Tours and excursions during your stay in Monnickendam

Which tours and excursions can you do during a stay in Monnickendam?

During a stay in Monnickendam there are roughly four kinds of outing. Locally, you sail out onto the Gouwzee from Monnickendam harbour, either in our own sloop or with a local sailing or boat activity. Regionally, you visit Marken, Volendam, Edam and the Waterland polder landscape; these destinations lie in the same region and are straightforward to do on your own, on foot, by bike, by bus or by car. Marken and Volendam can also be combined with each other via the ferry connection between those two places when it is running.

Organised excursions are most interesting for destinations outside Waterland, such as a trip to the Zaanse Schans or a boat trip to the fortress island of Pampus in the IJmeer. And on a day when you visit Amsterdam, a canal cruise is a natural addition. One thing is important to know: the organised excursions to the Zaanse Schans, to Pampus and through the Amsterdam canals all depart in Amsterdam, not in Monnickendam.

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Monnickendam and the Gouwzee

The finest outing starts literally on our doorstep: the water. From Monnickendam harbour you sail straight onto the Gouwzee, with the town's church towers behind you and the silhouette of Marken across the water. You do not need to book a tour for that. Subject to availability, apartment guests can hire our own sloop, the Black Pearl, and decide for themselves how far to go — a loop around the Gouwzee, towards Marken, or into the canals of Monnickendam.

If you would rather be taken out than steer yourself, there are organised sailing options with a skipper leaving from the harbour, including historic sailing ships — one of the few genuinely local, organised activities.

The Black PearlThings to do in Monnickendam and Waterland

Marken, Volendam and Edam: guided tour or on your own?

This is the question we are asked most often. Day trips to Marken, Volendam and Edam are sold widely from Amsterdam, and that makes sense: for anyone sleeping in Amsterdam, transport is the biggest obstacle. From Monnickendam these places are in your own region. You cycle there through the polder, take the bus along the villages, or drive. Marken and Volendam can also be combined with each other via the ferry connection between those two places when it is running.

An organised tour can still make sense if you want a guide's commentary and company, if you would rather not arrange transport, or if you want several destinations covered in one programme. For guests staying in Monnickendam, a Marken/Volendam tour departing from Amsterdam is usually not the most logical choice: you would first travel to Amsterdam and then head back into Waterland, past places you can already reach easily from Monnickendam.

Sights in and around MonnickendamActivities and ways of getting there

An organised excursion to the Zaanse Schans

The Zaanse Schans is a different case from Marken, Volendam and Edam. It is not a neighbouring village on the Markermeer but a windmill area along the river Zaan, north-west of Amsterdam, with working windmills, craft workshops and a cheese dairy. From Monnickendam it is not a quick bike ride; you travel there by car or by public transport via Amsterdam or Zaandam.

That is exactly why an organised excursion is a realistic option here: transport, commentary and timing are arranged, and the destination barely overlaps with what you already see in Waterland. We selected one compact small-group excursion focused solely on the Zaanse Schans.

Be aware of one thing: this excursion departs in Amsterdam. You therefore travel from Monnickendam to Amsterdam first and join it there. That need not be a drawback — it combines well with a day when you are visiting Amsterdam anyway — but it is good to know in advance. If you prefer to go independently, the Zaanse Schans is also reachable by car or by public transport. You will find the excursion we refer to among the selected tours at the bottom of this page.

A canal cruise during a day in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a short journey from Monnickendam and many guests set aside one day for it. A cruise through the canals is then one of the most enjoyable ways to see the city: you sit still, you look up at the canal houses and you cover a large part of the centre without effort.

We point to a cruise in an open boat with a skipper who talks you through the city, operated by KINboat. This is an activity in Amsterdam, not a tour from Monnickendam: you depart in the city itself. Current departure points and times are shown on the product page, among the selected tours at the bottom of this page.

Where to stay near Amsterdam

Pampus: a fortress island in the IJmeer

Pampus is a fortress island in the IJmeer, built as part of the historic defence line around Amsterdam (the Defence Line of Amsterdam), which is recognised as UNESCO World Heritage. The combination of fort, island and boat journey makes it a special day out. The island can only be reached by boat, so it is not a spontaneous outing but a trip for which you check the boat connection and availability in advance.

No boat to Pampus departs from Monnickendam. The option we refer to sails from Amsterdam IJburg; there is also a connection from Muiden. Sailing days and departures vary by season, so always check them with the operator beforehand. This option is likewise listed among the selected tours at the bottom of this page.

Exploring on your own or booking a tour?

A short decision guide. Going independently is the obvious choice for: Monnickendam itself, with the harbour, the Speeltoren, the Grote Kerk and the canals; Marken and Volendam; Edam; cycling and walking in Waterland; and sailing on the Gouwzee in a hired sloop.

Excursions or transport planned in advance suit: destinations outside Waterland, such as an organised excursion to the Zaanse Schans; outings for which you check the boat connection and availability beforehand, such as Pampus; an activity during a day in Amsterdam, such as a canal cruise; and moments when you would rather hand over transport and planning, or value a guide's commentary more than your own route.

Practical points when booking a tour

Before booking, check the current details with the operator: availability, price, the language of the guide, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms. Pay particular attention to the departure point: a tour on this page does not automatically leave from Monnickendam — the Zaanse Schans excursion, Pampus and the canal cruise all begin in Amsterdam. Allow for travelling time, especially with an early departure.

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