Waterland
Within easy reach of Amsterdam, Waterland region is a world of authentic Dutch fishing towns, charming villages and wide green pastures surrounded by glistening strips of water. Perfect for exploring by boat or bike, a visit to this area makes a tranquil change of pace from bustling Amsterdam.
Water wonderland
With so much water separating the plots of land, you can really see that much of the region is built on reclaimed land. As you might expect from the name, nearly half of the entire surface area of Waterland consists of water (about 5000 hectares). This means anybody who loves water has plenty of things to do. How about sailing on the Markermeer or IJsselmeer lakes or having a drink at one of the outdoor cafes? If you would like to explore Waterland by boat, consider hiring a whispering boat, motorboat, rowing boat, yacht or canoe.
Local area
If you prefer to be next to water rather than actually on it, then Waterland is also a fantastic area for walking and cycling. The landscape consists of wide green pastures, peat rivers and villages dotted with colourful wooden houses and traditional Dutch farmhouses with pyramid-shaped roofs. The historic heart of the village of Broek in Waterland consists of splendid wooden houses, built in the 17th and 18th century by wealthy merchants and farmers. Or visit nearby fishing town Monnickendam with its yacht harbour, or lively Volendam, surprisingly the home town of many of the country's top pop acts.
Scoot along
If walking and cycling sound a little too active, how about whizzing about on a scooter? The Dutch Villages Tour is a scooter tour, which starts in Landsmeer, 10 kilometer north of Amsterdam. Armed with a map, you can explore the area with plenty of stops along the way, including traditional Volendam, a cheese maker and clog maker. The length of the scooter tour is approximately 70 kilometers and takes about five hours. Bike paths snake through villages like Monnickendam, Marken and Edam.
Marken magic
Only 20 minutes from Amsterdam, but a world away, is the splendid former isle of Marken. Connected with the mainland in 1957, the preserved village of the same name has been nominated by UNESCO for its old harbour, narrow streets, small bridges and traditional wooden houses built on stilts.
Marken is also the perfect place to visit on Queen’s Day – when the villagers dress up in traditional costumes and the streets are decorated in royal orange.
Within easy reach of Amsterdam, Waterland offers a tranquil and green escape from Amsterdam, whether explored by transport, bike or boat!
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