Edam Holland Discover sights from the water
Edam in Holland is a small town in the Netherlands known for its delicious cheese that goes by the same name. This cheese has a long history and is very popular not only in Holland but all over the world. The production of Edam cheese dates back to the Middle Ages. From the 14th century it was covered with a layer of wax. Since then it has been an important part of Dutch culture and cuisine. The cheese is made from cow's milk and has a round shape with a characteristic red wax coating. The cheese is firm on the inside and has a mild, slightly sweet taste. The cheese market in Edam is still one of the attractions of Edam in Holland, even if it is now mainly for the tourists. Because the cheese is made in other places today.
With the whisper boat through the canals of Edam
In Edam Holland there is not only the Edam cheese market to discover. At first we are perplexed: we should whisper to explore the Edam Holland sights. What does that mean? We have no idea what that means. And you probably feel the same way, right? Marc had us the former cheese town north of Amsterdam explained. He told us how the region behind the dykes came about. He also reported on the particular challenges that the builders of the pretty and lovingly cared for wooden and stone houses in the villages on the coast face Dutch Now he smiled mischievously: "Yes, you will definitely get to know Edam through whispers." We go on a whisper boat tour in Edam with him.
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Historic Old Town of Edam
Said it, and then crossed one of the drawbridges that connect the canals to the North Dutch villages overstretch. Only when he finally stopped at a small boat stall near the city center of Edam Holland did he solve the riddle: “You will get to know Edam's trading houses and the old town with a whisperboat.” So I was still not much smarter. Who knows what a “whisper boat” is. But this time the explanation followed immediately: “These are particularly quiet, flat boats powered by electric current. You can use them to navigate the narrow waterways behind the dike. "
canal cruise in Edam
Water and canals play in the land behind the dykes in the north of the Netherlands definitely a big part. We noticed straight away that this country is criss-crossed by canals. In addition, there were always larger areas of water, lakes and ponds on our way. Marc also shows us on a map what North Holland looked like hundreds of years ago. A narrow stretch of land that stretched from Amsterdam like a bony finger north into the sea. Today, however, it has become a wide headland, created by human hands.
The majority of North Holland consists of polder areas. These are areas that are separated from the sea by dikes. The sea level is higher than the land gained. That is also the reason why there are so many windmills in these regions. Your task is and was to pump the water from the rural areas over the dike into the sea. As a result, the drained areas dry out and the soil shrinks. "It works like a dry sponge," says Marc. "The more water you withdraw from it, the smaller and more compact it becomes." And so the land in North Holland sinks ever lower below sea level. In some places, the difference between land and sea is already several meters.
With flat boats through Edam Holland
Marc delivers us to Luc van den Berg after our city tour. He rents his small fleet of "Fluisterbootjes" to tourists. Luc only does this as a sideline. His main job is the editor of a small local newspaper. After a bit of back and forth, he agrees to accompany us on our tour through Edam's old town. A real stroke of luck, as it turns out. He knows about almost every house we see on the way. It can therefore tell us a lot about its history and residents. And so we move leisurely - really at a whisper volume - through the canals of Edam and can see how authentic this place seems to this day.
That belongs in the This must be in your suitcase:
- Since Edam is not far from the sea, the wind is blowing there almost always. A waterproof windbreaker you should therefore definitely go to the This must be in your suitcase .
- A baseball cap or scarf is also practical as it keeps your hair under control even in strong winds.
- A backpack always proves to be practical on such trips.
- If the day trip lasts a little longer, a power bank is helpful. There isn't always a socket available where you can charge your camera or cell phone.
- Of course, a Holland travel guide should not be missing in your backpack.
Edam Holland - then and now
Luc reports that once in Edam and other villages on the Zuiderzee, ships were built for the United East India Company. They killed their spices and other exotic merchandise Africa around to India and the Spice Islands. Some of these yards still exist today, except that they now build other ships and boats. He also shows us the typical façade shapes of North Holland houses. The staircase facade or the bell shape of the gables. And he describes how a walker almost drowned a few years ago when the drawbridge collapsed under him. Today, the wooden and picturesque bridges, spanning the canals in several places, have been restored and given a new lease of life.
What does Edam look like, as if it originated in a Dutch lifestyle magazine? So beautifully maintained is the place, its houses and their front gardens. The residents of Edam often work in Amsterdam, which is only twenty minutes away, and also lead a tranquil life away from the hustle and bustle of the big city in their place of residence. Enviable: they enjoy the best of two worlds - on the one hand, the tranquility that life in the countryside entails, and on the other, the urban offer of the nearby city.
Culture in the cheese village
Culture is also no stranger to Edam. The place has its own theater, a museum and, above all, very creative residents. This can be seen in the many festivals that are celebrated here all year round, but also on a small scale. The front gardens and houses are designed and decorated with so much love and creativity that you can see very quickly: people who have made it live here. That has to be the case, because the prices for the small, proper wooden and stone houses correspond to those that you pay for living space in Germany's most expensive city - Munich. Luc says: "If you own a house here, you can rest." And that's exactly what Edam is the perfect place for. Or for anyone looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in a wonderful setting. Edam has become one of our longing places.
Cheese market Edam
One thing we did not find in Edam: a cheese dairy. But the place was world famous. However, cheese production today takes place elsewhere.
As a reminder of the great time of cheese making in Edam, there is a weekly cheese market in the summer months. Then boats and horse-drawn carriages deliver the cheese. The cheese is unloaded by special cheese carriers. Afterwards, the cheese traders come to the train. They drill a sample of the cheese and test it for its quality. That's how the price is determined. If the quality is perfect, the cheese is transported on wheelbarrows to the cheese scale.
Where is the Edam Holland cheese market?
Edam Cheese Market is located in Jan Nieuwenhuizenplein, 1135WT Edam
It takes place in July and August on Wednesdays from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm.
Conclusion on Edam in Holland
There really is a lot to discover in Edam in the Netherlands. The history and architecture are fascinating and the cheese is, well, delicious! If you ever get the chance to visit Edam, you should definitely grab it. Stroll through the narrow streets, admire the picturesque houses and breathe in the scent of freshly baked bread and cheese. This is an experience for the senses.
The friendly locals will give you a warm welcome and will happily share their knowledge of cheese making with you. You can even take part in a cheese tasting and taste the different varieties. A treat that will surely put a smile on your face.
But Edam has much more to offer than just cheese. The idyllic location on the shore of the Markermeer invites you to linger. You can take a boat tour to explore the beautiful countryside or just relax by the water and enjoy the tranquility.
All in all, Edam in the Netherlands is a wonderful place worth exploring. So pack your bags and head to this enchanting city. You will surely take home unforgettable memories. Have fun in Edam!
Learn more:
- Detailed information on the history of Edam cheese
- Dutch Cheese Museum
- UNESCO – Schokland and the Polder Landscape
Questions and answers about Edam in Holland
What is special about Edam cheese?
Edam cheese is characterized by its mild taste and typical round shape.
Can you tell me about the history of Edam?
Naturally! Edam has a rich history dating back to the 12th century. The city was an important trading center for cheese and had a major impact on the Dutch economy.
Are there any other attractions in Edam besides the cheese market?
In any case! In addition to the cheese market, there are also historical buildings in Edam that you can visit, such as the town hall and the Grote Kerk. It is also worth taking a walk along the canals.
Where can you buy the best cheese in Edam?
There are several cheese factories and shops in Edam where you can buy quality cheese. One of the best known is "De Kaaswaag", which offers typical Edam cheese.
Are there other culinary specialties in Edam besides cheese?
Yes, definitely! In addition to cheese, Edam also has other delicious specialties such as stroopwafels (syrup waffles) and poffertjes (small pancakes). Be sure to try these treats to experience the full flavor of Dutch cuisine.
Edam motorhome parking
- Do you want to rent a mobile home? Then you will find information and a selection of booking options here. Rent a motorhome or a camper near you here. Or would you prefer to stay overnight instead in a roof tent on the car? In addition, the overnight stay in camping tents is possible.
- Be sure to check our packing list for campers to see whether you have packed everything for your motorhome tour.
- In Edam, for example, you can stay overnight at Camping De Dijk, Zeevangszeedijk 6a, 1135 PZ Edam, Netherlands. But there are other campsites near Edam. You can relax there after a day trip Dutch Oven or on the portable grill after a day trip. You can also find Dutch oven accessories .
- Practical accessories for the mobile home you can find here.
- Why is a folding e-bike useful when camping?
Travel Arrangements:
Parking at the airport
Here you can reserve your parking space at the airport.
Arrival to Edam Holland
Compare and book flights here*. (Advertisement) KLM, Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian fly to Amsterdam. A stay in Edam can be combined very well with a Road trip through the Hanseatic cities link.
Car Rentals:
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Hotels in Edam Holland:
Hotels * in Edam, for example, you can book via our partner booking.com under this link.
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Information about the whisper boats can be found here:
Fluisterbootjes
Luc van den Berg, Rogier de Leeuw
Tel. + 31 (6) 140 52 130 or + 31 (6) 301 64 004
www.fluisterbootverhuur-edam.nl
Do you know this?
- Easter holidays
- Holland holiday by the sea
- The island of Texel
- Four exceptional hotels in the north of Holland
- Keukenhof
- Experience Texel in Holland
- Cheese and cheese production in the Waldviertel
- Italian hard cheese from Emilia Romagna
Discover more Slow Travel Destinations for example here. Cities in Holland you can find here.
Source – Edam Holland Cheese Market : On-site research invited by iamsterdam and the Dutch Tourist Office. However, our opinion remains our own.
Text Edam Holland Sights: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Video: © Copyright Petar Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Wonderful & very informative article. I think these tips and advice are much helpful. Great sharing,
Thank you for your nice comment.
Holland is always worth a trip, especially because of the cheese and the beautiful canals. I think it's funny that you are called places exactly like the respective cheese or vice versa :-)
Dear Anja,
in the case of the Edam, this is more the reverse. The cheese is named after the city in which it was once made. Today there is still the cheese market there, but it is no longer made locally. The cheese city is today Alkmaar.
Best regards,
Monika
I had the same questions at the beginning of the article. Thank you for the quick clarification about "whisper boats". : D I recently saw a documentary about the East Indian Company. Germans also went there as mercenaries. Exciting facet of the (admittedly not glorious) history of Europe. And I love Edam! : D LG Julia
Dear Julia,
I have met the East India Company only once in my travels so far, in South Africa. It is true that there were Germans there as well. I think that's a fascinating chapter in European history. And what was really glorious?
Best regards,
Monika
Oh I LOVED my trip to Edam back in 2012 with Viking River Cruises and have visited many of the places you featured above in this beautiful post! I even have some of the same pics too! How uncanny !! Great minds my friend !!
By the way, did you have a chance to see Marche or Volendam? Both are delightfully charming villages that you must see one day SOON!
Dear Jeff,
your posts made me curious about these places. It's your photos, that started thinking about a trip to these villages. We have been to Volendam and Monnickendam, but have not seen brands yet. This is silent on our to-do-list.
Holland has become one of our favorite countries, but we will not be there this year. It's quite a drive from our home near the Austrian border.
Take care, my friend.