Where to stay near Amsterdam
Middendam 4, 1141 BC Monnickendam
Stay@Gouwzee is located in Monnickendam, not in Amsterdam. Monnickendam is a historic harbour town in Waterland, north of Amsterdam, about 14 kilometres from the city.
Travellers who want to visit Amsterdam without sleeping in the city itself can base themselves in Monnickendam and treat Amsterdam as a day destination. You stay in a small historic town outside Amsterdam and travel in and out for the city.
Stay@Gouwzee is a self-contained holiday apartment at Middendam 4 in Monnickendam: 51 m², space for up to 4 guests, with a private kitchen, private bathroom, separate toilet and a private roof terrace. You rent the whole apartment, with no shared spaces.
Volendam, Marken and Edam are all close by, so one address covers both Amsterdam and Waterland.
Why stay outside Amsterdam?
Some visitors deliberately choose a place to stay outside central Amsterdam, usually because they want to see the city and the surrounding region: Amsterdam during the day, Waterland in the evening and on the days in between.
Staying in Monnickendam means sleeping in a smaller historic town on the water, with a harbour, old streets and restaurants within walking distance. It is a different experience from a city stay, not necessarily a better or worse one.
A base in Monnickendam also puts Volendam, Marken and Edam within easy reach, which makes Amsterdam one of several destinations on the trip rather than the only starting point.
More about staying in MonnickendamDiscover Monnickendam and its surroundings
Monnickendam as a base for visiting Amsterdam
Monnickendam lies in Waterland, the area between Amsterdam and the IJsselmeer. The distance to Amsterdam is about 14 kilometres.
Amsterdam is reachable from Monnickendam by public transport. An indicative journey time to central Amsterdam is around 35 minutes, depending on the connection, the time of day and the current timetable.
Because timetables change, no line numbers or departure times are published here. Our practical page carries the current access information; always check the live journey planner before you travel.
How do you get from Monnickendam to Amsterdam?
Buses run from Monnickendam towards Amsterdam Noord, where you change to the metro into central Amsterdam. That is the usual car-free route.
By car, Amsterdam is roughly 14 kilometres away. Parking in Amsterdam is a separate consideration, which is why many guests leave the car in Monnickendam.
Departure times, line numbers and frequencies change over time. Always check the operator's current journey planner before setting out.
Getting here and getting aroundFrequently asked questions about Amsterdam
Amsterdam by day, Monnickendam afterwards
A typical day consists of a visit to Amsterdam followed by a return to Monnickendam. During the day you see the canals, the museums and the old centre; in the evening you are back in a harbour town in Waterland.
That contrast is the point of this way of travelling. Amsterdam remains fully accessible, while the overnight stay takes place in a historic centre about 14 kilometres from the city.
In Monnickendam the day ends by the water: the harbour, the Gouwzee and the view towards Marken are within walking distance of Middendam 4. Guests who prefer to cook have a private kitchen, and the roof terrace belongs to the apartment.
More than Amsterdam alone
Several destinations can be combined from Monnickendam without changing accommodation. Volendam is about 5 kilometres away, Marken about 6 kilometres and Edam about 10 kilometres.
Monnickendam itself has a historic core with the Speeltoren, the harbour and the old streets around Middendam 4. Waterland consists of polders, dykes and small villages and is widely used for cycling and walking.
Guests who want to get out on the water can rent our sloop Black Pearl, with or without an overnight stay.
Monnickendam and WaterlandAttractionsActivitiesRent the sloop Black Pearl
Where do you stay?
Stay@Gouwzee is a self-contained holiday apartment at Middendam 4 in Monnickendam, inside the historic centre. The apartment is let to one party at a time.
- Middendam 4, Monnickendam
- 51 m² of living space
- Up to 4 guests
- Double boxspring bed
- Two single beds on the mezzanine
- Private kitchen
- Private bathroom and separate toilet
- Private roof terrace
- WiFi
- Climate control
Visiting Amsterdam and Waterland with children
Children are welcome at Stay@Gouwzee. The apartment accommodates a maximum of 4 guests in total, children included.
A cot is available on request. The two single beds are located on the mezzanine, which is reached by a ladder; that layout does not suit every age.
With or without a car?
With a car: a blue zone applies around Middendam 4. Between 09:00-19:00 you may park for a maximum of 2 hours using a parking disc. For longer stays guests use Parkeerplaats Grote Kerk / 't Bolwerk, about 5 minutes on foot. Local parking rules are set by the municipality and can change, so check the signs on site.
Without a car: Amsterdam is reachable from Monnickendam by public transport, and the centre of Monnickendam is within walking distance of the apartment. For the surrounding villages in Waterland, guests use public transport or a bicycle depending on the destination.
Whether a car is needed depends on your plans. For trips around Waterland a car adds flexibility; for Amsterdam many guests choose public transport.
Who is staying outside Amsterdam suited to?
This way of travelling does not fit every trip. It works best when Amsterdam is one of the destinations rather than the only one.
- Couples combining the city with Waterland
- Families of up to 4 people
- Visitors who want to see several places in North Holland
- Travellers who prefer a self-contained apartment with a kitchen over a hotel room
- Guests who want to stay several nights at one address
Monnickendam or Amsterdam as your base?
Both options are defensible; they simply produce a different kind of stay. The objective characteristics are set out below.
| Monnickendam as your base | Amsterdam as your base | |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Smaller historic town in Waterland | Large city |
| Visiting Amsterdam | Day trip, by public transport or car | You are already there |
| Exploring Waterland | Direct base | Excursion from Amsterdam |
| Stay@Gouwzee type | Self-contained apartment, 51 m², up to 4 guests | n/a |
Combining Amsterdam, Monnickendam, Volendam and Marken
For a stay of several days a simple split works well: one day in Amsterdam, one day in Monnickendam and Waterland, and a day for Volendam and Marken.
Amsterdam easily fills a full day with museums and the old centre. A second day can start in Monnickendam, with the historic core and the harbour, and continue with a cycle ride along the dykes of Waterland.
Volendam and Marken lie close together and combine well into one day; Edam is about 10 kilometres away. Guests who want time on the water can spend half a day on the sloop Black Pearl.
Plan your stay
More detail about the apartment, Monnickendam and the surrounding area.
Short answers about staying near Amsterdam
Where can I stay near Amsterdam?
North of Amsterdam lies Waterland, with towns such as Monnickendam, Broek in Waterland and Volendam. Stay@Gouwzee is a self-contained holiday apartment at Middendam 4 in Monnickendam, about 14 kilometres from Amsterdam, with 51 m² of living space for up to 4 guests.
Is Stay@Gouwzee located in Amsterdam?
No. Stay@Gouwzee is in Monnickendam, a historic harbour town in Waterland, north of Amsterdam. Amsterdam can be visited from Monnickendam as a day destination.
How far is Monnickendam from Amsterdam?
Monnickendam is about 14 kilometres from Amsterdam. By car that is a short drive; by public transport the journey to the centre takes an indicative 35 minutes, depending on the connection and the current timetable.
Can I travel from Monnickendam to Amsterdam by public transport?
Yes. Buses run from Monnickendam towards Amsterdam Noord, where you change to the metro into central Amsterdam. Timetables change, so always check the live journey planner before travelling.
Is Monnickendam a good base for visiting Amsterdam?
Monnickendam is about 14 kilometres from Amsterdam and has a public transport connection towards the city. A stay in Monnickendam can therefore be combined with day visits to Amsterdam without changing accommodation halfway through the trip.
Can I visit Amsterdam and Volendam from one accommodation?
Yes. From Monnickendam, Amsterdam is about 14 kilometres, Volendam about 5 kilometres, Marken about 6 kilometres and Edam about 10 kilometres. Stay@Gouwzee works as a single fixed address for the whole trip.
Is Stay@Gouwzee suitable for a family of four?
The apartment is 51 m² and takes up to 4 guests: a double boxspring bed and two single beds on the mezzanine, reached by a ladder. There is a dining area for 4 people and a private kitchen. A cot is available on request.
Do I need a car?
That depends on your plans. Amsterdam is reachable by public transport and the centre of Monnickendam is within walking distance of the apartment. For trips around Waterland a car adds flexibility. A blue zone applies around Middendam 4; for longer parking guests use Parkeerplaats Grote Kerk / 't Bolwerk.
Stay in Monnickendam, visit Amsterdam
Stay@Gouwzee is a self-contained 51 m² holiday apartment for up to 4 guests in the historic centre of Monnickendam, about 14 kilometres from Amsterdam.