Before you go

Your trip to Volendam.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Volendam – Holanda Setentrional Destination Around Amsterdã about 42 km from Haarlem

How to get there

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) Haarlemmermeer · 40 km
Amsterdam Centraal Amsterdã · 20 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Volendam does not have a train station. Regional buses depart from the terminal behind the Amsterdam Centraal and arrive in about 30 minutes; check the route before you leave. From Schiphol airport, take the train to Amsterdam Centraal and then the bus. Edam is a few minutes away by bus or by bike, and the Marken Express boat links Volendam's harbour to Marken.

How many days

One day is enough for the harbor, the museum and the boat crossing to Marken. To include Edam without rushing, allow a day and a half or two, staying overnight in Volendam or returning to Amsterdã.

When to go

From April to September the days are long and the boat to Marken runs more often. Edam's cheese market takes place on Wednesday mornings in July and August. In winter the wind from the Markermeer is strong and cold; the museum and the boat operate with reduced schedules. On summer weekends the dyke gets very busy.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The bus from Amsterdã arrives in the village centre, the boat goes to Marken, and the bicycle (fiets) is a local way to get to Edam via the cycle path. Parking in central Volendam is limited on busy days.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Volendam

Morning
Port and dyke of Volendam
Get off the bus and walk along the dyke by the harbour, among fishing boats and smoked fish shops. Step off the dyke into the low narrow lanes behind it, with wooden houses.
Afternoon
Boat to Marken
Take the Marken Express at the harbour and cross the Markermeer in about 30 minutes. In Marken, walk through the Havenbuurt and the Kerkbuurt, between wooden houses on stilts and earth mounds.
Late afternoon
Volendams Museum
Back in Volendam, visit the village museum, with costumes, old interiors and the room covered in cigar bands. Check the closing time.
Evening
Fish on the dyke
Have fish at one of the restaurants on the dyke or take the bus back to Amsterdã.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from Amsterdã to Volendam without a car?

By regional bus from the terminal behind Amsterdam Centraal, in about 30 minutes. You can pay with contactless card when boarding and alighting (OVpay system); check whether your card is accepted.

Can you do Volendam, Marken and Edam in the same day?

Yes, if you leave Amsterdã early: morning in Volendam, boat to Marken and back, and late afternoon in Edam, a few minutes by bus or bike. To see all three at a relaxed pace, consider staying overnight in Volendam or Edam.

Do people still wear the traditional clothing?

In everyday life, few residents—mostly older people—still wear the traditional costume on special occasions. The history of the garments is in the Volendams Museum, and there are studios on the dyke that photograph visitors in traditional dress.

Does the boat to Marken run year-round?

The Marken Express generally sails every day, with different timetables in summer and winter. Check the last departure before you cross.

What is the best time to visit?

From April to September, when the days are long. In July and August there is Edam's cheese market, but the village is busier. Arrive early on weekends.

Back to Volendam