Volendam: Things to Do, Parking & Travel Tips

Volendam is the Netherlands’ most famous fishing village, drawing visitors from across the country and abroad. Located on the shores of the Markermeer lake in the province of North Holland, it sits just 20 kilometers from Amsterdam, making it one of the most popular day trips in the region. In this guide, we share the best things to do in Volendam, from fresh fish and harbor walks to history, museums and local culture, along with our practical travel tips.

Why Volendam is Famous

Volendam has a history that’s easy to overlook when you’re strolling along its lively harbor. The village once had direct access to the North Sea, but in the 14th century, neighboring Edam constructed a shorter canal with its own independent harbor, making Volendam’s old harbor unnecessary. The old harbor was dammed up and the land reclaimed, which is how the village got its name: Volendam translates to “filled dam”.

After the land reclamation, local fishermen settled in the area and built the community that exists today. Over the centuries, Volendam grew into the country’s most visited fishing village, attracting not just tourists but also artists. Painters like Renoir stayed here in the late 19th century, drawn by the authentic streetscapes and the light off the water.

Things to Do in Volendam

Volendam is compact, and that’s part of its appeal. The main sights are all within easy walking distance of each other, which makes it ideal for a half day or full day trip. Here’s what we recommend.

1. Walk along The Dyke

The Dyke (De Dijk) is the heart of Volendam and the first place most visitors head to. It’s a waterfront boulevard running alongside the Markermeer, lined with restaurants, souvenir shops and terraces that fill up fast on sunny days. The harbor itself is dotted with old fishing vessels, and on a good day the whole place has an energy that’s hard not to get caught up in.

Even if crowds aren’t your thing, walking the full length of the Dyke is worth it. The views across the water are open and uninterrupted, and there’s always something happening along the waterfront.

2. Eat Fresh Fish

Volendam is one of the best places in the Netherlands to eat fresh fish, and skipping it would be a mistake. Local specialties include kibbeling (battered, deep-fried cod), paling (eel) and herring. If you’re visiting in June, you’re timing it well: that’s when Hollandse Nieuwe season opens, and traditional raw herring served during the Hollandse Nieuwe season with onions and pickles is as Dutch as it gets.

Not into fish? The pastry shops along the Dyke are worth a stop too. Look out for stroopwafels (thin waffles with a caramel filling), poffertjes (small fluffy pancakes) and freshly made waffles.

3. Experience Volendam VR Experience

One of the more memorable things to do in Volendam is the Experience Volendam VR show, located just off the Dyke. The 30-minute virtual reality experience takes you back to 18th-century Volendam at the height of its fishing era, guided by a computer-generated host dressed in traditional Volendammer costume. It sounds gimmicky, but it genuinely adds context to everything else you’ll see during your visit.

4. Photo in Traditional Clothing

One of our personal highlights in Volendam was the traditional clothing photo experience. You choose from a range of authentic local costumes (different styles for men and women), get photographed in front of a classic fishing village backdrop and walk away with a printed photo and a digital copy. It’s a genuinely fun souvenir, and not something you can do just anywhere.

You’ll find several shops offering this along the Dyke, but the quality varies more than you’d expect. The clothing, backdrops and photo quality aren’t consistent across all of them. Experience Volendam tends to be the most popular and reliable option.

5. Halve Maen

Moored along the harbor, the Halve Maen (Half Moon) is a replica of the 17th-century VOC ship that once sailed to Manhattan Island. For a small fee, you can choose to board the ship and get a real sense of what Dutch seafaring looked like during the Golden Age, when the Netherlands dominated global trade routes. Even if you decide not to go inside, the ship is striking enough to stop you in your tracks as you walk along the Dyke. Walk around to the far side of the harbor for the best view of the ship against the backdrop of the waterfront.

6. Cheese Factory Volendam

Further along the Dyke, the Cheese Factory Volendam is a good stop for anyone curious about Dutch cheese. The free demonstrations run throughout the day and cover the basics of how Gouda cheese is made, along with free tastings. It won’t take long (maybe 20 to 30 minutes) but it’s an easy and enjoyable addition to a Volendam day trip. Entrance and tastings are free, so there’s nothing to lose.

If the cheese experience leaves you wanting more, a visit to the traditional cheese market in Alkmaar is well worth considering as a separate trip.

7. Het Doolhof – Oude Kom

Het Doolhof – Oude Kom is the oldest part of Volendam and feels noticeably different from the busy Dyke. The houses here were built without any formal street plan, creating a maze of narrow lanes and ancient facades that hasn’t changed much in centuries. It’s a short walk from the main harbor and well worth the detour, especially if you want a quieter side of Volendam away from the souvenir shops.

This is also the part of the village that attracted artists like Renoir in the late 19th century. Once you see it, it’s not hard to understand why.

8. Volendams Museum

The Volendams Museum is a small but well-curated museum a two-minute walk from the Dyke. It covers life in Volendam from the late 19th century through the first half of the 20th, with a focus on fishing culture and local art. The standout exhibit is the sigarenbandjeshuisje: an entire room covered in mosaics made from 11 million cigar bands, depicting famous monuments from around the world. The result is unusual, but surprisingly impressive once you see the level of detail.

If you’ve done the traditional clothing photo experience, you’ll also recognize many of the costumes featured in the museum’s collection.

9. Palingsoundmuseum

The Palingsoundmuseum (Eel Sound Museum) is a niche one, but if you have an interest in music history it’s worth knowing about. Housed in Pavilion Smit-Bokkum, a 160-year-old smokehouse near Marinapark, the museum traces 100 years of Volendam’s musical heritage. The name comes from the region’s association with eel fishing and the “smooth sound” that became synonymous with local music over the decades. It’s a short visit and easy to skip if you’re tight on time, but it adds an unexpected layer to the Volendam story.

A Perfect Day in Volendam: Suggested Itineraries

Not sure how to structure your visit? Here are two suggested itineraries depending on how much time you have.

Half Day in Volendam (3-4 hours)

Ideal if you’re combining Volendam with Marken, Edam or another nearby destination.

• 09:00: Arrive early to beat the tour buses and get the harbor to yourself
• 09:00 – 10:00: Walk the full length of the Dyke, take in the harbor views and grab a coffee at one of the waterfront terraces
• 10:00 – 10:30: Explore Het Doolhof (Oude Kom) and the narrow lanes of the old village
• 10:45 – 11:15: Stop at the Cheese Factory for a free tasting and quick demonstration
• 11:30 – 11:45: Photo in traditional clothing at Experience Volendam
• 12:00 – 12:30: Lunch along the Dyke (fresh kibbeling or herring recommended)
• 12:30: Depart for your next destination (Marken by boat or Edam by car)

Full Day in Volendam

Ideal if Volendam is your only destination for the day, or if you want a relaxed pace with time for museums.

• 09:00: Arrive early before the tour buses
• 09:00 – 10:00: Walk the Dyke and grab breakfast or coffee at a waterfront terrace
• 10:00 – 10:30: Explore Het Doolhof (Oude Kom) at a relaxed pace
• 10:45 – 11:15: Cheese Factory Volendam (free tasting and quick demonstration)
• 11:30 – 12:30: VR show and photo in traditional clothing at Experience Volendam
• 12:30 – 13:30: Lunch along the Dyke (try the kibbeling or Hollandse Nieuwe if it’s in season)
• 14:00 – 15:00: Volendams Museum, including the cigar band mosaic room (note: closed on Mondays)
• 15:15 – 16:00: Walk past the Halve Maen VOC ship, then free time along the Dyke for souvenir shopping or a coffee with a harbor view
• 16:30 – 17:00: Palingsoundmuseum (for music enthusiasts, note: closed on Mondays)
• 17:00: Depart

Plan Your Visit

Getting There

Parking

Parking in Volendam is more straightforward than in most Dutch cities, and free options are available.

• On-street parking: Depending on the zone, you’ll find either 30-minute or 4-hour free parking. This works well for a short visit or half-day trip.
• Marinapark Volendam: The largest free parking area is behind Roompot Marinapark, with space for up to 300 cars. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the Dyke.
• Parking garages: For a full day in the center, Parkeergarage Centrum Volendam is the most convenient option, located a few minutes’ walk from the Dyke.

Getting Around

Tickets & Passes

You don’t need a ticket to visit Volendam or walk along the Dyke. Individual attractions have their own entry fees, but if you have the I amsterdam City Card or the Dutch Museumkaart, several are already included:

• Volendams Museum (included in the I amsterdam City Card & Museumkaart)
• Volendam-Marken boat cruise (at Rederij Volendam-Marken Express, included in the I amsterdam City Card)
• Free 24-hour bike rental (at Haven 45 Volendam, included in the I amsterdam City Card)

Tickets to purchase separately:

• Experience Volendam VR experience
• Experience Volendam combo ticket (VR + traditional clothing photo)

In the Area

Looking to extend your trip? These destinations are all within easy reach of Volendam.

• Marken: A traditional fishing village that was once an island, now connected to the mainland by a causeway. Reachable by boat from Volendam on the Marken Express.
• Edam: A classic Dutch town known for its famous round cheese and well-preserved historic center. It’s less than 5 kilometers from Volendam and easy to combine in a single day.
• Monnickendam: A quieter and more authentic alternative to Volendam, with a beautiful historic harbor.
• Zaanse Schans: The Netherlands’ most famous open-air windmill museum, about 30 minutes from Volendam by car. A great addition if you’re spending more than one day in the North Holland region. More about Zaanse Schans.
• Amsterdam: Just 20 kilometers away, Amsterdam is the obvious base for a Volendam day trip. Most visitors combine the two as part of a broader Amsterdam city break.
• Markermeer: The lake on which Volendam sits is itself worth exploring. The Volendam Marken Express crosses it, and cycling or walking along its shores gives you a completely different perspective on the region.

Questions from Our Readers

Questions or Feedback?

Have you already been to Volendam or are you planning to visit soon? We’d love to hear from you! Share your experience or any questions you might have in the comment section down the page.