The weekly market in Purmerend has been held on Tuesdays since 1572. Together with the other markets, it shows just how strongly the city is shaped by its market tradition. A visit to the Purmerends Museum also takes you right into the history of this trading town—this time through ceramics, fishing and the city’s development.
Market Life and the City Centre
Purmerend has five general goods markets each week, as well as various themed markets. Tuesday is the historic constant: the weekly market has been held on that day since 1572. Market days and times may change; if you want to visit a particular market, check the latest schedule in advance.
Koemarkt tells another part of the market’s story. Its name recalls the livestock markets held here for centuries, which were important to Purmerend’s growth and trade. Today, the square is primarily a place to meet. Cafés, restaurants and terraces invite you to eat and drink, and locals and visitors gather here. Food and drink options and programmes may change.
Twice a year, the city centre becomes a fairground: the spring fair takes place in May and the late-summer fair in October. Both events feature dozens of rides. As dates and programmes may change, it is worth checking the latest information if you want to visit the fair during your stay.
Ceramics and History at the Museum
The Purmerends Museum is known for its large collection of Purmerend Art Nouveau ceramics. The history of local ceramic production also has a clearly defined period: four ceramics factories operated in Purmerend between 1895 and 1907. The permanent exhibition broadens the focus beyond this subject. It covers the city’s history from its earliest beginnings in the 14th century to the present and near future; a dedicated section explores Purmerend as a regional market town.
The collection presents Purmerend as a fishing and market town and covers subjects such as regional fishing, livestock trading and the timber trade. This gives you a chance to encounter different facets of trade and urban life at the museum—not just ceramics. Anyone interested in the town’s development will find a timeline here that extends to the present day.
Fort and Polder Landscape in the Beemster
Fort Benoorden Purmerend was built to defend the Beemster ring dike, Purmerenderweg and Rijperweg. The fort is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Defence Line of Amsterdam and is located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Beemster Polder. This combination makes it a special place to explore the history of fortifications alongside the wider cultural landscape.
The Beemster Polder has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1999. Reasons include its unique plot layout and its status as an exceptional man-made architectural ensemble and landscape. Its orderly arrangement of fields, roads, canals, dikes and settlements follows the principles of classical and Renaissance planning. When walking in and around the Beemster, you can also spot the 1612 layout, rows of trees and distinctive stolp farmhouses.
Museums, Views and Trails
The Beemster Museum is located in Westerhem, a traditional North Holland stolp farmhouse. In this type of building, the stable, threshing floor and living quarters are arranged around the haystack. The museum regularly hosts changing exhibitions. In the World Heritage Room at the Beemster Visitor Centre, a range of media explains why and how the Beemster Lake was drained. The visitor centre also has a traditionally laid-out farmhouse garden, an orchard with various old standard fruit-tree varieties, and a marsh gas installation.
The Keyserkerk is considered the oldest building in the Beemster. Keyserklim offers a climb to its gallery, 32 metres above the ground, with panoramic views across the polder landscape of the Beemster Polder. The activity can be booked and is open seasonally; Keyserklim includes an audio tour. Check the seasonal opening dates in advance if you plan to make the climb.
For a tour of the landscape, the Beemster Fortenfietsroute leads from Middenbeemster past stolp farmhouses to Fort aan de Nekkerweg. Route details may be updated. Around Fort bij Spijkerboor, Natuurmonumenten has created a nature trail; local access conditions may vary.
Products from the Beemster
Beemster regional products are grown and harvested in the Beemster and sold in the surrounding area. This connects the landscape not only with the region’s food, but also makes it part of the local food story. The producers and sales outlets you find may change.
Discover more destinations: Purmerend, Diemen, Oostzaan, Uitgeest, Heemstede, Ouder-Amstel, Laren, Koggenland
For the broader travel overview: North Holland.
