Gouwzeeroute
Cycle past swaying reeds, old pumping stations and historic towns and discover the beautiful surroundings around the Gouwzee and the Purmer polder. Along the way, you will not only encounter typical Zuiderzee towns, but also the most beautiful bird species!
Get on your bike and let yourself be taken along swaying reeds, old pumping stations and through historic towns around the Gouwzee and the Purmer polder. Start your cycle tour in Purmerend and cycle along the Purmerdijk towards the typical Zuiderzee towns of Edam and Volendam. After a short bike ride, you will arrive in Volendam and board the Volendam Marken Express to make the crossing to the peninsula of Marken. During the crossing, enjoy the view over the water and use this moment as a short cycling break. Arriving on the peninsula, it's time to explore the island. Feel free to put your bike aside and admire the monumental wooden houses, narrow alleys, drawbridges and wharfs. It's like an open-air museum! After exploring Marken, you continue towards picturesque Monnickendam. This is another gem to cycle through!
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Get on your bike and let yourself be taken along swaying reeds, old pumping stations and through historic towns around the Gouwzee and the Purmer polder. Start your cycle tour in Purmerend and cycle along the Purmerdijk towards the typical Zuiderzee towns of Edam and Volendam. After a short bike ride, you will arrive in Volendam and board the Volendam Marken Express to make the crossing to the peninsula of Marken. During the crossing, enjoy the view over the water and use this moment as a short cycling break. Arriving on the peninsula, it's time to explore the island. Feel free to put your bike aside and admire the monumental wooden houses, narrow alleys, drawbridges and wharfs. It's like an open-air museum! After exploring Marken, you continue towards picturesque Monnickendam. This is another gem to cycle through!
Besides historic towns and old pumping stations, the Gouwzee is also a favourite spot among several bird species. In summer, the wet meadows are crowded with meadow birds. From August onwards, tens of thousands of winter visitors visit the lake to rest and forage for food. Especially duck species, such as tufted duck, common pochard, widgeon and goldeneye, feed here. Equip yourself with a camera and binoculars and feel like a tourist in your own country!
Take a closer look
You are going to see this
Edam Museum
Edams Museum is one of the oldest museums in North Holland!
Edam Museum
Edams Museum is one of the oldest museums in North Holland!
It tells, in two monumental locations right in the centre, the story of Edam's rich history: shipbuilding, ceramic industry, architecture, dignified families and ordinary daily life. The collection is very diverse and includes classic and modern paintings, ceramics, archaeological finds, furniture, and all kinds of other curiosities. In short, everything related to the history of Edam.
The 'Steenen Coopmanshuys' - Damplein 8
The beautiful late-gothic merchant's house is Edam's oldest stone house and was built between 1540 -1550. The Edam city council decided to purchase the property in 1893 and, after a thorough restoration led by Pierre Cuypers and Victor de Stuers, put it into use as a museum from 1895. The interior was hardly changed. When you cross the threshold of the building, you step right into the golden age.
The floating basement is famous here! It is a loose container, floating on the groundwater. Due to ebb and flow (the Edam museum is located at the Dam, where there used to be a (sea) lock), the Zuiderzee influenced the groundwater level. Because the cellar could move with the groundwater level, it was never flooded. Floating cellars are not unique. Edam, and especially Amsterdam, had many. However, the floating cellar in the Edam Museum is the only publicly accessible one in the Netherlands and therefore unique!
The Town Hall of Edam - Damplein 1
On the first floor of Edam's old town hall, dating from 1737, is the second location of the Edam Museum. These rooms, including the monumental mayor's room, are the backdrop for a changing exhibition each year.
Zuidpolder mill
The Zuidpolder windmill is a windmill located in Edam. It is an octagonal indoor windmill with the function of a polder mill.
Edam sea lock
Zeesluis Edam is a monumental dam between the Oorgat and the former Zuiderzee. The Sea Lock was built in 1828 and 1829 to replace the Sass Lock. Since the closure of the Zuiderzee, the sea lock no longer has a sea defence function.
Edam sea lock
Zeesluis Edam is a monumental dam between the Oorgat and the former Zuiderzee. The Sea Lock was built in 1828 and 1829 to replace the Sass Lock. Since the closure of the Zuiderzee, the sea lock no longer has a sea defence function.
Anno now, the sea lock serves as a sluice and provides the connection between the port of Edam and the Markermeer. Despite this, the character of this once imposing sea lock is unchanged.
Shipping company Volendam-Marken Express B.V.
Board the Marken Express and enjoy a unique boat trip between Volendam and Marken. The crossing takes about 30 minutes and offers stunning views of the water and the authentic harbour towns.
Shipping company Volendam-Marken Express B.V.
Board the Marken Express and enjoy a unique boat trip between Volendam and Marken. The crossing takes about 30 minutes and offers stunning views of the water and the authentic harbour towns.
By bike? No problem!
Simply take your bike on board and discover breathtaking Laag Holland on two wheels.
Book your tickets now with discount
Use discount code Laaghollandvaart26 and enjoy a 10% discount on your tickets!
Party on the water?
Rent a ship for a cruise, party, anniversary or company outing and turn your event into an unforgettable experience. Check out the possibilities on the website.
Marker Museum
The Marker Museum is housed in buildings from the 16th century and consists of six fishermen's houses. The Kerkbuurt is the oldest neighbourhood on the former island of Marken. The museum presents a picture of life on Marken, past and present.
Bird viewpoint Gouwzee
From this vantage point, there are great views over the Gouwzee (the Markermeer lake).
Bird viewpoint Gouwzee
From this vantage point, there are great views over the Gouwzee (the Markermeer lake).
Especially in winter, it is a haven for tens of thousands of birds such as tufted duck, pochard and common goldeneye. In late summer and early autumn, dozens of crowned ducks roost on the Gouwzee.
Waterlands museum the Speeltoren
The Waterlands Museum De Speeltoren tells the story of Waterland and Europe's faintest carillon. See how the Waterland landscape was created and learn more about the rich history of its beautiful towns and contemporary art.
Waterlands museum the Speeltoren
The Waterlands Museum De Speeltoren tells the story of Waterland and Europe's faintest carillon. See how the Waterland landscape was created and learn more about the rich history of its beautiful towns and contemporary art.
In the museum, you will find several rooms:
History hall: In the history hall, the times of yesteryear revive. It began with the monks who took charge of the land as early inhabitants. See the soil finds but also church books of Galilee. And get an insight into the way of life of the Waterlanders over the centuries.
Water and Land Hall: In the Water and Land Hall, you will see 2000 years of the genesis of our frogland. Man and nature, past and present, determine everything. Everywhere on the walls, the ceiling and in little nooks and crannies you will discover something new.
Carillon Hall: The carillon hall has been completely renovated. The entire attic has been redecorated around the experience of the tower and its unique carillon and clockwork. Watch a film about the clockwork in the tower or play a recreated carillon yourself!
Junior Attic: Especially for children, the museum houses the Junior Attic. Here, children can investigate and discover endlessly. Become a real archaeologist and go exploring in the discovery house!
Besides these permanent exhibitions, the museum has a temporary exhibition a few times a year. For more information of the temporary shows, go to the website of Waterlands Museum De Speeltoren.
The Melkwegbrug
Since 2012, the Melkwegbrug has been a defining feature in Purmerend's 'skyline'.
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