on a 24 hour layover and had just worked a 10 hour flight. I was exhausted, so chose to skip Marken in favor of retiring early to my hotel.
On my second visit to the villages, I toured Volendam and Marken with Dan and Elio. We reached Volendam by bus, and then took the ferry to Marken.
BY DAY TOUR
The easiest way to visit Volendam and its surroundings, is by booking an organized day trip. Many organized tours, like this one, also include a visit to the photogenic windmills of Zaanse Schans.
BY BUS
If you prefer to take public transport to Volendam, you can catch Bus 316 from Amsterdam’s Central Station. Buses stop several times before getting to Volendam, but they are reliable and convenient.
BY BIKE
The Netherlands is flat and compact—a perfect combination for those who wish to explore the Amsterdam parks and canals on two wheels. Even outside the city, paved trails traverse through the surrounding farmland, creating a tangled web of paths that link the surrounding villages.
The three villages of Volendam, Edam and Marken are quite easily by bike. You can take the bike on the ferry between Volendam and Marken island, and then continue onward via the Zeedijk—a causeway built in 1957 that connects Marken with the mainland.
Where to Stay Overnight
You do not need to stay overnight in order to make the most of your visit to Volendam, Edam, or Maren.
However, if you’re looking to stay overnight and wish , each city good (albeit limited) lodging options.
Volendam:
In Volendam, the Hotel Old Dutch sits right on the waterfront, with views of the harbor. It has good reviews and a stellar location.
Edam:
In Edam, L’auberge Damhotel receives praise for its cleanliness, wonderful canal-side location, and interesting decor.
Marken:
Marken has few accommodation options, but the Bed and Breakfast De Pepersteeg looks like a good option based on its position and reviews.
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Visiting Amsterdam’s surrounding countryside is like flipping through a storybook of Dutch clichés. It is in these landscapes that much of what is unique to the region—its windmills, its narrow brick houses, its cow-spotted pastures and its crisscrossing bike lanes—can be found in abundance.
Whether you’re interested in exploring local folklore, checking out history museums, or simply soaking up the charm of the Dutch countryside, this classic 3-in-1 day-trip route packs plenty into a single, easy-to-plan excursion.
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