North Holland interesting places - Edam, Volendam & Monnikendam

Interesting places in North Holland

We visit in North of Holland interesting places. On our trip to the north of The Netherlands we had two goals. On the one hand we wanted to see the tulip blossom. It's most beautiful between March and mid-May. On the other hand, we wanted to see if the clichés circulating about Holland were true.

So we set out in search of cheese, wooden shoes, and canals. We found them in villages and also on our journey between Amsterdam and Gelderland. Whether the province of North Holland offers interesting places is the question we are asking ourselves on this trip.

 

 

Holland we had with our visit to Rotterdam for the first time. On the journey there, we had gotten a taste of the country. As we repeatedly passed canals and saw windmills in the distance, we gained our first impression of Holland. This piqued our curiosity.

That's why we decided to take more time this year to explore the country and its people. This time, we wanted to explore its roots. We'll share what we discovered with you here.

 

 

Edam, Volendam and Monnickendam - three attractive villages in North Holland

Three attractive villages we met on our trip lie north of Amsterdam near the IJsselmeer. But you can only see this in a few places. That's because the land is up to several meters below sea level. That is why it is separated from the sea by dikes. If you want to see the sea, you have to walk along the dike.

 

 

Nevertheless, water is omnipresent in these regions. Because the polder land is being drained, we encounter canals, lakes, and ponds again and again. In some places, they are so wide that we can only cross them by ferry.

In this area there are three attractive villages in North Holland: Edam, Volendam, and Monnickendam. We'll take a closer look at these on our trip. All three are worth seeing, but are nevertheless different from each other. They have a few surprises in store for us.

 

 

Edam - where cheese does not matter any more, channels for it all the more

In Edam, the only cheese wheels we saw were plastic. At Edam's former cheese market, only metal cheese carriers, dolls, and plastic cheese wheels remain to testify to its former importance as a cheese-making town. The cheese dairies have since moved on to nearby Alkmaar.

Instead, Edam is a residential area for people who earn their living in Amsterdam. They prefer the quiet life in the countryside to the hustle and bustle of the big city. A proper place is Edamwhere many live right by one of the canals. These run through the small town, again and again spanned by wooden bridges, which could not be more picturesque.

 

 

Quiet village life in Edam - North Holland province interesting places

We're here during the week. Therefore, we experience a village where life is very quiet. Hardly any traffic, the occasional housewife lugging her basket full of vegetables home from the village shop. A cat dozing on the windowsill of one of the houses. The hammering from the shipyard, where ships have been built since the days of the Dutch East India Company.

Today, large merchant ships are no longer built here, but the tradition of shipbuilding continues. You can see it best Edam from the water.

 

 

Life in Edam is tranquil, which we discover on a whisper boat tour through the city's canals. Instead of cheese, we learn more about the canals that crisscross North Holland.

Our guide tells us about the problems that come with living below sea level. He also tells us about the solutions that have been found. Finally, he tells us about the people who make Edam a very attractive place to live. Art and culture even play a role here.

 

 

Volendam - of cheese, clogs and Dutch masters

It's quite different in Volendam, which lies on the dike just a few kilometers from Edam. Here, we had been warned: "It's more touristy there, and you should also take a look around the labyrinth of alleys behind the dike," the boat rental agent in Edam advises us. "It's not as crowded there, and just as interesting."

He's right. The dike is teeming with bus tourists who flock to Volendam. They're looking for "typical Holland," which is what the souvenir shops, galleries, and stalls along the dike road are selling.

Since our visit, the situation has improved. There is now a large parking lot in the Marinapark Volendam with space for 300 cars, which is only about a 10-minute walk from the center. There are also central parking garages, such as the “Parkeergarage Centrum Volendam”, which facilitate access to the Dijk, one of the city's tourist hotspots.

 

 

 

North Holland interesting places with Gouda, clogs and Delft tiles

Gouda cheese, wooden shoes and Delft tiles are popular SouvenirsThey often wander over the counter. Japanese tourists burst into squeals of delight when they see wheels of cheese in the shop window. German seniors seek refuge in one of the restaurants. They shelter from a rainstorm – although only a few of them buy a few drinks from the bartender.

The rest of the crowd leaves the restaurant as soon as the first rays of sunshine break through the clouds. And the proprietor sets about rearranging the tables and chairs. We watch the goings-on of our fellow countrymen, shaking our heads, and then take a stroll along the dike. There we watch the boats sailing out onto the Markermeer or across to the island of Marken.

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Cheese farm Alida Hoeve
Zeddeweg 1
1131 CW Volendam
Tel. +31 (0) 299 363 595

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Interesting places fit in the Art Hotel Spaander in North Holland

The Art Hotel Spaander is worth a visit, with its collection of paintings, Delft tiles, maritime decor, and cozy atmosphere in its restaurant. Those who visit should take some time to explore the restaurant's public spaces.

Here, you can lose yourself in a smorgasbord of Dutch art and crafts. We marvel at the things that have been created in this country over the centuries. Afterwards, you can thank the innkeeper with a glass of beer. We do this under the gaze of Dutch milkmaids or cheese boys looking down at us from the paintings on the wall.

 

 

 

 

In Volendam you can also rent holiday homes in a holiday park:

Holiday park Landal Volendam in Volendam

A unique holiday park with a village feel on the Markermeer lake. Landal Volendam offers 42 luxurious accommodations with a high level of comfort. The architectural style is typical of the region and unmistakable to anyone who has ever been to Volendam.

The center of Volendam and the harbor are within walking distance and definitely worth a visit. Get your photo taken in traditional costume, enjoy an eel sandwich, and stroll along "De Dijk."

You'll find numerous restaurants in Volendam's city center. For those who want to explore the surrounding area, a boat trip to Marken is highly recommended.

And after a day trip to nearby Amsterdam, the Zaanse Schans and Monnickendam, you will find Landal Volendam Peace and relaxation again. A cup of tea in your hand, your feet in the Markermeer - from the jetty you have a wonderful view of the ships sailing past.

• Right on the Markermeer
• Various accommodations for up to 6 people.
• Bike Rental

 

 

 

Monnickendam, where historic houses line the streets

Things are quieter in the neighboring village of Monnickendam. We visit the church, which shows how it has grown and expanded with the congregation. Along the road into the village center, we see examples of Dutch facades, as they have been built over the centuries.

Stepped or bell gables are typical. Some of them lean slightly forward. Or they have a cornice that extends across the entire facade above the ground-floor windows. Both are intended to prevent rainwater from dissolving the cement, which is made from local shell limestone.

 

 

One of North Holland's interesting places is the Belfry of Monnickendam

We're visiting because it's recently been converted into a museum. It focuses on the history of the region, its people, and the carillon, which still chimes the hours in Monnickendam today.

We also learn about the three men who, years ago, drifted on an ice floe while ice fishing to the other shore of Lake Markermeer. It took two weeks. All three arrived there alive, but two of them died shortly after their ordeal.

 

 

We see the funeral ornaments that people made here from the hair of their deceased loved ones and wore them for a year in memory of them. We hear the carillon announcing the hour to the inhabitants of Monnickendam.

 

 

Holland's traditions at the Zuiderzee Museum - Discover interesting places in North Holland

None of the places truly conform to the clichéd ideas we brought with us about Holland, which isn't surprising. They're all vibrant places, adapting to modern times and developing their own individuality.

Edam with its tranquility, Volendam with its tourist focus, and Monnickendam with its historic town center. A few kilometers further north, we find the Holland we imagined: the Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen.

 

 

Here, buildings have been rebuilt from places along the Zuiderzee that show what life once looked like in the north of the Netherlands: in one of the cozy cottages we are invited to tea, in another we watch a hard-working washerwoman doing her icy cold wind washes white shirts, pants and blue and white tea towels. Her hands already show red calluses.

 

 

This is how people once lived in the province of North Holland

We watch a man transporting visitors in a flat-bottomed barge across one of the canals. Behind the dike, a windmill regulates the water level in the town's canals.

We observe a worker refilling charcoal in the boiler of the village laundry, where those who can afford it drop off their laundry. They receive it back freshly starched and ironed.

We chat with the village banker, who explains to us what's happening in the world of commerce, and visit a pharmacy above which a strange king's head opens its mouth. When I ask why he's doing this, the immediate reply is: "Well, at the doctor's, you open your mouth and say 'Aaaah!'" I would never have thought of that explanation.

 

 

We tour the school, the post office, a candy store where we get liquorice sticks and watch a cooper making barrels. On the way we meet a tradesman on his bicycle, and at the butcher's it looks as if sausage has just been delivered.

Our visit to the Zuiderzee Museum - North Holland interesting places

If you want to see what life in Holland was like in the past, we recommend a visit to the Zuiderzee Museum. Here, life in the villages along the North Holland coast has been lovingly reconstructed and, during the summer months, brought to life with actors who take their roles as bankers, laundresses, postal workers, and pharmacists very seriously.

Just make sure you allow yourself enough time for a visit to the Zuiderzee Museum: we were here for hours, but would have liked to stay longer, there is so much to discover.

 

 

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Zuiderzee Museum
Wierdijk 12-22
1601 LA Enkhuizen

Current opening hours and admission prices can be found on the Website of the museum.

Our trip to North Holland's interesting places gave us an insight into the life of Holland then and now.

Three villages worth visiting. We also recommend these for overnight stays Hotels in the north of Holland.

 

Discover other interesting places in North Holland

 

Questions and answers about these interesting places in the province of North Holland

What is the best way to plan a trip to Edam, Volendam and Monnickendam to experience everything?

A trip to these picturesque places can be ideally combined with a day trip. For example, you can start in Edam with a tour of the old streets and a visit to the cheese market. Then we recommend a detour to Volendam to discover the charming fishermen's cottages and the lively harbor. From there it is only a short drive to Monnickendam, where you can spend a relaxing time in the historic old town. The distances between the places are short, so you can see a lot in one day without being in a rush. If you want to delve deeper into history, you can also plan a few days and stay in the local hotels or B&Bs.

What are the culinary highlights in Volendam and how authentic are the tourist restaurants?

Volendam is known for its fish specialties, especially fresh herring, smoked eel and kibbeling. There are numerous restaurants along the harbor that serve these traditional dishes. Although some of the places are geared towards tourists, many of them still offer authentic, regional cuisine. It is particularly recommended to visit small fish stalls where you can enjoy a fresh bite right by the water. If you want something really authentic, ask the locals about their favorite places away from the main tourist street.

Is it worth visiting the Zuiderzeemuseum even if the weather is bad?

The Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen offers a great mix of open-air museum and indoor exhibitions, so there is something to discover whatever the weather. If it rains, you can focus on the historical indoor exhibitions that shed light on life on and with the sea. Here you can learn more about the history of the region and the importance of the Zuiderzee. When it clears up, the open-air museum is a must: with reconstructed houses and workshops from the past, it is a living journey through time. So pack weatherproof clothing, because a trip outside is definitely worth it.

Is there more to discover in Edam than just the famous cheese?

Edam has much more to offer than its world-famous cheese. The town is rich in historic architecture, with well-preserved 17th-century buildings, charming canals and picturesque bridges. Edam's history as a former trading centre is reflected in the old warehouses and townhouses that you can discover on a stroll. A visit to the Groote Kerk, one of the largest churches in the Netherlands, is also worthwhile. It provides insight into the religious and cultural history of the region. Edam also offers a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for those who enjoy strolling through small, historic towns.

How authentic is the fishing life in Monnickendam today?

Monnickendam has retained its historic charm and although it is no longer the fishing centre it once was, you can still feel the close connection to the water. The port facilities and restored shipyards give an impression of how important seafaring once was here. Even today you can still find fishing boats in the harbour and some restaurants serve fresh local fish. The atmosphere in the town is quiet and less touristy than Volendam, giving you an authentic insight into life on the former Zuiderzee. Monnickendam is ideal if you want to experience the traditional character of a Dutch fishing town without too much hustle and bustle.

Travel Arrangements:

Parking at the airport

Here you can reserve your parking space at the airport.

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Compare and book flights here* (advertisement). KLM and other airlines fly to Amsterdam. Alternatively, you can also take the train to Amsterdam. Do you still have more time? Then we recommend one Road trip through the Hanseatic cities in Holland.

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Accommodations:

We have these Hotels discovered.

More Slow Travel Travel Tips is also available at this link. Also discover Cities in Holland.

 

 

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Source for North Holland places of interest: research on site invited by iamsterdam However, our opinion remains our own.

Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TWO
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TWO
Video: © Copyright Petar Fuchs and TWO