Visiting Volendam Harbor
Volendam is a small harbor town located in a former fishing village just 20km (12 miles) northeast of Amsterdam, right on the edge of the Markermeer lake. It features both a working fishing port and a recreational marina.
A historic harbor
The marina, which dates back to the 14th century, offers a pleasant promenade lined with restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops. You can see numerous historic sailboats docked here. This is the most famous fishing village in the Netherlands to try raw herring or smoked eel. From the marina, watch the fishing boats and other vessels navigate in and out of the harbor. Because Volendam was isolated for so long, it developed its own unique culture, architecture, and traditions. Most houses are built on stilts to protect them from frequent flooding. A magnificent lighthouse, built in 1839, stands at the entrance to the harbor. A ferry also connects Volendam to Marken, a popular tourist destination located on the other side of the lake.
Around the harbor
With a population of around 20,000, Volendam is more than just a typical village. It is made up of narrow alleys and traditional houses surrounded by canals, a church, and a small beach. The town is famous for its traditional costumes, which are iconic symbols of the Netherlands. These outfits vary depending on the occasion, the day of the week, and whether it is a Sunday. Local shops offer the chance to dress up in these traditional clothes for a professional photo session.
Opening hours
*Information subject to change
Volendam Harbor is a typical little port for Northern Europe and Holland.
It is well organized, well laid out, and clean. The people, whether other boaters or the administrative staff, are courteous.
The little extra that I really loved: the facilities were designed to welcome families in great conditions, with playgrounds for kids and even wading pools that are super nice in the summer.