Volendam, Edam, Monnickendam

Hop on your bike for a beautiful cycle route past charming authentic North Holland villages.

Charming Dutch villages such as Edam, Volendam and Monnickendam are located on the Markermeer. In Edam, you will find historic houses and, in summer, a cheese market where you can taste real Edam cheese. Walking through the narrow streets, you can see how the town has formed around the water, with old canals, gabled houses and a surprisingly peaceful atmosphere. Edam may be famous for its cheese, but it is also a beautiful, well-preserved former trading town.

South of this characteristic village is the fishing village of Volendam. The inhabitants of this village distinguish themselves from the rest of the Netherlands in terms of their customs, which has put Volendam on the tourist map. Get off your bike and stroll around the harbour and the charming streets. Literally step into the shoes of a Volendammer and have your photo taken in traditional costume or hop on a boat for a trip to Marken.

At the southernmost tip of this route lies Monnickendam. It is famous for having the most out-of-tune, but authentic, carillon in Europe. The town was granted city rights in the 14th century and has retained much of its old structure ever since. The harbour is compact but atmospheric, with views of the Markermeer. If you look closely, you can still see traces of the old fishing, shipbuilding and trading industries that once flourished here.