Volendam Travel Guide
City Famous fishing village in North Holland
A fishing village where harbor life still matters: wooden houses, fishermen’s huts and herring stalls draw visitors, along with easy boat rides to Marken and seafood restaurants lined along the quays.
Why Visit Volendam? #
A classic Dutch fishing village with strong cultural identity, Volendam draws visitors for its photogenic harbor, traditional wooden houses and the chance to see locals in Volendam costume at museums and photo studios. Seafood-especially smoked eel-and lively waterside cafés set the culinary tone, while music and popular culture links keep the town buzzing with visitors who want a compact, well-preserved taste of Holland’s maritime past.
Top Things to Do in Volendam
All Attractions ›
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- Volendam harbour - Stroll Volendam harbour past wooden houses, fish stalls, and views of Marken island.
- Volendam Museum - Visit Volendam Museum to learn about local fishing heritage and traditional costumes.
- Dijk and old fishermen's houses - Walk the Dijk to see preserved fishermen's houses and quaint streets lined with shops.
- Cheese tasting stalls - Try local cheeses at small stalls offering tastings paired with bread and mustard.
- Local smokehouses - Visit smokehouses to see eel and herring smoking traditions and sample freshly smoked fish.
- Harbour photography spots - Find quieter harbour corners for classic photo opportunities of colourful boats and reflections.
- Edam and Marken - Short drive to Edam and Marken for classic Dutch fishing villages and cheese markets.
- Amsterdam - Take the train to Amsterdam for museums, canals, and historic neighbourhoods.
Best Time to Visit Volendam #
Volendam is most pleasant from late spring through summer for boat trips, seafood and lively harbors. Winters are cold, windy and atmospheric for quieter walks.
Best Time to Visit Volendam #
Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (829 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 91 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Volendam
Volendam is reached from Amsterdam (Schiphol or Amsterdam Centraal) by a short coach/bus ride - trains get you to Amsterdam, then buses take you the rest of the way. The town itself is compact and most visitors arrive by bus or organized day tour.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS): Schiphol is the main international airport for Volendam. From Schiphol take an NS train to Amsterdam Centraal (about 15-20 minutes, €4.50-€6), then change to Connexxion bus 316 or other regional services to Volendam (about 30-40 minutes). A direct taxi from Schiphol to Volendam takes roughly 35-45 minutes and costs significantly more.
Schiphol + train/bus via Amsterdam: Many visitors prefer rail into Amsterdam followed by a single bus to Volendam-this balances cost and frequency.
Train: There is no direct national rail line into Volendam; the normal approach is train to Amsterdam Centraal or Purmerend then bus onward. Amsterdam Centraal is the main rail gateway and has frequent services from Schiphol and other Dutch cities.
Bus: Connexxion bus 316 (and related services) run between Amsterdam Centraal and Volendam/Edam; journey time from Amsterdam is about 30-40 minutes. Bus fares are modest and sometimes available as day tickets-check Connexxion for current prices.
How to Get Around Volendam #
Volendam is compact and extremely walkable - most visitors explore the harbour, streets and museums on foot. Regular buses connect Volendam with Amsterdam and nearby towns; seasonal ferries and tourist services operate in summer. Parking can be busy and sometimes expensive during high season; public transport or organised tours are convenient for day trips from Amsterdam.
Where to Stay in Volendam #
- Hotel Spaander (Volendam) - Historic inn with budget-friendly rooms
- Volendam guesthouses (Booking list) - Several small pensions near the port
- Hotel Spaander - Well-known mid-range hotel on the dike
- Hotel Volendam - Comfortable rooms near town centre
- Spaander (Romantik collection listings) - Boutique upscale option on the waterfront
- Luxury stays in nearby Edam/Amsterdam - Top-tier choices in larger nearby towns
Where to Eat in Volendam #
- Palingrokerij Smit-Bokkum - Smoked eel and seafood specialties
- Harbourfront restaurants - Seafood with harbor views
- Fish shops and smokehouses - Fresh and smoked local catch
- Pancake houses - Sweet and savory Dutch pancakes
- Cheese shops - Local Edam and other varieties
- Traditional restaurants - Hearty Dutch comfort food
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Volendam's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Volendam #
Evening life is tourist-oriented with harbourfront cafés, bars and places offering traditional music in the high season. There’s limited late-night clubbing - most nightlife is relaxed and seasonal.
Shopping in Volendam #
Volendam is geared toward visitors: souvenir shops, cheese stores and vendors selling traditional clothing cluster around the harbour. Local fish shops and deli-style stores sell regional seafood and cheeses.
