Old Holland

With its windmills, green landscapes, arts and crafts, and industrial heritage, discovering Old Holland feels like taking a step back in time. The region showcases the traditions The Netherlands first became famous for: shipbuilding, clogs, fishing and cheese making. You can also experience the heritage of the Dutch Industrial Revolution – a time when smoking chimneys and spinning sails enabled the mass production of goods.

 

Our guides to Old Holland

4 hours: traditional artisans

12 hours: industrial heritage

24 hours: fishing villages and polder landscapes

Volendam
Discover the region with the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket

Plan your perfect day trip

Things to do

Zaandam

Art and culture

Chapter 2WO at Het Hem

Restaurants and bars

Family and kids

Speelslot Twiske Amsterdam

Where to stay

Suitehotel Posthoorn

Enjoy the highlights of Old Holland

Zaanse Schans windmill Cris Toala Olivares

Fun facts you didn't know about windmills

Did you know that there were once more than 10,000 fully operational windmills in the Netherlands? Here’s a few things about windmills that you might not know!

Hembrugterrein

Once a hub for the production of ammunition, Zaandam's Hembrugterrein has now transformed into a cultural centre housing several restaurants, museums and contemporary art spaces including Het HEM.
Edam cheese market

Cheese markets

Old Holland is a must-visit for all cheese lovers with its dairies, tasting rooms and open-air markets where spectators can enjoy observing some uniquely-Dutch traditions.
Volendam

Harbour villages

Smalltown Harbours such as Edam, Volendam, Marken and Monnickendam all share a rich history of fishing and trade.
Broek in Waterland

Het Twiske-Waterland

This green recreational area is packed with options for boating, swimming or watersports and boasts some spectacular cycle routes.
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Practical info

About Old Holland

Edam

How to get to Old Holland

Visitor Information Centres

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