Edam & Volendam, Netherlands

Edam & Volendam

A sleepy cheese town next to a colourful fishing harbour.

  • All year
  • 1 night
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Nearby hidden places
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Things to do

2 days in Edam & Volendam

Day 1

  1. MorningWalk the quiet canals of Edam and visit the cheese weighing house.
  2. AfternoonWalk or cycle 3 kilometres along the dike to Volendam's colourful harbour.
  3. EveningHave dinner on the Volendam dike, or back in peaceful Edam.

Day 2

Take the ferry from Volendam to Marken's green wooden houses.

What to eat

Edam cheese and smoked eel from a harbour stall.

Local tips

Make the most of Edam & Volendam

Beat the crowds

Volendam is busy with tour groups. Edam, just next door, is much calmer.

Best photo spot

The little canals and white drawbridges of Edam, and the colourful harbour of Volendam.

Getting there

Buses run from Amsterdam Centraal, about 30 minutes.

Don't miss nearby

Marken, an old fishing island reached by ferry from Volendam, and Zaanse Schans's windmills.

Good to know

Edam's cheese market is held on Wednesday mornings in July and August. A bike ride along the dikes links the villages.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Edam & Volendam

Our most hidden places around Edam & Volendam: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Edam & Volendam to take with you.

25 km away
27 km away
59 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Edam & Volendam

Getting there

  • Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)30 km away
  • Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM)75 km away
  • Amsterdam19 km away
  • Haarlem30 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeHidden town
Good forOld towns & architecture, Food
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryNetherlands

Questions

Edam & Volendam: good to know

Is Edam & Volendam worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns and food. A sleepy cheese town next to a colourful fishing harbour.

How many days do you need in Edam & Volendam?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Edam & Volendam?

You can visit all year. Volendam is busy with tour groups. Edam, just next door, is much calmer.

How do you get to Edam & Volendam?

The nearest airport is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), about 30 km away. Buses run from Amsterdam Centraal, about 30 minutes.

What is there to see near Edam & Volendam?

Nearby hidden places include Hoorn (14 km), Zaanse Schans (16 km) and Amsterdam (19 km).

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