Neighborhood
Monnickendam
Some booking links are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We never let this influence which places we recommend.
Monnickendam, a small historic town on the Gouwzee, offers a quieter alternative to Volendam. Its medieval center is dominated by the Grote Kerk (Great Church), a 15th-century Gothic church with a tall, slender tower that is visible from miles away. The town's streets are lined with old merchants' houses, many with step-gables and ornate facades. The harbor area, once a busy fishing port, is now a marina filled with pleasure boats. Visitors can explore the town's history at the local museum, 't Vliegend Hert, housed in a 17th-century building. What makes Monnickendam special is its authentic, lived-in feel, it's not a tourist trap but a real working town with a bakery, a butcher, and a pub where locals gather. The surrounding polders offer excellent cycling routes with views of windmills and grazing cows.
Don't miss
- Admire the Grote Kerk and its 75-meter tower
- Wander the medieval streets with historic merchant houses
- Visit Museum 't Vliegend Hert for local history
- Relax at the marina and watch boats come and go
- Cycle or walk along the dike to see the polder landscape
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Monnickendam
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inVolendam Marken Express Boat Cruise4.5★ · 91 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$12 per personSee dates →
Best full dayDay Trip to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam and Marken from Amsterdam4.7★ · 6,080 travelers~7 hoursFree cancellationFrom$41 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleDay Trip from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans Windmills and Volendam5★ · 12 travelers~8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$489 per personSee dates →More attractions in Edam