Suggested Route

Do you want to not only see the Netherlands, but also taste it? The Taste of Holland route takes you to places where food, local traditions, and hospitality are central.

The route starts at the Zaanse Schans, where, in addition to the famous windmills, there is also a lot of attention for traditional regional products and crafts. Here you can discover how Dutch cheese is made and how old crafts still have a place in the daily life of the region. Pay a visit to the Henri Willig shop to take home some treats, or walk on towards the Zaans Museum to learn all about the history of Verkade cookies and chocolate.

Make a relaxing stop in Purmerend and have lunch at the cozy Koemarkt at Brasa Bar & Kitchen. The terraces give the square a laid-back atmosphere and make Purmerend a pleasant stopover during your journey through Waterland. 

The route continues to Volendam, a fishing village on the IJsselmeer where the harbor forms the heart of the village. Known for traditional costumes, fish, and music! There are still plenty of culinary spots to discover in Volendam that will surprise you. At Smit-Bokkum, you can taste the best smoked eel and fish in Volendam. The sunny terrace of Restaurant Pieterman invites you for a drink with a view of the boats and the harbor.

A small town that became world-famous for Edam cheese – the golden spheres. Discover the world-renowned regional product in The Story of Edam Cheese. An interactive experience about the cheese.

From Volendam, you can also easily take the Marken Express for a short and beautiful crossing to the picturesque Marken.