Visiting Volendam Harbor
Volendam is a compact harbor town set within a former fishing village located 20km northeast of Amsterdam, right along the edge of the Markermeer lake. It features both a working fishing harbor and a marina.
A Historic Port
The marina, established in the 14th century, makes for a pleasant stroll lined with restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops. Plenty of historic sailboats can be spotted docked here. This is also the country's most famous fishing village for grabbing raw herring or smoked eels. From the marina, you can watch fishing boats and other vessels navigating in and out of the water. Long isolated from its neighbors, Volendam was forced to cultivate its own distinct culture, architecture, and traditions. Most houses sit on stilts to guard against frequent floods. A striking lighthouse built in 1839 stands guard at the harbor entrance. A ferry also runs from Volendam across the lake to Marken, another high-profile destination.
Around the Harbor
Home to a population of roughly 20,000, Volendam functions as more than just a village. It consists of a network of narrow alleys and traditional houses framed by canals, a church, and a small beach. The town gained widespread fame for its traditional Dutch folk costumes, which vary depending on the occasion, the day of the week, and Sunday bests. Local shops even let you try on the outfits for a classic photo shoot.
Opening hours
The area is served by bus 316 (operated by EBS/R-net) departing from Amsterdam Centraal.
*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.