Let me be honest: Yes, Volendam and Marken are touristy. They’re packed with tour buses and souvenir shops. But I can also tell you there’s still a lot to see, and you can have an amazing day despite the tour buses.
As a local Dutch tour guide, I’ll tell you what’s worth doing and what to skip. Beneath the tourist marketing, a genuine Dutch experience still exists, I promise, as long as you know where to look. Here’s how to make the most of your day trip without falling into tourist traps.
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Getting There: Your Two Best Options
On Your Own: Take metro 52 to Amsterdam Noord Station, then bus 316 to Volendam or bus 315 to Marken. The Amsterdam and Region Ticket covers all transport and saves money if you’re also using Amsterdam’s metro and buses.
Get Your Unlimited Transport Ticketā
Guided Tour: If you prefer easy logistics, I recommend this Classic Windmill and Countryside Tour, which covers everything for you: transport, guide, and the popular boat ride between the two villages, plus other classic stops. With my tips in this article, you’ll get even more out of your free time.
Or travel with me personally on a Private Countryside Tour. I’ll pick you up at your hotel and I’ll show you the hidden places only locals know. The places where tour buses can’t go.
Skip the tourist traps.
See the real Netherlands.
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Why Visit Volendam and Marken?
These villages offer a window into old Dutch life when the Zuiderzee was still an open sea and fishing families battled harsh conditions daily.
You’ll see traditional wooden houses, and you can take a scenic ferry across the water to Marken, which was once a completely isolated island.
The contrast between the two places makes the trip worthwhile. Volendam bustles with activity while Marken feels timelessly quiet. I love Volendam for its museum, the Doolhof maze, and the classic costume photo. Marken is where I go to stroll and sit at a cafe.
Top 15 Things to Do
1. Get a Traditional Costume Photo
This might feel touristy, but getting a traditional costume photo in Volendam is genuinely fun and you’ll leave with a unique keepsake. The traditional Dutch costume includes the famous lacy cap (‘hul’) and coral necklaces that some Dutch women still wear today.
Your 25-minute session includes two small photos or one large photo, plus you can take selfies with your own phone. The studio offers different backgrounds.
2. Volendams Museum and Cigar Bands House
This was unexpectedly my favorite stop. The museum brings local history to life with realistic scenes of home life, cafe culture, and fishing work. Free coffee or tea adds to the welcoming atmosphere.
The real treasure? The Cigar Bands House inside with intricate mosaics made entirely from cigar bands, including a map of the Netherlands and the Empire State Building. The patience required is mind-boggling.
Hours: Daily 10 a.m.ā5 p.m. | Get your Volendams Museum ticket at the door, or get the “I Amsterdam City Pass” which includes this museum.
3. De Dijk (The Dyke): Volendam’s Famous Harbor Street
Yes, it’s as touristy as it gets. Think of the Dutch version of Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. But the colorful houses and traditional boats (kwakken and botters) in the harbor make good photos.
Don’t miss the “Oude Mannen Huisje” (Old Men’s House), also called the Praathuisje, a small room where village elders gather to chat. You can peek through the windows.
4. Lunch at Cafe “De Lunch”
Despite serving tour groups, this harbor restaurant surprised me with fresh, well-prepared kibbeling (Dutch fried fish). Portions are generous, prices reasonable, and the traditional interior is worth seeing.
Service is efficient because they need to turn tables. However, they never rush you.
5. The Doolhof: Authentic Residential Area
This maze of small streets in old Volendam offers the day’s most authentic experience. It is deliberately hard to find and barely signposted, which keeps most tourists out.
Walk past the Cheese Factory on the Dyke, turn left when possible (taking the stairs down), and explore the narrow residential streets. Spend 20-30 minutes here, but be quiet and respectful of residents.
6. Traditional Dutch Fish
No Volendam visit is complete without trying local fish. All Dutch visitors do exactly the same thing. Three options:
- Paling sandwich: Smoked eel on a simple roll
- Kibbeling: Battered fried white fish everyone loves
- Raw herring: An acquired taste but I love it
7. Woltje’s Stroopwafel Experience
Touristy? Absolutely. The Instagram-worthy topped waffles aren’t authentic. But the stroopwafel-making demonstration includes tasting a fresh, hot, traditional waffle, worth it for that alone.
The “museum” tells how stroopwafels came from Gouda to Volendam. Brief but tasty break. Make sure to get your Stroopwafel Experience tickets in advance here.
8. Take the Marken Express Ferry
The 30-minute ferry ride to the former island of Marken offers panoramic views over the IJsselmeer. Boats run every 30 minutes with outdoor seating (indoor seating and a cafe if the weather turns). It’s a ride I never get tired of. The arrival in Marken is so scenic!
Buy Your Ferry Tickets in Advance
9. Marken Church
The Protestant church from the early 1900s features miniature boats hanging from the ceiling, reminders of the fishing community’s heritage. Free entry with friendly volunteers who answer questions. Leave a small tip if you enjoyed the visit.
10. Marker Museum
The Marker museum is maller than the Volendams Museum but worth 20-30 minutes. Start with the 8-minute introduction film (English available), then explore detailed displays of colorful traditional clothing. Volunteers warmly welcome visitors and play the film just for you.
11. Stroll Marken’s Neighborhoods
The wooden houses on stilts are Instagram gold, truly! These were originally separate hamlets: Havenbuurt, Kerkbuurt, and Kets. Each still has its own character.
The bridges are named after Dutch queens: Wilhelmina, Beatrix, Juliana, and Maxima. Can you find them all?
12. Marken View House
Free tickets are handed out on the ferry for this replica of a 100-year-old Marken house. Trust me, you want to skip the entry rush right after the boat docks. Explore the harbor first, then visit when it’s quieter. Just keep an eye on the clock: the next boat arrives 30 minutes later, so go in between.
13. Harbor Break in Marken
My favorite thing to do is to end my day relaxing at one of the harbor restaurants. All offer outdoor terraces with harbor views when the weather permits.
From your table, you can watch for your return ferry, perfect timing for the trip back.
14. Cheese Factory Volendam
More shop than factory, but they demonstrate traditional cheese-making for free. The key advantage: they sell authentic Reypenaer cheese, which is very good. Avoid the souvenir brands like Henri Willig that you see on every corner these days.
Get the triangular blocks of aged Reypenaer. This is genuine Dutch cheese you can enjoy back home. Skip the round netted cheeses with non-Dutch flavors like pesto or chili.
15. Bonus: Marken Lighthouse
The “Paard van Marken” (Horse of Marken) lighthouse requires a 35-minute walk or bike ride. Beautiful but too far for most visitors on a day trip. The upside: if you do make the effort, you get it almost to yourself.
Transportation Options
ā¤· I wrote a complete guide on how to get from Amsterdam to Volendam. I cover all ways to get there.
Quick summary: by transit it’s metro 52 to Noord, then bus 315 or 316, one ticket covers the whole journey, plus unlimited rides in Amsterdam and the region. Or book a guided day-tour and let somebody else do the driving (bus), or a private tour with me, where we can go off the tourist path.
Frequently Asked Questions Volendam And Marken
How much time do you need in Volendam?
You need 6-7 hours to do everything I recommend comfortably. With less time, allow 3-4 hours minimum. If you have under 5 hours, skip Marken and stick to Volendam.
When’s the best time to visit?
Spring and summer offer the best weather, but both villages operate year-round. Winter visits are perfectly fine, just dress warmly, especially for the ferry ride.
Is it easy to navigate around Volendam and Marken?
Both villages are small and walkable. Getting lost is nearly impossible. In Volendam, stick to the Dyke, harbor, and streets behind. Museum walks are signposted.
Where is Volendam, Netherlands?
Volendam is 13 miles or 20 kilometers north of Amsterdam. By road, you take the N247 north. From Amsterdam Central Station, take metro 52 to the “Noord” station (last stop). From there bus 316 takes you directly to Volendam. Volendam latitude and longitude coordinates: 52.49387, 5.07511.
Is Volendam worth visiting?
Despite the tourist crowds, yes. The photoshoot experience, fresh fish, boat ride to Marken, and glimpses of authentic Dutch life make it worthwhile. Just manage your expectations. It is popular for good reason.
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My Verdict
I had a wonderful day visiting both places. Yes, it’s touristy. Would it be better without tour buses and international chains on the Dyke? Probably. Is it still fun? Absolutely.
Volendam’s proximity to Amsterdam makes it an easy day trip. If you want something more authentic, consider a day tour to Amersfoort combined with Spakenburg. This is a far less crowded former fishing village with a better museum harbor full of historic botters, but getting there takes a bit more effort.
But if you’re a first-time Netherlands visitor with limited time, Volendam and Marken deliver that classic Dutch experience you’re looking for. Just follow my recommendations to find the real gems among the tourist shops once you get there.
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