What about discovering the mythical villages of Old Holland, with their countless windmills, churches and old-fashioned farmhouses? We share our experience of these charming villages with you.
The villages of Old Holland are located in the municipality of Waterland, north-east of Amsterdam. It boasts charming villages such as : Edam, Volendam, Marken, but also Hoorn, Oosthuizen, Middenbeemster, Purmerend, Landsmeer, all located in the Dutch countryside. The villages of Old Holland take you back to the days of hard work and craftsmanship, showcasing the region’s traditional skills such as shipbuilding, fishing and cheese-making. So they all have a singular charm. You can also visit in the same day the famous Zaanse Schans windmills.
If you’re going to do what we did and visit these 3 villages (Edam, Volendam, Marken) in one day and enjoying them one by one, you’re going to have to get up early. The villages are not very large, but they are very popular with travelers. Stores generally open from 9am, but the tourist rush arrives around 10:30/11am.
I also invite you to read all our articles on Amsterdam and the surrounding area to help you prepare for your trip:
- What to do in Amsterdam over 4 days
- How to visit the windmills of Zaanse Schans
- Where to see tulip fields in Holland?
SOMMAIRE DE L'ARTICLE :
| EDAM
We started in Edam, once a busy port for cheese and timber merchants. This authentic Dutch village on the IJssel lake, 10 minutes by bus from Volendam, is famous for its cheese. It is therefore highly recommended that you stop by the fromagerie Kaasspeciaalzaak Henri Willig for a taste of Edam and Gouda. They sell a variety of incredible flavors, such as asparagus and coconut gouda, a real discovery. Special mention for the smoked or spiced gouda, a pure delight for the taste buds! Cheese is made locally, just a few kilometers from the village, so don’t forget to pack some in your suitcase. The atmosphere in this village is very different from Volendam and Marken. There’s no coastline or sea air here, but a lovely canal that runs through the village, lined on either side by beautiful, colorful houses. It’s a really peaceful atmosphere where you’ll love strolling around on foot or by bike. If you’d like a drink or a bite to eat, just drop in at the DamHotel in the center of Edam. The food is good and the location ideal.
From Edam, you can walk to the village of Volendam in about 30 minutes along the coast. I recommend the walk along the canal, which is pretty cute, especially if the weather’s good. As the city streets are cobbled, it’s more difficult to get there with a stroller.
How to get to Marken from Edam?
There are 2 ways to to Marken from Edam :
- by boat: the journey takes about 20 minutes and costs about €5/p. Please note that if you go during the off-season, there are only 3-4 boats a day.
- by bus: take bus no. 311, stop at Volendam, and get off at the stop near the church. You’ll need to get to another stop 2 minutes’ walk from the main road, where you’ll board bus no. 118 or 316. Allow around 10 minutes for the journey.
If you come by car, you’ll find a free open parking lot on your right (street side singelweg), set up in a field, just before entering the town of Edam. Don’t drive too fast to miss it!
| VOLENDAM
We set off again for Volendam, a charming port village on the banks of the IJsselmeer. Arrive early to avoid the hordes of tourists. This village isn’t our favorite, as it’s very touristy, but we did like the traditional wooden houses, the trawlers and fishing boats in operation, and the main quay of this small fishing port, which has since been transformed into a lively shopping and residential street. In fact, we sat in the sun on the terrasse du T’Havengat for lunch and taste their local specialties. The smell of seafood and fried calamari awakened our taste buds. Volendam remains an interesting stopover, but don’t linger too long there, as Marken has much more charm!
How do I get to Marken from Volendam?
Take the ferry Volendam – Marken Expressfrom the main quay to the island of Marken. The village of Marken isn’t very big, but you’ll need a good half-day to get the most out of it.
From Volendam, you can reach the village of Edam on foot in about 30 minutes along the coast.. I recommend the walk along the canal, which is pretty cute, especially if the weather’s good. As the city streets are cobbled, it’s more difficult to get there with a stroller. You can also visit the other Waterland villages, but please allow an extra day.
➡️ If you wish, there are organized electric bike rides from Volendam, which takes you into the Dutch countryside and lets you explore several villages. I check availability and book my tour here
| MARKEN
The village of Marken remains a popular getaway for travelers, and reminded me of the landscapes of New Brunswick in Canada. It really is a beautiful little Dutch fishing village, well-kept and full of charm. The little port with its long dike invites you to relax with its small cafés, restaurants and a few boutiques. We loved soaking up the sun on one of the port’s terraces.
Marken offers beautiful panoramic views and the village is rich in history. don’t hesitate to book a guided tour.
How do I get to Edam from Marken?
There are 2 ways to to Edam from Marken :
- by boat: the journey takes about 20 minutes and costs about €5/p. Please note that if you go during the off-season, there are only 3-4 boats a day.
- by bus: take bus no. 311, stop at Volendam, and get off at the stop near the church. You’ll need to get to another stop 2 minutes’ walk from the main road, where you’ll board bus no. 118 or 316. Allow around 10 minutes for the journey.
| THE MILLS OF ZAANSE SCHANS
You could combine a visit to these 3 villages with the famous windmills of Zaanse Schans. All you need to do is get up early, because you’ve got a long day ahead of you. I recommend ending your visit at the windmills to enjoy the sunset and avoid the crowds. I give you all our advice in the dedicated article.
➡️ You can also book an organized day trip from Amsterdam. By clicking below, other tours are also available, so it’s up to you to decide what suits you best.
| HOW TO GET TO OLD HOLLAND
Old Holland isn’t far from Amsterdam by public transport. Buses and trains from the city center will take you to the heart of this region in no time.
The Amsterdam map & Region Travel Ticket is to be taken to reach old Holland. This ticket is valid for 1, 2 or 3 days on all public transport operated by GVB, Connexxion, EBS and NS in Amsterdam and the Amsterdam region, including night buses. To avoid queuing, buy your carte Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket and save time. This map allows you to see many things along the way.
If you get some wonderful sunshine during your stay, you can also cycle around Old Holland. There’s a 29-kilometre bike loop, which takes around 5 hours to complete.
The City card Amsterdam is a pass valid for 24h, 48h, 72h, 96h and even 120h. It enablesunlimited use of GVB public transport in Amsterdam (bus, streetcar and metro), entry to a large number of museums and attractions in and around Amsterdam ( Zaanse Schans, Volendam, Marken….) and discounts. To avoid queuing, buy your City Card I Amsterdam and save time.
To avoid queuing, buy your City Card I amsterdam online
Don’t forget travel insurance!
Before you leave, make sure you’ve taken out travel insurance to avoid any unpleasant surprises! If you’re planning a short break, a long-haul trip or even a round-the-world tour, travel insurance will provide you with the essential cover you need to enjoy your stay in total peace of mind: cancellation, baggage, assistance, medical expenses, hospitalization, death, repatriation and all the other hassles you could avoid. Opt for cancellation insurance in case of Covid and border closures. Read more in our dedicated article to help youfind the best insurance and on the Chapka website, our travel partner since our Round the World Tour
Feel free to leave a comment below this article if you liked it and found it helpful in organizing your trip.
I also invite you to read all our articles on Amsterdam and the surrounding area to help you prepare for your trip:
- What to do in Amsterdam over 4 days
- How to visit the windmills of Zaanse Schans
- Where to see tulip fields in Holland?
for all quotation requests and a tailor-made trip to the Netherlands, contact me by email at contact@mademoiselle-voyage.fr. I invite you to read the customized travel where I present my business as a licensed travel agency.
