Amsterdam has lots of options for day trips thanks to the Netherlands being a compact and public-transportation-friendly country. Spring is a great time to get outside of the city to see the countryside and, of course, the flowers. Many towns also have a reputation for cheese with recognizable town names like Gouda and Edam, and while the traditional cheese markets don’t begin until the summer months, you can avoid the crowds by going in March or April.
For our second day trip from the city, we chose the Waterland region, which is just 35 minutes from Amsterdam. You can buy an all-day regional bus pass from the main train station for only €10, allowing for an easy transfer between towns. The biggest attraction of the area is Edam, but it’s worth combining it with a couple of other towns in the area. The most popular route and the one we did ourselves is Edam-Volendam-Marken; you can visit all three in half a day if you choose.
First stop: the quaint, cheesy village of Edam
Edam is the highlight and is best enjoyed over two to three hours. The Edam Museum, a house from the 1540s with various historic artifacts, is at the center of town and is worth a visit if only to see the floating cellar (it’s also free for Museumkaart holders).
If the weather is nice, stop for a coffee or late breakfast in Damplein square just outside the museum and then spend the rest of your time wandering around admiring the gabled brick houses and counterweight bridges. Even if it’s off-season, you can visit the square where the cheese markets, or Kaasmarkt as it’s called in Dutch, are held. There are of course a few places to purchase the namesake cheese, although if you’re staying in Amsterdam you can pick up the same products from their other store locations in Amsterdam as well.
If you’re visiting in the summer, the Kaasmarkt is held Wednesday mornings in July and August.
Second stop: the touristy fishing town of Volendam
Volendam is more touristy and more of a necessary stop on your route to Marken, but if the timing is right it makes for a nice lunch stop (fish and chips!) before you catch the ferry to Marken. The one-way ferry to Marken is the only thing not covered by the regional bus ticket but only costs €8 per person and is worth it for the views alone.
Third stop: the historic (former) island of Marken
The last stop, Marken, is by far the smallest village of the three and only has a few real attractions. The ferry takes you to the Marken marina, called Havenbuurt, which is a picturesque area to grab a bite and home to the majority of the island’s restaurants.
The other historic part of town, called Kerkbuurt, is just a few minutes away by foot. It’s narrow alleyways are worth a meander, and if you’re lucky enough find the church with its doors open be sure to stop by. The interior of the nautical-themed church is lined with some fascinating historical photos of the area. For more history of the area and examples of the traditional dress of the island’s inhabitants, head to the Marker Museum (free for Museumkaart holders).
