Volendam

Volendam is a fishing village in North Holland built around a natural harbor and crisscrossed by waterways. Rows of narrow wooden houses with green, blue, and red painted facades stand tightly packed along the waterfront streets, while fishing boats and historic vessels rest at anchor.

The settlement began in the 14th century when residents built homes around a new harbor after a canal connected Edam to the Zuiderzee. Across the following centuries, the place grew into a major fishing and trading center along the coast.

The village takes its name from the protective dike that once shielded the settlement, and the brightly painted wooden houses with their distinctive windows and shutters remain central to local identity. You still encounter fishing traditions woven into daily routines and conversations throughout the community.

The village is well served by bus connections, and most visitors park at the village edge or use public lots near the harbor. You can explore everything on foot since all main spots are close together and there are plenty of paths along the water.

Hotel Spaander holds a collection of paintings created by artists who lodged there during the 19th and 20th centuries. This art collection shows how the place attracted and inspired creative visitors from different regions.