Volendam and Marken are two fishing villages located around 25 kms from Amsterdam. To be specific Marken is an island. Just like Zansee Schans half a day is enough to visit Volendam and Marken from Amsterdam.
In fact many tour agencies offer a combined package of Zansee Schans, Edam & Volendam. Like this one from Klook – Zansee Schans, Volendam & Edan Tour.
If you intend to stay for a few days in Amsterdam then you have 2 main options:
- Amsterdam & Region travel ticket (€36.50 for 3 days) – If you want to explore Amsterdam as well as neighbouring areas like Volendam, Edan, Zansee Schans etc, get the
- If your plan is to just be in Amsterdam and explore the city then I highly recommend getting an Amsterdam Public Transport Travel Ticket
How to get to Volendam and Marken from Amsterdam?
By Bus
Take Bus No. 316 from Amsterdam Central Bus Station and get down at Katwoude, Hotel Volendam. The journey approximately takes 40-45 mins.
Ticket Cost – €4.39 (One way). Since I had the Amsterdam Regional Ticket journey was free for me.
TIP – In case you don’t have any travel pass, buy the Waterland day ticket for unlimited bus trips between Amsterdam, Edam, Volendam etc during the day. The ticket costs €10.
By car
If you have a rental car, just drive down from Amsterdam. However, I heard that they limited parkings in Volendam. So keep that in mind.
By bicycle
Yes, cycling from Amsterdam to Volendam can be fun in the pleasant dutch weather. Some of my hostel mates did this tour on a bicycle.
Volendam and Marken from Amsterdam – Volendam Volendam and Marken from Amsterdam – Houses built on Stilts
How to travel between Volendam and Marken?
- Travel by Bus – Get on a bus 316 (direction Amsterdam) and take a ride to Broek in Waterland, Dorp bus stop. Now change bus to 315 (direction Marken).
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Take the ferry from Volendam to Marken.
- Adult – Return – €11.50
- Adult – One way – €8.50
If you have the I amsterdam city card you get a free one way ferry trip from Volendam to Marken.
Things to do in Volendam
Museums in Volendam
There are total 3 museums in Volendam – Volendams museum, Palingsound and a cheese factory.
Volendams Museum
Volendams Museum gives an idea about the history and folklore of this village. There is an amazing mosaic created out of 11 million cigars by a local monk at the Cigar Band House.
Entry fee – Free for Holland Museum pass holders otherwise I think €15, but that includes photos in traditional costume.
Palingsound Museum and eel smokehouse
This museum is all about the famous so-called palingsound: a genre of music characteristic of Volendam. You can experience traditional eel-smoking.
Cheese Factory Volendam
The Cheese Factory is a cheese factory and museum rolled into one. It shows the evolution of cheese-making and how the authentic Volendam cheese was prepared. Naturally, these delicious, freshly made cheeses are available for tasting and purchase.
Entrance – Free for everyone. 15% discount on your purchases for Holland Pass Holders.
Things to eat
As with most Dutch villages, you can just wander around the entire village and explore things at your own place. One of the most important things to try here is Fried fish and chips with a cold Heineken beer.
I ordered one at the one of the restaurants and it was served so fresh and hot, that when I bit into it fumes were coming out of the fish. One of the best fish and chips I tried.
Also, you have to try the picked herring sandwich. It’s yummm..
Volendam and Marken from Amsterdam – Herring sandwich
Things to do in Marken
The former island of Marken is located on the Markermeer lake and is connected to the mainland today via a 1.6 km long embankment. After taking the bus from Volendam to Marken, I got down and walked this embankment towards the village. But it had started raining by the time I reached here, so couldn’t click photos.
Volendam and Marken from Amsterdam – Marken accessible via a ferry
Little wooden houses
Just like Volendam, Marken, has plenty of little wooden houses built on stakes. Since the building of the Afsluitdijk, the island has no longer been flooded.
Marken Museum
Similar to Volendams Museum. I did not visit it. But if you don’t plan to visit Volendam then you can visit it to understand the history of this fishing village as well the traditional dutch way of life.
Paard van Marken (Horse of Marken)
This lighthouse from 1839 still carries out its duties. And it’s a real beauty; the white tower with the red hood is a popular photo scene.
After the rain stopped, I went back to the bus stop to catch my bus back to Amsterdam Central.
Amsterdam lit up at night..
