Hoorn lies on the Markermeer and brings together the city and the beach. When planning your visit, it’s worth thinking beyond just a view of the water: walks, museums and boat trips offer different experiences. You can tailor your stay to whether you’re more interested in the city’s history, a ride on the Museum Steam Tram, or activities on the water.

Historic city centre and city gate

Hoorn’s historic city centre is designated as a protected townscape. Visitors can stroll through its streets. The Oosterpoort provides a specific landmark: built in 1578, it is the only surviving city gate in Hoorn. The protected townscape encompasses the city centre as a whole; the Oosterpoort is a single building with a clearly dated origin.

If you want to explore the city on foot, you can treat a walk through the historic city centre as a way to discover it in its own right. Another option is “Discover the story of Hoorn”, an experience that combines a multimedia show at the Statenpoort with a podwalk. There are two route options: through the city centre or along the harbour. This means one experience offers both a show and a choice of podwalk routes. If you’re planning to take part, check the current schedule, as times may change.

Museums and the Museum Steam Tram

The Museum of the 20th Century presents life in the last century through hundreds of objects and dozens of period rooms. It is housed in a former prison on Oostereiland, by Hoorn harbour. The building and the museum’s subject matter highlight different aspects of history: one focuses on the building’s former purpose, the other on life in the last century.

The Museum Steam Tram offers a different perspective. Its return journey from Hoorn to Medemblik starts and ends at Tramstation Hoorn. This offers a round trip with a fixed starting and finishing point in Hoorn. Visitors can also explore the De Tijdlijn exhibition, a working signal box and the SpoorTuin at Tramstation Hoorn. Unlike a walk through a museum, this experience combines a journey with attractions to visit at the station. The two options therefore differ both in subject and format: a museum visit and exhibition rooms on the one hand, and a return journey and station experiences on the other.

Hoorn by the water

There are various ways to enjoy the water, too. Visitors can cruise past large ships on Hoorn’s canals. You can experience the inner harbour from its terraces or by walking along the quays. These offer different perspectives on the harbour: a trip along the canals, or time spent by the quays and on the terraces. The Markermeer also offers a special view of Hoorn.

Stadsstrand Hoorn adds specific on-land activities to these water-based experiences: visitors can play, relax or take part in sports there. The options range from views of the city from the Markermeer to the canals and inner harbour, and activities on the beach. If you want to combine culture and water on your trip, you can choose from these different experiences without having to combine them into a single outing.

For the broader travel overview: Hoorn.