Holland is truly a wonderful country with many interesting places for anybody who loves to travel. Although Amsterdam is an energetic and highly-populated city, which is the capital of the Netherlands, the rest of the nearby towns and villages are quiet and beautiful, as well as historically and culturally interesting with marvelous architecture. These towns are perfect for those who are willing to explore the undiscovered parts of Dutch traditions and peoples, which are not affected by the massive tourist flow.
These are the wonderful places that, without any doubt, can be called the most beautiful villages near Amsterdam.
Starting from popular locations like Leiden to the towns scarcely moving out of headlines like Edam, every single town is a piece of the Dutch golden era. As for their culture and art, they are splendid for anyone. Further, different architecture such as canal and the ration between the modern and old-looking buildings makes each of them great. In the following, we inform you more about these places.
1. Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans, which is just a short drive of thirty-two km from Amsterdam, is one of the most popular attractions in the Netherlands. This village is quite famous for its history and more specifically the number of windmills here. These windmills are of late eighteenth to early nineteenth century origins and were needed for such different tasks as grinding spices, sawing wood, or arriving at oil.
Unique Features
- Historical Significance: Once, there were as many as 600 windmills in Zaanse Schans, however, there are only eight noteworthy ones at the moment. Zaanse Schans is a place that gives visitors an idea of the industrial revolution in the Netherlands.
- Traditional Dutch Architecture: All wooden houses typical for Dutch architecture, numerous of them are nowadays occupied by museums, workshops, and souvenir shops.
- Cultural Attractions: The fun things to do in this region include a clog-making workshop, a cheese farm, as well as the bakery museum, for a sample of authentic Dutch pastries.
Tourism in Zaanse Schans is incomplete without tourism information services; the tourist dressed in traditional clothing takes groups for an informational tour. The tours offered here offer visitors historical background information of the village as well as the purpose of the windmills. It is advised that one should go for a certain tour in advance to be able to have the best experiences.
2. Monnickendam
Monnickendam is indeed a calm and rather quiet place, far from the noisy and busy life of Amsterdam. Monnickendam owes its name to the Frisian monks who were the first to try to build their dwelling there. Busts of these two monks deposited at the historical site signify the initial religious base of the present town.
Unique Features
- Historical Ambiance: The docks, canals, and old wooden houses give the atmosphere of the 17th century because Monnickendam was an important port at that period.
- Architectural Highlights: Presently a museum, the Speeltoren is a medieval clock tower that was used to inform the villagers about the time of the day.
- Serene Environment: One of the advantages of Monnickendam as a tourist destination is the relative absence of large crowds of tourists compared to some of the cities and villages around such as Assendelft, which are also located by the canals.
The place termed Monnickendam would do very well for any individual in search of a place to get a vantage point to traverse. It boasts well-preserved buildings and a serene atmosphere hence ideal for people who are interested in architecture and history and for those seeking a quiet place.
3. Volendam
Volendam is midway situated between Edam and Marken and it has a rich history behind it. It originated in the 14th century as a fishing village, which has later developed into the port city. Today Volendam’s main industries are fishing and tourism industries. The harbors are those of a picturesque town, gorgeous wooden houses, and painted boats giving the atmosphere of lively and colorful.
Unique Features
- Picturesque Harbor: The harbor of Volendam has been depicted to be the central place for the locals with wooden built houses and brightly colored fishing boats.
- Cultural Activities: Different activities relating to the harbor can be done by the visitors including boat riding and visiting museums. Actually, the Volendam Museum gives one a true view of the town history, traditional Volendam dresses, and fishing methods.
- Iconic Products: Cheese farms and wooden shoe or clog factories which include demonstration along with sales of souvenirs related to cheese and wooden shoes are found.
Another recommended stop is the cheese farms and the clogs manufacturing factories; in Volendam especially one can find and buy souvenirs such as cheese and clogs. Taking a boat ride or a tour at these farms is highly recommended to get a full tour.
4. Edam
Edam is a historical and pretty Dutch village recognized by cheese. Earlier, it was a prosperous seaport, but in the sixteenth century owing to fluctuating water levels and measures for controlling floods the place lost its economic relevance as that of a seaport. However, the town has remained rather picturesque and is still frequented by those tourists, who are eager to explore the origins of the Dutch Republic.
Unique Features
- Cheese Market: This lenses in the fact that the Edam Cheese Market which is held weekly during summer is a place of interest in the town of Edam. The market offers demonstrations of trading of cheese as was done in the past, and most of the traders dress in costume and even the transport used is horse-drawn carriages.
- Historical Preservation: Another place that extends more information about the history and making of Edam Cheese is the Edam Cheese Museum.
- Scenic Rides: It is easy to cycle through the town itself and the pathways that are along the town’s canals.
Besides cheese, there are beautiful bike tours through the city’s streets and over the canals. Renting a bicycle and cycling around the town is another perfect way that avails the kind of super quiet environment that the town has to offer.
5. Marken
Marken is a beautiful small fishing village situated diametrically opposite to Volendam. Marken was an island and got linked with the mainland through a dike in the year 1957. This village is easily recognizable by the timber-framed houses with columns on stilt or small hillocks to avoid water logging.
Unique Features
- Historical Architecture: Traditional wooden houses of Marken which are erected on stilt or on a small mound or which are built of clay have been designed to prevent floods.
- Vibrant Port: The port itself is very advanced offering several restaurants, stores, and more importantly several boat tours.
- Cultural Insights: This museum shows the past of the village telling about the traditions of clothing, fishing, and everyday life of the people of Marken.
Marken itself is a very borough and lively village, with many restaurants, shops as well as, and the possibility of having a boat trip. While they graze on excellent fish and chips they can watch the boats arriving and leaving or alternatively do some shopping and purchase souvenirs. Going for a boat ride along the Moulineaux and the escape to either Marken or Volendam is an exciting way of viewing the villages and their channels.
6. Leiden
It is a historic, artistic and architectonic city since one of the oldest universities in the Netherlands is located in Leiden. Leiden University was founded in 1575 and for many years the university has been a place for studies and advancement. It has many museums, historic buildings, and a thriving culture, all of which a strong academic background.
Unique Features
- Academic Heritage: Leiden University is situated in Leiden and was established in 1575 and it is one of the oldest Universities in the Netherlands and anybody’s place of learning and discovery.
- Historic Center: Leiden’s old town is a network of small streets filled with houses with rich dark colors of the 16th and 17th centuries.
- Cultural Wealth: It also quite famous for museums like Museum of Antiquities, the Natural History Museum, and Siebold House.
The old town of Leiden is characterized by a tight network of narrow streets flanked by the houses of the red or orange colors with the reference to the 16-17th cc. The fountains are numerous and the boat rides in the different canals are beautiful. It is suggested that a popular mode of transportation in this city is the boat tour through the canal; this is because one can take a boat tour and view the famous places like the old city gates, windmills, and the old seeking houses.
7. Haarlem
Haarlem is a city with intensive cultural and social background, situated near Amsterdam, by a train. Famous for its building that goes back to the middle ages and art Felipe, Haarlem is historic yet very much contemporary.
Unique Features
- Architectural Beauty: Haarlem has beautiful Gothic architecture; the most striking piece of architecture in the central city is the Grote Kerk (St. Bavo’s Church).
- Cultural Attractions: It has many museums; art lovers should visit Frans Hals Museum where the collection includes paintings by the artist of the same name, the Dutch Golden Age painter.
- Shopping and Dining: The central streets of Haarlem are relatively narrow and little shops which sell different types of goods, cafes where people can have a cup of coffee, and restaurants where they can have dinner and taste different kinds of dishes are situated.
Strolling around the streets of Haarlem and the museums give an insight into the history and culture of the Dutch people. The busy town center and open-air markets, together with those impressive parks, offer an excellent addition, so that one can explore the town as a day trip from Amsterdam.
8. Alkmaar
Perhaps, one of the most popular sights recognized worldwide is the cheese market taking place in Alkmaar. This place is also filled with beautiful canals, some rather old structures and it is a very culturally vibrant city.
Unique Features
- Cheese Market: The major sightseeing location is the Cheese Market of Alkmaar which is conducted every Friday in the summer season. It also shows traditional procedures for measuring the weight of the cheese and commercial exchange of it.
- Historic Sites: The city of Alkmaar last few attractions from the ancient times they include Waag which is the Weigh House and the Grote Kerk which are two remarkable buildings.
- Cultural Events: The city has many cultural activities and celebrations at one time also contribute to the laid-back atmosphere of Wrocław.
That is why a visit to Alkmaar is a fascinating journey into the world of history, culture, and tasty dishes. The cheese market must be visited; it will make you savor a traditional Netherlands experience. To explore the historic and architectural view of the city one can simply walk around lulled by the beauty of nighttime streets and canals.
Find Out Villages That Carry a Culture That Can Be Explained
Nearer here are these villages packed with historical features, cultural values, and trappings of the charming line. Each one of them, in its roads, harbors, and homes keeps part of Dutch legacy belonging to the country’s past. These villages offer some sort of retreat from the urban dynamics and therefore one is able to learn about the Dutch way of life while at the same time enjoying their vacation.
It is recommended to visit these villages because the program of your stay in Amsterdam entails much traveling, and visiting these villages will help you get a better understanding of the Dutch reality. Whether it is the fascination with windmills, cheese tasting, or walking through the middle age streets, these villages provide it all.
Practical Tips for Visiting
Transportation
The physical accessibility to these villages is relatively easy because getting around the Netherlands is easy due to the reliable public means of transport. With regard to these other famous surrounding towns, trains and buses are commonly available to get to Amsterdam for day excursions. Also, an OV-chipkaart is an ideal option which is a smart card used to pay for the fares of any means of public transport.
Accommodation
Although the following villages are ideal for one-day trips, it is even better to spend a night at the village. There are many of these towns that have luxury bed and breakfasts, boutique hotels, and guest houses for a richer experience. It is also recommended to book in advance particularly during the high calendar year season.
Local Cuisine
Visiting these villages also implies tasting traditional Dutch food dishes. You can occur local delicacies such as stroopwafels, poffertjes, and haring which I am sure you will love. Most towns have markets where you could taste fresh food and those that are characteristic of this area.
Seasonal Highlights
Each village has its own charm throughout the year, but certain seasons offer unique experiences:
- Spring: See the beautiful meadow of flowers especially the Tulips at places like Lisse, close to the Keukenhof Gardens.
- Summer: Experience festivities, farm produce market, and good climates for mostly walking and cycling.
- Autumn: Another picturesque collection of streets and canals become red and gold in autumn making the experience even more romantic.
- Winter: Visit Christmas markets, ice-skating on frozen canals, and in cafés.
Cultural Etiquette
In the same regard, it is necessary to adhere to cultural and societal practices whenever one is in these villages. Duties include politeness, punctuality, and environmental conservation which are some of the relatively important importance to the Dutch. Here are a few tips:
- Greetings: A simple “hello” does enough or even “good day” as in “hallo” or “goedendag.”
- Cycling: Using a bicycle is among the common means of transport. Bike lanes should be given priority and if there are bikes, be very careful around them.
- Waste: Always ensure that you discard wastes in the right manner and ensure that most wastes are recycled.
Conclusion
Day trips on or around the villages that are located close to Amsterdam help in understanding the culture, history, and daily life of the country more deeply. Every town is special; although they are similar, each town has something special, such as Zaanse Schans with windmills, Leiden with its academic tradition, and Alkmaar with its cheese markets. These villages help in revealing the uniqueness and potential of the Netherlands; therefore, they should not be missed when in Amsterdam.
From an architectural point of view, or as historical sites, or just the curiosity to see something different these villages hold the curiosity of the observer. Thus, grab your backpacks, pen down your schedule, and proceed to explore the offbeat places around Amsterdam. As breathtaking as the trip is, it is filled with experiences that will turn into some of the most memorable in one’s life.