Soft colours, artistic details and well-maintained façades characterise the wooden houses of Broek In Waterland. When planning a stay, several interests come together here: local history, a church building open seasonally, nature trails, and options for exploring by water and by bike. Conditions vary depending on your destination—particularly for church opening hours, group tours and the Laarzenpadroute.
Wooden houses, the village centre and architectural history
The historic village centre of Broek In Waterland was designated a protected townscape in 1971. Many wooden houses are reminders of the prosperity of former residents, including shipowners, captains and merchants. Their soft colours, artistic details and well-maintained façades give the townscape distinctive architectural features.
The Broeker Kerk is the oldest building in the village and was built before 1400. Het Beroemde Huis contains distinctive interior paintings from the 17th century. The owners offer group tours by appointment. If you are planning such a tour, arrange your visit in advance.
The church and practical information
From May to October, the Broeker Kerk is open daily to residents of Broek and visitors. From the “Dorp” bus stop, it is a five-minute walk to the church. The car park is at Nieuwland 23, 1151 AZ Broek In Waterland, a two-minute walk from the church. There is no parking directly at the church. For your visit, both the seasonal opening period and the starting point for the final part of your journey are therefore relevant.
The Laarzenpadroute: markers and closure period
The Laarzenpadroute is marked with red arrows. White posts along the route indicate bridges or crossing points. These signs help you identify the route markers and crossings along the way. The route is closed from 15 March to 1 July to protect nesting meadow birds. Dogs are not allowed in the nature area along the Laarzenpadroute.
When choosing your travel dates, it is worth comparing them with the church opening hours: the church is open daily from May to October, while the Laarzenpadroute is closed until 1 July. If you want to take both into account, check the periods together. The information relates to different visiting conditions.
Waterways, Varkensland and cycling
Several waterways start in Broek In Waterland. Visitors can rent an electric whisper boat or a canoe in the village. There are therefore two different rental options for choosing a water-based activity, and the waterways also start in the village.
The Noordmeerroute offers a different perspective on the landscape: from the ring dike, it provides views of the Varkensland nature reserve, known for its meadow birds. Varkensland is part of the Ilperveld, Varkensland, Oostzanerveld & Twiske Natura 2000 site. The route, the viewpoint and the area’s protected status each provide their own points of reference for nature-focused interests.
Cyclists can also include the village in their plans: the “Waterland above Amsterdam” cycling route passes through Broek In Waterland. Check the current route before setting off. This allows you to consider the cycling route, the seasonal conditions of the Laarzenpadroute and the options on the water as separate activities, without combining them into a single tour.
More destinations
Discover more destinations: Katwoude, Uitdam, Watergang, Ilpendam, Marken, Purmer, Zuiderwoude, Monnickendam
For the overarching travel overview: Waterland.
