Lighthouse route
Please note! Due to dyke reinforcement works on Marken, large sections of the footpath on the dyke will be closed until autumn 2027. As a result, some routes cannot be walked (in full). Please check this carefully before setting off.
For more information, visit the Department of Public Works website.
The Lighthouse Route explores the entire head of Marken. The route is marked on wooden posts with green arrows.
The Lighthouse Route takes you through the head of the Marken peninsula. Walking along the dike, you will have a wonderful view over the water and can enjoy the beautiful landscape on Marken. A highlight of the route is the famous lighthouse: the Horse of Marken. This is the moment to grab your camera and take a nice picture. You then walk back via the Oosterpad to the starting point where the route ends.
Important information:
- For this route, follow the posts with the green markings/arrows.
Take a closer look
You are going to see this
Clog-making Marken
At Klompenmakerij Marken, you will see how wooden shoes are made with an authentic steam engine.
Clog-making Marken
At Klompenmakerij Marken, you will see how wooden shoes are made with an authentic steam engine.
Besides this machine-made method, traditional ways of making wooden shoes are also on display. To make it all even more nostalgic, you can also buy wooden shoes here.
Sijtje Boes Souvenirs
The legendary Sijtje Boes with her business instinct turned the island of Marken into a world-class tourist attraction. For over sixty years, she showed visitors her typical Marken cottage.
Sijtje Boes Souvenirs
The legendary Sijtje Boes with her business instinct turned the island of Marken into a world-class tourist attraction. For over sixty years, she showed visitors her typical Marken cottage.
In the little house Havenbuurt 21, Sijtje ran a souvenir shop where she sold windmills, clogs and tulips. ‘The uncrowned queen of Marken’ died in 1983, but her shop is still doing a roaring trade.
Tourist office Marken
Information Point Marken is there for residents, tourists and entrepreneurs. From the information point, volunteers provide comprehensive information.
Tourist Information Office Marken
Information Point Marken is there for residents, tourists and entrepreneurs. From the information point, volunteers provide comprehensive information.
At the Information Point, you can find lots of information on activities, attractions and events. There are plenty of cycling and walking routes, maps and informative brochures, and you can get tips from our local volunteers here. Referrals are made to affiliated entrepreneurs, for whom space has been made on the tables for their own leaflets. In addition, small souvenirs and postcards are sold.
Public toilets and showers are also available at the tourist office, open from 08:30 to 18:30, with a fee of €0.50.
Waterland Voucher
The Waterland Voucher was introduced by the Waterland Promotion Foundation (SPW) and Ondernemend Waterland (OW) and is available for purchase at the Monnickendam Tourist Information Centre and the Marken Tourist Information Centre. The voucher is available in denominations of €5 and €10 and can be spent at various businesses in Waterland. The voucher makes an ideal gift for Waterland residents!
Fancy becoming a volunteer?
The Waterland Promotion Foundation is looking for enthusiastic volunteers for the Information Points in Monnickendam and/or Marken.
- Do you care about Waterland and enjoy working in an active and enthusiastic team of volunteers?
- Would you like to inform visitors, residents and entrepreneurs about the surprising opportunities offered by Waterland?
- Do you know a lot about tourism and recreational opportunities in Waterland?
- Do you have a few hours a week to spare?
We’d love to welcome you as a volunteer at the Waterland Information Point at Zuideinde 2 in Monnickendam and/or Havenbuurt 19C in Marken! We invite people from all parts of Waterland to apply for this exciting volunteer role! Has this sparked your interest? If so, please get in touch with Karin Vlug, coordinator of the volunteer team. Or send an email to: coordinator@onswaterland.nl.
Brasserie De Taanketel
Brasserie De Taanketel in Marken is the place to enjoy delicious food with a beautiful view over the Gouwzee.
Brasserie De Taanketel
Brasserie De Taanketel in Marken is the place to enjoy delicious food with a beautiful view over the Gouwzee.
The menu changes every three months, so there are always fresh seasonal dishes on the table. No complicated culinary frills, but tasty and honest dishes in a casual atmosphere.
The brasserie attracts locals from Waterland as well as tourists who take time out for a tasty lunch or dinner in addition to the picturesque wooden houses and breathtaking views. The terrace by the harbour offers a perfect place to unwind and enjoy everything Marken has to offer.
Whether you are a regular guest or visiting the charming village for the first time, De Taanketel's fine atmosphere and delicious food will definitely make you want to come back here again!
Café Restaurant Land and sea view
Land and zeezicht is a cosy place where you can enjoy lunch and dinner.
Café Restaurant Land and sea view
Land and zeezicht is a cosy place where you can enjoy lunch and dinner.
The restaurant is quite large and offers perfect space for groups. Of course, you can also enjoy a drink here as a couple. Land and sea view is located in a picturesque building in a beautiful location on the harbour. From the terrace, you have a fantastic view over the harbour and the water while enjoying a snack and a drink. You will find Land and zeezicht on the Havenbuurt in Marken.
Horse of Marken
At the very tip of the island of Marken peaks Marken's iconic lighthouse: Horse of Marken. Many have gone before you, so come along and shoot a beautiful picture!
Horse of Marken
At the very tip of the island of Marken peaks Marken's iconic lighthouse: Horse of Marken. Many have gone before you, so come along and shoot a beautiful picture!
Years ago, the iconic 1839 lighthouse was used to guide boaters from the Wadden Sea to Amsterdam. Since the Zuiderzee was closed off, the lighthouse is no longer used for major shipping, but only for inland and recreational navigation. This does not mean that the lighthouse has gone unnoticed. You might have seen the lighthouse passing by once in the commercials of Heineken, Sikkens, Samson shag or other big brands.
Today, the Horse of Marken can only be visited from outside, as the lighthouse is still inhabited. Special after all! Yet this does not make a visit any less worthwhile. The lighthouse is not one of the most photographed lighthouses in the Netherlands for nothing.
Marker Regional Products
Marker Streekproducten is vending machine on Marken that sells products from the region and surrounding area.
Marker Regional Products
Marker Streekproducten is vending machine on Marken that sells products from the region and surrounding area.
This vending machine comes with all our types of cheese (farm cow cheese, goat cheese), honey, liquorice, jam, juices, yoghurt, milk and many more delicious products. The vending machine is open seven days a week and you can pay with pin and cash.
Feel free to drop by and take a look at the vending machine!
End point:
Walking junction 9
Marken
Navigate to the end point
- 09
- 35
- 36
- 34
- 33
- 09
- 9