Historic port towns, distinctive villages, green peat meadows and winding ditches define Waterland. The region is about 15 minutes from Amsterdam. Between the towns and the open countryside, you can see how life with water has shaped Waterland over the centuries: in old dikes, harbours and settlements, as well as along paths through the peat meadows.
Villages and Buildings Shaped by Water
Broek in Waterland was once a village of seafarers. Wooden houses and the water-rich surroundings define its historic character. You can stroll through narrow streets and walk along the water. In the Broeker Kerk, a painted ceiling, a pulpit and an organ are among its historic features; check whether the church is open to visitors before your visit.
Marken was once an island and is now connected to the mainland by a dike. Wooden houses, drawbridges, boatyards and houses on stilts define the village and can be explored on foot. The Marker Museum is housed in six historic houses in the old centre. You can reach Marken by ferry from Volendam; the crossing takes 30 minutes. Check the timetable when planning your trip.
Monnickendam also brings together local history and water. In the historic centre, façades, bridges, churches and warehouses meet a harbour connected to the Gouwzee and the Markermeer. In Zuiderwoude, the village’s history dates back to the 11th century: it originated as a settlement for land reclamation and is thought to be one of the oldest villages in Noord-Holland.
Museums, Churches and Stories from the Region
The Waterlandsmuseum de Speeltoren covers 400 m² and was built in 2012 around the medieval Speeltoren, which dates from 1450. The museum’s films take you through different chapters of regional history: from cheesemaking and the founding of Monnickendam to smokehouses, early tourism in Broek in Waterland and the old tram line, as well as the Battle of the Zuiderzee and the floods in Waterland. Everyday life, local history and regional events are brought together.
In Watergang, the Reformed church was built in the Gothic style in the 17th century; a small ship is housed inside. In Ilpendam, another building adds a more recent architectural touch: the Van-den-Doel House is a Gerrit Rietveld villa from the late 1950s. Ilpendam was also once home to a small castle. Frans Banninck Cocq is said to have been its most famous resident.
The Ilpendam & Watergang walk has eleven stops. An audio story plays automatically at each stop as soon as you reach it; the walk is listed as taking 60 minutes. This lets you combine a tour of a specified duration with stories about the places, rather than visiting individual buildings alone.
On Foot, by Bike and on the Water
Cycling and walking routes in Waterland pass historic towns and villages, old dikes and open peat meadows. One option for a longer bike ride is the 30.4-kilometre Aeën-en-Dieënroute through the open peat meadow area of Waterland-Oost. It passes peat streams, reed-fringed lakes and long, Waterland-style villages; the IJsselmeer dike offers views of the surrounding area. The route shows how waterways, meadows and settlements alternate across the landscape.
The routes offer different options for planning: the Ilpendam & Watergang walk is listed as taking 60 minutes, while the Aeën-en-Dieënroute is a 30.4-kilometre cycling route. The water also offers a variety of experiences. Boat, SUP and canoe activities are available on Waterland’s narrow ditches; sailing is one of the options on the Markermeer.
The Hemmeland recreation area is free to access and offers opportunities for walking, cycling, swimming, windsurfing and sailing. For a glimpse of a local production tradition, you can visit Jacobs Hoeve in Katwoude, where staff in traditional dress demonstrate how cheese is made. Alongside the museums and historic village scenes, this visit adds a hands-on look at traditional crafts to your landscape experiences.
When looking for accommodation for your trip, you can start planning by deciding what Waterland means to you: the history of its villages, routes through the peat meadows or activities on the water. This lets you tailor your hotel search to the experiences you want to focus on during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Marken, Monnickendam, Watergang, Katwoude, Purmer, Zuiderwoude, Broek In Waterland, Uitdam, Ilpendam.
For the main travel overview: North Holland.
