Amsterdam
From the Rijksmuseum to NEMO Science Museum and Vondelpark, Amsterdam is packed with family-friendly experiences in a compact, walkable city.
0 guides · Amsterdam & SurroundingsExplore →
🇳🇱Volendam
Volendam is a classic Dutch fishing village on the Markermeer, 20 km from Amsterdam. Famous for smoked eel, kibbeling, traditional costumes, and a boat trip to Marken island.
Your family guide
Volendam: a real Dutch fishing village your family will love
“Colourful houses, fresh fish on the dike, and a harbour that feels like stepping back in time.”
— San & Jo
Volendam is one of those places that looks exactly like the postcard version of the Netherlands, but actually delivers on the promise. Sitting on the shores of the Markermeer lake, just 20 kilometres north of Amsterdam, this compact fishing village packs in colourful wooden houses, a lively waterfront dike, traditional Dutch costumes, and some of the freshest seafood you will find anywhere in the country.
What makes Volendam special for families is how easy it is to explore together. The harbour is the beating heart of the village, where fishing boats bob alongside modern yachts and fish stalls serve up kibbeling straight from the fryer. Wander into Het Doolhof, Volendam's oldest quarter, and your kids will love getting lost in the maze of narrow alleys, drawbridges, and fishermen's cottages that look like they belong to another century.
Volendam works brilliantly as a half-day or full-day trip from Amsterdam, and it pairs naturally with nearby Marken island, the windmills of Zaanse Schans, or a visit to Edam. Whether your family is here for the food, the history, or just a good wander along the water, Volendam rarely disappoints.
MarkermeerLakeside setting
April to SeptemberBest time to visit
Seafood villageFamous for smoked eel
Best things to do
Why we love Volendam for families
Walk the Dike (De Dijk)
Volendam's famous waterfront promenade is the first place to head with your family. The dike runs along the Markermeer and is lined with fish restaurants, souvenir shops, historic sailing ships, and fishing boats. The panoramic views over the lake are gorgeous, and the atmosphere is lively without feeling overwhelming. Grab a cone of kibbeling from one of the stalls and just soak it all in.
Visit in the early morning or evening to beat the midday crowds
1-2 hours
Boat trip to Marken island
A short boat trip from Volendam harbour takes your family across the Markermeer to Marken, another traditional Dutch village that feels even more preserved and peaceful. Kids love the journey on the water, and Marken's wooden houses on stilts are genuinely unlike anything else in the Netherlands. It is one of the best add-ons to a Volendam visit.
Combine with the Volendam Museum for a full cultural day
2-3 hours return
Dress up in traditional Dutch costumes
This is hands-down one of the most fun things to do in Volendam with kids. Several studios along the dike let your family dress in authentic Dutch costumes, complete with clogs and traditional hats, and pose for a proper portrait. It sounds touristy, but it is genuinely joyful and makes for a family photo you will actually frame.
Book a slot earlier in the day to avoid queues
30-60 minutes
Explore Het Doolhof
Het Doolhof is Volendam's oldest quarter and one of its most atmospheric corners. The name means 'the labyrinth', and it earns it. Narrow alleys twist between colourful fishermen's houses, canals, and old drawbridges. It feels genuinely historic and is a wonderful contrast to the busier dike. Kids love the maze-like feel, and it is completely free to explore.
Look for the hidden drawbridges and tiny canals tucked between the houses
45-60 minutes
Visit the Volendam Museum
The Volendam Museum tells the story of the village through traditional costumes, local art, and historical artefacts. It covers the artistic legacy of Volendam, which has been drawing painters since the 1880s, as well as the fishing culture that shaped everyday life here for centuries. It is compact and engaging enough to hold the attention of older kids and curious parents.
Check for temporary exhibitions that often add extra depth to the permanent collection
1 hour
Browse the harbour and fish stalls
Volendam Harbour is where the village's fishing heritage comes alive. Watch boats unload their catch, pick up fresh smoked eel from Smit Bokkum (operating since 1856), and let the kids try kibbeling or a herring sandwich from the stalls. The harbour is compact and easy to navigate with a pram or pushchair, and the energy here is warm and welcoming.
Smit Bokkum is one of the oldest smoked fish businesses in the Netherlands. Worth the queue.
1 hour
Our verdict
How Volendam scores for families
Kids
Hands-on experiences like costume dressing, harbour exploration, and a boat trip to Marken keep children genuinely engaged. The village is compact and easy to navigate with little ones.
Culture
Volendam has a rich and authentic cultural identity, from its artistic heritage dating back to the 1880s to its living fishing traditions. The museum and Het Doolhof add real depth.
Food
This is where Volendam truly shines. Fresh seafood, smoked eel, kibbeling, and local fish cakes make it one of the best culinary stops in the region for families who love to eat well.
Nature
The Markermeer views are lovely and the boat trip to Marken adds a natural dimension, but Volendam itself is a village rather than a nature destination. Good for a lakeside stroll, not a hiking adventure.
Budget
Exploring the dike and Het Doolhof is free, but food, costume photos, museum entry, and the boat trip to Marken add up quickly. Mid-range overall for a family day out.
Planning your visit
How long should you stay in Volendam?
3
3 hours
Quick visit
Walk the dike, grab kibbeling from a stall, and peek into Het Doolhof. A great add-on to a day at Zaanse Schans or Edam.
sweet spot
1
1 day
Sweet spot
Explore the harbour, visit the museum, dress up in traditional costumes, and take the boat trip to Marken. This is the ideal family day in Volendam.
2
2 days
Slow explorer
Stay overnight to enjoy the village once the day-trippers have left. Combine with Edam or Zaanse Schans for a proper Noord-Holland countryside experience.
Did you know?
Things about Volendam your kids will love to know
Artists loved it here
From the 1880s onwards, painters from across Europe travelled to Volendam to capture its fishing village character and traditional way of life. The village became one of the most painted places in the Netherlands, and that artistic legacy still shapes the town's identity today.
Smoked fish since 1856
Smit Bokkum has been smoking fish in Volendam for well over 150 years, making it one of the oldest continuously operating smoked fish businesses in the entire country. The recipe and technique have barely changed. That smoked eel your kids are suspicious of? It has been delighting visitors since before your great-great-grandparents were born.
Het Doolhof really is a maze
The name Het Doolhof literally translates to 'the labyrinth'. This oldest quarter of Volendam is a genuine tangle of narrow alleys, canals, and drawbridges that grew organically over centuries. Fishermen's cottages were built wherever there was space, which is why the neighbourhood has no logical grid. Getting slightly lost is part of the fun.
Taste Volendam
What to eat in Volendam with your family
Kibbeling
Kids love itHarbour fish stalls along De Dijk
Bite-sized pieces of white fish deep-fried in crispy batter and served with garlic sauce or tartar sauce. This is the easiest introduction to Volendam's seafood culture for kids. You will find it at stalls all along the dike, freshly made and served in a paper cone. It is impossible to walk past without stopping.
Gerookte paling (smoked eel)
Must trySmit Bokkum
This is Volendam's signature dish and something your family should try at least once. The eel is smoked using traditional methods that give it a distinctively buttery, rich flavour. It is more adventurous than kibbeling, but that is exactly the point. Smit Bokkum, operating since 1856, is the place to try it.
Haring (herring) sandwich
Local favouriteHarbour fish stalls along De Dijk
Raw herring served with onions and pickles on a soft white roll is an icon of Dutch food culture, and Volendam is one of the best places in the country to try it. The traditional way to eat a whole herring is to hold it by the tail and take a bite from below. For kids, the sandwich version is a gentler entry point.
Fried cod and green pea soup
Safe choiceDe Lunch
De Lunch, a popular local restaurant across the harbour, serves traditional Dutch comfort food including fried cod, fried hake, and a proper green pea soup. It is the kind of honest, filling meal that works well for families after a morning of exploring. Warm, straightforward, and genuinely good.
Volendammer bol
Daily treatLocal fish stalls and harbour restaurants
This is a local speciality worth seeking out. The Volendammer bol is a fish cake made with fresh local fish, herbs, and seasonings in a golden crust. It is a more unusual way to experience Volendam's seafood culture and a great option for kids who prefer something a little more familiar in texture than raw herring or smoked eel.
More places across The Netherlands
6 places
Zaanse Schans
Discover Zaanse Schans with your family: working windmills, cheese tastings, wooden shoe demos, and Dutch pancakes in a beautifully preserved historic village.
0 guides · Amsterdam & SurroundingsExplore →
Alkmaar
Discover Alkmaar with your family: a walkable historic centre, the famous Friday Cheese Market, canal cruises, and some of the best local food in North Holland.
0 guides · Haarlem, Tulip Region & CoastExplore →
Ameland
Ameland is a Wadden Island in the Netherlands with white beaches, dune forests, seal safaris, and a car-light environment perfect for families who want to slow down.
0 guides · The Wadden IslandsExplore →
Apeldoorn
Discover Apeldoorn with your family: a baroque palace, the world's first free-roaming primate zoo, and easy cycling through a stunning national park.
0 guides · The Veluwe & GelderlandExplore →
Arnhem
Arnhem blends WWII history, world-class museums, a top-rated zoo, and beautiful parks into a compact, family-friendly Dutch city that rewards two to three days of exploration.
0 guides · The Veluwe & GelderlandExplore →
Planning a trip to Volendam?
Get the latest family travel tips for Volendam in your inbox.