Volendam 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.
At a GlanceKey facts, why go and what's on now
Volendam at a Glance#
Costs: USD 100-160 typical daily budget - tourist season pushes prices up; many day-trippers from Amsterdam add demand.
Safety: Generally safe; busy in summer - safe but busy in peak season; watch for pickpockets in crowds.
Best Time: April-September - best visited in spring and summer when ferries and tours are frequent.
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.
Things to DoTop sights, bucket list and day trips
Best Things to Do in Volendam#
Volendam Bucket List#
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.
Nearby Cities #
When to GoSeasons, weather and festivals
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.
December - February
-1 - 5°C (30 - 41°F)
Chilly, windy harbor ambience-quiet cafés and smelt restaurants persist, but expect rain and blustery promenade walks overall.
March - May, September - November
5 - 15°C (41 - 59°F)
Fresh days with showers and crisp air-perfect for cycling the dikes, fewer crowds, and cozy fish stalls along the quay.
June - August
15 - 23°C (59 - 73°F)
Sunny, breezy and ideal for boat trips, harborside dining and cycling-expect tourists but lively local culture and fresh seafood daily.
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).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 0° - 5° | -2° | 69 mm | overcast | 91% | 5.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.1h |
| February | Poor | 0° - 6° | -1° | 51 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.7h |
| March | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 65 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.0 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Good | 4° - 12° | 5° | 45 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Very Good | 8° - 16° | 12° | 54 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.5h |
| June | Good | 10° - 19° | 15° | 68 mm | overcast | 79% | 4.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.5h |
| July | Good | 13° - 21° | 17° | 70 mm | overcast | 79% | 4.0 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.0h |
| August | Good | 13° - 21° | 17° | 62 mm | overcast | 80% | 3.7 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.5h |
| September | Good | 10° - 18° | 14° | 84 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.0 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 14° | 11° | 88 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 9° | 4° | 91 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.6h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 6° | 0° | 82 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.5h |
Getting There & AroundAirports, trains and local transport
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 easiest via Amsterdam: train to Amsterdam Centraal then bus (Connexxion) to Volendam. Once there, the town is small and very walkable; organized tours are an easy alternative to arranging transport yourself.
- Train to Amsterdam Centraal (€4.50-€6) - Take NS trains to Amsterdam Centraal from Schiphol and other Dutch cities; trains are frequent and reliable and the trip from Schiphol takes about 15-20 minutes. Amsterdam Centraal is the interchange for buses to Volendam.
- Connexxion bus (to Volendam) (€3-€7) - Connexxion operates buses between Amsterdam and Volendam (e.g., route 316 and related lines). Buses take about 30-40 minutes from Amsterdam Centraal and drop you in the centre of Volendam. Buy tickets from the driver or via the Connexxion app.
- Taxi / private transfer (€40-€90) - Taxis from Schiphol or Amsterdam to Volendam are convenient for door-to-door travel, particularly with luggage or in a group; fares are considerably higher than public transport but faster for direct routes.
- Organised tours (€25-€60 (day trip)) - Volendam is a popular day-trip destination from Amsterdam-many guided tours combine Volendam with Marken, Zaanse Schans or a harbour cruise. Tours remove the need to plan connections and include commentary on local history.
- Bicycle (nearby areas) (€5-€20 (hire)) - Cycling is a pleasant way to explore the surrounding Noord-Holland countryside; however, Volendam itself is small and better reached by bus. Bike hire is available in the region during warmer months.
- Walking - Volendam’s harbour, shops and museum area are compact and best explored by foot. Walking is how most visitors see the town-bring comfortable shoes for cobbled streets.
Where to StayThe best areas to base yourself
Where to Stay in Volendam#
Harbour / Dijk - €50-140/night
Volendam offers several budget guesthouses and small hotels close to the harbour; very walkable and popular in summer months.
Hotel Spaander (Volendam) - Historic inn with budget-friendly rooms
Volendam guesthouses (Booking list) - Several small pensions near the port
Harbour / Old town - €90-200/night
Comfortable mid-range hotels line the harbour and main streets; expect tourist-season crowds and easy access to Marken and Marken ferries.
Hotel Spaander - Well-known mid-range hotel on the dike
Hotel Volendam - Comfortable rooms near town centre
Volendam harbour / Amsterdam nearby - €160-350+/night
Volendam has boutique, higher-end options but few large luxury hotels; Amsterdam or Edam provide more premium stays within easy reach.
Spaander (Romantik collection listings) - Boutique upscale option on the waterfront
Luxury stays in nearby Edam/Amsterdam - Top-tier choices in larger nearby towns
Eat & DrinkStreet food, restaurants, bars and nightlife
Where to Eat in Volendam#
Volendam is famous for smoked eel and harbor seafood - smokehouses and waterfront restaurants serve classic Dutch fish dishes.
- Palingrokerij Smit-Bokkum - Smoked eel and seafood specialties
- Harbourfront restaurants - Seafood with harbor views
- Fish shops and smokehouses - Fresh and smoked local catch
Beyond seafood, Volendam offers pancake houses and cheese shops - easygoing spots popular with visitors and locals alike.
- 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.
ShoppingMarkets, malls and souvenirs
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.