Market rights granted in 1484, Art Nouveau ceramics and centuries-old organs: Purmerend offers several tangible ways to explore its history. There are also different options for planning your time. Gilde Purmerend offers a historical walking tour that can last up to two hours, and a three-hour cycling tour with information about the city’s neighbourhoods. There is also a city park, a weekly market and opportunities for excursions to the Beemster.
Market History, Church and Ceramics
Jan van Egmond granted Purmerend market rights in 1484. This enabled the town to develop into a fully-fledged city and the region’s market town. The weekly market takes place on Tuesdays; check the current market day before your visit, as market times may change.
The Koepelkerk, also known as Sint-Nicolaaskerk, was built between 1851 and 1853. It houses three centuries-old organs: the Garrels organ and the Bätz organ from the 18th century, and the Witte organ from the 19th century. Their different dates of origin also give the church a musical connection spanning several centuries.
The Purmerends Museum is located in the heart of the city in a former town hall. Its collection includes the largest collection of Purmerend Art Nouveau ceramics from 1895 to 1907. If you are interested in applied arts, this clearly defined period offers a different perspective on Purmerend’s history than the older facts about the city and its churches.
Historic Places and Walking Tours
The redesigned Koemarkt opened to the public on 11 October 2009. Temporary changes may affect how it is used today, so check for current information if the square is part of your plans. A faithful replica of a historic water pump was commissioned on the Kaasmarkt on 9 May 2025.
The story of the city’s water supply dates back to the second half of the 19th century: several public pumps were installed in Purmerend after contaminated water was identified as the cause of the frequent cholera outbreaks at the time. The replica on the Kaasmarkt and this history offer two ways to explore the importance of water to the city.
The Stadswandeling Purmerend is marked by red arrows on lampposts and traffic poles or on route posts, and includes several information panels. If there is construction work in the city centre, check the status of the markings and panels in advance. For a guided tour, Gilde Purmerend offers historical walks with guides that last up to two hours. The cycling tour through Purmerend takes three hours and includes information about the city’s neighbourhoods. These are different time options; check the relevant booking and programme details before your trip.
Green Spaces and Time with Animals
Leeghwaterpark is Purmerend’s city park and connects several neighbourhoods with green space. The park has a skate park and a playground. It offers a different focus from the historic sites and guided tours.
At De Ridder children’s farm, visitors can get close to a variety of farm animals. Children may enter several enclosures, and almost all the animals can be touched. As rules on contact with the animals may change, check the current conditions before your visit.
Getting There and an Excursion to the Beemster
Tramplein bus station is in the centre of Purmerend. Direct buses run from there to Amsterdam, De Beemster, De Rijp, Alkmaar, Edam and Volendam. Purmerend railway station is a ten-minute walk from the city centre. Check current services and destinations before setting off.
From Purmerend, you can travel by boat to the Beemster via the Purmervaart. Whether the waterway is navigable depends on the operation of bridges and locks as well as seasonal operating conditions; check these before making plans. The Beemster is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with historic land reclamation and a distinctive polder landscape. This makes it possible to combine Purmerend’s history with an excursion into the region’s landscape.
For the main travel overview: Purmerend.
