There are plenty of small towns in the Netherlands worth visiting. The municipality of Waterland, just north of Amsterdam, is home to many touristy villages that are definitely worth the visit. Get away from the city for a bit and experience a completely different side of the Netherlands.

Essential Information:

Getting to Waterland and moving around the area is extremely manageable. There are buses available every 15 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal which will take you to Waterland in approximately half an hour.

I recommend purchasing a Waterland day ticket for €10. You can buy this pass at the ticket machines at the bus station. The pass covers the journey to and from Waterland, together with all the bus trips within the Waterland region.

The pass proved extremely useful as I rode the bus constantly, commuting between towns. You may also want to consider cycling, another great way of exploring the area as the towns are close to each other.

Volendam

The traditional fishing village of Volendam has much to offer. Stroll through the old streets and explore the classic houses of this fishing village. There are a total of 3 museums in Volendam. Learn about its rich history at Volendam Museum and try some cheese at Cheese Factory Volendam.

As you are walking about you should be able to spot the old Dutch ship docked in the harbour, towering over the tiny wooden houses. It is quite a sight to behold. Also, be sure to try the local fish; Volendam is a fishing village after all.

The Volendam Marken Express takes you on a cruise over the Markermeer lake to the village of Marken. Take time off to relax as you are gently ferried over to Marken. It is a pleasurable 20 minute ride and costs €12.50 for a return ticket.

Marken

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Marken is a village located on a peninsula in the Markermeer lake. The island is known for its iconic wooden houses as pictured above. Wander through the streets of Marken among the vibrant houses and soak up the wonderful atmosphere of this quaint village.

Take a leisurely stroll to Het Paard van Marken, the lighthouse located at the tip of the island. It is roughly a 30 minute walk to the lighthouse. At the end of the path you are treated to a delightful view of the lighthouse and open lake all around.

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Edam

Known all over the world for its cheese, Edam is a definite must see. If you are lucky enough to visit in the summer, be sure to attend the famous Edam Cheese market where you can observe how cheese was traded in the past. It takes place on Wednesday from 10:30am to 12:30pm only in July and August.

I hope that this short write up serves as a brief introduction to all that Waterland has to offer. There are other towns in the area such as Monnickendam and Broek in Waterland which are also worth exploring.

As always, have a great day ahead and happy holidays!