Discover Monnickendam and Waterland
Monnickendam is a historic harbour town on the Gouwzee where you can easily fill several days. Walk through the old centre with its monumental facades and small shopping streets, take in the sights, head out on the water or explore the open Waterland landscape by bike or on foot. Visit a museum, pick a restaurant by the harbour or in the centre, and make trips to Marken, Volendam and Edam.
That makes Monnickendam a destination in its own right — not just a place to sleep, but a town you stay in because there is plenty to see and do. This page gives you an overview; for each subject we point you to the more detailed guides.
Monnickendam as a base for Waterland
Monnickendam lies in the municipality of Waterland, north of Amsterdam. The area is characterised by historic places, water and an open landscape of meadows, waterways and small dykes. From Monnickendam you can explore different parts of Waterland: the old town itself, the hinterland towards Broek in Waterland and Zuiderwoude, and the IJsselmeer area with Marken and Volendam. You do not have to choose: peace and space in Waterland, and a day out in the bustle of the city whenever you feel like it.
Sights in Monnickendam
The historic town centre of Monnickendam is the main sight in itself: monumental buildings, the harbour with its quays and bridges, the Speeltoren on the Noordeinde and the Grote or Sint-Nicolaaskerk. The guide to the sights gives you an overview of the finest spots and the stories behind them.
Boating, cycling and walking in Waterland
Waterland lends itself perfectly to outdoor activities. Sail across the Gouwzee or through the waterways between the meadows, cycle along the dykes beside the water, or walk through the peatland landscape with its birds and wide views. If you would like to get out on the water yourself, you can also rent the Black Pearl from Stay@Gouwzee during your stay. In suitable weather the water and the countryside are at their most inviting; when the weather is less kind, museums, restaurants and the historic centre are good alternatives. Many of these activities work just as well as a family.
Museums and culture
Locally, Waterlandsmuseum de Speeltoren is the most obvious address, housed in the town's best-known monument. Volendam, Marken and Edam also have museums that tell the history of the region.
Eating and drinking in Monnickendam
For lunch, dinner or a drink there is plenty of choice. In and around the historic centre you will find a range of addresses, from informal to a special evening out, and several of them are by the harbour or on the water.
Tours and organised trips
Marken, Volendam and Edam are easy to discover independently, at your own pace. Organised tours are mainly useful for trips further afield, such as the Zaanse Schans, or for activities during a day in Amsterdam. These tours do not depart from Monnickendam.
Discovering Volendam, Marken and Edam
Three historic places that combine well with a stay in Monnickendam. Volendam is the well-known fishing village along the dyke, the former island of Marken has its characteristic wooden houses and lighthouse, and Edam is known for cheese, canals and monuments. Each is worth a visit on its own, and together they also make a good day out through the region.
Combining Monnickendam and Amsterdam
A stay in Monnickendam combines well with a visit to Amsterdam. You sleep in the quiet of Waterland and visit the city whenever you like — a very different setting from staying in the middle of the crowds.
More about the stay
This page helps you explore the surroundings. If you would like to know more about the stay itself, have a look at the apartment or read why guests choose to stay in Monnickendam. Practical questions — about arrival and getting around, for example — are answered in the frequently asked questions.
The apartmentStaying in MonnickendamFrequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about Monnickendam and its surroundings
- What is there to do in Monnickendam?
- In Monnickendam you can walk through a historic centre with monumental buildings and a lively harbour, see sights such as the Speeltoren and the Grote Kerk, visit the Waterlandsmuseum, eat in and around the centre and by the harbour, and go boating, cycling or walking in the Waterland countryside.
- What can you visit around Monnickendam?
- Around Monnickendam lie the historic places Volendam, Marken and Edam, which combine well with a stay. Waterland also offers open landscape, water and small villages such as Broek in Waterland. A visit to Amsterdam is equally easy to combine with a stay here.
- Is Monnickendam a good base for Waterland?
- Yes. Monnickendam lies in the municipality of Waterland, right in the middle of a region of historic places, water and open landscape. From the town you can reach the hinterland, the IJsselmeer area with Marken and Volendam, and the other Waterland villages. You stay in a lively historic town with the calm of the region on your doorstep.
- Can you combine a stay in Monnickendam with Amsterdam?
- Yes. Many guests combine a stay in Monnickendam with one or more days in Amsterdam. You sleep in the quiet of Waterland and visit the city whenever you like. That way you combine two very different settings in one stay, without sleeping in the middle of the capital's bustle.
- What can you do when the weather is poor?
- When the weather is less kind there are plenty of alternatives in and around Monnickendam: visit Waterlandsmuseum de Speeltoren or a museum in Volendam, Marken or Edam, explore the historic centre with its shops and cafés, or choose a restaurant for a leisurely lunch or dinner by the harbour.