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Things to do in Volendam

Our most recommended things to do in Volendam

Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Marken Day Trip

1. Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Volendam, and Marken Day Trip

Enjoy the picturesque Dutch countryside on a day trip by comfortable bus. Encounter the famous windmills, and learn about Dutch traditional crafts.Take advantage of free WiFi on board the bus as you travel. Discover the unique village of Zaanse Schans. Stroll around at your leisure and admire the well-preserved historic windmills and houses. Explore the fishing village of Volendam, visit a cheese shop still making cheese using a traditional Dutch method, and join a demonstration about Volendam cheese. Enjoy lunch at a traditional fish restaurant at your own expense, before exploring more of Volendam. Select the all-inclusive tour option for more activities including a boat ride to Marken, a visit to an operating windmill, and a clog-making demonstration.

Volendam: Express Boat Cruise to Marken Island

2. Volendam: Express Boat Cruise to Marken Island

Make the most of your time in the Netherlands and visit the traditional harbour villages of Volendam and Marken with a one-way or return trip ticket. Hop onboard the vessel from Volendam Harbour, then begin the tranquil 30-minute cruise to Marken where plenty of sightseeing and scenic views await. You can start your trip from Marken as well. As you sail, marvel at stunning views of the coastline and learn about the former Zuiderzee area from an insightful audioguide. Along the way, admire the colorful rows of fishermen’s houses that line the shore and get a sense of local life in the village. Upon arrival in Marken, disembark the boat then head off to explore the island at your own pace. On the island, be amazed by the differences between Volendam and Marken despite their close proximity. When the adventure is over, make your way back to the vessel for the return journey to Volendam. We sail from 9:45 on busy days, on other days from 10:30 - until 19:00. Please see the Marken Express website for the latest departure times.

Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken Bus Tour

3. Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken Bus Tour

Visit Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, and Marken on a guided bus tour from Amsterdam. Admire the famous windmills of Zaanse Schans, attend a clog-making demonstration, and sample Edam and Gouda cheese. Depart Amsterdam by luxury bus on this exciting tour and head north of the city to see the historic windmills of Zaanse Schans on the banks of the river Zaan. Explore the traditional 17th-century houses and a collection of beautifully preserved windmills from the nation’s industrial heritage. Continue on to visit Edam, a beautiful town known worldwide for its cheese. Enjoy a cheese tasting and an exciting clog demonstration. Before the end of the day, go to Volendam and Marken, passing many authentic polders, the name given to land reclaimed from the sea. Wander down narrow streets, past colorful houses and visit the harbors full of fishing boats. You will have some free time to shop for souvenirs and sample the local fish specialties. Back in Amsterdam, you will be dropped off at the meeting point.

From Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, & Marken Full-Day Trip

4. From Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Edam, & Marken Full-Day Trip

Immerse yourself in the culture of the Netherlands on a tour through the jewels of the Dutch countryside. Visit a cheese producer, a clog factory, a fishing village, and see the iconic windmills. Start your tour at Amsterdam’s Central Station and head in the company of your guide to the first destination of the day, Zaanse Schans. Admire the typical Dutch windmills of the town, and learn about how they are still used today. Next, drive to the Waterland area to arrive at the second stop of the tour, Edam. Walk around some of the town’s most historical sites, including the town square where the famous cheese market used to take place. Then, head to Volendam to visit a local cheese producer, learn about the production of Edam and Gouda cheeses, and try a cheese tasting. Head towards a clog factory next to discover the secrets of this typical Dutch shoe. Finally, travel back in time to the 17th century as you wander through the fishermen’s houses in the Marken, and explore this quintessential fishing village.

Amsterdam: Giethoorn, Volendam, and Zaanse Schans Tour

5. Amsterdam: Giethoorn, Volendam, and Zaanse Schans Tour

See three different regions of the Netherlands with pickup and drop-off from Hotel ibis Amsterdam Centre. Sample local cheeses, enjoy lunch, dress up and take pictures, and take a cruise in Giethoorn. First, start with a visit to the 17th-century village, Zaanse Schans. See windmills from the country's industrial background, and stroll among the green residences. Then visit a factory that makes the popular clogs in this region of the Netherlands.  Before continuing to Volendam, stop at Catharina Hoeve Farm, where you can sample cheese and learn how its made. In Volendam, see brightly-painted wooden buildings and residents dressed in vibrant regional clothing. Your guide will lead you on a brief stroll around Volendam harbor.  Pick up souvenirs and gifts for friends and family back home, and take photographs in traditional Dutch costumes. Stop for a local lunch, then continue to Giethoorn in the northeastern Netherlands, known as the "Venice of the North". See the numerous canals and lack of motorways in Giethroon. During a 1-hour guided boat trip, you'll learn about this fairy-tale village with less than 3,000 residents. Next, stroll through the preserved village.  Finally, explore the village's small footpaths to find hundreds of bridges and take in the tranquil ambiance before returning to Amsterdam.

Amsterdam: Volendam, Edam, and Zaanse Schans Bilingual Tour

6. Amsterdam: Volendam, Edam, and Zaanse Schans Bilingual Tour

Leave Amsterdam for half a day on this guided tour of the rolling Dutch countryside. Sit back and travel comfortably in a coach to the rural village of Edam. Take a walk through the quaint streets of Edam. En route to Volendam, stop to visit an old cheese farm to see how authentic Dutch cheese is made. Indulge in trying some of these huge spheres of delicious cheese. Upon arrival in Volendam, follow your guide on a journey through the fishing village’s winding streets. Hear about how this bustling place was once the harbor for neighboring village Edam. Enjoy some free time to eat lunch. Next, move on to visit the windmill village of Zaanse Schans. Once used to ground spices, dyes, lumber, oil, cocoa powder, and many other items, the mills are still in use today. Some are now living museums where you can learn about the ins and outs of milling. Visit a wooden shoe factory and behold how traditional clogs are created using antique machines. Filled with newfound knowledge and a taste of the traditional Dutch ways of life, relax and reminisce about your trip while on the journey back to Amsterdam.

Marken, Volendam, and Edam Full-Day Tour from Amsterdam

7. Marken, Volendam, and Edam Full-Day Tour from Amsterdam

Enjoy a scenic full-day coach tour of North Holland, and discover a charming landscape of windmills, canals, picturesque villages, and locals in traditional costume. Choose the all-in option to add a few extras to your tour, including a clog-making demonstration and a boat trip. Depart from Amsterdam station for the small fishing town of Marken, renowned for its preservation of traditional Dutch culture. Take a walking tour through streets full of colorful houses. If you've chosen the all-in option, stop at a shoemaker’s studio to watch how wooden clogs are made. Next, head to Volendam by coach if you've chosen the standard option or board the Marken Express if you've chosen the all-in option for a boat trip across the beautiful IJssel Lake. On arrival in Volendam, enjoy free time to explore the shops or try on a traditional costume for a souvenir photo.  Then, enjoy a tasting at a traditional Holland cheese factory and learn how cheese is made before continuing into the heart of North Holland to Edam. Discover the history of the former shipyard and see Grote Kerk, the largest church in the Netherlands, as you stroll the cobbled streets. Next, take in the last stop on your tour, the open-air museum of Zaanse Schans. Admire its magnificent collection of historic windmills. If you opt for the all-in ticket, you can go inside one of the operating windmills to learn more about this Dutch icon of industrial architecture. Finally, marvel at the picturesque homes, wooden barns, and scenic meadows of North Holland as you travel back to Amsterdam by coach. If you prefer a smaller group, like to take your time and explore all the best of this tour, then opt for the Charm of Holland guided tour. Available on Fridays. The tourguide takes a small group to all the inclusions in the all-in tour. The Charm of Holland also includes lunch at a traditional Dutch fish taverne.

Picture in Volendam Costume with Cheese and Clog Tour

8. Picture in Volendam Costume with Cheese and Clog Tour

Time to try on something that wouldn't normally be in your wardrobe: traditional Volendam wear, including warm baggy trousers for the men and a high, pointed bonnet for the ladies. And of course, no outfit would be complete without Holland's most famous footwear - clogs! Say 'cheeeessseee' and your professional photographer will snap a photo of you and your friends, a souvenir which you can show to everyone at home. After the photo shoot, you can enjoy a guided tour in which you learn how to make a typical Dutch Gouda or Edam cheese. In the clog factory, you will get the chance to see a piece of wood turn into footwear and learn about the different varieties of clogs. In the shop you can have a look at all kinds of souvenirs and taste Dutch biscuits such as stroopwafel, a delicious local fruit wine and of course all kinds of cheeses. Try a rock hard, two-year old cheese or a cheese with cumin seeds, a famous delicacy in Holland. When you are finished perusing the souvenir section your photos will be waiting for you at the checkout. 

Volendam: Stroopwafel Experience with Tasting

9. Volendam: Stroopwafel Experience with Tasting

Located in Volendam, on the world-famous dike, find the newly renovated home of the Stroopwafel. Visit a traditional bakery which has been transformed in recent years and completely renovated to its old-fashioned function and style. As you enter the bakery, the gorgeous smell of the Stroopwafels will envelop you in deliciousness. Walk around the store to see all the incredibly flavorful variations on this national treat and purchase a few to take home for your friends and family. After your visit to the store, head downstairs with a traditional baker and watch him at work as he crafts the tasty treats. The demonstration is given on fixed times every day. Please select the time-slot when you make your booking. Assist the baker in making the Stroopwafels and learn all about the cooking process of the cookie. Immerse yourself in this baking experience full of sweet smells and enticing tastes and then enjoy the fruits of your labor and taste the cookies you produce. Finally wander around the bakery to see how life was like for Dutch bakers in the old days.

Volendam: E-Scooter Rental

10. Volendam: E-Scooter Rental

After picking up your fantastic E-scooter, you will depart from the harbor to discover picturesque Dutch villages. See magnificent meadows, working windmills and countless cows as you ride through the famous Dutch dikes.  When you pick up your E-scooter, you will receive plenty of advice on different routes, so your journey is entirely up to you! Within an hour, you can take a trip to Edam, a nearly 800 year old town famous for its peaceful narrow alleys and small canals. Get a true taste of the Netherlands and sample some delicious cheeses in Edam's markets.  Discover the town of Monnickendam, also within an hour-long ride of Volendam. Admire the town's stunning houses made of light bronze brick, or take a trip to the old harbor with its charming terraces and pretty boats. If you're looking for some refreshment, head down to the beer brewery to learn more about the brewing process and savor some homemade sausages as you sit on the waterfront.  If you want a longer excursion, travel from Monnickendam through beautiful countryside to the former island of Marken, now a spectacular town with its bridges over the small canals. From here it is possible to take a boat back to Volandam, just hop on board with your E-scooter!

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What people are saying about Volendam

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 12,909 reviews

I had a wonderful experience, learned a lot both from the audio recordings and our guides. The motor coach was very large, double decker, comfortable. I didn’t expect it to be that large and packed with fellow tourists in mid-February. If I went by myself I’d probably spend more time in each place, I guess I felt slightly rushed. We covered a lot of ground in short period of time. Our guides were extremely kind, helpful and knowledgeable! Very funny, too! Our driver was also super professional and supportive of all our needs. I’m not sure I could take care of everyone the way they did! Many thanks to the entire team, they were brilliant. If I went again, I’d have an early lunch before the trip or be prepared with some healthy snacks until the 3-4 pm. meal.

This tour was very well organized, hitting all the key spots within the 7 hours we were together. The star of the tour would be hands down our 2 tour guides, Stef and Pia. They made this tour so light and enjoyable; I’ve never laughed so much from a tour before. Stef with his electronic piano playing, his singing with Pia, and their jokes was so fantastic. They truly worked like the perfect duo, and they whole heartedly took care of every customer with care and respect. I wish every tour had a Stef and Pia in it. I would recommend this tour in a heartbeat because of them. It also helps that the sites were all very picturesque and lovely.

The day could not have been better! The guide, Eva, went above and beyond to keep her audience engaged. It was a beautiful sunny day, which helped, and I felt we saw everything we wanted to, and learnt so much at the same time.

A must do when in Amsterdam. Tony and Merriam were our great host. They are very knowledgeable and entertaining.

Evelyn is so knowledgeable and our tour driver is so helpful. Places are fantastic except for the rainy weather