The Drommedaris tells the story of Enkhuizen in two roles: built in 1540 as a city gate and defensive tower, it looked out over the harbours and the Zuiderzee as it was then. The building has been operating as a cultural centre since 1959. Its programme features music, theatre, film, cabaret, dance, children’s theatre and other disciplines; individual performances vary. Here, the city’s military past meets its present-day cultural life.

History among gates, waterways and city life

The historic city centre contains 361 state-protected monuments and can be crossed on foot in about 15 minutes. Notable buildings include the Westerkerk, also known as St Gomarus Church. It is in the historic centre and is one of the 100 most beautiful state-protected monuments in the Netherlands. The Koepoort dates from the 17th century and is one of Enkhuizen’s two surviving city gates. De Librije is the only surviving 17th-century municipal library in the Netherlands still at its original location.

The history of water management can also be seen in the city’s buildings: the Oude Gouwsboom is a historic water gate in the fortifications, which have two water gates. De Munt, at Westerstraat 125, is the building where VOC coins were minted. These places offer different perspectives, from city fortifications and waterways to coinage and the historic library.

Green space and city history meet in Snouck van Loosenpark. The historic park is associated with one of the earliest social housing projects in the Netherlands. Boerenhoek, in turn, was an area of canals, ditches and waterways that once connected urban farms to farmland in the polder. Both offer a glimpse of aspects of the city’s history that can easily be overshadowed by its grand gates and churches.

Museums: the Zuiderzee, crafts and seeds

The Zuiderzeemuseum explores the history, present and future of the former Zuiderzee, with communities, crafts and water at its heart. The museum has two locations: the Treasure House and the Zuiderzee Village. At the open-air museum, demonstrations of net making and repair are part of the programme. Historical depictions of everyday life include a family kitchen from 1900; shopping experiences inspired by the past are also part of the visit. Demonstrations and individual offerings may vary by season, so check what is available for your planned visit in advance.

Another focus brings plants and food together. Sow to Grow is a visitor experience about food and plants that encourages self-directed learning. The Saet & Cruyt museum collection is an integral part of it: historic tools and objects bring the history of garden seed production to life. Those interested in crafts and everyday history will find a different perspective here from the displays about the former Zuiderzee.

Things to discover for different interests

The Flessenscheepjes Museum in Enkhuizen displays a collection of 1,000 ships in bottles, several hundred of which are on permanent display. Children can follow a map and complete tasks as they search for ships in bottles. Sprookjeswonderland offers attractions, performances and fairy-tale displays, as well as a playground, a petting zoo and ornamental gardens. These attractions range from a distinctive collection to fairy-tale themes and outdoor activities.

If you prefer to explore the city through stories rather than simply follow a route, you can choose the Canon van Enkhuizen. The walking route is 6.7 kilometres long, has 17 information panels and can be started at VVV Enkhuizen. Its topics range from Enkhuizen sea heroes, painters and photographers to women, the Battle of the Zuiderzee and everyday life. By comparison, the 31-kilometre Langs dijken en velden cycling route runs from Enkhuizen via Lutjebroek and Westwoud to Venhuizen, then returns along the Zuiderdijk by the IJsselmeer. Fresh regional products are sold along the route at stalls run by local farmers, producers and plant growers; individual stalls may vary. Check the current signage before setting out on the cycling route.

Harbours, canals and routes on the water

Enkhuizen has several harbours, including marinas and a dedicated harbour for historic ships of the brown fleet. Ships can travel through locks from the city centre to the IJsselmeer and Markermeer; the operation of bridges and locks may vary. From the historic centre, you can take a canal cruise or rent a boat to explore the waterways and the open West Frisian countryside. Operators and timetables may change, so it is worth checking the latest information before making plans.

Cycling also opens up other directions: bicycles can be taken on the ferry services from Enkhuizen to Medemblik, Stavoren and Urk. Check connections and bicycle availability again, as they may vary by season. As a separate option for a day out, the Museumstoomtram offers a day trip from Enkhuizen via Medemblik to Hoorn, starting at Enkhuizen harbour. Departures depend on the timetable. You can choose between a themed walking route, a longer cycling tour and trips by ferry or Museumstoomtram, without combining these different options into a single route.

Discover more destinations: Enkhuizen, Haarlemmerliede En Spaarnwoude, Diemen, Opmeer, Niedorp, Uitgeest, Zaanstad, Wervershoof.

For the main travel overview: North Holland.